September 8, 2008

Mustique: Jetsetter’s Paradise

The Cotton House is the most exclusive resort, well alright the only resort, on the exclusive island of Mustique. Built of Coral Stone and incorporating historic building from the cotton growing era, the Cotton House comprises of only twenty rooms, villas, cottages and suites.

Mustique, Caribean

Set in meticulously landscaped gardens with beautiful views to the Caribbean Sea the Cotton House has a well deserved reputation as a five star establishment.

You can even bring the kids to the Cotton House: under-three’s stay free, and babysitting can be arranged. Rooms come equipped with the normal amenities such as DVD/CD, flat screen TV, iPod dock, WiFi and a mini-bar.

If you really want to splash out though consider booking the 2-bedroom Cotton Hill residence on the hilltop which comes complete with private pool, views across two oceans (Atlantic and Caribbean) and a personal butler. The Cotton House also has a pleasant pool area which incorporates the island’s original sugar mill now re-purposed as a bar. There is a also a spa, gym, tennis courts, boutique and fitness trail and dive centre.

The Cotton House Resort, Mustique

Cotton House: Dining Options

The Cotton House boasts three restaurants. There is the casual Beach Café for lunch, the Great Room is a gathering spot for afternoon tea and a trendy bar later on, and the signature restaurant; The Veranda. The casual Beach Café is situated on the shore of the Caribbean at Endeavour Bay and offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding Grenadine Islands. BBQs, pizzas, salads and other light meals are served for lunch and dinner.

The Veranda has a reputation as the finest French restaurant in the Geraldines and is open for breakfast and dinner. It is located in an historic building which once served as a cotton warehouse. Alternatively if you prefer something more informal and private arrange for your meal to be served in your own room or maybe arrange for a picnic to a nearby beauty spot.

Great Room, The Cotton House Resort

Mustique Island Night-life

Outside of the Cotton House there is one night spot: Basil’s Bar. Home to the annual Mustique Blues Festival this is your top spot for celebrity spotting. Don’t come to Mustique looking for a raging club scene or hot nightspots – you’ll be disappointed.

Mustique Jetty

Cotton House: Activities

Is chilling out on one of Mustique’s nine beaches of pure white sand an activity? Who cares it is certainly popular and the variety of beaches on both the Caribbean and Atlantic sides of the island mean that you will always be able to find something sheltered and secluded. The picnic facilities do need to be reserved in advance though. The most popular beach is probably Macaroni but other popular spots include include the Endeavour, Lagoon, L’Ansecoy and Simplicity beaches.

If you can drag yourself off the beach and into the turquoise blue waters you should contact the water sports department. Mustique would be an absolutely stunning place to become a certified diver and gain your international open water diving certification. For the less enthusiastic borrow the snorkelling gear or take an introductory dives with a qualified dive master.

If on top of the water is more your scene then there is a full-range of non-motorised water sport equipment available free of charge for guests use. Further afield day trips, by sailing or power boat, can be arranged to the neighbouring Grenadine Islands of Union, Bequia, Tobago Cays, Palm and Petit St. Vincent.

If you want to get dry for a while than Cotton House offers their own tennis courts or nearby flood lit courts and private lessons are available. For golf you will have to head off-shore to Raffles Resort and Golf Club on the neighbouring island of Canouan which is 18 hole, 72 par course.

Or maybe you prefer your own pace hiking is easy and safe on the small island and you will find many signs of the island’s chequered history with remains of old sugar mills, houses and even the odd piece of pre-Columbian pottery. Some of the beaches are connected via stone paths – but on an island of this size getting lost is all the fun – leave your GPS at home!

The varied flora and bird life means that keen birders and others will also enjoy rambling through out Mustique’s interior. Remember to bring your binoculars with you.

It would be a shame to only a book a day or two on Mustique. As with any island it takes time to get to and time to unwind once you arrive. However there is just so much to see and do on Mustique you won’t do justice to the island in a less than a seven day, or preferably a ten day, stay.