La Sagesse
Irvin Bay Review
Location
Idyllic. The hotel lies at one end of the sands that skirt the rear of horseshoe-shaped La Sagesse Bay, with the section of beach in front of the property perfectly shaded by curving palms. Paths lead off through the undeveloped, surrounding land, and birdwatching can be arranged. The hotel is at the end of a three-quarter-mile-long lane from the main road along the south coast, and around 30 minutes’ drive to Grand Anse, the tourist centre of the island. Some guests rent a car, though you can flag down buses on the main road, and it’s so lovely at La Sagesse that you may just stay put most days.

Style and Character
The low-key and understated property doesn’t intrude on the beauty of its surroundings. The buildings – the most notable being a striking pink manor house built in the 1960s by an unpopular English aristocrat – are spread over well-tended, floral grounds. Nowhere on the property is more than 30 yards from the beach.
A thoroughly chilled atmosphere prevails, with the hotel’s friendly dog mooching around. You could go barefoot for a week. Everything is usually very quiet in the evenings, with guests heading off to bed soon after supper.

Service and Facilities
La Sagesse is owned by Mike Meranski, a humanities lecturer at Grenada’s St George’s University. He runs it with help from his daughter, Sam. Staff are easy-going and welcoming. Kayaks and boogie boards are available for guests to use. There’s no swimming pool.
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Wi-Fi

Rooms
The 12 bedrooms are plainly furnished but in most cases spacious, and come with a work of local art or two. Bathrooms are fairly simple too, with tiled floors and walk-in showers. Mod-cons are largely absent – there are no televisions, radios or clocks, though you do get a fridge and tea/coffee-making facilities – and only one room has air-conditioning (windows are covered with mosquito netting). The three Ocean rooms, directly behind the beach, with terraces by the sand, are the most appealing: you fall asleep to the sound of thudding waves. There are also two large duplex suites in another building, and two rooms in a cottage with big, wrap-around verandas. The rest of the bedrooms are in the manor house. Skip the two cheapest rooms here (one of which is the air-conditioned room): other rooms on the property cost only a little extra and are significantly nicer.

Food and Drink
Meals and drinks are served in an open-air wooden structure right behind the beach. You can expect good, fresh, not overly complicated food using lots of local produce. I really enjoyed the dinner, of lobster soup, grilled mahi-mahi with rice and greens, and a moreish chocolate mousse made with Grenadian chocolate. Lunchtimes can be quite busy, with locals and tourists popping in for perhaps a fish fillet sandwich, fish tacos or chicken roti. Breakfasts are served (no buffet), with options including the Grenadian staple of coconut bakes, as well as omelettes and French toast.

Value for Money
Double rooms from USD$126 (£99) in low season, and from USD$270 (£213) in high season. Breakfast US$16.50 (£13). Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?
No bedrooms are adapted, but there is level access to around half the rooms and to the restaurant and bar area.

Family-Friendly?
Yes. The two split-level suites can sleep four, and are ideal for families.