Bequia Plantation Hotel
Bequia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Caribbean
Tiny, friendly, laid-back Bequia (7 square miles; population 5,000) oozes Caribbean charm. Part of St Vincent & The Grenadines, the island is a place where locals, expats, visitors and yachties hang out together in what seems like near-perfect harmony. To immerse yourself in the easygoing daily life, you need to base yourself near the thick of things – a relative term for Bequia – and this hotel lets you do just that. Set behind a strip of white sand, it surveys the yacht-dotted anchorage of Admiralty Bay from one end of a waterside path, that leads you past a string of bars and restaurants to Port Elizabeth, Bequia's village-y capital.
Originally a plantation, then a hotel which in recent times lay closed for years, the property has been given a gorgeous, contemporary makeover. Its 24 rooms and villas now scatter expansive lawns sprinkled with lofty palms and the odd piece of classical-style statuary, with hammocks strung up between trees. Pale-blue cottages with decorative fretwork gaze out to sea, and a beachfront restaurant cooks up fresh seafood and pizzas baked in a traditional brick oven. In keeping with Bequia generally, staff couldn't be more friendly; one morning, someone appeared at our villa with a present: a juicy mango from the orchard in the grounds. Wonderful.
Originally a plantation, then a hotel which in recent times lay closed for years, the property has been given a gorgeous, contemporary makeover. Its 24 rooms and villas now scatter expansive lawns sprinkled with lofty palms and the odd piece of classical-style statuary, with hammocks strung up between trees. Pale-blue cottages with decorative fretwork gaze out to sea, and a beachfront restaurant cooks up fresh seafood and pizzas baked in a traditional brick oven. In keeping with Bequia generally, staff couldn't be more friendly; one morning, someone appeared at our villa with a present: a juicy mango from the orchard in the grounds. Wonderful.
Highs
- A laid-back atmosphere that appeals to couples and families alike
- Port Elizabeth's cafés, bars and restaurants are within easy strolling distance, via a scenic waterside path
- Knock-out views across Admiralty Bay, one of the region's prettiest natural harbours
- Bequia's best beach (Princess Margaret Beach) is 5 minutes away on foot
- Inventive, fresh food, especially the pizzas
Lows
- Less privacy than at some other hotels on Bequia
- The beach in front of the hotel is small and gets busy on cruise-ship visit days
- The swimming pool is a little small, too
- We found the WiFi to be a little patchy
- Mozzies are present, make sure you bring some repellent or cover up in the evenings
Best time to go
Bequia's peak season runs from around mid-December to late April, when the beaches, bars and restaurants are relatively busy (though not overly so), and lots of yachts visit. The big annual events are the Music Fest (late January) and the Easter Regatta. Summer and autumn are quiet, and typically wetter and hotter. The Caribbean's hurricane season officially runs from June to early November, but the hotel is closed June-October.
Our top tips
The most popular Bequia beach hangout is De Reef, a no-frills bar/restaurant above the sands of the southern end of Lower Bay. The vibes are infectiously laid-back, the food is good (have the lobster salad), and on Sunday lunchtimes in high season there's live music. It's a lovely walk away from the hotel, via Princess Margaret Beach then over a ridge and along Lower Bay's sands.