St Kitts & Nevis 2015

I was very much looking forward to this holiday, as I never been to Nevis before, but I have been to St Kitts for the day on a cruise ship. My expectations were very high for this trip, especially as I have heard such good things from my colleagues and friends that have been there. I went with my wife and we flew with British Airways economy class return via Antigua from London Gatwick, which operates this service twice a week. The flights were busy both ways - flying time to St Kitts is 10 hours and 10 minutes. We had arranged a private transfer with the hotel prior to arrival to pick us up from the airport which was great. Transfer time to hotel Ottleys Plantation Inn is 15 minutes’ drive. My first impression was wow, what an amazing place. The hotel has a panoramic ocean and mountain views and situated on the edge of a pristine rainforest. It is the perfect tropical hideaway, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, with the most peaceful ambience. This family run, former 17th century sugar estate offers an idyllic, relaxing retreat. I was greeted with a warm welcome from Karen Keusch and her team. The resort comprises of 23 attractively furnished rooms and suites each with air conditioning, ceiling fans, mini bar or fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and a balcony or terrace. Standard Rooms are located in an original stone cottage close to the croquet lawn; Deluxe Rooms are more spacious and most are found in the historic Great House, whilst the highly recommended Supreme Rooms are located in cottages dotted around the grounds and feature a private plunge pool and an ocean view sundeck. Royal Suite cottages have a private plunge pool and can be reserved either as a generous one bedroom suite with separate living room, or as a two bedroom suite, ideal for families. The Grand Villa has two bedrooms, each with a plunge pool, a separate living room/kitchen and a wraparound verandah with ocean views. The Royal Palm restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu that changes nightly. An extensive Sunday Brunch is offered each week and should not be missed. There is a spring water swimming pool, tennis court, croquet lawn and the exquisite Mango Orchard Spa which is tucked away in a tranquil spot overlooking the rainforest ravine. A complimentary shuttle service is offered to the capital, Basseterre, and to two nearby beaches, approximately 15 minutes’ drive away; picnic lunches can be arranged on request. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the property There are few places as relaxing as Ottleys Plantation. I would recommend stretching out on a lounger on the lawns and just soaking up the peace and quiet and the beautiful views. Ottleys has been owned by the Keusch-Lovel family for 25 years, and Innkeeper Karen Keusch takes immense pride in the historic estate. You will often see her around getting to know her guests. Explore the rainforest trails next to the hotel and you will discover some beautiful tropical flora and fauna. You might just catch a glimpse of the wild vervet monkeys that live in the ravine. Perfect for couples, chilling out, getting back to nature and honeymoons. After 3 nights in St Kitts we took the local ferry over to Nevis which took around 45 minute. We then took a local taxi to Nisbet Planation Beach Club - another wow from me again. Nisbet is one of the friendliest hotels I know. The staff here greet returning guests like old friends, and first-timers are immediately made to feel at home. Weddings are commemorated at Nisbet with a coconut palm being planted in the bride and groom’s honour. Couples return year after year to see their palm grow. Don’t miss the weekly gourmet barbecue, open to guests and locals - it’s a great night with live entertainment and fantastic food. Once the home of Admiral Nelson’s wife, Fanny Nisbet, this charming property was originally built as a sugar plantation in 1778 and it remains the Caribbean’s only original plantation house to be located on a beach. Much of the grandeur and colonial charm remains and, naturally, there’s a croquet lawn to complete the picture of colonial good living. There are many other excellent facilities and you’ll certainly enjoy high standards of service, accommodation and cuisine. Accommodation 36 beautifully furnished, air-conditioned, plantation-style rooms are set in cottages throughout the grounds. All have a ceiling fan, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary WiFi and a private balcony or terrace. Superior Rooms and Deluxe Garden Suites are located in semi-detached, single-storey cottages in the gardens; the Deluxe Garden Suites have a separate sitting room with sofa bed. The more spacious Premier and Deluxe Junior Suites are located in two-storey buildings closer to the beach with beautiful ocean views; Deluxe Junior Suites are on the ground floor whilst the Premier Junior Suites are located on the upper floor. Restaurants And Bars The original Great House is home to the cocktail bar, lounge and fine dining restaurant, where dinner is served most nights; it is furnished with original antiques and retains a delightful colonial ambience. Coconuts poolside restaurant is open daily for breakfast and twice weekly for less formal evening dining; it is also the venue for the popular Thursday night beachfront barbecue. There is also Sea Breeze on the beach, a laid back beach bar which is perfect for lunch and snacks during the day. A relaxing outdoor lounge area is the most recent addition to the beachfront, providing guests with a comfortable venue to savour another of Violet’s delicious cocktails. Facilities there is an oceanfront swimming pool with hot tub, fitness centre, tennis court and complimentary water sports including kayaks and snorkelling. The excellent Palms Spa is a calming sanctuary set in the gardens, offering a full menu of body and beauty treatments. Scuba diving, rainforest hikes, birdwatching and a host of other activities can all be arranged. Nevis is a small island, just thirty-six square miles in size. So it will come as no surprise to learn that you can comfortably drive around the island in a short period of time along its twenty mile main road which runs all the way round. Perfect for couples, foodies, beach-bliss, and chilling out. I visited the following beaches in St Kitts, South Friars Bay, I found the most action-packed strip of beach on the Caribbean Sea. And here the party goes on until the wee hours of the morning. This one-mile stretch of white-sand beach, is ideal for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing and various other water sports, Cockleshell Bay is a secluded stretch of powder-white sand. Over two miles (3 km) long, it offers a splendid view of our sister island of Nevis .I visited Pinneys Beach Probably the most famous and most popular beach on Nevis, Pinney’s Beach runs for about three miles and can be found on the outskirts of the capital, Charlestown and Nisbet beach Its gentle ocean breezes make it a popular place to spend a relaxing day. Getting around both islands is easy with taxis or car hire.Currency Eastern Caribbean dollars but US dollars is widely accepted in most places. Great holiday which passed my expectations.