Our Canouan adventure started early at 7am, as we boated across the picture perfect bay to Shell Beach with our guide, followed by a short-but-steep, 40-minute uphill climb. The payoff for this early morning effort was the view as we emerged from the trees at the top of Mount Royale, the highest point of Canouan island. Stretched out below we could see the entire island, with secret beaches and the longest reef in the Caribbean, surrounded by it's crystal clear, azure lagoon. In the distance, we could spot Union Island, Beqia and Mustique. I spent a moment memorising every aspect of this view, to recall on rainy days back home.
Canouan is one of the St Vincent and Grenadine islands, a 40-minute connecting flight from Barbados, so it's tucked away from the tourist crowds. Canouan is the Carib word for ‘land of turtles’ and at just 5 square miles in size, there are several thousand more red-legged tortoises on the island than there are people. It's also described by some as the land of billionaires. As we arrived in by plane, we could see Jeff Bezos' yacht moored in the bay. It's also where George Clooney celebrated one of his birthdays. It's the seclusion and privacy that attracts the A-list, and it didn't take us long to see why.
As we drove the 15 minutes from the airport to our hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Canouan, the route took us through the main town, then up over the ridges of the hills, with dramatic views down each side to the Ocean below. We noticed builders busy at work, restoring roof after roof on the local homes, and learnt that Hurricane Beryl blew its devastating way through the island in July 2024. The hotel also suffered extensive damage, but had reopened after extensive repairs in the months prior.
We were ferried directly to our two-bedroom palatial villa, where we were greeted by our butlers, with fresh coconuts, personalised with our names, for a welcome sip. This felt like billionaire territory for sure!
Designed in a minimalist style, with plenty of wood and stone and a nod to Mandarin's Asian heritage, our patio villa felt modern, luxe and expansive. We explored the two double bedrooms with dressing rooms, glass-clad bathrooms with outdoor showers, and a courtyard seating area, which I couldn't help but think was bigger than the ground floor of our London home.
There's also a small service kitchen and large living room, but the real scene stealer is the terrace, with a view out over the infinity pool to the turquoise waters of the Ocean beyond and the green slopes of Mount Royale in the background. Wow! A paradise view I marvelled at every time I stepped out and another special memory for the rainy days back home.
It was instantly easy to kick back, relax and embrace our new found luxurious surroundings, admiring the view from the terrace with frequent dips in the pool or the adjoining hot tub. With a private, in-villa dining menu available 24/7, there's little need to leave if you prefer seclusion.
It wasn't long before we also made our first tortoise friends, who quickly emerged from the undergrowth in search of a snack at breakfast and again at sunset. It's fair to say they can munch their way through a whole lot of bananas and pineapple!
Eventually we tore ourselves away and ventured down the hill to explore the hotel, each villa comes with two golf buggies, so it's easy to get around. The Mandarin Oriental is located on the Canouan Estate a sprawling estate that curves across one half of the island, dotted with luxury villas and a world-renowned golf course.
The main hotel borders the beautiful white sand beach we'd be admiring from our villa on the hillside above. This is the action hub, housing the gym, a tortoise sanctuary in the herb garden (guests are invited to deposit baby tortoises here to grow in a safe environment) and the hotel's behind-the-scenes sustainability initiative, a circularity lab with a water bottling and recycling plant.
It's also the spot to refuel in the hotel restaurants. Ansienne is the breakfast spot, where you'll find fresh fruit plates, pastry baskets and a rotating menu of specialities. Our favourites were the banana French toast, breakfast burritos and acai bowls with homemade granola. For coffee and light bites the Lagoon Cafe is open all day and serves a complimentary afternoon tea with a scone. a perfect snack after a hard day on the beach. There's also the pool bar, where we munched on fish tacos and salads at lunchtime, and Tides is the elegant (and expensive) fine dining restaurant that opens in the evening, with a focus on surf and turf.
There are 26 suites (rather than hotel rooms) in the main hotel, more traditionally decorated than our villa in neutral white and grey, with hot pink accents. Facing out to the beach, with the reef and breaking surf in the distance, each suite has a living room and balcony or terrace, with direct access to the beach at ground level.
The same hot pink shade features on the beach umbrellas, which pops against the pale white sand and the azure-coloured sea. Reading on the beach loungers here, is a relaxing way to idyl away the hours. The friendly staff deliver water and homemade fruit ice lollies to keep you cool or the sea is just steps away. It's some of the clearest blue water I have ever swum in!
For the more active, beach volleyball and water sports are on offer here too, although it was a little too wavy for paddle boarding or wakeboarding during our stay. The watersports staff will also boat you from the beach across the bay to Shell Beach, where you can snorkel along the shoreline, have lunch in the restaurant or take the hike up Mount Royale.
You can also buggy your way across the golf course (golf is the lure for many to come to the hotel) and take in the sights of the Canouan Estate. I'd also highly recommend taking the high road up to the 13th hole. A magical hilltop spot where you can watch the sunset as it dips down into the Ocean, with the St Vincent and Grendine islands sprawling out in front of you, and apparently it's not unheard of to see Mr Bezos cycling by. Opt for the sunset drinks package and your butler will escort you with a champagne, canapes, picnic chairs and speaker setup. It would make an epic proposal spot (if I wasn't already married) and there's even a Church on the estate, so a wedding is also an option.
If you need any further inducement to relax, head to the spa. Damaged in the hurricane, the beach access was still under construction when we visited, but I can confirm the hillside cabins with sea views make a relaxing spot to spend an afternoon. I chose to have my massage with the doors open, so I could snooze to the sounds of the sea as the skilled Thai therapist soothed away the knots of city life.
Who says you can't catch flights AND feelings?
.jpg)
If you fancy venturing further afield, day trip options include a snorkel excursion down to the far end down the island reef or a boat trip over to Tobago Cays, the premium diving spot in the area and a magnet for mega yachts. We took a trip over to Soho Beach House, which sits on the other side of the island, bordering the main town. Located on a pretty private beach, we watched the ferries and tourists boats coming and going throughout the day, enjoyed a sunset piccante at the beach bar, then headed into the restaurant for a relaxed dinner. There's no need to be a member - a reciprocal deal allows Mandarin guests to enjoy the Soho House facilities without needing to be a member or guest (and visa versa).
For those wanting to enjoy the local island life, head to the market square in town, it becomes a busy bustling drinking spot on Fridays. We tried the fish stew and shark and baits (shark nuggets and dumplings) in the local restaurant Soul Food, as the hotel DJ played tunes for a lively crowd.
However, our favourite evening was a buggy trip on our last night, chasing the sun's last rays across the estate to L' Ance Guyac, a beachside restaurant in a bay on the far side of the estate. It's another spot for a sunset view. We drank cocktails on the sand as we watched the sun dip below the Ocean and enjoyed a fresh fish supper. A dusky drive back over the hills, meeting more tortoises on the way, we stopped at points to marvel at the star-filled sky above. One more delightful memory from our stay on Canouan to take back home and treasure.
Peak season runs from November to March, with the Christmas period the busiest time, but we found it quiet and peaceful during our visit in February. Hurricane season runs from June to October.
Those looking for a secluded, private Caribbean experience and are happy to splash out on a memorable dose of luxury. Perfect for honeymooners or proposals, golf fanatics or a big birthday treat like Mr Clooney.
Prices start from £1,300 for a one bedroom suite with living room and terrace, additional night and inclusion packages available.
For more from GLAMOUR's Camilla Kay, follow her on Instagram @camilla.kay.
