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Canouan, meaning "turtle" in the ancient Carib dialect, lies 100 miles west of Barbados, just southwest of Mustique and north of the Tobago Cays. Part of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, the tiny destination is where Swiss-Italian property impresario Antonio Saladino has created his own recipe for success by selecting eclectic influences from around the world, showcasing them on this diminutive coral island.

As recently as 1960, Canouan Island had zero infrastructure and the population was enduring blatantly impoverished conditions. There was not a single jetty, airport or road, and the only car belonged to the one policeman. There was no power source, clean drinking water, telephones, indoor plumbing, schools or doctor, and only a primitive ferry service. The sole source of income was from the sea. Saladino arrived in 1990 and over time has crafted a luxury destination which has empowered the community with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

The luxury Raffles Resort hideaway radiates Italian ambiance. The inspired multi-tier construction has the feel of a Roman amphitheatre and was designed by the "architect of princes" Luigi Vietti, famous for the Aga Khan's villa in Sardinia. Inlaid with masterfully chosen materials and set against the white-glove service standards of the legendary Singapore-based hotel company, the creation gives way to décor motifs from Mexico, India and Indonesia across the indigenous Caribbean palette of intense blues and greens. The effect is a stunning resort spread across the gentle hills embracing Carenage Bay and the emerald sea beyond.

The island boasts a newly expanded airport allowing both private and commercial plane access. The best connection for holidaymakers is the air shuttle service from Barbados, Grenada or other islands aboard the Raffles Private Jet. Their meet-and greet concierge service allows guests to avoid queues at customs, being shuttled instead to the waiting jet and a short trip to Canouan. This connection style seems the fitting way to begin a truly indulgent Caribbean retreat.

Raffles Canouan Annual Classic

The Trump International Golf Course is the site for the new Raffles Canouan Golf Classic, on a course Charles Starmer-Smith from the Daily Telegraph’s Ultra Travel Magazine calls, “One of the Ten Best Courses in the World”. Other aficionados call it the “Saint Andrews of the Caribbean” and there is no doubting the challenges this Jim Fazio-designed course offers to novice or professional alike.

Peculiar front nine tees evolve to more challenging hibiscus-lined terrain on the back nine, which rises in elevation to over 800 feet with spectacular views. Players may see the islands of Mustique and Mayreau nearby, but will be lucky to make par on this challenging terrain. The annual Classic is geared towards “social amateur golfers in paradise” and onsite golf professional Simon Blanshard encourages golfers of all stripes to achieve personal bests on this knockout course.

Regal Cuisine

Following the standards set in other areas of the resort, the dining choices appeal to a wide range of tastes. The poolside venue Jambu’s supplies gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with 88 types of martinis, including their signature $300 variety with a 24-carat gold toothpick. Godhal Beach Bar & Grill sets the stage for new arrivals, with torches planted deep in the sand, live music wafting through the palms, and the embrace of an unfamiliar calm as guests dine to the rhythm of the sea.

Fine cuisine is also available at both Bellini’s in La Galleria, featuring a Tuscan menu, and atop Mount Royal at La Varenne in Villa Monte Carlo. This graceful structure also houses the Trump Club Privée Casino, open until the wee small hours with blackjack, roulette, and slots.

French Canadian chef de cuisine, Frédéric Boulay, formerly of Restaurant Le Saint Armour in Quebec City, brings a rich tapestry of influences to La Varenne diners. With experiences in Australia, Luxembourg, Martinique and France, as well as cooking for the likes of Prince Albert II of Monaco, Jacques Chirac and Sir Paul McCartney, the Raffles Resort chef is renowned for innovation. Boulay is the youngest chef to ever win the prestigious Chef of the Year Award bestowed upon him by the Cooks and Pastries Chefs Society of Québec in 2006.

Dining with a world-class musician playing softly in the background takes Boulay’s culinary magic to even higher ground, as saxophonist Augustin “Jab” Duplessis works through an expansive repertoire. Originally from the island of Saint Lucia, Duplessis carves masterful textures of sound on flute, soprano and tenor saxophones. The world is filled with musicians attempting to achieve what “Jab” accomplishes with such apparent ease. His soundscape is as much a part of La Varenne as the exclusive hilltop setting, or Boulay’s original menu.

Splendid Adventures

Water sports abound here, and diving trips aboard the catamaran Splendid Adventurer bring guests to Tobago Cays, where the fragile beauty of these coral waters is best appreciated. Captain Phil and First Mate Nicole escort small groups on this “must-see” excursion with humour and professionalism. Meanwhile, Moorings Yacht Chartering Company operates their Caribbean hub near Canouan’s tiny village of Charlestown, where you'll find the Tamarind Resort, a smaller boutique hotel serving the boating community, and offering an alternative dining option to the larger resort.

Canouan Island’s proximity to the finest available cultural and social events in the Grenadines and beyond also allows visitors the chance to savour international polo, sailing regattas, music festivals, art galleries and horse races, before returning to the tranquility of Canouan. This remarkable patch of coral remains in the memory long after returning home. No single element is the reason for this; it must be experienced - not explained.

Visit our St Vincent and the Grenadines destination guide.

Find out more about Canouan Island.

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About the writer:

Gregory B. Gallagher is a writer and Olympus America-sponsored photographer based in Montreal. His stories and photographs can be found in National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, Ulysse Magazine (Paris), and many others.