The name `St Vincent and the Grenadines’ evokes an emotive response with visions of exotic, idyllic island life and the fantasy rings true. Imagine an island chain enveloped deep within the Caribbean Sea, uncluttered by metropolitan exploits; white sand beaches on deserted islands, sky-blue waters gently lapping the shore, and barely a soul around. Thirty-two islands dot the seascape, all vying to “one-up” each other in terms of tranquility. St Vincent is the largest in the group - home to the capital, Kingstown. This lively town is a throwback to colonial times with cobblestone streets and locals rushing about.
Once off the big island and into the Grenadines, everything changes. Gone are the traffic, the hustle, and the pavement. All you’re left with is a smattering of tiny islands waiting to be explored. In the Canouan Island, beaches stretch out before you, the pace of life slows to a crawl and there is no desire to go home as you sit sipping cocktails at the Raffles Resort, or just enjoy sitting by the poolside of your Villa or Estate Home in the ‘Grenadines Estate’.
You will be forgiven if you glance over your shoulder at the Trump International Golf Course. Here you have escaped the world, and almost live like a king.
Raffles Resort Canouan Island is situated on 300 acres of a 1,200-acre private estate featuring three secluded white sand beaches, all surrounded by one of the world’s largest coral reefs. The resort is set in an amphitheatre style around the protected bay with each of the 156 accommodations offering breathtaking views. The property features 156 rooms and suites, the Grenadines Estate villas, the award winning Raffles Amrita Spa, Trump International Golf Club, Trump Club Privee Casino, four restaurants offering fine dining to beach casual, three bars, and a beachfront pool.
The Grenadines Estate showcases a magnificent gated community of Golf and Beach Villas plus Estate homes. Spectacular properties are nestled throughout the hillsides within a private estate. A low-density development which includes 23 Golf Villas at a starting price of US$3.85 million - overlooking the stunning Trump International Golf Club, a par 72, 18 hole Jim Fazio-designed course offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea from every hole. It has been labelled as one of the most unique courses in the Caribbean, with its 360- degree views of the Tobago Cays and the surrounding Grenadines. Additionally there are twenty-three one acre Estate Lots for those seeking to build a custom-designed home. Estate Lot prices start at US$3 million.
RAFFLES AMRITA SPA Inspired by the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Raffles’ signature Amrita Spa features 11 thatched-roof palapa spa suites. Nine treatment suites are scattered along a hillside that overlooks the Caribbean Sea. Two over-water treatment suites feature glass flooring that looks down over the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea and are accessible only by boat.
Each hillside palapa is named after one of the individual shades of blue and green found in the waters surrounding Canouan Island. Each treatment suite offers its own private ocean-view deck featuring a Jacuzzi and Asian day bed. All 60-minute “Touch Therapy” treatments include a Welcome Foot Ritual and all spa treatments include an extra half-hour for spa guests to relax.
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL GOLF CLUB AT RAFFLES RESORT Designer Jim Fazio has been in the business of designing and constructing golf courses since 1961. Since the start of his company in 1986, Fazio has designed courses around the world including the United States, Japan, Spain, Italy, and the Caribbean. Some of his more notable courses include Trump International Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida which currently hosts the LPGA Tour championship; the El Diablo Golf Club in Ocala, Florida; Le Querce Golf Club in Rome; and The River Club in North Augusta, South Carolina.
For golf lovers the par 72 golf course has three distinct settings. The front nine holes, #10, and #18 are in an amphitheatre setting with one side open to the view of the sea. Holes #16 and #17 are called the reservoir holes, which play above and around the lake that irrigates the golf course. Two streams flow into this lake from 30 meters above, cascading down and over the man-made retention walls. Holes #12- 15 are the most scenic holes on the course and the most challenging.
They sit on the top of the ridge and have a spectacular view of the neighbouring islands. The breeze at the top of the ridge adds to the challenge, but makes these holes the most sensational to play.
The course’s signature hole perches at 840 feet above sea level, hole #13 (par 5) offering the most stunning views of the island and the ocean. At the tee box, a 360-degree view of the Grenadines makes this hole a standout. A new addition was made for 2008, hole #16 was redesigned to incorporate a dramatic 200- foot drop in elevation, six waterfalls, one water cascade, and six tees measuring up to 304 yards making it the most stunning - and one of the longest - par 3 golf holes in the Caribbean.
THE VILLA STYLES There is a selection of three Golf Villa styles, the Balliceaux Villa, the Mopion Villa, and the Savan Villa, all of which embrace spectacular views overlooking the golf course and the Caribbean Sea. Villas range in sized from 3,983 square feet to 5,166 square at a cost of US$3.85 million to US$4.1 million including the land.
Master suites include a private veranda, media room, and walk-in closets.
Villa owners enjoy full membership privileges at the Trump International Golf Club, dining privileges at Raffles Resorts’ four gourmet restaurants, access to Raffles Amrita Spa, beaches, pool, tennis and water sports, as well as other services and amenities offered by the Resort.
