Coyaba Beach Resort
Irvin Bay Review
Location
Faultless. The Coyaba has a lengthy beachfront near the middle of fabulous, mile-and-a-half-long Grand Anse beach. Umbrellas Beach Bar, the best drinking and eating spot on the beach, is right next door, and a number of other bars and restaurants are in easy walking distance. Across the lane on the inland side of the hotel is the Spiceland Mall, which has a well-stocked supermarket, gift shops and fast-food eateries.

Style and Character
This is not the most stylish hotel. It derives much of its character from its spacious grounds. Lawns are dotted with palms and shrubs, and several bird tables are laid out with titbits. Whitewashed, two-storey accommodation blocks are set in a ‘U’ shape overlooking the grounds, and in the middle of the gardens lie the shingle-roofed, open-sided bar and restaurant.

Service and Facilities
The Coyaba is Grenadian-owned. Many of the staff have been here for years – on my last visit I was shown around by the jovial Stanley, who has worked at the hotel for over three decades – and developed friendships with the many repeat guests. In terms of facilities, there’s a decent-sized pool with a swim-up bar (not used that much because of the beach), kayaks, hobie cats and snorkelling equipment, and a well-regarded diving centre. Tai chi and yoga takes place twice a week in an open-air pavilion, there’s a modest spa (treatments can be had indoors or in open-air cabanas behind the beach), a small gym and tennis court.
• Parking
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Bar
• Laundry
• Pool
• Spa
• Wi-Fi
• Tennis court
• Fitness centre
• Beach

Rooms
All of the 80 rooms overlook the gardens, have smallish patios or balconies, and are decently equipped, with a television, fridge and tea/coffee-making facilities. They have marble floors, dark-wood furniture and smartish bathrooms with a walk-in shower. You have to pay a little more if you want a room in one of the blocks nearest the beach.

Food and Drink
The food is fine but generally nothing to write home about. So even though most guests stay on the better-value all-inclusive rates, you might prefer to book room-only terms. The breakfast buffet is decent, and includes a local juice of the day and hot dishes, with eggs cooked to order. For dinner there is a buffet several nights a week, and on other evenings a limited-choice four-course menu (perhaps a papaya and coconut salad, pumpkin and ginger soup, sesame-crusted yellow fin tuna, then puddings); an à la carte menu also offers steaks and so forth.
You’re expected to dress up a bit in the evenings in the main restaurant (for ladies that means ‘no excessive mini dresses’ and ‘covered midriff preferred’), but there’s a more informal alternative dining area by the pool. The open-air bar/lounge, furnished with cushioned wicker armchairs and sofas, is a sociable spot before and after dinner, and there’s often live music here.

Value for Money
Double rooms from USD$312 (£239) in low season; and from USD$504 (£385) in high season. All-inclusive rates from USD$432 (£330) in low season; and from $552 (£422) in high season. The all-inclusive rates are much better value, especially in high season. For all guests, afternoon tea and non-motorised watersports are covered in the rates. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?
Yes. There are lots of ground-floor rooms, and several are wheelchair-adapted.

Family-Friendly?
There are no special facilities for children, but some rooms have two queen-sized beds, and so can sleep four.