The ‘underappreciated’ Caribbean island that mass tourism hasn’t ruined yet

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A bathtub of rose petals ensconced in billowing curtains, with a tray of chocolates and champagne on ice on the side. For one, please.

It’s not how I pictured checking into one of the world’s most romantic resorts. It was even better.

Growing up, adverts for Sandals’ white sandy beach resorts – a sun-kissed couple strolling hand-in-hand against the setting sun – were always on TV.

Now, finding myself in the newest Sandals resort in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, it turns out that image was half true. Just, minus the buff bronzed bloke.

Instead, I have with me a girl gang to explore the first luxury resort in this largely untouched corner of the eastern Caribbean. Turns out, it is even more fun than I had imagined.

A hidden gem that’s about to explode

You’d be forgiven for being unfamiliar with St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), a chain of 32 volcanic islands and cays, just north of Venezuela and south of St. Lucia.

Deep in the heart of the Caribbean, this idyllic archipelago remains uncluttered by tourists. None of its islands are among the most visited in the region, but times are changing.

Even after storms crippled the region last July, a record number of visitors travelled to SVG in 2024 — overnight stays rose by 25% on the previous year.

Interest rose significantly across the UK and European markets, with visits from the Netherlands up 117% and Ireland more than 45%.

The reason? The spring opening of Sandals’ new resort, which local media claim single-handedly put the destination on the travel map.

Housed in a private cove, with four pools, 11 restaurants, a sprawling spa and a strict adults-only policy, the resort is attracting a new demographic of visitors who previously skipped SVG in favour of boutique destinations like Antigua and Turks and Caicos.

Despite its remote location, SVG is relatively straightforward to get to – hop on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow and 11 hours later, you’ll arrive (after a layover in Barbados).

The Sandals’ launch has attracted a wave of new US flight routes; JetBlue flies direct from New York, American Airlines non-stop from Miami.

At a time when several countries are pushing back against tourists, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ready to welcome.

Yet while the growth is exciting, the island nation is handling its rising star with caution.

‘St. Vincent and The Grenadines has deliberately steered away from large-scale tourism models,’ Natasha Anderson, Director of Sales for the UK and Europe at St. Vincent and The Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), tells Metro.

That means most of the islands remain untouched by high-rise development, and strict rules are in place to protect coral reefs and the natural environment.

Unlike some Caribbean destinations known for sprawling mega-resorts and thumping nightclubs, Natasha says SVG offers something authentic and unspoiled.

‘Visitors enjoy our natural beauty without overwhelming it, and that’s exactly how we want to keep it,’ she says.

‘We encourage visitors to hire local guides, support family-run businesses, and engage with our culture. It’s about connection, not consumption.’

Another world

On the dock, we are greeted by a row of beaming, immaculately dressed staff with welcome cocktails in hand. Already I can feel the stresses of the outside world melting away.

Misty mountains and rainforest surround the grounds, making for a setting that’s less luxury hotel, more Jurassic Park. Beyond it, the active volcano La Soufrière adds to the otherworldly vibe.

To get even closer to nature, you can stay in one of the hotel’s over-water villas.

Standing two-storys above the sea, they’re perfect for adult families and groups of friends, like ours – you can dive right off your deck into the sparkling blue below.

While I don’t have the luxury of staying in one of those, my Garden Butler Suite comes complete with a dreamy king-size bed, a dressing room and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, which open onto a private patio flanked by a flower-lined lake.

Upon arrival, I’m handed a Samsung smartphone that’s supposed to act as a direct line to my personal butler.

If you’d told the little girl mesmerised by Sandals TV ads that she’d end up here, she wouldn’t have believed you.

Touches of class

Sandals guests tend to be fiercely loyal to the brand, staying at different resorts around the world.

Many things bring them back, not least the food. Meals at Sandals’ SVG are made from locally sourced ingredients and freshly caught seafood, and the offering in each of the 11 restaurants is delicious.

On our first morning, an à la carte brunch at Parasol Beach Club makes for the perfect start to a day in paradise, accompanied by sweeping views of the sea.

My favourite lunch spot is the Jerk Shack, where fish, chicken and pork come perfectly spiced.

For a special dinner, Buccan, Sandals’ immersive, communal-style restaurant, serves delicacies grilled over a traditional open fire.

Luxury continues over at Red Lane, the resort’s expansive spa, which boasts outdoor gazebos for massages overlooking the gentle river that runs past.

For lovers, there’s even a stunning over-water wedding chapel, with views of the turquoise ocean around it – and even below, through a glass floor.

My friend tells me she’s heard about someone who has had four weddings, every one of them at a Sandals resort. I can see why.

Yet, to my surprise, while there are plenty of loved-up couples here soaking up the sun and scenery (with a heart-shaped pool, I’d expect nothing less), there are many groups of friends, from 20-somethings upwards, too, just like my gang.

One group I meet is celebrating a 30th birthday, another I meet on the dancefloor at 1am, toasting their pal’s engagement.

It’s not the couple’s-exclusive retreat you might expect.

The resort is surprisingly active, from the bicycles available to breeze around its gardens, to the wealth of water sports. For those PADI certified, scuba diving is available, free for guests.

I opt for a guided kayaking trip to the Buccament Bat Cave, followed by a sunset cruise around the Vincentian coast. These shores were once home to the cast of Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl.

Back on land, free daily activities such as ‘paint and sip’ classes
and jewellery-crafting make for cute keepsakes. We all leave with matching friendship bracelets.

Who needs a guy to buy you bling?

Things to do in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

While it’s tempting to spend most of the time lounging around in paradise, there is a wealth of things to do outside the hotel.

A one-hour ferry ride (about £13 for a return trip) will take you to Bequia, the closest of the Grenadine islands. Here you can browse colourful stalls, stroll on sandy beaches, and keep a weather eye for turtles that make their home in the bay.

The perfect way to end the day is a stop at Bar One Bequia, an incredible floating bar in the middle of the sea.

Feeling adventurous? Take a hike up St Vincent’s active volcano, La Soufrière, which last erupted in 2021. Book a guided tour and
prepare yourself for a two-hour uphill trek to the crater for an unforgettable experience – but be sure to pack walking boots.

If you’re lucky enough to be in town during carnival season, check out ‘The Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean’, Vincy Mas.

The extravaganza of music, costumes, heritage and dancing is made up of parties all over the island and this year runs from June 27 to July 8.

A seven-night stay for two adults at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines staying in a Bamboo Palm Room with Balcony Tranquillity Soaking Tub costs from £2,789 per person.

Prices valid for travel on September 3, 2025. Call 0800 597 0002 or visit Sandals website.

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