Mandarin Oriental, CanouanCanouan Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

WEATHER/CLIMATE
ARRIVAL
ISLAND HISTORY
 
The 32 isles and cays of St. Vincent & The Grenadines have long been treasured tropical island hideaways for pirates and leisure travelers alike.  Now one of this region’s under-the-radar islands, Canouan (pronounced CAN-ah-wahn) is fast becoming one of the most sought after holiday destinations among sophisticated, in-the-know travelers. Canouan is the Arawakan Indian word for ‘island of tortoises’ and it quickly becomes apparent why when spotting so many tortoises parading around the island. With idyllic, secluded beaches and acres of untouched lush tropical terrain, it’s no wonder that this warm, welcoming island and its luxury resort gem, Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, has been chosen as Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s first Caribbean outpost.
 
WEATHER/CLIMATE
Canouan is a tropical island located in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles in the southern portion of the Windward Islands. This region is located on the fringes of the hurricane belt so it is typically less affected by hurricanes.  Canouan’s daytime temperatures range from 24 to 30 °C (75 to 86 °F). The driest season is from December to May and the cooler months are between November and February.
 
ARRIVAL
At just five square miles (1,800 acres) in size, Canouan is a small island with a surprisingly large number natural assets and attractions including the Caribbean’s largest living coral  barrier reef located off Mandarin Oriental, Canouan’s Godahl Beach, an 18-hole championship, Fazio-design golf course, Mount Royal the island’s highest peak, a super-yacht marina and an impressive number of idyllic beaches. Guests arriving by air land at Canouan International Airport (CIW) on the southern end of the island next to the new super-yacht marina. A 10-minute drive to Mandarin Oriental, Canouan takes guests through Charlestown to the northern end of the island known as Grenadines Estate. Grenadines Estate’s 1,200 acres include Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, a number of the island’s best beaches, the 18-hole golf course, Mount Royal, chic L’Ance Guyac beach and restaurant, an Anglican Church brought to the island stone by stone in the 19th Century, and residential luxury villas. 
 
ISLAND HISTORY
Before 200 B.C., the Arawak Indians arrived in dug-out canoes on Canouan’s shores. These new residents brought plants, animals, and basic farming and fishing skills to the island and lived there peacefully for 1,500 years. In the 1700s, French settlers brought West African slaves to St. Vincent and The Grenadines to develop and work sugar plantations. After the Anglo-French wars, the British took control of the region.  In the 1700s, Canouan had developed into a small community of sailors, boat builders, fishermen and farmers. Slavery was abolished in the 1830s and in 1951, universal adult suffrage was introduced. St. Vincent and The Grenadines became an independent state in 1979 within the British Commonwealth with a democratic government based on the British system.
 
In the 1990s, 800 acres of Canouan Island were sold for the development of a resort and championship golf course in the area around Carenage Bay.  In the early 2000s, Carenage Bay’s resort opened under the management of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, followed by Raffles’ management until the resort’s closure in 2010. Since then, the area has been reconcepted and is now a collection of luxury residential villas that are part of Grenadine 
 
Estates.  Just south of Carenage Bay is Godahl Beach where Mandarin Oriental, Canouan opened as a brand new resort named Pink Sands Club in October, 2016. Mandarin Oriental’s management was announced in October, 2017 and the resort was officially renamed and rebranded Mandarin Oriental, Canouan on July 1, 2018.
 
Today Canouan Island is an emerging tourism and luxury residential destination dedicated to mindful and sustainable growth for the good of the island and its community. Island additions and enhancements include an airport expansion in 2008 that enabled the accommodation of larger aircraft, and the recent opening of a super-yacht marina which includes newly developed retail space for high-end shopping. Future plans for the island include a yacht club, fisheries, a community sports center, the addition of small-to-moderately-sized quality hotels, resorts, further development of high-end residential villas, a waterfront development project that includes an outdoor village market, and a new community school campus.

FUN IN THE SUN, SAND AND SEA – ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS
 
Despite being just 5 square miles in size, Canouan has a surprisingly wide variety of activities and excursions to enjoy.  For lazy days, claim one of the resort’s inviting sunloungers on Godahl Beach or a private poolside cabana. When the inspiration strikes for a fun-filled activity or adventurous excursion, there are plenty of options and Mandarin Oriental, Canouan’s savvy Front Desk team is ready to assist with recommendations and arrangements.
 
WEEKLY ACTIVITY GUIDE
Resort guests will find a weekly activity guide in their rooms featuring a variety of scheduled offerings including a morning power walk, reef snorkelling tour, guided Mount Royal hike, body sculpting class in the fitness centre, beginner Cross-Fit classes, Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing or paddle boarding lessons and sea kayaking.
 
AT SEA
Long known for its excellent sailing and boating conditions, a stay in St. Vincent and the Grenadines isn’t complete without exploring some of the region’s 32 islands and cays by sea.  Whether the vessel of choice is a sailboat, catamaran, luxury motor yacht or cutting-edge speedboat, the resort’s Front Desk team is at the ready to assist with half-day and full-day charters that can be customized to include snorkelling at popular turtle sites, deep sea fishing, scuba diving and exploring the regions many islands and cays.  A gourmet beach picnic, sunset champagne or a catch-of-the-day lunch at Sparrow’s restaurant on Union Island are just some of the offerings that can be added to an island-hopping adventure.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF
Canouan Island’s Jim Fazio-designed golf course provides a round of golf that is as challenging as it is beautiful. The only 18-hole championship course in St. Vincent and The Grenadines, this course’s 13^th hole known for distractingly stunning views and incredible sunsets while the 16th hole ranks as one of golf’s longest par 3 holes. Top-of- the-line clubs and golf shoes are available for rent in the pro-shop along with a variety of golf accessories and clothing for purchase.
 
TENNIS ANYONE?
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan guests are welcome to enjoy complimentary use of Grenadines Estate’s three synthetic grass, flood-lit tennis courts next door to the resort. The pro-shop provides ball machine rentals and complimentary rackets, balls, tennis shoes, towels, bottled water and fresh fruit. Lessons with a tennis pro are available for purchase during the Easter and Festive seasons.
 
HIKING
A hike up Mount Royal, Canouan’s highest peak at 877 feet (267 metres) above sea level is a moderately challenging workout that rewards at the top with dramatic 360 degree views of the surrounding Grenadine  islands. For those looking for more of a leisurely stroll, Canouan Island has a number of coastal hikes to secluded, castaway beaches. Complimentary guided Mount Royal nature hikes are offered on resort’s weekly activity calendar and private guided tours can also be arranged for purchase.  
 
WATER SPORTS CENTRE
The resort offers an impressive variety of water sports equipment including Hobie Cats, kayaks, paddleboards, windsurfers, snorkelling equipment and aqua pedal bikes. Water sports equipment and introductory instruction are complimentary.
 
BEACH HOPPING
Canouan is blessed with a variety of idyllic beaches to enjoy and several are conveniently located near Mandarin Oriental, Canouan.  The resort’s Godahl Beach offers a long stretch of white sand and excellent snorkelling along the Caribbean’s largest natural coral reef.   Nearby Shell Beach is an idyllic castaway beach with a small restaurant and bar, thatched-roof sun huts, and tranquil waters that are perfect for a leisurely swim or paddle boarding.   L’Ance Guyac is Canouan’s Nikki Beach-like spot with a romantic open-air restaurant, chic boutique, sunloungers and thatched-roof huts.
 
DEEP DIVE - SCUBA DIVING
Canouan is home the largest living coral barrier reef in the Caribbean, and St. Vincent and The Grenadines is a diver’s paradise for spotting a variety of marine life.  With the Tobago Cays and other islands in close proximity there are a number of great dive spots to keep divers happy for days.  Scuba Diving can be booked through the resort’s Front Desk. 

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Canouan is made up of thatched-roof palapas nestled along the hillside and interconnected by boardwalk pathways, stairs and a funicular. There are ten palapa-style treatment rooms comprised of five couples’ rooms, two single rooms, a Thai massage room, nail salon and hair salon. All couples and singles treatment rooms showcase hypnotic ocean views and include a changing area, bathroom and a sea-facing deck furnished as a relaxation space with lounge chairs.  Four of the couples treatment palapas also have a Jacuzzi on the deck.

Guests are encouraged to arrive at The Spa’s sea-side reception area 20 minutes prior to their treatment time where they will be greeted with a welcome ginger tea, an ingredient widely used in the Caribbean that is a spicier version of the ginger root grown in India and China.  The Spa’s talented global team of Asian, South American and Caribbean therapists are meticulously trained to relax, sooth and decompress using products by ESPA and Mandarin Oriental’s exclusive line of essential oils developed by Aromatherapy Associates.  In addition to Mandarin Oriental signature treatments, locally inspired Essence of Canouan treatments are also available including the Blissful Sea experience and Emerald Enchantment, a wellness ritual that begins with a coconut-ginger body scrub followed by a massage of warm coconut oil infused with lavender, eucalyptus and ginger, and finished with an invigorating Indian Head Massage. Specialty treatments include the Golfers Tonic massage and a Digital Wellness Escape. There is also a Mindful Teen Spa Menu offering teen-friendly treatments such as the Texters Treat massage and Little Mermaid Manicure & Pedicure.
 
For Yoga and meditation, The Spa’s meditation pavilion is an inspiring, tranquil open-air space where private Yoga and meditation instruction is available upon request.

For haircuts, styling, blow outs, manicures and pedicures, The Spa’s hair salon is open Monday through Saturday and the nail salon is open daily.
 
FITNESS CENTER AND ISLAND WORKOUTS
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan’s fully equipped indoor fitness centre features a variety of state-of-the-art equipment including Techno Gym treadmills, weights, stationary and spin bicycles, an elliptical machine, universal machine, free weights and Pilates equipment.  Personal training sessions are available by request.
 
WEEKLY ACTIVITY GUIDE
Resort guests will find a weekly guide in their rooms featuring a variety of scheduled activities such as morning power walks, reef snorkelling tours, guided Mount Royal hikes, body sculpting classes and beginner Cross-Fit classes.