LR
Travel Report
Easy-Going Nevis Cottage Country of the Caribbean
16 LuxuryReportMagazine.com
©Nisbet plantation Beach Club
S
t. Kitts in the West Indies has a sweet little sister satellite island called Nevis. And though it’s only a few minutes away by boat, it’s miles away in lifestyle. It has more monkeys than residents, and no buildings taller than a palm tree. The locals are incredibly warm and friendly. They call themselves Nevisians, and though they are close to their Kittitian neighbours, they do have their own identity and are extremely proud of it. Life is slower there, with nature as the star attraction – lush, dormant volcano peaks leading to serene seas and tiny towns that remind you of our cottage country. In fact, cottages are the first things you see when you arrive by water taxi at little Oualie Beach Resort. The most “modern” hotel there is Four Seasons Nevis, and there is a small new luxury resort with Indonesian-style villas called Paradise Beach Club, but most accommodations are typically located in heritage homes or restored sugar plantations like Golden Rock Inn, Montpelier, and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club – the only sugar plantation located on the sea. And though they all do have modern creature comforts, the atmosphere is very old, authentic Caribbean, where people still stop to say hello and talk to strangers. Refreshing. An island tour doesn’t take long; half a day should do it to view historic sugar mill ruins, and the natural hot volcanic springs right in the main village of Charlestown are
Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
also worth a stop. While there, an ideal spot for a superb lunch and swim is the cool Crishi Beach Club, and also worth a side trip is Bananas –a beautiful tropical bistro perched high on a hill of the historic Hamilton Estate. For a fun day trip off island, a snorkel sail with Leeward Island Charters is an absolute blast. Basically, the best thing to do on Nevis is nothing. Just enjoy the nature, swim in the sea, and keep an eye out for the monkeys, because there are few places left in the Caribbean where you can really recharge in such natural peace. Visit: www.nevisisland.com SUSAN CAMPBELL Twitter: @suectravel