A wise man once told us that in order to really understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion. So we decided to check out COMO Parrot Cay, a secluded, honeymoon hotspot to put this philosophy to the test. We knew we were onto something special; just from the journey it took to get there–a limo to a private jetty, then a speedboat, then, of course, a golf-cart. But it was worth every picturesque minute of travel, as arriving at this privately owned cay made us feel like adventurers happening upon a long-lost, secret piece of paradise.
The reality is that the COMO Parrot Cay is actually a badly kept secret, long the escape of American country-clubbers. The resort itself is set in a sprawling, former colonial estate, complete with a network of boardwalks that wind through lush vegetation and connect to a set of creaky stairwells to a large, white, wooden house. From the verandahs of this mansion, we couldn’t help but be mesmerised by the stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.
Our Miami-inspired, white and blue beach-house was just darling. It afforded ample privacy, with an indoor-outdoor patio to enjoy the view of the sea, out of the blaring midday sun. There was a private, heated plunge pool and outdoor shower just for us. Being beach lovers, we were excited by our permanently reserved sun loungers on the beach, a wonderful perk.
The staff at Parrot Cay were fantastic. We were made to feel like old friends from the very moment they received us at the jetty and the resort’s Great Dane even mustered up a friendly welcome. At the restaurant, they remembered our names and brought us our favourite green juice at breakfast every morning. But while the service is on point, there is much room for improvement in the food and offering itself. As compared to other COMO’s we’ve had the pleasure of visiting, Parrot Cay’s breakfast was merely adequate and lacked air. But like other COMOs, Parrot Cay’s show-stopping highlight is its Shambhala spa. We enjoyed an invigorating massage by our therapist, who really worked out the tensions and ensured we were absolutely relaxed. Shambala offers a world of stress-busting therapies and is worth a visit, or two, or three in our case. Its setting is also spectacular, with zen-inducing views looking out over the lush green jungles of the cay, best experienced from the stunning outdoor hot-tub.
Did we leave Parrot Cay understanding the world? Who knows, but we certainly left fully recharged.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Escapist | PLS | GMT -4 |
| While you’re Out There |
| The Cay is sprawling – if you fancy getting away from the resort, we recommend an afternoon bike ride into the old plantation land, where guests (if they’re inclined) can even replant pineapple or coconut palms. |
Photography courtesy of COMO Hotels
