Laluna
Irvin Bay Review
Location
Laluna is set behind a beautiful, 300-yard-long soft sand beach that is liberally sprinkled with palms, sea grapes and driftwood. The beach is usually largely empty of other people – Laluna is the only place to stay on it. A 20-minute walk over a headland takes you to Morne Rouge Beach, another beautiful strand. Otherwise, you’ll need transport to get anywhere.  Grand Anse, Grenada’s tourist hub, is a five-minute drive.

Style and Character
With its hip, pared-down Asian design and laid-back vibe, Laluna attracts a younger clientele than most of Grenada’s other top-tier hotels. During the day, guests hang out on the Indonesian daybeds and sofas in the thatched-roofed bar-cum-lounge behind the beach, or on teak sun loungers on the wooden deck by the pool. Cuban jazz and Lana del Rey are typical soundtracks wafting around the property. Paths lead into the Enchanted Forest, a jungle decorated with art installations (giant butterflies, heads on poles etc).

Service and Facilities
The property is Italian owned. Service is friendly, and more informal than at Grenada’s other top-end hotels.
In terms of facilities, the highlight is the Balinese spa. Half hidden in the tropical undergrowth behind the beach, it has four treatment rooms and a chill-out pavilion, and offers Balinese therapists, treatments and products. There’s also a lovely open-air yoga pavilion behind the beach with daily yoga and Pilates sessions on offer, a gym with glass windows looking on to the jungle, watersports (hobie cats, paddle boards, kayaks, snorkelling equipment) and mountain bikes.  The swimming pool is rather squished between the bar and restaurant.
• Parking
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Laundry
• Room service
• Pool
• Spa
• Wi-Fi
• Fitness centre

Rooms
The 16 rooms come in the form of shingle-roofed cottages spread over the steep and verdant hillside rising up from the heart of the hotel. They all look out to sea, have a four-poster bed, a big veranda with white drapes, a daybed and tiny plunge pool, and a bathroom that is partially exposed to the elements. While their designs are striking – walls and floors are poured concrete, with the walls painted ochre, purple and blue – they are not especially luxurious and a bit dark inside. Cheapest rooms – the Cottage Suites – are semi-detached and furthest from the beach, but have the best views. There are also some new and very luxurious villas with up to five bedrooms at the entrance to the property, two of which are available to rent.

Food and Drink
The restaurant is a casual, thatched-roofed affair directly behind the beach. Small in scale and softly lit in the evening, it’s romantic. Most dishes are Italian: pasta is made on the premises, and ingredients such as olives, sun-dried tomatoes and bresaola are imported from Italy. But there is local fare too, such as octopus salad and grilled catch of the day – the chefs are from Grenada. Breakfasts are delicious. Expect proper cappuccinos, a juice of the day (e.g cucumber and lime), fruit platters and homemade breads.

Value for Money
Double rooms from USD$540 (£413) in low season; and from USD$696 (£532) in high. Breakfast excluded – à la carte dishes from USD$7.50 (£6) – but including a daily yoga session and watersports. B&B, half-board and all-inclusive rates are also available. Prices are steep, given that the rooms are not really that luxurious. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Family-Friendly?
No children under 12, except in the villas.
Rooms from USD$417 (£331)
per night