Let’s talk about accommodation inspiration for a minute… What usually influences you to choose a particular hotel/resort/rental? Sometimes it just happens to be the cheapest deal that meets your preferences, it could be a suggestion made by friends/family that have previously stayed there. But nowadays, the media plays a big role in influencing our choices. This includes any form of social media, advertising in brochures or television shows – I even wrote a blog post called TRAVEL IS A LIFESTYLE inspired by some of my favourite travel documentaries. And as mentioned in said blog, it was the show: Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen that influenced me to want to visit Grenada and stay at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, where some of the episodes were shot.
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort is located equally within 10 minutes driving distance from the airport and in the opposite direction, Grand Anse Beach. Full of quirky experiences, an instagrammable feature in every corner and endless activities with environmental sustainability at the heart of their mission, the family run resort became our home for 10 days.
Rooms
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort offers a variety of guest accommodations suited to all types of travellers, whether you’re celebrating your honeymoon, looking for some extra peace and privacy or, like us, on a family holiday you’ll be sure to feel like a local staying in one of their rooms/suites/villas with vibrant and authentically Caribbean-inspired decor, sustainable furnishings, and essential comforts (your very own living-dining area and kitchenette in each accommodation) to ensure a delightful stay.
Culinary experiences at Dodgy Dock
Given that it was a travel-themed cooking show that attracted me to True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, I was pleased that the variety of food did not disappoint!
Grenadian night (Tuesdays) – let excitement fill your senses as you taste local Grenadian cuisine and rum whilst listening to the sounds of steel pan music
Street Food Wednesdays - showcasing the best of traditional Grenadian & Caribbean dishes plus live music
Chocolate Thursday nights (yes, you read that correctly - a whole menu devoted to chocolate, drinks too!)
Fiesta Fridays – Mexican cuisine, margaritas and live music, don’t forget your maracas!
BBQ Buffet on a Saturday
Pizza at your convenience
From the bar, I highly recommend trying the Nutmeg colada!
If you have a sweet tooth, like me, then you’ll want to stop by The House of Chocolate onsite bakery – although there is also a larger location in St. George's town which is a cafe and museum, as mentioned in GEMS OF GRENADA.
Activities
Whether you choose to stay within the resort or mix your time between exploring the island and relaxing amongst your accommodation, True Blue Bay Boutique Resort has a great range of activities for all!
One of your toughest decisions of the day might be choosing between one of the four pools! The Beach pool is popular with the kids, the Lap pool is great for exercise, the Cocoa Pod pool with the popular Grenada sign and the Bayview pool for those seeking some quiet time. Alternatively, take the free shuttle to either Grand Anse beach or BBC beach.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can explore the coastline on a kayak or spot some turtles as you sail the seas on a Hobie-cat. This can be quite daunting as you hit choppy waters, but we had a guide accompany us and felt much safer in his hands! If that doesn’t sound quite adventurous enough, get your fins out and head to the Aquanauts dive shop, waiting a few steps from your room and book your place to dive Grenada’s reefs, wrecks and underwater sculpture park!
Perhaps some pampering and relaxation is what a holiday is about for you, in which case head to Sankalpa, a tree top, open air, vibrant and energetic space in which to practice yoga led by certified teachers from different yoga practices. Or perhaps a body treatment at the Blue Haven Spa using local Grenadian organic herbs, oils and products will help to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.
As a family-friendly resort, there are two children’s playgrounds and other activities available specifically to younger travellers that you can ask more about at reception.
Now, these last two were not options when I stayed in 2019. But you know I like to keep you up to date where I can!
The resort has its very own Black Beard's Brig themed escape room!
Interacting with the locals is one of my purposes of travel. I love that while staying at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, you can get involved in their range of community projects!
Eco-conscious
Environmental sustainability is at the heart of True Blue Bay Boutique Resort and is something that the family have been striving for ever since purchasing the resort. Their efforts to this day have paid off, as the resort is currently a Green Globe Gold Member and is committed to working towards becoming platinum members by improving green efforts.
Their efforts aren’t solely sustained within the resort, the family have taken action island-wide! Although Grenada has few resources for recycling, the family try to take care of the environment as best as possible and are always looking for ways to improve.
From having solar panels, to not using chlorine in their pools (all pools are treated with saltwater) and using electric buses charged with PV solar panels to transport their guests and staff. Having an onsite biogas digester where all garden waste is composted and the material is used to fertilise the hotel grounds, such as the small plantation of banana trees, fruits, and vegetable patches which are then used to create your favourite dishes in Dodgy Dock! Whilst most hotels and resorts around the world have already adopted the basic environmentally friendly factors: bathroom amenities in all rooms are in refillable containers, signs encouraging saving energy and water in all rooms, bedding is changed every three days and encouraging guests to use their bathroom towels and washcloths multiple times before having them changed, it is clear to see that True Blue Bay Boutique Resort really excels in this department! You can read more about their efforts on their website.
Community Spirit
Given all that the family have done to help ‘clean up’ the island, it should come as no surprise that they are big advocates of giving back to the local community too. Not only do they support the local farmers and have set up partnerships with many of the organic farmers who help make farm-to-fork meals at Dodgy Dock. Locals receive special offers to spend the weekend or opt for a day-pass at the resort. They also fundraise to help improve the lives of local children and their families through a number of schemes – some of which you can also be a part of, should you choose to stay at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort on your trip to Grenada!
My honest opinion
Overall, I would rate my stay at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort an 8 out of 10.
This is because the service and variety at the included buffet breakfast could have been better, as could general variety of food for vegetarians. We were lucky enough to make friends with the head chef at the time - Eric, who went out of his way to ensure that my mum was able to try a vegetarian version of the national dish - oil down. He now runs his own food truck business in Virginia, USA cooking up mouth-watering meals with flavours from the Caribbean! Check out his website here!
Whilst it was a TV show that influenced my stay here and their sustainability efforts were an added bonus, the overall feel atmosphere of the resort screamed a younger vibe – not the most ideal for 50+ (my parents). I’d say their target market is 18-40 year olds, young families or those simply wanting a quirky place to show off on the gram! They do seem to love influencers – which I have a divided perspective about, but hey that is probably the case with many resorts and hotels over the world!
Do remember, my opinion is based on a stay back in 2019 – things may have changed by now!
The one main concept I brought back from staying at True Blue Bay: it's time to reinvent how we look at holidays, rather than them being for the sole purpose of relaxation, we need to think about our impact in and on the destination we have chosen to visit and how we can make difference; your choice of accommodation is a small step forward in that journey.
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