Inside The Incredible Mandarin Oriental Canouan
See why this Caribbean resort is among the most exclusive getaway locations for the ultra-wealthy.
Just east of Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, there is the small, lesser-known island of Canouan that has a population of approximately 2,000 people. For some, Canouan is home; for others, it has become the granddaddy of ultra-luxurious getaway spots.
That's largely due in part to the sole five-star resort, the Mandarin Oriental Canouan.
Before the Mandarin Oriental, there was the Pink Sands Club; before that, the Raffles. Each had/has its own unique style, but they all share high price points. Composed entirely of suites, villas and penthouses, the Mandarin Oriental offers lodging for nightly rates ranging from $1,300 a night to $6,000 a night—and rates increase during peak seasons.
With only 26 suites, seven villas and one penthouse, the Mandarin Oriental is naturally exclusive. Complimentary amenities for all guests include roundtrip airport transfers in Canouan, dedicated butler service, twice-a-day housekeeping service, access to the resort's "Beach of the Day" program and one of three illuminated tennis courts, 24-hour access to fitness facilities, among others.
There's also no shortage of world class dining options, as guests have five restaurants and bars to choose from. Average dinner entrees range from $100 for Pad Thai, for example, to $330 for a Porterhouse cut.
For those seeking to explore outside the resort, a short golf-cart ride can take guests to four other restaurants. L'Ance Guyac Beach Club is a white-sand, beachfront property, bordered by the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Guests must book visits ahead of time to this venue that doesn't allow children under 10 years old.
Guests also have access to the Mandarin Oriental's spa facilities. The facilities include seven hillside treatment suites located close enough to the water so guests can relax to an endless loop of rolling waves, ESPA products and a fully equipped fitness center.
At $525, guests can indulge in the spa's most expensive treatment: the "Oriental Harmony" signature therapy. This two-hour, four-hand warm scrub "soothes the skin" and features a massage that "balances the body."