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If you like your resorts to be family-owned, oozing with personality and infused with chocolate, then you’ll want to check out True Blue Bay Boutique Resort in Grenada.
Read on to discover what makes it one of our top choices for an affordable hotel in Grenada.
It’s one of three places I stayed during a recent week on the Spice Island that’s known for its two underwater sculpture parks, tree-to-bar chocolate industry and passion for nutmeg.Â
As a travel and food writer who’s always on the go, I spent two nights at Six Senses La Sagesse (an eco-wellness luxury chain that’s new to the Caribbean) and two nights at the all-inclusive Royalton Grenada in a Diamond Club room with butler service.Â
They’re both among Grenada’s top luxury resorts.
But three relaxed nights at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, where I did a guided chocolate tasting and meditative yoga session with a cocoa butter self-massage, really left an impression.
Here’s an honest review of this unique resort in Grenada, complete with some original photos so you can see if you like the vibe as much as I did.
Location
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort, on Old Mill Road, is near some good local restaurants, downtown St. George’s and St. George’s University.Â
It’s a quick walk to the Container Park, an an eco-conscious international food village created from shipping containers.
This resort is a convenient base to day trip around Grenada, which is just 34 kilometres (21 miles) long and 19 kilometres (12 miles) wide but has plenty to see and do.Â
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort is about 10 minutes from Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND).
Quick Overview
True Blue Bay Resort is a 70-unit hotel with rooms, suites and villas arranged along a hillside on Grenada’s south coast facing the Caribbean Sea.
This waterfront resort overlooks True Blue Bay but doesn’t have a beach (though I did go birding on a patch of sand at low tide).
It does have four pools plus a restaurant/bar, poolside bar, boutique, open-air yoga studio, spa and dive centre.
Created and designed by the family that owns the House of Chocolate mini-museum and café in St. George’s, this resort has a small bakery and is a haven for chocolate lovers.
It appeals to leisure travellers — especially foodies, families and divers — offering climate-conscious rooms, free airport pickups and a complimentary beach shuttle.
For a budget-friendly resort experience in Grenada, True Blue Bay is a gem.
Advantages
- The resort is a quick walk to the small True Blue Beach plus offers a complimentary shuttle to Grand Anse Beach, one of the Caribbean’s best beaches.
- The hotel’s four pools, including a lap pool and a beach pool, have sun loungers.
- Eclectic design, vibrant colours and cheerful staff make it clear you’re not at a chain hotel.
- All guest rooms have private balconies with bay or garden views, fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, cable TV (which I didn’t have time to watch), air-conditioning, fans and free wireless internet.
- Blue Haven Spa uses Grenadian chocolate for chocolate facials, body wraps and bath soaks plus cocoa butter pedicures.Â
- Sankalpa Studio brings in certified yoga teachers from different yoga practices.
- Two children’s playgrounds and an escape room for those aged 12 and up.
- Concierge to help plan excursions and 24-hour reception.
- Gym plus free water sports include kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing and paddleboarding.
Good to Know
- If you’re looking for on-site nightlife, the Dodgy Dock Restaurant and Lounge Bar often has live music and dancing.
- While the complimentary daily shuttles to Grand Anse Beach or BBC Beach (sometimes even Magazine Beach upon request) are a wonderful perk, you must reserve a spot.Â
- Remember that True Blue Bay is not on a beach. For a beachfront stay, you’ll need to look into accommodations with higher price tags such as these luxury hotels.
Is This Resort For You?
If you want the comfort of a corporate chain hotel or to be on the beach, then this might not be the place for you. But if you can embrace the eclectic, laid-back vibe like I did, you’ll love it.
It’s home to Aquanauts Grenada, a family-owned dive shop that offers PADI-approved scuba diving classes, dive trips and snorkeling adventures.
Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park offers a one-of-a-kind snorkeling experience where stunning submerged art meets marine life.
Grenada is the Wreck Capital of the Caribbean and home to the Bianca C (the “Titanic of the Caribbean”).
I saw lots of divers, couples and families, but solo travellers would feel at home and it was quiet enough during my visit for romantic getaways.
True Blue Bay does host weddings and has a honeymoon suite.
Resort Layout
The 70-unit hotel has rooms, suites and villas arranged in multiple low-rise buildings along a hillside. They face gardens, pools or the bay and marina.
Two-storey, two-bedroom villas are designed for families, friend groups or two couples. Four kinds of suites include one designed for honeymooners or those seeking a romantic escape.
There are two types of standard rooms.Â
Room Amenities
Designed, built and decorated by the Fieldens, rooms offer a contemporary Caribbean chic vibe, sea-inspired colours and teak furniture.
Low-carbon emitting rooms have double-glazed patio doors, solar water heaters, electricity generated by PV solar panels, and water and energy-efficient appliances.Â
My two-level Cocoa Pod Suite had an open-concept ground floor with a living-dining area, compact kitchen, pull-out couch, armchairs, TV, small bathroom and balcony with views of the tropical gardens and lap pool.
My upstairs bedroom had a king-size bed with pillow-top mattress, TV, wardrobe and big bathroom (with shower).
I loved catching the sunset and sunrise from the upper patio.
The bathroom was stocked with body cream, shampoo and conditioner.
Don’t miss the Karaya Awawak Museum, an outdoor mini museum/cabinet near reception that’s full of artefacts that highlight Grenada’s Indigenos heritage.
🌟 Pro Tip: The resort uses 220-volt electricity and UK-style sockets.
Check rates and availability of True Blue Bay Boutique Resort on Booking.com.
Back-Story
Mexico-born Magdalena Fielden and her husband Russ (from Devon, England) bought the seven-room True Blue Inn in 1998.
They transformed it into the “boutique chic, climate-smart” resort they now run with daughters Marie and Renatta.
Magdalena (the Honorary Consul of Mexico in Grenada) founded the Grenada Chocolate Festival in 2014 and promotes the nation’s tree-to-bar chocolate industry.
The week-long festival runs every May.
Dining and Restaurants
One of my favourite perks at True Blue Bay is the complimentary buffet breakfast at the Dodgy Dock included with most stays.
This full breakfast has an omelette station and options that range from cereal and pastries to local fruit, pancakes, boiled eggs, sausages, baked beans, plantain and saltfish souse.
Drinks include Grenada’s signature cocoa tea alongside juices, coffee and tea.Â
The waterfront eatery has unique cantilever decks and 360-degree views of the bay.Â
Dodgy Dock lunch options include three-course set meals alongside menu options like fish tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, rotis, burgers, wraps, pasta, salads and pizza.Â
Theme Nights
True Blue Bay Resort’s themed dinner nights are popular with guests, locals and visitors.
Street Food Wednesday is the busiest night of the week with the aroma of grilling food and rhythm of live music
Local vendors serve up traditional Grenadian favourites such as callaloo lasagna, pelau (a one-pot rice dish), jerk chicken and pork, doubles and stewed lambi (conch) while steel pan drums and dancing add to the fun atmosphere.
Thursday Chocolate Night has chocolate food and drink specials.
Fiesta Fridays revolve around tacos and margaritas.
Dodgy Dock desserts — like double chocolate cake and chocolate mousse cake — come from the resort’s on-site House of Chocolate bakery.
It’s also a top spot to buy cupcakes, cakes, cookies, brownies, cheesecake, homemade ice cream and bread. Â
You can upgrade to an all-inclusive stay for $150 USD per person per day. Children under 12 years eat for free from the kids’ menu when parents are on the all-inclusive package.Â
🌟 Fun fact: The Rum Shop bar, next to the beach pool and boasting swinging seats and a quirky bamboo design, has been dubbed “the Decompression Chamber” by divers.
Beach Shuttle
The hotel provides a free electric bus shuttle to Grand Anse Beach daily at 9 a.m. and noon. The shuttle typically returns at 12:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
Grenada’s most popular beach boasts white sand and calm, turquoise water. It’s one of our top choices for a Caribbean beach without sargassum seaweed.
It’s also home to the Grand Anse Craft & Spice Market, beach bars, restaurants and water sports.
This perk is ideal for beach lovers who don’t want the hassle of arranging their own transport.
🌟 Pro Tip: Umbrella’s Beach Bar is a happening restaurant-bar on a prime stretch of Grand Anse Beach ((Location). Check out their daily drink specials (such as Grenadian rum punch). Dine indoors overlooking the water or get food to go.
Getting There
The resort provides complimentary airport pickups as long as you book direct with True Blue Bay Boutique Resort and give the reservation department advance details of your flight.
You will have to pay to get yourself back to the airport.
Car rentals on site plus EV charging stations.
Final Thoughts
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort is a wonderful choice for travellers willing to give up the beach to save money.
It’s a lively but affordable spot, with chocolate at every turn, a lovely yoga studio and a waterfront restaurant that mixes things up each night.Â
About the Author
Jennifer Bain is a former Toronto Star newspaper food and travel editor who now travels the world in search of quirk. Based in Toronto and with a retreat on Fogo Island in Newfoundland and Labrador, she’s an award-winning freelancer who has written two cookbooks and two travel books. View her portfolio at JenniferBain.co