Bequia Beach Hotel stands on Friendship Bay as a family-owned luxury boutique resort in the Grenadines. The 10-acre property offers 57 rooms ranging from classic hillside suites to beachfront villas, two swimming pools, three restaurants, and direct access to a crescent-shaped white sand beach with views of Mustique and the southern Grenadine islands.
You’re looking for a Caribbean escape that feels authentic rather than manufactured. Bequia Beach Hotel delivers exactly that.
This family-owned property occupies 10 acres of tropical gardens along Friendship Bay on Bequia, the second-largest island in the Grenadines. Unlike the all-inclusive mega-resorts scattered across the Caribbean, this 57-room boutique hotel maintains the intimate character of a family estate while offering genuine luxury.
The question most travelers ask: Does Bequia Beach Hotel justify its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier boutique resorts?
After analyzing guest reviews from TripAdvisor, Expedia, and booking platforms, plus examining the property’s amenities and comparing it to other Grenadian accommodations, the answer depends on what you value in a beach resort.
Where Bequia Beach Hotel Sits
The hotel occupies a prime position on Friendship Bay, the Atlantic-facing side of Bequia Island. You’ll find the property roughly 15 minutes by car from Port Elizabeth, the island’s main town, and 10 minutes from the airport via ferry.
The crescent-shaped beach stretches directly in front of the hotel with unobstructed views of Mustique to the south. Hills frame the bay on both sides, creating a protected cove that shields swimmers from strong currents while maintaining steady breezes that cool the property year-round.
You can reach Princess Margaret Beach, considered by many as Bequia’s finest stretch of sand, in 15 minutes on foot or via the hotel’s complimentary shuttle. Lower Bay sits 10 minutes away by car.
Getting to Bequia requires planning. Most guests fly into Barbados or St. Vincent (which now offers direct flights from London, Miami, Toronto, and New York), then transfer to Bequia via the new Bequia Fast Ferry or inter-island flights operated by SVG Air and Grenadine Airways. The hotel arranges airport transfers from Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent with 72 hours’ notice.
Room Options at Bequia Beach Hotel
The property divides its 57 accommodations across five categories, each designed with vintage Caribbean style featuring rattan furniture, four-poster beds, antique travel posters, and crisp white linens.
Classic rooms occupy the hillside surrounding a second pool. These 700-square-foot spaces include furnished terraces or balconies overlooking the pool area, California king beds (or twins), walk-in showers, minifridges, and coffee makers. Garden or pool views come standard.
Beachfront suites sit steps from the sand near the main pool. At 700 square feet, these accommodations mirror the classic rooms in layout but upgrade your view to direct ocean vistas and Mustique beyond. You’ll have a private covered terrace where you can hear waves lapping the shore from your bed.
Family suites accommodate up to four people with additional space. The penthouse suite adds a Jacuzzi and what the hotel calls “the ultimate sea view” from its elevated position.
Six gingerbread-style cottages painted in Caribbean colors offer one or two bedrooms with self-catering capabilities. Three include kitchenettes and private plunge pools.
The crown jewel: villas at Grenadine Hills. These expansive properties accommodate larger groups with multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, private infinity pools, and dedicated staff service.
All rooms include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, premium bedding, bathrobes, hairdryers, and sea or garden views. The bed-and-breakfast rate covers WiFi, bottled water, daily breakfast, and weekly yoga classes. Stays of 10 nights or longer receive complimentary round-trip airport transfers.
What Makes the Beach Stand Out
Friendship Bay curves in a protected crescent with golden sand backed by coconut palms. The beach measures roughly 800 meters long, giving you space to spread out without crowds.
The hotel maintains a section of beach directly fronting the property with complimentary sun loungers, umbrellas, and towels. Beach service from The Sand Bar brings drinks and light bites to your chair.
Water conditions stay calm most days, making swimming safe for families. The Atlantic-facing position means you get steady breezes and smaller waves compared to the Caribbean side, though occasional swells arrive during winter months.
Snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and other non-motorized water sports equipment come free for guests. The house reef sits just offshore with decent visibility and tropical fish, though it doesn’t rival destinations known specifically for snorkeling.
You can walk the entire beach in 15 minutes. The Sand Bar sits five minutes down the sand, offering hanging chairs and sunset views. A path from the southern end leads to hiking trails into the hills.
Dining at Bequia Beach Hotel
Three restaurants give you variety without leaving the property.
Bagatelle serves as the main restaurant, positioned directly on Friendship Beach with open verandas catching ocean breezes. The menu blends international cuisine with Caribbean influences, emphasizing locally sourced produce and fresh-caught fish. You’ll find it open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round. Wednesday nights feature BBQ with complimentary happy hour drinks and appetizers, live music, and the owner typically making rounds to chat with guests.
Blue Tropic opens seasonally (high season only) with Italian-inspired cuisine in a hillside setting. The elevated position provides garden views and a romantic ambiance for dinner. Expect classic Italian dishes reinterpreted with local ingredients.
Jack’s Beach Bar occupies Princess Margaret Beach, connected to the hotel via complimentary shuttle. This beachfront spot serves lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 11 PM with a menu spanning from local seafood to burgers, plus an extensive cocktail list. The setting ranks among the Caribbean’s most photographed beach bars.
The Sand Bar opened in 2025 as the newest addition, sitting five minutes down Friendship Beach. This casual spot offers cocktails and light snacks in hanging chairs with views across the water.
Guest reviews consistently praise food quality at Bagatelle and Jack’s, though some note prices run high compared to local restaurants in Port Elizabeth. The all-inclusive package extends to Jack’s Beach Bar, which many guests consider excellent value.
Mr. Kong, the bartender at Bequia Beach Bar adjacent to Bagatelle, receives specific mentions in reviews for creative cocktails. The Painkiller appears as the signature drink.
Pools and Spa Facilities
Two outdoor pools serve different purposes. The main seawater infinity pool sits between the Bagatelle restaurant and the beach, offering lounge chairs with ocean views. This becomes the social hub during the daytime.
The second freshwater pool occupies the hillside near the classic rooms. Guests describe this as the “hidden pool” with fewer crowds and elevated garden-to-sea vistas. Groups can book it for private use.
Both pools include ample sun loungers, umbrellas, towels, and poolside service.
The spa operates from a converted suite with treatment rooms offering Swedish massages, facials, hot stone massages, aromatherapy, and body wraps. A sauna and steam room complement the treatment menu. Guest reviews rate the therapists as experienced, but note the atmosphere feels less luxurious than the treatment quality might suggest.
A fitness center with basic equipment sits near the spa. Weekly yoga classes come complimentary with bed-and-breakfast rates, held on the beach or in the gardens.
Activities Beyond the Beach
The property maintains 10 acres of landscaped tropical gardens with walking paths, hammocks strung between palms, and fruit trees. You’ll find a pétanque court, table tennis, giant chess, and designated spaces for quiet reading.
Complimentary bicycles let you explore the island’s roads, though Bequia’s hilly terrain makes cycling moderately challenging.
The hotel operates a 35-meter superyacht, Star of the Sea, available for day trips to Mustique, Tobago Cays, Mayreau, and other neighboring islands. The Italian-built Benetti accommodates up to 12 overnight guests across six ensuite staterooms for multi-day Caribbean cruising.
Staff arrange excursions including island tours, snorkeling trips, turtle watching, and visits to local attractions like the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary and Grenadian Sea Salt farm.
The concierge, particularly mentioned by name as Rima in multiple reviews, handles restaurant reservations at other island establishments, ferry schedules, inter-island flights, and any special requests.
Service Standards and Staff
Guest reviews from 2024-2025 emphasize staff friendliness and personalized attention. The family-owned nature shows in small touches; guests report seeing owners Bengt Olsson and family at cocktail parties and around the property.
Specific staff members earn repeated mentions: Rima (concierge), Atina (reservations), Rafi (villa butler), and the restaurant servers. Reviews describe them as warm, professional, and genuinely invested in guest experiences.
Service speed at restaurants receives occasional criticism, with some guests noting delays during busy periods. The hotel acknowledges this Caribbean pace in responses to reviews.
Housekeeping maintains daily service with room turndown. Beach and pool attendants keep lounger areas stocked with towels and respond to service requests.
The hotel closes annually from late August to mid-October for renovations and staff vacation.
What Recent Guests Say
Analyzing 848 TripAdvisor reviews from 2024-2026 reveals consistent patterns:
Strengths guests highlight:
- Pristine beach with calm water and excellent access
- Spacious, comfortable rooms with quality furnishings
- Exceptional staff warmth and attentiveness
- Well-maintained grounds and gardens
- Family ownership creates personal touches
- Wednesday night BBQ with owner participation
- Quiet, relaxed atmosphere away from cruise ship crowds
Common criticisms:
- Food and beverage prices are higher than in local restaurants
- Service can slow down during peak periods
- Spa atmosphere underwhelms compared to treatment quality
- Limited dining variety for extended stays
- Some rooms show age despite maintenance
The hotel ranks #2 of 12 properties in Friendship on TripAdvisor with an overall 4.0 rating. U.S. News rates it 9.6 out of 10 based on 165 guest reviews.
Pricing and Value Considerations
Room rates vary by season, typically ranging from $238-$600+ per night for classic rooms during 2026. Beachfront suites command premiums, while villas start around $1,200+ nightly.
The bed-and-breakfast rate includes WiFi, daily breakfast, bottled water, weekly yoga, and for stays of 10+ nights, airport transfers. You pay separately for lunch, dinner, spa treatments, and activities.
All-inclusive packages add lunch, dinner, and beverages at Bagatelle, Blue Tropic (when open), and Jack’s Beach Bar. Multiple reviews suggest this package offers good value given individual meal costs.
Children stay in parents’ rooms with additional fees for extra beds and meals. The property welcomes families, though the atmosphere skews toward couples seeking quiet rather than family-focused resorts with kids’ clubs.
Peak season runs from December through April, when you’ll pay top rates and need advance booking. May through August offer lower prices before the September-October closure. November often provides sweet-spot pricing with good weather.
Compare this to other Grenadian properties: The Liming Bequia starts around $425, while Bequia Plantation Hotel begins at $170. Petit St. Vincent runs $1,000+ nightly but includes all meals and activities.
Best Fit for Which Travelers
Bequia Beach Hotel suits you if:
You want boutique hotel intimacy rather than resort anonymity. With 57 rooms, the staff learn your preferences and the property never feels crowded.
You value genuine Caribbean character over manufactured resort perfection. The vintage island style with period furnishings creates an atmosphere that feels authentic to the region’s colonial heritage.
You appreciate family-owned hospitality. Owner involvement shows in details and personal touches that corporate chains rarely achieve.
You prefer peaceful beaches over activity-packed schedules. This property emphasizes relaxation, not regimented entertainment programs.
You’re comfortable with island pace. Service runs on “Caribbean time,” which means occasionally slower than North American expectations.
This property probably isn’t ideal if:
You need wheelchair accessibility or have mobility challenges. The hillside layout includes stairs and uneven terrain.
You want nightlife beyond quiet beach bars. Bequia’s entertainment scene stays low-key with emphasis on natural beauty over organized activities.
You’re seeking all-inclusive mega-resort amenities like water parks, multiple pools, or extensive kids’ programs.
You require strict dietary accommodations. While kitchens accommodate requests, options remain limited compared to larger properties.
Final Thoughts
Bequia Beach Hotel delivers what it promises: boutique luxury in an authentic Caribbean setting with personal service and pristine beach access.
The property succeeds because it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. You get a family-owned hotel that maintains genuine island character while offering genuine comfort, quality dining, and attentive staff who remember your name.
Your enjoyment depends on matching expectations to reality. Come seeking relaxation on a beautiful beach with good food and warm service in an intimate setting. Don’t come expecting extensive resort amenities or nightlife.
The premium pricing reflects limited competition in the Grenadines, beachfront location, and boutique scale. Whether that represents value depends on how much you prioritize personalized service and authentic atmosphere over maximizing amenities per dollar.
For travelers who appreciate what Bequia Beach Hotel offers, it becomes a destination they return to annually. The hotel’s repeat guest rate suggests many find exactly what they’re seeking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time to visit Bequia Beach Hotel?
December through April offers peak weather with minimal rain and temperatures in the mid-80s. Expect higher rates and booking requirements. November provides excellent value with good weather before peak season pricing. May through August bring lower rates and fewer crowds, though occasional rain showers increase. The hotel closes from September through mid-October annually.
How do you reach Bequia from major airports?
Fly into Barbados (4-hour direct flights from major North American and European cities) or St. Vincent’s Argyle International Airport (direct flights from London, Miami, Toronto, New York). From Barbados, take SVG Air to Bequia (45 minutes). From St. Vincent, ride the new Bequia Fast Ferry (1 hour) or fly SVG Air (15 minutes). The hotel arranges transfers with advance notice.
Does Bequia Beach Hotel include meals?
The standard bed-and-breakfast rate covers daily breakfast, WiFi, and weekly yoga. You pay separately for lunch and dinner. An all-inclusive upgrade adds lunch, dinner, and beverages at all three hotel restaurants (Bagatelle, Blue Tropic when open, and Jack’s Beach Bar). Many guests recommend the all-inclusive package for value.
Is Bequia Beach Hotel suitable for families with children?
Yes, families can stay comfortably. The calm beach suits young swimmers, and two-bedroom family suites accommodate four people. The property lacks dedicated kids’ clubs or children’s programming, making it better suited for families with older children who enjoy beach activities over structured entertainment. The atmosphere remains quieter than that of typical family-focused resorts.
What water sports come included at the property?
Guests receive complimentary access to kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and other non-motorized water sports equipment. The hotel also provides free bicycles for island exploration. Motorized activities and excursions like the superyacht trips to Tobago Cays require additional fees arranged through the concierge.
