Raffles Resort Canouan Island held its official grand opening this weekend, introducing one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel brands to the Caribbean. Located in the heart of the Grenadines on the exclusive island of Canouan, the new resort is Singapore-based Raffles International’s first venture in the Caribbean.“Experienced travellers will quickly recognise Raffles Resort Canouan Island as the premier luxury Caribbean destination,” said General Manager Louis Sailer. “Raffles is truly distinctive. There is nothing in the Caribbean like the RafflesAmrita Spa and the new golf course. Raffles is also one of the few five-star resorts in the Caribbean that not only accepts children, but caters to their needs and requirements.”

Special grand opening rates begin at US$298 USD through Dec. 17, and US$558 for a garden-view room or $998 for a one-bedroom suite Jan. 7 - Feb. 13, 2005, with complimentary upgrades at the time of booking, subject to availability. Regular rates begin at $675 from Feb. 14 - April 3, $475 from April 4 - May 30, and $385 from May 31 - Nov. 10. Rates are based on single or double occupancy and include daily continental breakfast, non-motorized water sports, tennis, use of the fitness center and one golf cart per room. Children under 12 stay free with their parents.

One of the resort’s lead attractions is the new RafflesAmrita Spa, which is designed unlike any other spa in the Caribbean. Nine individual treatment rooms are scattered up a lush hillside over Godahl Beach, each housed in its own private thatched roof palapa with one side completely open to the breezes of the Caribbean Sea. Two additional palapas, which sit over the water and are reachable only by boat, will open in early 2005. Each suite reflects a specific color found in the waters surrounding Canouan, and features Asian day
beds, private Jacuzzis and custom-made Murano glass from Italy.

“We are very excited to bring the Raffles brand of luxury and impeccable service to the Caribbean,” said Markland Blaiklock, managing director of Raffles Hotels & Resorts. “A unique team of partners worked together to create this amazing luxury destination: Canouan Resorts Development, Donald J. Trump, The Moorings and Raffles International, which are among the most respected in the luxury travel industry. We are confident that Canouan Island will be the Caribbean’s most sought-after elite destination.”
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