“Welcome to Spice Island” was the first thing I read as I approached the arrivals desk. As an avid foodie with a penchant for travel, it was as if these words were written especially for me.

This was my first experience of the West Indies , a sub-region of the Caribbean famous for its paradise beaches, lush landscape, vibrant culture and, of course, top-tier rum. While hotspots like Barbados and Antigua draw many of the tourists, Grenada is something of a hidden gem. Last year, only around 370,000 intrepid travellers touched down on the island. Compare that to Jamaica’s 4.3 million and it’s a drop in the ocean.

Hallie, the marketing manager at Mount Cinnamon , my hotel for the week, met me outside. On the short drive to the resort, she schooled me on the island’s history.…