ISLAND BY DESIGN
From Mandarin Oriental’s polished opulence to Soho Beach House’s barefoot cool, Canouan pairs wild Caribbean beauty with an extraordinary concentration of luxury. Written by Bridget Cottrell Photos courtesy of The Canouan Group
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Nestled between lush, emerald-green hillsides and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, Mandarin Oriental, Canouan offers an idyllic beachfront retreat, where elegant accommodations overlook a pristine stretch of white sand and the secluded beauty of the Grenadines.
A DIY project looks a little different when you’re a billionaire. In the early 1990s, after Swiss-Italian banker Antonio Saladino was denied permission to build a house on Mustique, he secured a 99-year lease from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for roughly two-thirds of nearby Canouan—an area nearly as large as Mustique itself. He subsequently formed the Canouan Resort Development Company, which committed to investing at least $100 million over a 20-year period to build out the island’s primary infrastructure. At the
time, Canouan was sparsely populated, with more of its famous wild red-footed tortoises than people and no paved roads, electricity or access to desalinated water. Fast-forward several decades, and Canouan Estate (canouanestateresortandvillas. com), which today encompasses a Mandarin Oriental, the Caribbean’s first Soho House outpost, dozens of luxury villas and residences, and an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course originally designed by Jim Fazio, is now owned by Italian fintech billionaire Andrea Pignataro.
Geographically diverse, one of Canouan’s defining ecological features is the extensive Atlantic barrier reef running along its windward side. Part of one of the Caribbean’s largest living coral reef systems, it acts as a natural shield against powerful Atlantic swells. The leeward side, by contrast, boasts calm turquoise waters and sheltered bays. White-sand beaches ring the island, contrasting with the coastal forest blanketing its rolling hills and steep ridges, which culminate at Mount Royal’s 877-foot peak. slmag.net
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The six-bedroom Silver Turtle estate villa is known for its privacy and sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and barrier reef. It hosted Prince Harry during his 2016 Caribbean tour.
Guests flying commercial typically arrive at Canouan Jet Port via Barbados, a little more than a 45-minute flight by prop plane. From there, it’s a short private transfer to the resort, which at times felt like a live-action version of Frogger as our driver cautiously weaved around scores of tortoises. “The turtles are a good reminder to put yourself on island time,” he said with a chuckle. Canouan was badly battered in 2024 by Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane to hit the island in 15 years. During the three months the resort was closed, the Canouan Group maintained staff salaries and bonuses while distributing direct aid to help employees rebuild. Today, 10 percent of ongoing guest-stay revenues are earmarked f o r t h e C a n o u a n Re s i l i e n c e Fu n d , 54 slmag.net
supporting initiatives aimed at lessening the impact of future storms. Making the most of the rebuilding period, the Canouan Group is also renovating the golf course and spa and adding another restaurant to the seven already on the property. At full capacity, Canouan Estate hosts a maximum of just 240 guests across its 1,200 acres, offering the peace and quiet of a deserted island without forgoing luxurious creature comforts. A nearly three-to-one staff-to-guest ratio supports a level of service befitting the legacies of both the Mandarin Oriental and Soho House brands. The range of accommodations means that even when traveling with a group, there can still be a “choose your own adventure” aspect to a Canouan stay. Our group of eight lodged in the eight-bedroom,
6,200-square-foot Silver Turtle villa, where a framed thank-you letter from Prince Harry to the owners following his vist was displayed prominently in the entry. Perched high above the Atlantic, both the terrace and infinity pool afforded sweeping views of the ocean, golf course and Mandarin Oriental. Villa guests have access to all resort amenities and restaurants—and a golf cart to reach them—along with daily housekeeping and private butler service. Private chef service is also available at an additional cost. A Forbes Five-Star resort awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2025, the intimate oceanfront Mandarin Oriental is a luxurious escape. The interiors of its 26 suites are a mélange of Chinese Chippendale, Hollywood Regency and British Colonial
Top left: Ocean view pool at the Silver Turtle villa; top right: Bathroom in a Mandarin Oriental private villa; middle left: Treatment room at the Spa at Mandarin Oriental; middle: Terrace and pool of a Mandarin Oriental villa; bottom: Turtles Bar & Lounge inside the Mandarin Oriental
styles, with a mountain’s worth of marble and strategic, maximalist pops of bright color that stand out brilliantly against the turquoise ocean. Separate from the resort but similarly styled, a four-bedroom, threestory Lagoon Villa with an elevator is an indulgent option for group travel, located closer to the estate’s primary amenities, including a supremely well-equipped fitness center and oceanfront pool. Nestled into the hillside above the resort—but not so high that you can’t hear the ocean—are seven sprawling two-bedroom Patio Villas. Built in 2020, their striking European-meetsAsian contemporary interiors employ a muted palette that allows the surrounding landscape to take center stage. Huge sliding glass walls bookend the central living room, framing views of a long infinity-edge pool and the sea beyond. Also tucked into the landscape are private spa treatment suites with jaw dropping views. The treatment menu blends Mandarin Oriental’s signature therapies with island-inspired rituals incorporating ingredients such as coconut, ginger and aloe. Dining at Mandarin Oriental begins with breakfast at Asianne, where local specialties are served with a side of sweeping Atlantic views. TIDES Bar + Grill showcases premium meats, fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients with a subtle Caribbean influence. Lagoon Café takes a Mediterranean approach, pairing Italianaccented seafood and shareable tapas with an open-air perch overlooking Godahl Beach, while the Pool Bar offers lighter, Peruvian Nikkei-inspired fare. slmag.net
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At Soho Beach House Canouan, meals are served beneath a breezy dining palapa on a terrace overlooking the Caribbean Sea, blending familiar Soho House favorites with island-inspired dishes cooked over a wood-fired grill.
The interior design at Soho Beach House Canouan skews mid-century and incorporates Soho Home furniture and accessories.
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The 40-room Soho Beach House Canouan is the first Soho House property that doesn't require membership to enjoy the amenities.
In contrast to the Mandarin Oriental’s opulence, the 40-room Soho Beach House Canouan—the first Soho House property where you don’t have to be a member to stay—takes a more barefoot approach to luxury. Located on the island’s west coast, the vibe skews mid-century, from the architecture—three low-rise, wood-built beachside blocks—to interiors incorporating Soho Home furniture and accessories, including rattan, macramé art, radios and rotary telephones. With a slew of Soho House spinoffs spanning interior design to skincare, the in-room amenities are top-notch, from a full lineup of Cowshed bath and body products in the shower to award-winning Soho Skin serums, cleansers and creams on the vanity—which I loved so much I placed an order as soon as I returned home. Dining embodies the property’s relaxed, barefoot approach to Caribbean
luxur y. Meals are ser ved beneath a breezy dining palapa and on the terrace overlooking the Caribbean Sea, blending familiar Soho House favorites with islandinspired dishes cooked over a wood-fired grill. Local flavors take center stage in dishes such as conch fritters, jerk chicken tacos and the catch of the day, alongside Caribbean lobster linguine and refreshing rum-based cocktails. For something casual after a dip in the ocean, the Deli offers pastries, smoothies, snacks and soft-serve ice cream, while those looking to dial up the romance can arrange a bespoke private dinner on the Jetty or directly on the beach. Wellness is a core tenet of Soho House, and the two-story, 24-hour Soho Health Club amply meets the needs of gym junkies and yogis alike. Its impressively equipped fitness center makes it easy to
balance indulgence with a proper workout, while an ethereal second-floor studio hosts a weekly schedule of yoga, Pilates and bootcamp classes. For an alfresco calorie torcher, arrange a guided hike to the peak of Mount Royal, where panoramic island views are an ample reward while you catch your breath. On the restorative side, the spa offers Soho House signature treatments as well as deep-tissue massage. Soho Beach House’s location on Grand Bay Beach also makes it an ideal jumping-off point for a day on the water, combining snorkeling and fishing with a lunch stop on nearby Union Island. Or, hop on one of the beach cruisers parked near reception and pedal out to explore the local community—a fittingly laid-back way to experience an island where, as the tortoises remind you from the moment you arrive, there’s little reason to hurry. sl slmag.net
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