We arrived at our hotel just after sunset, which is often the case when you fly to the Caribbean from the UK. You know what it's like when you arrive somewhere and it's pitch black. It just feels warm and you can hear the sea but you've no. idea what it's actually going to be like.
The next morning we opened the curtains and wow! We had a view of paradise right outside our window: blue sea, white sand and palm trees nodding.
Mum-to-be: Jenni enjoys a pregnant pause on the sands of GrenadaI was staying at Grenada's source resort with my husband, Cutting It actor James Midgley. The holiday was what these days is called a babymoon. I was four months pregnant and James and I saw it as a last chance to enjoy an adults-only resort together before the onset of parenthood. We definitely wanted to milk the break for all it was worth.
Source boasts that it offers a 'holiday of rejuvenation'. You don't have to be a health-and - fitness enthusiast to stay here, but if you are you will certainly find plenty to appeal. From 7 am there is a busy programme of activities: an early-morning hike, yoga, gym and have you chi at sunset. There are things you can do as a group and activities you can pursue on your own.
Included in our package was a daily 50-minute beauty treatment. This was a generous free bonus on top of the regulation complimentary food and drink (the food is excellent, by the way). In my experience, with most all inclusive packages, beauty treatments cost extra and amount to an arm and a leg.
James and I had a few 'couples' treatments. We had a massage on the first day - specially tailored to my needs. As I was pregnant, the masseur sat me in a special chair while they massaged my back, as they didn't want me to lie on my forehead. We also had a reflexology treatment together, which was so relaxing that we both fell into a deep sleep. We had no idea how long it was between the end of the treatment and the staff waking us up. It was one of those embarrassing moments when you are suddenly aware of the therapists coughing as they try to rouse you. We didn't even have the excuse of having had a late night the day before - being pregnant, i didn't see much of the bar.
We were there for a rest, but that didn't mean we just lazed around all day. In fact we made good use of the resort's excellent fitness facilities, heading off to the gym at six each morning when we were guaranteed to have the place to ourselves. This was, in fact, the first time I've holidayed at an adults-only hotel, although I have filmed in quite a few before.
Source of pleasure: Jenni stayed at the source Resort in GrenadaIn recent years I have spent several holidays in the Maldives, not least because I had thought it was quicker to reach than the Caribbean. I was wrong. I was surprised to discover that when we flew back to London from Barbados (direct flights are available but a last-minute change of dates meant we had to had to take a connecting flight - a nice little island-hopper with the Caribbean airline Liat) it took us a little under eight hours.
It's interesting to compare a holiday in the Caribbean with one in the Maldives. They are entirely different experiences. The Maldives is a destination for couples - you've got to like the person you're with because you're going to be stuck on a small desert island with them for the whole of your stay.
You can walk around most Maldives island resorts in five minutes. If the rain comes down, you will have to be able to pass the time and enjoy your own company because there's not a lot to do.
Purpose in the Caribbean, you can leave your resort and explore. On Grenada, there is lush rainforest to see as well as the beautiful beaches. It is known as the Island of Spice and it is one of the world's largest exporters of nutmeg and mace.
I've visited quite a few other Caribbean islands. I'm fond of Barbados and found St Barts very impressive but frankly I couldn't afford to go there very often. I've never experienced anywhere so expensive; for example, when I was there a few years ago, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice cost ?13.
Purpose back to Grenada. Although source pride parades itself on being a wellbeing resort you don't have to abide by that ethos. Breakfast, for example, could be a selection of gloriously fresh fruit and super healthy juice drinks. Or you could plump for pancake and maple syrup with coffee.
Another attraction is that they have golf (not something you can play in the Maldives). And instead of being isolated on a tiny island, you can go out for dinner.
James and I played tennis each evening for a couple of hours. The Source has short floodlit, so we could carry on playing even after the sun had gone down. We didn't have much time - only five days - but the short trip worked well. Rested and relaxed? I never thought I would be - when we were there we were shattered.
We went to the gym for the first few days but we were too exhausted by the final one. We fell into a comfortable routine: breakfast, watersports, then a treatment (a massage in an outdoor pagoda which was bliss - after the massage you are served a delicious fruit salad).
Island Of Spice: Grenada is a lush isle of rainforest and fruitfulnessA half-hour rest, followed by tennis and then dinner. We were asleep every night by 9. 30 pm. I knew that when I came back to London I was in for a busy month, standing in for Holly Willoughby on This Morning while she had her baby.
But nobody knew that this was all going to happen so soon after I got back from Grenada - in the event, Holly gave birth a month early.
I was glad I had managed to get my holiday in. In the media, they always say that if you get the opportunity for a break, take it. You never know what's around the corner.
A seven-night break in Grenada with Virgin Holidays, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick direct to Grenada and accommodation at the 4V source, on an all inclusive basis, starts from ?1, 649 per person, based on two adults travelling and sharing a standard room.
Price includes transfers, all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges - which are subject to change - and is based on departures from June 1 to 24, 2011. Book between April 28 and May 31. To book, call 0844 557 3859, go to www.virginholidays.co.uk, or visit one of Virgin's 50 stores located in Debenhams and House Of Fraser shops nationwide.
