There does indeed exist a luxury hotel where you can stay for less than a grand an evening. We know, nowadays, that pretty much makes the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa a unicorn. Add in the second largest reef outside Australia’s Great Barrier, and Honduras is the place to be.
Yes — Honduras is a destination, but more specifically, Roatán is the place to be. Mainland Honduras is not the safest destination, as there are pockets of areas where gang activity is common. However the government has made painstaking efforts to keep the island of Roatán as a safe oasis. Obviously, you should take normal precautions (as in any Caribbean destination), but it’s less intense than most destinations in Mexico. Unlike Mexico, though, Roatán is a destination where you leave the resort. There are a number of good restaurants, mangroves, beaches, snorkeling and culture outside the compound doors.
Luxury Hotels Arrive
In recent years, there has been a big push to bring higher-end accommodations to the island. Enter in the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, which took over an older resort that was due for a refresh. I had previously only stayed at one or two city hotels of the Kimpton. The Roatán property is completely different in amenities, rooms, dining and service. While it’s part of a larger hotel group, the hotel itself is run as if it’s family-owned. Also the hotel is not shy to spend money. They’ve put a lot into the design, decor and high-quality materials into the resort. The hotel also puts a lot of personal touch and monetary resources into creative events that bring in the local community through foodie events and theme dinners. The island in general is building higher-end condo complexes to draw expats to settle on the isle. More than one friend’s parents are considering retiring on Roatán because of the attractive cost of living.
Atmosphere
There’s a serenity yet fun energy when you arrive at the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa. The Kimpton Grand Roatán has a natural way about it; the service is genuine, but its foundation is professional. The pictures on the website well-represent the modern, sleek, yet warm environment of the hotel. The palate is cream neutrals, which were made warmer with texture and art throughout. There’s always something going on at the hotel. Whether it’s a beach fish fry on Fridays, yoga in the morning, or the complimentary cocktails and canapés at 5pm.
What I like is that the team is constantly entertaining you, should you want to participate. In the evenings (which don’t run too late at the hotel), there’s often live theme music and drinks. Also, there are so many places to hang out. Whether it’s at the bar playing pool, in the game room, or at the beach. The one note at the beach is that there’s just a small sliver of sand that’s exclusive to the resort. They put up a rope to separate the space, but otherwise the actual waterfront is a public beach. It does get crowded on the weekends — so something to keep in mind.
Rooms
I love my over-the-top, super expensive luxury hotels. However, I’d like to re-iterate again how nice the Kimpton Grand Roatán is, and how relatively affordable it is too. Even the basic hotel rooms in the main building are nice, though my suggestion is to splurge for a suite. The suites are where the rooms at the Kimpton Grand Roatán shine. Some have wrap-around terraces and views directly of the ocean. Baths are brand new and luxurious. You would spend time in the room — because they’re actually nice.
One note: The main building, or the newly-refurbished rooms on the beach are the way to go. There are bungalows on the hillside that are more rustic and less modern. Additionally, there are buildings with older condos, apart from the main building, that don’t represent the newer design. If you choose any room in main building, the serene, modern, clean and new aesthetic flows through to your personal chambers.
Spa
The Kimpton Grand Roatán’s Kao Kamasa Spa is one of the top in the Caribbean, which I was not expecting. Set apart from the main building, the top floor is an impressive gym with top-of-the-line new cardio and weight equipment. All hotel guests have access to the gym, where you can arrange trainers. Yoga, curiously enough, isn’t in the complex, but rather on a second floor landing of the main hotel building. If they can make the actual gym space work, it would be an optimal spot to put all the group exercise, especially yoga.
The main floor, though, is where the Kimpton Grand Roatán earns its top spa distinction. This area is only open to those who have a treatment, which I didn’t understand until I got access past the velvet rope. As you exit the locker rooms, you’re brought into a beautiful wet area with various hot and cold plunge experiences. From there, it’s a graceful flow of indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces and pools. With only spa guests, it makes the space more intimate and restful.
Then, there are the treatments, which are inspired by the island’s indigenous Pesh rituals. Sometimes, when you go on holiday it’s spa “light” — when you’re not really getting anything beyond surface level. That’s not the case at the Kao Kamasa spa, where the therapists are top notch. I did a treatment that was the Pesh version of a hammam, where I was first bathed then exfoliated, then put in a full-body mask. At the rinse, they also washed my hair, which was a luxury. From there, it was a decadent massage and a facial. I felt like a new person, and the total was around $430 with the tip. Most places, all you get is a massage; the spa itself is reason enough to come to the Kimpton Grand Roatán.
Food + Beverage
One word: breakfast. The Kimpton Grand Roatán has a top buffet, which is both diverse in size and high in quality. The presentation and thoughtful way the food is laid out reflect the quality of the ingredients. You get local ready-to-eat dishes like beans, rice and various egg dishes, and a large selection of fruits, cheese and bakery goods. For me, the highlight besides the custom omelets and Huevos Rancheros were the baleadas and papusas. Baleadas are the signature Honduran dish, made with a thick tortilla, spread thin with beans, eggs, and cheese topped with special sauces. Papusas are from the neighboring country of El Salvador, which are corn tortilla pockets stuffed with cheese. By the end of my stay, I looked like a papusa and loved it.
The hotel excels in the simplicity of their meals. I ate as much ceviche as I could at lunch and dinner, with fresh-made plantain chips. Also, the grilled fish at the low-key beach restaurant was a highlight.
Overall: 8/10
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FAQs
Q: Where is the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa located?
A: The Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa is located at West Bay Beach, Bay Islands, Honduras.
Phone: (512) 982-3323
Q: Is the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa open all year round?
A: Yes, the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa is open all-year round.
Q: Is the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa child-friendly?
A: The Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa is child-friendly, with game rooms and plenty of seasonal activities.
