General: St Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts and Nevis are one of the few unspoilt Caribbean islands and remind me of what Barbados was like before the intrusion of mass tourism, highways and KFCs. It is not a party island, nor one for people who get bored easily. However, if it is relaxation and informal sophistication you are after … you will love St. Kitts and her sister island, Nevis.

St. Kitts and Nevis, are located in the middle of the Caribbean Sea between Montserrat ...
...Kitts, with a short day visit to Nevis, so it is St. Kitts that I will concentrate on in this op.

Your experience of St. Kitts will depend on where you stay on the island and it is important that you choose the right end of the island for you. If you like smaller, family-run (but very sophisticated) inns, you should head to the north of the island where rolling sugar cane hills meet volcanic peaks brimming with rainforest vegetation. ... more

St. Kitts and Nevis are one of the few unspoilt Caribbean islands and remind me of what Barbados was like before the intrusion of mass tourism, highways and KFCs. It is not a party island, nor one for people who get bored easily. However, if it is relaxation and informal sophistication you are after … you will love St. Kitts and her sister island, Nevis.

St. Kitts and Nevis, are located in the middle of the Caribbean Sea between Montserrat and St. Eustatius. We stayed in St. Kitts, with a short day visit to Nevis, so it is St. Kitts that I will concentrate on in this op.

Your experience of St. Kitts will depend on where you stay on the island and it is important that you choose the right end of the island for you. If you like smaller, family-run (but very sophisticated) inns, you should head to the north of the island where rolling sugar cane hills meet volcanic peaks brimming with rainforest vegetation. However, if you prefer larger hotels with modern facilities, you should stay in the southern edge of the island with its sandy beaches and coves.

++ SO WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I’M THERE? ++

When we were in St. Kitts, we tried not to do too much. However, after a while we did get itchy feet and a desire to explore. I would recommend any of the following activities:

VISIT BRIMSTONE HILL FORTRESS NATIONAL PARK: Prepare to be amazed, as your car slowly winds its way up the hill - the view from the fortress is breathtaking. You are 800 feet up and will have amazing views across the Caribbean to Nevis, Montserrat, Saba, St. Martin and St. Barts. Brimstone Hill Fortress, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was designed by British military engineers and built by African slaves. Tours of Brimstone Hill are conducted daily.

DRIVE AROUND THE ISLAND: It is almost impossible to get lost on St. Kitts. There is one road that goes around the whole island, which takes a few hours to drive. Highlights along the way are occasional glimpses of the old sugar train that carries sugar cane around the island, as well as Romney Manor where Caribbean batik is made. Definitely worth a quick stop to watch the artisans at work.

WALK IN THE RAINFOREST: If you’re feeling active, why not take a three-hour hiking adventure up Mount Liamuiga? Our local guide explained what all the exotic flowers were and pointed out rare butterflies, birds and monkeys. Don’t worry about the usual creepy-crawlies that you might associate with rainforests – there are no snakes or spiders to frighten you! You’ll be rewarded by amazing views from the top of the mile-wide crater rim of Mount Liamuiga - a dormant volcano.

TAKE A CATAMARAN TRIP TO NEVIS: St. Kitt’s sister island, Nevis, is just as beautiful and worth a visit. Many hotels can arrange daily catamaran trips. The one we took sailed from Basseterre boatyards along the south coast of St. Kitts, stopping in secluded bays so we could snorkel. We then sailed across the water to Nevis, where they laid on a beach barbecue and plenty of rum. For those on a budget, there is a daily ferry ride that makes the same route (minus the snorkelling and barbecues!)

BUT … RELAX AND CHILL OUT: The Caribbean is a holiday destination made for relaxation. Don’t try to pack too much into your time on St. Kitts. Instead, take a good book and relax by the pool or on one of the island’s beaches. The best beaches are located on the southern tip of the island (Turtle Beach, Lovers Beach, Cades Bay). To the north of the island, the beaches are more secluded, but also have black volcanic sand.

++ WHERE TO STAY? ++

RAWLINS PLANTATION INN – This is where we stayed when we were in St. Kitts and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is simply one of, if not the most, amazing places we have ever stayed. Rawlins is a family-run 10-room hotel, built from the ruins of a 17th Century sugar cane plantation. Don’t expect all your mod-cons – there are no telephones, televisions, mini-bars etc. But, the hotel sure makes up for it with bagfuls of character and charm. Rooms are attractively decorated with Caribbean antiques and paintings. Prices start at approximately £200 per night (including cooked breakfast, afternoon tea and four-course dinners). If you want more information, check out their website: www.rawlinsplantation.com

OTTLEYS – Another hotel based around a 17th Century Plantation Inn. Ottleys is a 4-star hotel and was selected as Caribbean's best hotel in Rum & Reggae: Insiders' Guide to the Caribbean. Although we liked Ottleys and would recommend it, we felt that it did not have quite the same charm or attention to detail as Rawlins. Prices start at approximately £150 per night and further information is available on their website: www.ottleys.com

FRIGATE BAY RESORT – I haven’t stayed here, but have included it as a cheaper option (from £50 a day). Located on the southern end of the island by an 18-hole golf course. For more information, see: www.frigatebay.com

++ HOW TO GET THERE ++

If you’re coming from the UK, British Airways, Virgin and BWIA fly directly to Antigua, and connections can be made on LIAT, Caribbean Star or Winair.

From the USA, American Airlines, USAir, Continental, Delta and TWA fly to San Juan (Puerto Rico). Connect to St. Kitts with American Eagle, Caribbean Sun or LIAT. USAir provide a non-stop service from Philadelphia to St. Kitts.

++ ST. KITTS IS PERFECT FOR YOU, IF … ++

If … you want to take life at a slow and leisurely pace, far from the usual crowds of tourists. St. Kitts is perfect for nature-lovers, scuba-divers and those who prefer their holiday with as little concrete as possible! It is also very friendly and there is no need to learn any languages (as they speak English).

St. Kitts is not for everyone. It isn't cheap (from £300 per person to get there), doesn't have good shops, and has virtually no nightlife.

But if you’re looking for a romantic holiday of a lifetime and are after somewhere special, I would highly recommend St. Kitts!

 

...less