Cotton House

How to Visit Mustique, a Private Caribbean Island

"The Cotton House is the only hotel on the island, offering luxury suites and cottages, a spa, and dining options. It hosts social events and can arrange various water activities for guests." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"If you want to vacation like British royalty, visit the mosquito-shaped island of Mustique, which Naomi Campbell, Mick Jagger, and Princess Margaret have all called their home away from home. Once on land, there’s no better place to stay than the Cotton House, a private retreat that feels like the lap of luxury. Set on 13 acres of cerulean beachfront and gardens thick with jasmine and frangipani, the 20 rooms and suites are awash in neutral hues inspired by their surroundings, with wicker pendant lighting, ikat throw pillows, and breezy mosquito nets over the beds. Explore the coral reefs near the shoreline in a glass-bottom kayak, or improve your backhand with help from the resident tennis pro. After a day of sun-soaked adventure, dine on fresh-caught specialties (pan-seared barracuda, Caribbean-style sushi) at Veranda restaurant, then retire to the Great Room, a colonial-inspired lounge offering rare and local rums."

"If you want to vacation like British royalty, visit the mosquito-shaped island of Mustique, which Naomi Campbell, Mick Jagger, and Princess Margaret have all called their home away from home. Once on land, there’s no better place to stay than the Cotton House, a private retreat that feels like the lap of luxury. Set on 13 acres of cerulean beachfront and gardens thick with jasmine and frangipani, the 20 rooms and suites are awash in neutral hues inspired by their surroundings, with wicker pendant lighting, ikat throw pillows, and breezy mosquito nets over the beds. Explore the coral reefs near the shoreline in a glass-bottom kayak, or improve your backhand with help from the resident tennis pro. After a day of sun-soaked adventure, dine on fresh-caught specialties (pan-seared barracuda, Caribbean-style sushi) at Veranda restaurant, then retire to the Great Room, a colonial-inspired lounge offering rare and local rums."

The Cotton House, Mustique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines - Hotel Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"What's the deal here? The only hotel on the island, and yet still punching above its weight class. This colonial breezy institution is, for want of more elegant phrasing, the best way in to access the absurdly spoiling exclusivity of this private enclave. So what makes the hotel so special? The eccentric Scottish aristocrat Colin Tennant (later Lord Glenconner) bought Mustique in 1958 for £45,000 (US$56,492) without stepping ashore. He gradually developed it into one of the most famous hideaway islands in the world, a favorite retreat for rock stars (Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Bryan Adams) and royalty (Princess Margaret, Prince William and Kate Middleton). Today Mustique is home to around 100 fabulous villas, as well as The Cotton House hotel, and is still privately owned. How are the rooms? Any standout details to make our stay more comfortable? Ceiling fans, Ortigia Sicilia in the bathroom, complimentary beach bag. Regulars have a soft spot for the cottages, the smallest and most affordable option, but cozily charming with a four-poster king-size bed and a veranda at the back—you spend most of your time outdoors anyway. Are there any good food options on site? Breakfast is included. Toy water-guns are provided for those wishing to keep the birds away from their smoked mahi-mahi bagel or brioche French toast with caramelized bananas and guava jam. Sushi, lobster kebab, and pizzas with a Caribbean twist in the beach club. Dinner can be rather quiet, with dishes ranging from soy-glazed kingfish to lamb and aubergine with goat’s cheese mash. How's the service? Most of the staff are from the nearby island of St. Vincent and have long-term positions. They are polite and friendly but at times can seem to be going through the motions. Who are you likely to find booking the neighboring room The sort who know this isn't the real Caribbean and are happy with that. No bling or global labels. But how nice it would be if some clued-up teenager filled their smartphones with something other than Maroon 5 and Amy Winehouse. What's the surrounding area like? The island has one other hotel, the smaller and less costly Firefly Mustique, which has good food and drinks but is more enclosed with lots of steps. In Britannia Bay there is also Basil's Bar, plus the fish market and fruit stall. Is there anything else we should be sure to check out while staying here? In 2015 a large chunk of an Ariane space rocket washed ashore, which now stands beside Basil's Bar. The Mustique Company launched a coral restoration project the same year that has done very well—the waters here are one of the best places in The Grenadines to see turtles. Okay, it all sounds great, but is there anything you wish would get an upgrade? There is a small museum in the Sugar Mill that's sadly neglected, with terrible mosquitos. So why would you recommend this hotel (and, by extension, a vacation in Mustique)? Ignore Mustique's reputation as a celebrity getaway—the key reason for its enduring appeal is down to the happy fact that it's a truly beautiful, super-safe, and assiduously maintained island with dream beaches and a hassle-free atmosphere." - Nigel Tisdall

50 Best Places to Travel in 2019

"Cotton House, on the famed private island of Mustique, continues to draw visitors two years after an extensive renovation." - Travel + Leisure Editors