The word is out on my absolute favorite place to escape in the capital city of St George’s, Secret Harbour Boutique Hotel and Marina! The secret ingredient is that it does not require a long drive to achieve the same peacefulness as a countryside retreat. For now, the neighborhood consists of ocean views and the right mix of lush greens, calming blues, and a dash of a cool hypnotic breeze to whisk you into relaxation mode.
I sat down with Hotel Manager, Cindy Marama, to discuss the exciting launch of their on-site gym which opened on the 1st February and to find out what other exciting developments are in-store for this serene property.
STAY
Whenever I stay at Secret Harbour, I always go for one of the deluxe suites, complete with an ocean view and private beach. All the other cottages are different in design, but my preference is the ability to soak in the outdoor jacuzzi in suite 20 while admiring our sensational sunsets. The décor reminds me of a high-end luxury cottage in the English countryside minus the chilly weather. Due to its location at the far end of the property, the magic is that you can hear a pin drop.
KC: I love the decor in Deluxe Suite 19 and 20. Is the plan to renovate the other cottages like this, or will each cottage have its own identity?
CM: Oh yes, the style of our deluxe suites is a play on the Caribbean style mahogany, some French themes, and modern accents. The interior designers were intentional about mixing raw and refined materials and creating various textures while still maintaining a cozy feel. In total, we have 20 cottages, and 18 are deluxe cottages. Rooms 19 and 20 will remain deluxe suites as the idea is to offer our guests something extra special. The suites are perfect for special occasions such as weddings or anniversaries or as you like to do, just relax and feel luxurious. We plan to develop 5 Villas with up to 4-bedrooms and a private pool. We don’t want to leave out large families who love to stay together, particularly as we are such a family friendly property.
KC: Nice! When will the Villas be ready for bookings?
CM: We are still in the early phases of design, but ultimately the owner plans to evolve the marina into a place with more life, recreation, and entertainment. So, in addition to the villas, there will be boutique shops, eco-friendly watersports activities with our Ltd Sailing School, boat rentals and more convenient facilities for cruisers such as provisioning shops. It’s going to be exciting, and if you see any construction happening on-site, this is what’s taking place. Our guests love coming here because it’s very peaceful, so we will maintain that while offering more.
KC: So what kind of person would you say would appreciate a stay at Secret Harbour Boutique Hotel and Marina?
CM: Secret Harbour is for everyone, whether you are a visitor or resident. We get guests from all over, and it’s perfect for Grenadians and residents who want seclusion but don’t want to go as far as the North of the island. We have a home away from home vibe, so we are ideal for visitors and cruisers from all walks of life. Even if our guests don’t enjoy long drives, we still encourage them to get out and experience this beautiful island.
EAT
I found out about Secret Harbour Boutique Hotel through the restaurant in the marina. I’m a French food lover, so it was one of the original french chefs that lured me in. Despite the chef changeovers, I’ve always had a consistent experience. This restaurant nails the Catch of the Day every single time, and it’s still a very low-key dining option when you’re not keen on-large crowds. I’m currently obsessed with the crispy duck salad and very excited about The Grill Corner and Soulful BBQ Sundays!
KC: I hear there is a new chef in town, does that mean a brand new menu?
CM: Yes! Our chef Sherinton Date is Grenadian, and he’s incredible. He thinks deeply about everything he does, so diners are really in for a treat and an experience that will ignite all the senses. The biggest change will be a different menu for lunch and dinner. And for our Catch of the Day specials, we are just fortunate to have a great relationship with neighboring fishers who immediately bring us the freshest fish as soon as they get a catch. That’s the beauty of dining at a marina.
KC: Please bring back to Secret Harbour Breakfast Buffet. You made the best Full English Breakfast!
CM: We certainly will! Breakfast will be from Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday, we’ll be offering a welcoming brunch.
DO
I don’t do much when I stay at Secret Harbour. My policy is to relax, unwind, and just be. That usually involves staring out to the ocean until I drift into a deep sleep. But, if you like a themed night or two, Cindy gave me the rundown on what’s on offer.
KC: What weekly activities are available for all guests?
CM: Cruisers Night is back every Wednesday from 5 pm, and we’ve just launched our after-work lime Secret Thursday, which includes entertainment and food and drinks specials from 5 pm till 8 pm and Soulful BBQ every Sunday from 11am to 4pm. A lot of people have been asking if we offer Day Passes, so this is something we are looking at offering shortly. I love to see people enjoying our beautiful surroundings, and we are most definitely family-friendly.
For more information, visit the Secret Habour website
Photography by Terel Moore
