St. Vincent and Grenadines Palm Island Resort
Private Island in the Grenadines is Secluded and All-Inclusive
Jan 12, 2009
With only 42 units on a 135-acre private island (plus a few private vacation houses),Palm Island has the feeling of a secluded paradise. What makes it especially attractive for romantic getaways is that for arrivals between early January and late March, the resort is adults-only - perfect for those whose idea of a vacation doesn't include hearing other people's kids.
Cottages are on the beachfront or nearly so, decorated with custom bamboo furniture and woven rattan ceilings. The cottages have a cool, shaded feel -- a nice contrast to the hot Caribbean sun. Slatted windows and screens allow ocean breezes to flow though the cottages; air-conditioning is provided by supplemental units. However, those who prefer full-fledged air-conditioning should request it when booking, because, as with many Caribbean boutique resorts, only a few units have it.
The island has a resident on-call physician who handles emergencies. Dr Patrick Chevailler is also an accomplished artist who specializes in paintings of the ocean ecosystem, especially the coral reefs, as well surf scenes and local fauna. (Check out the trompe d'oeil iguana in the resort's reception area, which looks like it's crawling out of its frame.) Chevailler's paintings are hung throughout the resort, and are available for purchase. (They are also found on some cards and publications available at the gift shop).
All-Inclusive Plan at Palm Island
The island's all-inclusive plan covers:
- Three meals a day in the resort's two restaurants
- Daily afternoon tea
- Weekly cocktail parties hosted by the manager
- All beverages
- Barbeques on the beach
- All tips, taxes and service charge
- Some activities (see below)
Activities and Extras
Visitors could happily spend a week here doing little more than sitting on their deckchairs in front of their cottages, basking on one of the island's five beaches, or relaxing by the pool. But for those with a more active bent: the resort offers a wide variety of activities.
- Tennis, croquet, table tennis, cycling, shuffleboard
- Pitch-and-putt golf (The best way to interpret "Golf Palm Island Style" is to think Scottish rough transported to Caribbean scrub)
- Non-motorized water sports and snorkeling equipment
- Nature trails: Choose between walking around the island (which takes about an hour) or cycling: The chances of running into another guest are remote to none.
- Massage and salon treatments (extra cost)
- Excursions (extra cost) including sailing and snorkeling trips, both day excursions and multi-day trips.
- SCUBA diving: The resort provides a free boat shuttle to the dive shop on nearby Union Island.
- Fitness Center and air-conditioned gym
- Lending library (decorated with Dr. Chevailler's paintings), a boutique and a satellite TV lounge; Internet access and Wifi are available.
Palm Island Resort Restaurants
The Royal Palm is the more formal of the island's two restaurants. It boasts and extensive menu, including local favorites such as jerk chicken, lobster, and fresh sea-food, along with more standard American fare. There is live music most nights of the week.
The Sunset Grill is open for lunch and dinner, and offers a more informal setting right on the beach. It's a favorite with visiting yachtsmen.
