Grenadine One is located on the prestigious island of Bequia (pronounced Beckway), sixty miles north of St. Lucia and nine miles from its ‘parent’ island, St. Vincent. The island is considered something of a hidden gem in the Caribbean, where life moves at a slow, luxurious pace and where visitors get to embrace an old-school, beachy vibe. Oliver recommends leaving the glitz and glamour at home and thinking ‘beachy and boho’ as you enjoy white, sugary-sand beaches, swaying palms, and colourful main streets lined with colourful shops and restaurants.
There are a handful of small hotels on the island, with the most popular being the Bequia Beach Hotel, and here you’ll find a spa, swimming pools and restaurants. The hotel truly is the only real resort on the island, although if you don’t mind a short walk to Princess Margaret beach, you’ll find the Six-bedroom Gingerbread Hotel, which boasts its own pier and waterfront cafe, as well as offering visitors easy access to the town and other beaches.
You can’t visit the island of Bequia without visiting the main town of Port Elizabeth, a charming spot where you’ll find a colourful fruit and veg market, quaint shops, and restaurants - including the ‘world’s prettiest Pizza Hut’. From here, visitors can enjoy one of the Caribbean’s most scenic walks, along the waterfront Belmont Walkway to Princess Margaret Beach. This fifteen-minute stroll is ‘doable’ for all ages, so slap some sunscreen on the kids and watch the boats bob on the harbour as you head along the powdery sands to Jack’s Beach Bar, where you can enjoy all-day beach chair rental. Oliver recommends sampling some local cuisine during your stay - the crisp-fried ballyhoo (a sardine-like fish) is particularly delicious!
Bequia is an island famous for its boat-building and whaling heritage, so be sure to visit the boat museum and find out all about the practices which are still carried out here today using age-old non-mechanical methods. If you have any keen hikers among you (and plenty of water and sun cream!), why not trek to Bequia’s highest point of Ma Peggy’s Rock? It’s a 90-minute hike, but the views over Admiralty Bay towards Mustique, Petit Nevis and St. Vincent make it well worth it - be sure to have your camera handy!
