Grenada has just been named one of the top 10 islands and beaches to visit in 2014 by Lonely Planet (Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014 published Oct 29, 2013). Throughout 2014, the ‘lush-'n'-lovely Spice Isle’ will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the island's independence from Britain on Feb 7, 1974.

Nowhere better expresses the genuine warmth, beauty and independent style of the island than the family owned-and-run Calabash Hotel Resort and Spa which combines intimate 5-star service and luxury with a very relaxed vibe which might explain why it was named Grenada's Leading Boutique Hotel 2013 at the World Travel Awards.

Accommodation consists of a necklace of pretty cottages strung round a quiet horseshoe bay alongside the island’s two best restaurants.  Bash restaurant provides feet-in-the-sand beach lunches and has sat at the top of Trip Advisor’s Grenada restaurant ratings since it opened in October 2012; Gary Rhodes' eponymously named restaurant meanwhile provides the stylishly relaxed nighttime taste-bud extravaganza. Its Heaven & Earth Spa has been designed with calm and relaxation in mind.  Each of the three treatment rooms are open air with calming breezes so you can enjoy treatments while listening to the sea gently lapping the shore.  You can also join in the regular Pilates, yoga and Tai Chi mornings.

Calabash saw the opening of brand new suites this month and one of its villas up on the hill was included in CNT's 20 Best Hotel Villas in the World.   http://www.cntraveller.com/recommended/villas/worlds-best-hotel-villas/hummingbird-villa-calabash-hotel-lanse-aux-epines-grenada

A junior suite currently costs £256 per night with breakfast until December 20.  In 2014 the same room costs from £194 per night.

Further information: 01603 510000; www.calabashhotel.com

Further media information: paul.gogarty@pgcomms.co.uk / 020 8883 3985 / 0781 806 7906