Blue Horizons Herald

There are nearly 200 species of bird to be found on the Isle of Spice, including 27 right here in our gardens. But none is more rare nor symbolic as the Grenada Dove. As the name suggests, this elusive bird is endemic to our island and considered to be one of the most critically endangered doves in the world.

As a means to protect the national bird of Grenada, the Mt. Hartman National Park was established in 1996 to ensure the protection of the endemic Grenada Dove in one of its key habitats.

Just a 10-minute drive from our property, you can explore a variety of trails designed specifically for birding. Should you be treated to a rare sighting of the Grenada Dove, here are a few more facts to know what to look for:

• The Grenada Dove is a medium-sized dove that is primarily brownish on the back, white on the belly, and pinkish-brown on the breast.
• When a Grenada Dove is expelled from a perch, it will fly to the ground and walk away. This is likely because it evolved without ground predators, which now include mongoose and feral cats.
• Grenada Doves have never been seen outside the forest nor flying above the forest canopy. They are possibly isolated to the patches of the remaining habitat.
• Most observations of Grenada Doves have been walking on the ground, especially during the non-breeding season.

Learn more about the national bird of Grenada and Mt. Hartman’s birding trails at www.caribbeanbirdingtrail.org, or join us for weekly bird watching and nature tours where you can get to know the 27 Species of tropical birds like the Zenaida Dove, Yellow Bananaquit, and Gray Kingbird.

Though chilly winters are a foreign concept to us here in the Isle of Spice, we sure know how to celebrate the holidays with a few of our own traditions—all with a tropical twist, of course!

Whether you’re dreaming of your next Grenada getaway or you’re here with us for the holidays, sandy-toed and sunkissed, indulge in this delicious and simple recipe for punch de crème, an island-style eggnog with a pinch of pure Grenada nutmeg:

Ingredients

4 large pasteurized eggs

Finely grated zest of 1 lime

1 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup best-quality dark rum

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for topping

1 teaspoon Angostura bitters

Directions

Whisk the eggs and lime zest in a large bowl until well combined and smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the condensed milk and half of the rum and whisk until combined. Whisk in the remaining rum, nutmeg, and bitters until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and transfer to a jug. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days-it gets better with time.

Stir the mixture well before serving. Pour into ice-filled glasses and sprinkle with grated nutmeg.

With three generations of experience and over 40 years in the hospitality industry, our family-run, eco-friendly, Green Globe Gold-certified resort has always maintained a high standard of cleanliness.

In response to the heightened health and safety protocols put in place to protect our guests and staff, we are proud to introduce our latest initiative, Blue Safe Standards: where Caribbean hospitality meets safety and sanitization.

From physical distancing—the new privacy in paradise—to our Stay Safe program, Blue Horizons Garden Resort is committed to your well-being while vacationing here with us on the Isle of Spice.

From check-in to check-out, we have established a ‘Twelve Touch Point’ standard that includes Transportation from the Airport, Arrival & Departure, Housekeeping & Laundry, Guest Rooms, Food & Beverage, Concierge Service, Maintenance, Swimming Pool, Bathrooms, Public Area, and Staff Member areas.

To learn more about all of the new guidelines we have put into place—from enhanced staff training to social distanced poolside dining—please see our full list of Blue Safe Standards.

Blue Horizons Garden Resort enforces the protocols established by the Government of Grenada. For updates on these protocols and information on entering Grenada, please visit the Grenada Tourism Authority.

As we prepare to reopen our idyllic Isle of Spice resort on October 1, the health and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. Aside from a warm Grenadian welcome and ample space to unwind, here’s what to expect during your upcoming stay with us at Blue Horizons Garden Resort: 

• Heightened hygiene and sanitizing measures will be in place to ensure the safety of our guests and staff. 
• Social distancing protocols will be enforced for all resort guests and staff. 
• Online self-check-in is encouraged prior to arrival.
• Signage and hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the resort. 
• Guest rooms will be deep cleaned and sanitized prior to your arrival at our resort. 
• High-touch communal areas will be deep cleaned frequently. 
• Poolside chaise lounge chairs will be spaced a safe distance apart.
• New dining procedures will be in place.  
• Staff training will be ongoing and the appropriate PPE will be worn. 

When you’re ready to plan your next worry-free Caribbean vacation, we’ll be ready to welcome you back! The grounds and rooms remain pristine and our team members continue to stay vigilant. 

As the first Green Globe GOLD certified resort in Grenada, we practice sustainable initiatives that support strict standards and operating procedures—from HACCP food safety guidelines to the use of CDC and WHO approved cleaning chemicals, to consistent staff training. Our full Resort Protocols are coming soon! 

For additional information on what to expect when traveling to our island, please visit the Grenada Ministry of Health online.

An attitude of gratitude has been our motto over these past few months. We are so very grateful for each and every one of our cherished guests and family of staff. While Blue Horizons Garden Resort is not yet open to the public, we’re working towards welcoming you back to the beautiful island of Grenada soon.

We are working hard every day behind the scenes to keep our grounds as lush and pristine as you remember them. All across our 6-acre property, fragrant flowers are blooming, exotic birds are chirping, and the warm Caribbean winds are peppering the air with sea salt.

We know we’ve often been a place of escape and tranquility for you, and we can’t wait to be that again. We’re missing quiet mornings of lazy lounging, reading books and relaxing by the beach, and listening to the sweet sounds of laughter as our guests enjoy their vacation from sunup to sundown.

When the time comes, a beautifully kept resort, a team of smiling faces, and a chilled rum punch will be waiting to give you a warm island welcome. In the meantime, stay safe and stay Grenada dreaming.

Here in Grenada, we have been busy preparing to welcome you back to our beautiful island. Our top priority at Blue Horizons Garden Resort is keeping our guests and staff safe while still delivering the same warm, Grenadian hospitality you have come to expect.

Our family-owned and operated resort in Grand Anse naturally lends itself to social distancing and privacy, with 32 spacious one-bedroom and studio apartment-style guestrooms spread out over 6 lush acres of land. Each rooms’ fully equipped kitchenettes make it easy to prepare meals from the comfort of your room while taking in views of the nearby palm trees, flowers, fruit trees, and tropical birds. Or, take advantage of our two restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We recommend that our guests arrive in an authorized taxi, which we are happy to arrange. A friendly smile behind the mask will greet you upon arrival, where a limited contact check-in will take place. Then, grab a rum punch cocktail, bask in the warm Caribbean sun in the garden or by the pool, where lounge chairs are already safely distanced apart.

Our guests have the best of both worlds with us. Heightened hygiene, sanitizing, signage, and social distancing protocols will be in place for all resort services, guest rooms, and common areas, front and back of house. Staff training will be ongoing and the appropriate PPE will be worn. As a Green Globe GOLD certified resort, the first in Grenada, we practice several sustainable initiatives that support strict standard operating procedures from HACCP food safety, use of CDC/ WHO recognized cleaning chemicals, water testing, cleaning of filters and more.

The grounds and rooms remain pristine, and our team continues to remain safe, healthy, and assured that we would soon have the utmost pleasure to welcome you back as soon as it ‘s safe to do so. Stay safe and stay Grenada dreaming.

As an eco-friendly resort tucked away on more than 6 acres of lush gardens, nature is always close to home for us. Our own property is a haven to 27 species of tropical birds.

This Earth Day, we celebrate and aim to protect all that Grenada has to offer in the way of natural beauty and healthy ecosystems.

Visitors to Grenada are enchanted by sparkling oceans and white sand beaches—like at nearby Grand Anse Beach. As a future visitor, you can always help to keep our beaches pristine by leaving no waste behind.

Celebrating nature’s bounty is one part of Earth Day—the other is committing to protect it. The theme for this year’s Earth Day is “Climate Action.”

As part of the island nation, we are acutely aware of the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems and communities.

Blue Horizons is actively involved in conserving resources and biodiversity, reducing waste and pollution, and preserving our beautiful Grenadian landscapes. We are Grenada’s first Green Globe Gold-certified resort.

Grenada is a remarkably festive place all year round, and if you've been to Grenada, you know that we love a good party. The bulk of our festivals begin the first week in May, and one of our favorites to attend is the Grenada Chocolate Festival, taking place from May 1-6. As we have mentioned in our previous blogs, Grenada is a mecca for delicious chocolate, the process begins from bean to bar right here on the island. Another fun day festival is the 4th Annual Uncorked Beer and Wine Festival on May 5. A day of indulgence is exactly what the doctor ordered — try flavorful food, wine, and beer all in one fun spot. There are plenty of other enjoyable events in May, but those are two of our favorites. The fun will continue in June with the Grenada Music Festival from June 5-7. This event will be showcasing the top international, regional, and local artists of soul, reggae and soca music. Dance the weekend away, Grenadian style. We simply can't wait for this summer-long season of festivals to begin. 

Grenada, The Isle of Spice is a true cultural melting pot. It’s rich culture and diversity is heavily rooted in West Indian, African, French and British traditions. Blending all of those beautiful influences together is what has made our country a beautiful place to live and vacation. From our traditional Oil Down national dish to our Anansi folk tales, bélé folk dancing, unique dialect, and the warmth and friendliness of our people, Grenada is home. The month of February is a very significant part of our history, as it marks our independence since February 7, 1974. A national symbol, the Grenadian flag represents courage and vitality (red color), wisdom and warmth of the people (gold color), lush vegetation (green color), the seven stars represent the seven parishes and the Nutmeg... we are the ‘Isle of Spice’. Happy 46th Independence Grenada!

It’s a new year in Grenada, which means there is even more tropical fun to go around. We love the start of the New Year—the island feels refreshed, spirits are high, and there is so much buzz all around Grenada.

One of the most anticipated events of the year is Carnival, and while you won’t be able to enjoy the gorgeous costumes and rhythmic music until the summer months, Spicemas will be bringing you a taste of this electric vibe all winter long. Check out all the upcoming events that Spicemas will be hosting right here.

If you're like us and have a bit of a sweet tooth, another fun thing to do is to make a pit stop at Grenada Chocolate Company for your fix of bonbons and other sugary treats. This gem is located within the cocoa groves near Grenada’s Rainforest and is a delightful way to spend an afternoon. There truly is a piece of Grenada for everyone—if you look past the beaches and tropical weather, you might just find another reason to fall in love with Grenada.

As the cold begins to creep in and the snow starts to fall, it might be time to consider a little vacation to the warm shores of the Isle of Spice. With things getting a little chilly up towards our Northern neighbors, the weather here in Grenada is right where we want it—warm and sunny. Imagine spending the holidays with your toes in the sand, a glass of punch de crème (island-style eggnog) in your hand, reminiscing on the months past and pondering your New Year’s resolutions. At this time of year, the air is filled with the sounds of traditional Parang music and many holiday festivals showcasing local culture, musical talent, and of course, lights!

It would not be the Isle of Spice without the aroma of nutmeg and spices in our traditional fruit cake, sorrel drink, ginger beer, glazed ham, and stewed pigeon peas—not to mention a rum punch cocktail or two! 

The birds of the Caribbean are much like the islands of this region, full of life but each just a little different from the next. Each week, Blue Horizons Garden Resort offers an on-site bird watching tour throughout our property. We start with a brief introduction on the different types of birds and a basic tutorial on using binoculars. Our bird guide will "beak" your interest as you engage in a casual walk through our gardens, capturing ground feeders and tree-dwellers.

The Birds at Blue Horizons were officially noted back in 1978 when the property was purchased by the Hopkin family and undergoing renovations prior to opening. During this time, Joseph M. Wunderle, researcher and now a past President of the Neotropical Ornithological Society, studied the breeding ecology and social behavior of the Bananaquit on property. Mr. Wunderle discovered an additional 20 tropical birds that were making Blue Horizons home. Six more birds were later discovered bringing the total to 27 species of tropical birds. The most notable and unique birds of the property are the Antillean Crested Hummingbird and the Yellow Bananaquit with the Grenada Hook Billed Kite being endemic to the island.

Shout out to all foodies! Pure Grenada "The Spice Isle" is an island that is full of life and also full of flavor.

Start your day off right, island style, with a local breakfast. Sample a selection of fresh local fruit accompanied by the popular Fried Bake and Saltfish (codfish), served right here at Blue Horizons Garden Resort. This breakfast dish can be presented as a sandwich and ideal for picnics and beach excursions. Totally delicious!

Combine some sun, sea, adventure and two rum punches later, it’s lunchtime. We recommend the deep flavours of a Chicken Roti. A curried combination of meat, potatoes, and spices hugged tightly in a dhal puri or paratha roti. This traditional Indian dish is popular all over the West Indies and a definite culinary experience.

We could tantalize your taste buds all day with the variety of flavourful local dishes available that can only enhance your Pure Grenada visit. One last local favorite, and a popular selection for a typical local Grenadian family Sunday lunch, is the Pelau. This one-pot dish is a potpourri of stewed meat, some vegetables and rice, and pigeon peas—and of course spices. Add some plantains and fresh garden salad and you have a wholesome meal fitting for everyone.

The Caribbean is a melting pot of cultures, and with that brings a diverse array of dishes. Grenada is no stranger to spices and its food offering allows for a different flavor daily.

Visitors to Grenada are enchanted by sparkling oceans and white sand beaches. If you want to do your part to preserve the pristine nature of the Caribbean islands, consider minimizing your environmental impact as a tourist.

Blue Horizons is an idyllic, eco-friendly resort located on over 6 acres of lush gardens. Our property is a haven to 27 species of tropical birds. As part of the island nation of Grenada, and as Grenada's first Green Globe Gold-certified resort, we are acutely aware of the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems and communities.

While vacationing on Grenada, simple steps can be taken to reduce the enormous burden of waste on our island. Globally, ocean ecosystems are severely impacted by excess plastic. You can minimize your use of plastic completely by avoiding reusable straws, plastic water bottles and cups, and plastic bags.

Grab a cute reusable tote for shopping that serves as an extra souvenir from Grenada. Invest in a reusable water bottle, straw, or coffee cup. We’ll be happy to fill them up so that you can enjoy your favorite beverages on the beach without worry of waste.

Blue Horizons is actively involved in conserving resources and biodiversity, reducing waste and pollution, and preserving our beautiful Grenadian landscapes. We know these efforts are beneficial not only to our natural surroundings, but to the success of the resort, our staff, and our guests.

These gentle giants travel across the lengths of the entire ocean just to build their nests here in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, the leatherback turtles are on the endangered list, and even though they can lay around 100 eggs when they nest, only about 1 in 1000 of their little hatchlings will make it to adulthood. Come witness the beauty that these creatures manifest in the middle of the night by scheduling a Leatherback Turtle Tour for a once in a lifetime experience. If a lazy beach day is calling your name, you’ll most likely get a chance to see these turtle nests on the shoreline, just be mindful to be careful around these delicate sandy miracles. You may even get to spot a hatchling! 

While it’s a breathtaking view, Grenada’s famed crystal clear waters aren’t just for looking at! During your visit, dive right into the beautiful sea to soak up the heart of what makes this island so special. For the adventure seekers in your party, you can explore all that our idyllic destination has to offer by taking advantage of our complimentary water activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, and Hobie cats! Whatever sparks your interest, check in with our concierge for easy rentals so you can start living your best stress-free life out on the waters. For those that prefer dipping their toes, grab a great beachside read and take your time unwinding along the pristine sand. The rejuvenating waters provide the perfect backdrop for a day of total relaxation. An island holiday is not complete without a bit of sun, sea, and sand. Here in Grenada, you get all of that and so much more. Pure bliss! 

We hope you brought your dancing shoes because if you’re joining Blue Horizons Garden Resort in June, you’re just in time for the Grenada Music Festival! June 7-9, the Spice of the Caribbean will shine even brighter for three nights of incredible music and thrilling performances. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Grenadian culture by checking out the local artists, and while you’re there, enjoy some of the mouth-watering local cuisines. Held at the beautiful Quarantine Point peninsula, this three-night event is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience you won’t want to miss. The festival will kick off June 7 with rhythm and soul music from Grammy-nominated Freddie Jackson, Keri Hilson, and more. Saturday, stick around for Reggae Fest for easy island vibes. On Sunday, this amazing music celebration wraps up with Soca Fusion from an exciting, local lineup. The event has a number of ticket options available depending on your interests, so get out there and enjoy the music!

If you needed any more reason to fall in love with Blue Horizons Garden Resort in Grenada, you’ll find it in the annual Grenada Chocolate Fest! Kicking off this year on May 31 through June 8, this wild good time celebrates Grenada’s pure, natural resources and rich chocolate culture in a week-long festival. During the festival, you can learn about the island’s vibrant history, learn how to make your own chocolate, and, of course, taste your way through the indulgent chocolate-focused and cocoa-infused cuisine of the island. What else is on the agenda? There’s truly something for everyone. The adventurers of the group can explore the Theobroma Cacao forests, work alongside local Cocoa farmers and snorkel at sunset with a chocolate tasting. For the foodies, you won’t want to miss the chocolate-making process at Tree to Bar, a chocolate tasting with experts from all over the globe and try the chocolate tasting meditation and yoga practice. We told you there was something for everyone! After a day of indulgence, make your way back to Blue Horizons Garden Resort for some poolside lounging, dining, or a leisurely stroll along the sand. 

Days on the Isle of Spice are filled with serenity and winds seasoned with the aroma of the Caribbean Sea. At Blue Horizons Garden Resort, we strive to create an environment which complements the natural ambiance. Our resort has always taken a keen interest in conserving the environment. As the first Green Globe certified property in Grenada, we are involved in several preservation and conservation initiatives.

Our efforts are aimed toward creating an eco-friendly environment for the more than 27 tropical birds that call Blue Horizons home. A true oasis of flora and fauna, we are a choice destination for wildlife observers who relish observing exotic bird species in their natural habitat.

Hear the mournful cooOOoo-coo-coo-coo of the Zenaida Dove. See the bright and beautiful yellow underbelly of the bananaquit, a small bird nicknamed "the sugar bird" because of its affinity for feeders filled with granular sugar. Witness the noble Gray Kingbird and many more species of captivating birds when visiting the Blue Horizons Garden Resort. We can't wait to welcome nature-lovers and bird watchers from around the world.