We stayed for 2 weeks over Christmas, with 3 young children who are full of energy. Having read the reviews here on TA we were a little worried given the range of 'moans' that we saw especially given the resort was going to be full over the festive period.

Now it seems normal to give a list of previous resorts/hotels stayed at to give an idea of the quality expected, so here goes, last year we stayed for Christmas period at the Burj Al Arad (will not do that again), previous two Christmas periods were at Sandy and the 2 before that were at the wonderful Saint Geran. So we have rather high expectations is probably a fair statement.

The cost of Raffles is on par with the aforementioned, but the experience is unique. The beauty of the island and the amount of space on the resort is astounding, when we arrived it was 40% full, i would have said it was just us and a lot of staff, and our main concern was when the resort filled, but not once did we have to queue at the most spectacular buffets, or unable to get a table in any one of the good restaurants at any point.

The restaurant staff even opened the restaurant 1 hour early every day in the evening for our youngest to eat, a meal which the prepared ad hoc every day off menu, and this was done with a smile. Obviously small island cuisine can often be limited, but somehow the kitchen staff excel themselves each and every day, to give you an idea of how serious they take the food preparation, whilst there a new sushi lounge was opened, and to prepare the food, 2 chefs were brought over from Japan.

Another usual grumble of the caribbean is the relaxed service, all i can say is that this was closer treatment to what you would hope for in Singapore Raffles, the real kindness they showed the children was also the reason for a kids club that relied on activities and sport rather than the usual tv and games found elsewhere, we could not keep our eldest from the club!

My love was the golf where the pro Wayne certainly took my money but it as one of the most challenging courses ever.

As mentioned by several accounts Captain Phil and Nichola are well worth spending a day with on the boat, great trip!

In short

check-in - great, bags taken from plane to room, very friendly, usual cold drinks and towels etc

food - exceeded expectations

Rooms - very large , only complaint of holiday but soon remedied was initially the rooms were only 'swept' and the tiled floors were not hoovered and mopped each day

Staff - did everything to help our holiday go well

Weather - bad first 2 days, then great, was a littled concerned about wind but nowhere is always perfect

Beach(s) - great, worth securing a spot if the hotel is full.

Pool - big and next to kids club

Check-out - for once, no problems

Connection - always a concern with young children is the changing planes in Barbados, but company was outstanding and not a worry for next time.


We will be going back next year!!!

Raffles Resort is paradise.
Everything from the amazing suites (I stayed in a Garden View Orchester Suite) to the little golf buggys you get was fab.

I was lucky enough to get the Raffles private Jet from Barbados and this was the first of a 2 centre holiday. It was beautiful.

If you managed to get here you need to be prepared to pay a price for everything, there's no beach shack snack bar here. The restaurants are all pretty pricey but if you're on honeymoon it's perfect.

The pool is the longest in the Caribbean and is lovely and very quiet (I went slightly off season) and the sea is crystal clear. There wasn't any children when I was there and I although they allow children I can't imagine it would be over-run.

Jambus is good for breakfast and Godahl good for lunch (although the music played there is a little dubious). The upmarket restaurants La Varenne and the other one's name escapes me were lovely but cost the same as a top London venue.

You must go to the Amrita spa, I had a great Elemis massage ($179), there are 2 rooms with glass floors above the sea.

All good, except one thing, don't bother with the casino, it's looks good from the outside but is not nice inside. Souless and painted a dreadful orange colour.

Having never visited the Caribbean before, we stumbled upon Raffles and trusted our "brochure" judgement. Not only were we not disappointed, but absolutely wowed by this place. Arrival in Barbados from London appeared at first glance to be disorganised, until we were greeted by the smiling Raffles reps. I don't think I saw any Raffles staff throughout the seven night stay who did not have a permanent smile on their faces! We were whisked away to the private jet terminal, and soon en route to Canouan. The landing is spectacular, giving us our first glimpse of a little piece of paradise from the air. Greeted once again by Raffles reps, we were taken by private car to the hotel. This is not really a hotel at all - it is a collection of stunning villas, bungalows, and cottages all of exquisite quality, and each with their own golf buggy to drive around the sprawling resort.
This place has it all; genuinely sincere service culture, great location and views, perfect beach (choice of two!), superb pool area, a golf course to die for with the most stunning views of the Grenadines, excellent and well organised excursions on the sea for the most outstanding snorkelling experiences, and finally a treuly outstanding spa. We went in mid November, and the place was about 35% full, but the climate was absolutely perfect. I highly recommend this time of year to go therefore.
If only to ensure a bit of balance to an otherwise unblemished review, my only small criticism is the food selection was not great, but hey it certainly wasn't bad!
We'll definitely be going back here. I cannot rate it highly enough

If you need to inquire about prices this is not the vacation for you. The resort is very expensive and private. A price to pay for tranquillity and island beauty. The resort is 2000 acres featuring 2 beaches and one secluded by the 12th hole.( For those who like adventure) Main beach poolside the other beach is by the spa with comp water toys.

Arrived by Jet 30 mins from BGI and 7 min van ride to the resort.
Mgr cocktail is Sat Evening and the Sister hotel has live music on Sat and happy hour on Wed 2 for 1.
Suites are caribbean style ,Request hillside for the view
Our room was worn and needs tlc

Restaurants La Piazza favorite then Godahl's , Jambu and La Varenne( was ok not great).
Breakfast fresh juices, omelettes and waffle station, aasort fruit, meats, cheese, breads and etc.....
.
Fitness well equiped, enjoyed classess and morning and evening walks. For those who like adventure a steep climb to the top of the islands peak is worth the view. Not an easy hike and wear pants. For those who are early birds catch the sunrise by Amrita. A great way to start the day.

Spa What can one say aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh..

Overall the holiday was much enjoyed and would return. The grounds are beautiful, the resort is exclusive, soft sand turquosie sea (seaweed in spots) A caribbean paradise...

For photos go to youtube and search canouan .....