Please note our writers visited St Vincent and the Grenadines prior to the coronavirus pandemic
This 32-island nation is real get-away-from-it-all territory, from lush, mountainous St Vincent to the magical Grenadine islands. Several private islands have a single hotel such as Petit St Vincent and Palm Island, but the most exclusive, with villas and a few hotels, is Mustique, offering privacy, luxury and a country-club atmosphere for the rich and famous. To partake in local life, head for friendly little Bequia. Its villagey capital, Port Elizabeth, is set at the back of pretty, yacht-filled Admiralty Bay, and the island has excellent beaches, some good restaurants and laid-back bars.
St Vincent and the Grenadines has just been announced as an air bridge partner for Britain, meaning tourists can visit without quarantine at either end or any restrictions. So wherever you choose to stay, your time can be spent soaking up the glorious scenery and making full use of everything on offer. Be sure to make a trip to the Tobago Cays, a cluster of uninhabited islands in a coral reef lagoon offering fantastic snorkelling and swimming with turtles.
Mandarin Oriental Canouan
Canouan Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines
From
£
876
Bequia Beach Hotel
Bequia, St Vincent and the Grenadines
From
£
166
The Cotton House
Mustique, St Vincent and the Grenadines
From
£
421
Palm Island Resort & Spa
Palm Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines
It’s surprisingly large, with five beaches, four walking trails and a handful of inland lagoons. The hotel’s overall style is beach-chic, and though the standard Palm View Rooms are a little dated, most have plenty of space, a partial sea view and are just steps from the beach. Superior Beachfront Rooms are a firm favourite with guests and offer direct access to the beach. The hotel has two restaurants; the beachside Royal Palm Restaurant and Sunset Grill, plus a small yet intimate spa, refreshing pool with a small waterfall, and plenty of non-motorised water sports to try for free.
From
£
574
Petit St. Vincent
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Cottages from
£
870
Bequia Plantation Hotel
Bequia, St Vincent and the Grenadines
From
£
147
Contributions by Fred Mawer, Amanda Statham, Nigel Tisdall and Penny Walker