While white sand beaches and turquoise waters are de rigueur at Caribbean resorts, at St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, the reality might even be more spectacular than the photos filling your social media feed.
Perched on a picturesque island you rarely hear about, the Canouan resort retains its authenticity thanks to minimal development, intimate crowds and a healthy turtle population — “Canouan” is the Carib word for “island of turtles,” after all. Mandarin Oriental adds its signature touch to the island with a boutique-sized hideaway complete with butler service, fine-dining venues and an infinity pool perfectly punctuated with pink umbrellas in a stylish nod to the property’s former life as the Pink Sands club.
Beloved for its privacy and exclusivity, Mandarin Oriental, Canouan’s crescent-shaped shores invite you to explore as much (or as little) as you desire, which is just how a Caribbean escape ought to be.
If you fly into BGI or SVD, you will need to take an inter-island SVG Air transfer to Canouan (it’s a one-hour flight for the former and 15 minutes for the latter). The hotel recommends fly via Barbados, where a VIP airport concierge team will meet you before immigration and expedite your arrival.