True Blue Bay Resort Awarded 2013 Certificate of Excellence
We just got more exciting news! Last week we were delighted to learn that Caribbean Journal ranked True Blue Bay Resort third in the top ten Caribbean small hotels. This week we are again elated to share more great news. TripAdvisor has awarded True Blue Bay Resort with a 2013 Certificate of Excellence.
According to TripAdvisor, this prestigious award places True Blue Bay Resort “in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor” and “is given to businesses that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travelers”.
We wish to thank all our guests for taking the time to rate us and provide valuable feedback that help us improve our service. Without you this achievement could not be possible. We also wish to thank and encourage our staff to keep up the good work and congratulate you all on a job well done.
True Blue Bay Resort, One of the Caribbean’s Best Small Hotels
Caribbean Journal has rated TBBR as one of the top ten best small hotels in the Caribbean for 2013. Factors including ambience, quality of food, luxury, quality of service, location, romance, affordability and design were taken into consideration during the decision making process.
TBBR is delighted with this news and wish to thank our hard-working management and staff for their efforts in making our resort a truly special place.
Two Boutique Hotels One Island of Spice!
TBBR is happy to announce our partnership with Petite Anse Hotel. Now when you visit the spice isle you have the opportunity to stay at two resorts in opposing ends of the island allowing you to see and explore even more during your stay in Grenada.
With a one-week or two-week package option to choose from, your vacation begins in the south of the island at True Blue Bay Boutique Resort. There you will spend a few days in the popular tourist area of Grand Anse and indulge in the beauty and hospitality that the resort and staff offers. From there, you will be taken to the northern part of the island where your rest and relaxation will continue at Petite Anse Hotel in the scenic and culturally rich parish of St. Patrick.
To learn more about this special offer click here.
Practicing Yoga in Grenada
Several years ago a lady called Liza Williams from a studio called Grenada Yoga came to my office at the hotel and told me: “Hello, I’m Liza, are you Magdalena? We have not met before, but something told me to come and see you and invite you to practice yoga with me”
Well, since then, I have tried to do my best to keep up the practice as I truly enjoy it and I have experienced the changes in my mind, health and physical abilities.
Unfortunately, my now very good friend Liza had to leave the island. I will always be grateful to her for changing my life in such an amazing way.
After some gentle persuasion, I have convinced my husband Russ to build a yoga studio at the Resort and construction is already in progress. In the meantime we have 2 yoga classes a week by our beautiful, new outdoor waterfront deck here at True Blue on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30am.
I writing this because I would like to share with you last Friday’s class, as it was “Absolutely Magical.” We have a new very young and lovely Grenadian yoga instructor called Dawnelle (from Grenada Yoga Fountain of Youth Studio) and she conducted a Yin Yoga class today. The class was, as always, excellent, but today there was definitely some very special energy around the place. The sound of the waves were in perfect harmony with our breath, the sea was shimmering with radiant energy and the pink bougainvillea tree was blessing us with a shower of pink flowers and green leaves falling ever so softly over our bodies. A gentle refreshing breeze kept us cool and when the time came to do Shavasana, looking at the combination of tree branches full of flowers, the perfect blue sky and the occasional feathery looking cloud passing by, made it impossible for the class to close our eyes. It was just not right to miss such a spectacular scene!
All I could think of was to be immensely grateful for such beauty and for being so fortunate to live in the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada and be the owner of such an amazing piece of paradise, True Blue Bay Boutique Resort.
If you are visiting or living in Grenada, we invite you to join these unique yoga sessions at our beautiful resort.
Namaste
Magdalena Fielden
For more information about True Blue Bay Boutique Resort activities visit our website www.truebluebay.com. For other yoga classes and schedules in Grenada visit www.yoga.gd
Spicy Day Out
Being In Grenada for a year and a half now, I felt it was time that I submerged myself into the wonders of the Spice Isle. What was it that influenced the tourist to pack up, spend their hard earned money and fly 4 to 6 hours to land on a rock and bask in the sunshine? It was time to find out. So I batted some eyelashes and convinced my dear boss, Mary and my favourite True Blue Front Desk Staff, Kaylee, (shh I tell them all that!) to trade in those high heels for some flip flops and sunglasses, and jump on a full day tour with Kennedy Tours along with two of our in house guests, Jason and Melissa.
Coffee-ed up and ready to go, I took my spot on the shaded back seat of the bus, windows open, Coke in hand to control the motion sickness, all ready for my hair-down-in-the-wind day. It was the picture perfect day; the kind you see on the Caribbean brochures and think that it’s edited by some fancy pants computer guy. But this was as real as the clear blue skies, the salty taste that lingered on my lips and the rhythms of the waters and wildlife as though practiced for weeks.
First stop, after the breath taking view of the Carenage, was the Nutmeg Processing Plant in Gouyave. For a little ball of a fruit, that nutmeg sure takes a lot of time and detail to be ready for use. Our guide was a friendly expert of the nutmeg process, although I’m fairly sure half of what he said was lost in translation with our foreigners; he was one quick talking guide! The process, however, was very intriguing and somewhat creepy; from the fruit splitting open on its own to the sorting of the good and bad seeds, the manufacture of the mace to the drying and packaging of the actual nutmeg, it all seemed like a little magic factory tucked away in this busy colourful town.
Holding my breath, and to be quite honest, clenching my butt half the time on those narrow twists and turns and up and downs that make up the roads in Grenada, we made our way on; it was time to pay attention to the little food monsters in our bellies. Heading up to the parish of St. Patrick’s we stopped for lunch at Helena’s Ocean View Restaurant. Well my lord your belly could get full from the view alone! It was absolutely stunning. The dodgy pier jutting out into the crisp blue waters, the break of the waves against the almost strategically placed rocks and the caressing green of the coconut trees swaying in the sea drenched winds. It was like paradise – forgive my cliché, but no other comparison can begin to capture it. And the food?! Well ok, if you know me at all, you know I love food like a fat kid loves cake, literally. This buffet was scrumptious; the rice and peas, macaroni pie, plantain and breadfruit with fish; it was like I died and went to food heaven. As Mary rightfully put it, “Country people could cook!”
Bellies full and with that glazed-over-ethnic-fatigue look in our eyes, we settled into the bus and pushed our way up to Leaper’s Hill; a beautiful cemetery towards the back of a grand gothic Catholic church that stirred up the right amount of delightful creepiness. The story behind Leaper’s hill was that of the last forty Caribs to jump over the cliff to escape the colonizing hands of the French in 1651; see? I paid attention! After posing for some super model shots, we climbed back in and headed to the rum distillery.
The strong smell of molasses engulfed us as we entered Rivers Rum Distillery; the oldest on the island. I feel that, at this point, it is wise to insert a disclaimer; if you, like every other true Caribbean person and pirate alike, enjoy the sweet sweetness that is rum, please never think it a good idea to feed that curiosity you have to see how it is made. While questionable and smelly, the most amazing part of the whole distillery, in my opinion, was the water wheel; this working piece of history was simply marvellous. The fermentation and distillation processes were also interesting but yet still something that you never thought off on those Friday nights with a rum and coke in your hands. Good thing too, oui papa; just drink it and don’t think it! Naturally at the end of the tour was the best part – time to sample! With my very own bottle of Rivers Passion Fruit rum punch in hand, we bid adieu to distillery and got on our merry way. Merry because of the rum, clearly!
So after a few tales about the oldest trees on the island and some more colonizing bastard stories and funny looks from the locals as to why three local ladies riding around like tourists, we made it to Belmont Estate. Like vintage glory, this place is home to a cocoa processing plant, a dairy farm, a gourmet restaurant and a lot of animals. The reddened seeds of the cocoa beans told their own story of how they were processed, picked from the trees, striped from their pods and fermented, then placed on the racks in the sweltering sunshine to dry. Each seed tossed and turned for six to eight days until they are perfect for use in Grenada’s very own dark chocolate.
Grand Etang Lake was next on the list – a large crater lake nearly two thousand feet above sea levels with chilly temperatures was an odd sight after enjoying the brilliant coast lines for most of the day. The lake did not quite perk my interest the way those pesky little monkeys did though. Greedy and agile, they took three and a half bananas, and sat around waiting for more. They were funny little crazy creatures who are smart enough to know the tourists and when to hang around for more food; kind of like some people I know actually. Just kidding! Final stop was the Annadale Waterfalls. Just a couple minutes walk from the entrance revealed a beautiful waterfall hidden away like a secret fairy tale, gushing nearly twenty feet down into lush tropical life.
Exhausted at this point, we piled back into the bus and let the sloth take over. It was a glorious day, full of history, culture and incredible sights that we can proudly call our own. Finally I can truly say I’ve learned just a bit about this Spice Isle; there is definitely a great deal more to soak up. But seriously, taking things for granted needs to stop; we live in a Caribbean paradise that thousands of people pay good money to come for just a week or two at a time. Living here is a blessing that I will definitely be taking advantage off from now. Great company on a great tour; not bad for a day’s work at True Blue Bay Resort!
–Sera-Leigh Ghouralal,
Front Desk Supervisor
Thank you from all of us at TBBR
The year climaxed beautifully at True Blue Bay Resort. Our schedule of activities highlighting various aspects of a Grenadian Christmas was a fun time for guests and locals. Learning about Grenadian chocolate was fun for all and tasty too!
On Boxing Day we had a wonderful time with the children from the Queen Elizabeth’s home. We love having them with us and enjoy seeing their smiling faces as they play and have fun with us.
Our New Year’s Eve dinner and ‘Firewuks’ party was also an evening well spent, thank you to everyone who celebrated the start of the New Year with us. We also wish to thank all our guests, patrons of Dodgy Dock, suppliers, friends and family for your patronage during 2012.
We wish all a successful 2013 and look forward to seeing you all again soon. Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wandering in Paradise
From Arthur Daniel, Photographer and Marketing Officer at True Blue Bay Resort.
One weekend on our beautiful island of Grenada, we had what I think was the most beautiful day in 2012. There were clear blue skies and warm sunshine.
I grabbed my camera planning to visit the most beautiful spots on the south of the Island. I knew I had a small window of opportunity because, in the Caribbean, rain can suddenly fall without any warning.
My first stop was Sendell Tunnel and then up to Hospital Hill. From that point, I could see the heart of Grenada’s capital St. George’s, including the cruise ship terminal and the Esplanade Mall. I walked above the hospital to outside Fort George, then down to the Carenage, our only waterfront promenade that winds around the harbor. The Carenage is quite a colorful site with its fishing boats and decorative buildings.
From the Carenage, I headed straight for Port Louis Hill. On the hill, I had a clear view of the General Hospital, the Carenage and St. George’s Sea Port. It was quite rewarding to see this view as it is a hard walk up the hill.
From that point I headed to Pandy Beach, which is just a short walk down from the hill. It was nice to see families out on the beach enjoying this beautiful day like me. But I did not stay long because I had other places I wanted to check out.
My next stop was a small beach I used to play on as a kid. I am not sure of the name but it’s located under the Fall Edge just before Grand Anse Beach. From that beach I walked along the rocks where Grand Anse Beach can be seen.
My final destination was Grand Anse Beach. At the beginning of Grand Anse Beach the waters are calm because the currents are small. I saw a father and his son playing in the water. It was truly an adorable sight. I took off my shoes and went into the water to capture the moment.
By then, I was exhausted. I went home to rest and came back in the morning where it was even more beautiful than the day before.
I said to myself, Grenada is so beautiful!
Visit us one day for a vacation. Grenada has so much to offer. I have only just touched the surface.
Green Globe Certification
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort is happy to announce that we have received our Green Globe certification. Over the past year, the management and staff of True Blue Bay Resort have been coming up with innovative ideas to help keep the environment clean and play a beneficial roll in Grenadian society.
We have been working hard towards helping the environment by discouraging the use of plastic or Styrofoam on the property. Takeaway boxes and disposable cups are made from cardboard. Dodgy Dock Restaurant & Bar does not issue plastic straws unless customers ask for them.
True Blue Bay Resort has experimented over the past year with solar lights in our artifacts museum and also all lights in the hotel use low energy bulbs. There are future plans to make “True Green Rooms” which will use virtually no electricity and be powered by solar energy.
The Owners of True Blue Bay take part in community activities as often as they can. Russ Fielden teaches a Hospitality and Tourism course at the Vendome Primary School and Magdalena Fielden organizes craft bazaars so that the local vendors have a chance to sell their products and be exposed to a large number of people. Craft artists come and sell their products on the property twice per week at the Dodgy Dock Restaurant & Bar, offering guests a chance to take home a piece of Grenada while supporting local artisans. Magdalena Fielden is also the creator of the Grenada Friends of Whales and Nature Facebook page. The page has over 7000 followers and is updated every day informing its followers on how to help the marine environment.
Marie Fielden is currently putting together a Green Calendar which makes sure True Blue celebrates all environmental awareness days throughout the year. A beach clean up was just recently accomplished by True Blue staff and friends, who collected over 17 large bags of garbage on a nearby beach.
True Blue staff will continue to be trained to be more environmentally friendly and also not promote the use of harmful products on the environment.
Thank you Green Globe for taking the time to certify True Blue Bay Boutique Resort and we look forward to seeing you for our re-certification next year.
Kayaking Tours
True Blue Bay Boutique Resort has always been a water sports haven. From kayaking to sailing, True Blue Bay is the perfect place to get in touch with your sea legs. Our in-house guests are welcome to use the kayaks and hobie cats free of charge, but we always warn them to stay inside the bay. However, just recently, the True Blue staff have over stepped the boundaries in the name of adventure. They have introduced a new activity for their adventure seeking guests where they kayak outside the Bay, with a tour guide, and check out Prickly Bay and do some kayak surfing. Five of the True Blue staff decided to map out the kayak tours and see what would be the best route to take. We had with us Owner Russ Fielden, Assistant to the General Manager Marie Fielden, Restaurant Manager Crystal DeRiggs, andfrom the Marketing Department, Arthur Daniel and Salisha Armstrong.
We headed east out of True Blue Bay towards Prickly Bay. Once we arrived around Prickly Point, the seas got choppy. It was a little difficult paddling against the waves but we all got through, even first time kayaker Crystal. Once we got into Prickly Bay, it was a lovely paddle inland towards Calabash Hotel. We met some students in a floating inner tube who where just enjoying their Sunday drinking beers on the sea. Once we got near Calabash Hotel, we stopped for a drink and a few snacks we brought with us.
Sitting on our kayak, floating by Calabash, was beautiful. The crystal clear waters and white sand beach with towering palm trees was an ideal place for a midmorning snack. When we got our energy back, we headed over to Prickly Point where the boys decided they were going to do some kayak surfing. The waves were the perfect size. They lost their balance once, but by the third wave, they were professionals. After this little adventure, we headed back over to True Blue Bay.
Kayaking back was nice and easy because of the sea swells pushing us towards the Bay. Once inside the Bay, it was the girls turn to surf the mini waves by True Blue beach. They did this with great success without flipping over, unlike the boys! At the end of the expedition we headed back to the dock to pull in our kayaks. The tour took an average of 2 hours and we will be offering this adventure to our guests. They will have a tour guide who will take them around to the different check points and also to make sure they reach back to the resort safe and sound. One day, when it is nice and calm, the staff will try their luck kayaking over to Glovers Island so we can offer our guests an even more adventurous tour.
13th Annual Arts & Crafts Christmas Bazaar
So Santa is making his list and checking it twice. Have you made yours yet? What are you waiting for? True Blue Bay Boutique Resort’s 13th Annual Christmas Bazaar is on Sunday December 16th, 2012 and there is something for everyone on that mental list you’re delaying jotting down.
There will be lots of vendors present with items ranging from household accessories to personal gift items such as jewelry, clothing and spa products. There will also be live music and local farmers produce will be on sale. The Bazaar starts at 10:00am and goes until 5:00pm. Bring the entire family for a fun time!
