Five Reasons is a regular feature, where I outline the reasons why a destination is hot right now. If you’d like to run Five Reasons in your publication or on your website, contact me at chris@caroundtheworld.com.

This week, I’m taking a look at Grenada. I was here for USA TODAY back in November and I was back again last week for a few days before and after my Island Windjammers cruise on the Diamant. I’m not going to sugar coat it – getting to Grenada can be a hassle, particularly if you have to fly LIAT airlines (read my survival tips for that notoriously unreliable carrier here). I do love the island and its people, however, and think that it’s worth the trouble, especially for a longer vacation.

1. The range of accommodation has never been better. For an island this small, Grenada has a surprising number of nice hotels. After Hurricane Ivan damaged the majority of buildings in 2004, many hoteliers rebuilt with an eye toward luxury. Some of these, such as LaLuna and Maca Bana Villas, have periodic deals on SkyAuction that give you more than half of the rack rate. You can stay in the heart of Grand Anse at the uber luxe Spice Island Beach Resort or have the beach almost entirely to yourself at La Sagesse Nature Center – and, in general, pay less than you would on many Caribbean islands.

2. The island has an interesting history with the US. For many Americans, Grenada is still synoymous with the Cold War-influenced military invasion ordered by President Reagan in 1983. Although the action drew rebuke from other countries, on Grenada, it’s known as “the intervention” rather than an invasion- and the October anniversary date is celebrated as their annual Thanksgiving. Several memorials around the island mark the event. Although traditionally the island draws more British visitors than Americans, you’ll hear plenty of US accents around the island, due to the number of students at St. George’s University medical and vet schools.

3. You can hike in the rain forest in the morning – and be on the beach by the afternoon. Grenada is a mountainous island and its interior has large swaths of protected rainforest and park lands. There are several waterfalls that are an easy hike – try Concord if you want an easy swim in a waterfall pool, or Seven Sisters if you are looking for something more strenuous.

Once you’ve worked up a sweat (and visited the monkeys at Grand Etang), veg out on one of Grenada’s 45 public beaches. Hint: while Grand Anse gets the press, Bathway Beach on the island’s northeast corner is the prettiest.

4. There’s a diversity of native cuisine unsurpassed in the Caribbean. Almost everything grows in Grenada’s fertile soil or caught off its shores- and that’s reflected in the cuisine. As befits it’s nickname The Spice Island, rum punch is served with nutmeg and mace, cinnamon, tumeric and clove are used liberally.  The island is a great place for interesting soups (try callaloo and pumpkin) and fruits (besides the usual bananas and coconuts, Grenada’s market has spiky soursop and star-shaped carambola). For entrees, order a lambi (conch) steak, or if you are really adventurous, breadfruit-based “oil-down” – a throw-everything-in-the-pot stew that serves as the country’s national dish.

5. It’s the perfect base to hop on a boat. Yachties have known about Grenada for years, as its location in the southern Caribbean keeps it (mostly) out of the hurricane zone. The new Port Louis marina houses boats ranging from monster yachts to elegant sailboats. Smaller marinas are spread around the island, and some, such as the True Blue Bay Resort , have their own hotel and charter services where you can scuba dive or arrange an excursion to Carriacou or the nearby Grenadines. The island is drawing more attention from large cruise ship lines as well; when I was there in January, there were 5 ships in port in one day! If your cruise does take you to Grenada, make sure you leave St. Georges to explore the gorgeous interior.

Read previous 5 Reasons columns: St. Kitts; Naples, Fla.; Tampa/St. Petersburg

Read more about Grenada: Trip report; River Antoine rum distillery