The view across the Young Island Cut.

I love to stay at properties that blend in with their surroundings and proudly respect their history. Young Island Resort does this and, in doing so, offers an effective combination of rustic luxury and simple Caribbean pleasures.

With its dramatic location 200 yards offshore of St. Vincent, the hotel blends naturally into the 13 acres of tropical gardens. Twenty-nine cottages dot the island, many rising steeply from the beach but offering killer views of St. Vincent and its neighbouring Grenadine islands. We opted for the most basic room category which saved us a bit of a climb. All units include generous outdoor lounging space and outdoor garden showers.

Our stay was very relaxing. After enjoying a lovely, lazy open-air breakfast in one of the outdoor dining gazebos, my favourite pastime was sitting on the beach while watching the hustle and bustle of St. Vincent. Boats of all shapes and sizes pass by Young Island, a testament to the rich boating culture of this island nation. A lovely pool, spa, tennis courts and walking trails are available for the energetic. Even though I spent most of the days on the beach, I was proud of myself for making the effort to walk up and over the island for the dramatic views of Fort Duvernette and the Caribbean Sea.

Of course, perfection does not live here. The dinner menu is a bit limited and pricey. It is a bit noisy sometimes at night (from bars across the Cut) and the Coconut Floating Bar sadly seems to go unmanned most of the time (though it does provide a cute photo opportunity). But the beach is pretty and relaxing, with plenty of shade. If you want a drink or snack while lounging, you can get up and walk a few steps to the friendly and amply stocked bar. Young Island Resort is not an over-the-top pampering retreat and it isn’t priced like one. It is a well-managed place, under the watchful eye of General Manager Bianca Porter who has spent over 22 years guiding a caring, responsive yet unobtrusive team. The private water ferry is readily available when you are compelled to venture across the Young Island Cut for more excitement. If not, the Captain Bligh Lounge & Bar provides a lovely backdrop to a romantic evening.

Enjoying the sunset from one of the hotel’s scenic viewpoints.

The restaurant and beach are popular with non-resident guests, locals and small groups of cruise ship passengers. Fortunately, they are kept to specific areas of the resort so guests of the resort are not inconvenienced.

I left Young Island Resort feeling relaxed, rested and ready to explore the jewels of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Reflections…

Young Island Resort is a comfortable, scenic and reasonably priced hotel and a great way to start or finish a Grenadine holiday if you are flying out of St. Vincent’s Argyle International Airport. It is not a manicured enclave but a Vincentian property where you are connected to the people, culture and history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

NH 2019