We recently attended an event hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis tourist board and we are super excited to share with you why this beautiful Caribbean Island should make your holiday shortlist.
St Kitts is a tiny Caribbean Island with a big punch – along with its sister isle of Nevis, just two-and-a-half miles south, it constitutes the smallest country in the Western hemisphere. This unspoilt and authentic sunshine escape delivers everything you’d expect from a Caribbean holiday – and then some.
A World Heritage-listed fortress, a scenic railway, cultural events and activities aplenty from zip-lines and wreck diving to rainforest hikes and a fabulous golf course. There’s excellent food, with fresh fish, lobster and tropical fruits to the fore, and a diverse choice of beach and inland hotels from luxury to affordable. The thermometer hovers at an inviting 25-28C year-round, Kittitians are a welcoming and charismatic bunch, and – most importantly – the rum punches hit the spot.
Just 18 miles long, St Kitts has a green landscape centred on a mountainous heart capped by the rainforest-cloaked volcano of Mt Liamuiga. To the south-east lies a long, undulating peninsula scalloped with golden beaches with just one resort – the new five-star Park Hyatt St Kitts. There are spectacular coastal vistas to neighbouring islands and abundant heritage sites left from the days of sugar (production only ended in 2005). Today St Kitts has a private jet terminal the YU lounge, the superyacht marina at Christophe Harbour and Port Zante which is visited by many cruise ships.
To a child’s eyes, St Kitts is a blissfully warm and dreamy island of sandcastles, sailing and colourful fish. For parents, it is a place to grab some sunshine and relax on the beach. A trip can be educational too, as older children learn about the region’s nature and the legacies of slavery and colonialism. There are no all-inclusive resorts, and the island particularly suits active families.
The best places to stay
PARK HYATT ST KITTS St Kitts’ newest hotel sits beside Banana Bay on the southeast peninsula, offering 126 sophisticated rooms including 48 suites, some with roof-top pools. Treats include three signature restaurants, two pools (one adults-only), a destination spa and a rum bar, plus water sports and children’s activities
OCEAN TERRACE INN Within walking distance of Basseterre, this four-star boutique hotel in Fortlands has 34 contemporary rooms set on several levels around a lagoon-style pool with views over the harbour. Fresh fish is served in the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant, and it attracts both business and leisure travellers.
TIMOTHY BEACH RESORT Right beside South Frigate Bay and the lively watering-holes of “The Strip”, this keenly priced resort appeals to families and sociable travellers. Many of the 55 rooms have kitchen facilities and amenities include a large pool, relaxed ocean view restaurant and The Dock bar with live music on Sundays.
This is an island where the fishing boats still go out almost every day, hauling in a super-fresh catch of tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi as well as plentiful lobster. The hills are equally rich with tropical fruits – mangoes, papaya, guava, avocado – and organic vegetables grown on small, hand tended plots. Farm-to-table, sea-to-plate, that’s the way it goes here from beach bars to fine-dining restaurants. And on the drinks front there are rum-based cocktails, Caribbean beers and a host of exotic juices.
For a romantic dinner, there are classy venues such as Marshall’s in Basseterre and the Pavilion Beach Club at Christophe Harbour. For top class seafood, head to Spice Mill Restaurant at Cockleshell Bay, while The Kitchen at Belle Mont Farm has a ‘new Caribbean’ menu featuring dishes such as lemongrass-poached lobster with dasheen risotto and cinnamon-braised goat loin.
The best beaches on St Kitts adorn its south-east peninsula and have clean sands, sheltered waters and fine views of nearby Nevis. Here Cockleshell Bay is the most popular but never feels over-crowded, with a good choice of bars, restaurants and water sports. Adjacent to this, crescent shaped Banana Bay is home to the new Park Hyatt St Kitts resort. As a rule, the sands on the southern, Caribbean Sea-facing side of the island are the most family-friendly. South Friars Bay is ideal for a long beachcombing walk with a supply of bars along the way. Beaches on the northern, Atlantic-facing side are wilder with few facilities, so better for a bracing walk or kiteboarding, with black volcanic sands in the north at Dieppe Bay.
This magical little island knows all about helping couples grow together, whether they are new friends, recently engaged, getting married, on honeymoon, renewing vows or celebrating an anniversary. The secret of romance lies in enjoying memorable shared experiences and there’s no shortage of those, from facing up to thrilling zip-line rides, rattling through the sugar cane fields on a scenic train, or cuddling up on a catamaran cruise as the sun sets.
To travel to St. Kitts and Nevis and all other winter sun destinations contact us today.
