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Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is the only one of Nevis’s delightful plantation house hotels to be set on the beach. It sits in stunning, lawned grounds, its 36 rooms scattered in cottages around alleys of palms that give onto the striking ocean blues of the Atlantic. Nisbet has a unique combination of traditional plantation splendour in its Great House and the relaxed beach life of the modern Caribbean. It suits younger as well as sophisticated travellers.
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KEY FEATURES
| Wonderful beachfront Nevis hotel for a Nevis vacation, 36 rooms and suites, plantation Great House focal point, swimming pool and hot tub, beach bar and restaurant, fitness centre, The Palms Spa, tennis, afternoon tea, croquet. Good with special dietary needs. |
STYLE
| Unhurried, Unspoiled, Uncommon...is their slogan, gracious plantation living right on the beach |
CLIENT PROFILE
| Independent travellers, in a good mix of ages, honeymooners |
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Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is unique among the plantation house hotels of St Kitts and Nevis in that it is actually set on the beach. The great houses that give the island so much of its character were generally built (200 years ago) close to where the cane was planted, cut and crushed, often on highground, where anyway it was cooler and healthier. But if sugar was king two centuries ago, sand is king today, and so Nisbet has come into its own. In addition to the grace and finery of the plantation house hotel, you get the easy relaxation of a small beach resort.
And Nisbet’s setting is completely different too. Earlier this century the estate was a coconut plantation and some of the original trees still run in neat lines, fronds tousled in the ocean breeze, down to the beach. The view through the palms is simply fantastic, one of the loveliest in Nevis - an island that is already full of supreme views.
By day Nisbet’s centre of gravity is down on the beach, which is very good. It has some of the best sand on the island, powdery white and set against the rich blues of the sea. At the weekends the beach can get quite lively (relatively, anyway) when the islanders themselves swell the numbers, but generally there is a small crowd sunbathing, swimming and sitting under the coloured wooden sunshades in front of the beach bar, Sea Breeze. Just behind here is the pool, next to the daytime restaurant, Coconuts.
If the beach is the daytime centrepiece, it takes a look back, over the rise, to see the tropical Georgian elegance of the Great House. Dating from 1778, this is set on stone arches and has a wooden upper storey with a graceful low-pitched shingle roof. Suddenly the atmosphere of the hotel is completely different. Between four and five in the afternoon tea is served, sometimes outside on the terrace under the arches.
Inside, the Great House has the same traditional West Indian style, with wicker furniture on highly polished wooden floors. Drinks and dinner are held in the Great House each evening. You start in the piano bar, where there is musical entertainment, and then move through to the front balcony, from where there is often a moonlit view to the sea. With its candles and reproduction antique furniture the dining room has a delightfully romantic air.
Looking straight down the double alley of palms by day, the cottages are barely visible, but if you walk down towards the sea then they become visible to the left and right. They are set in octagonal cottages and small blocks trimmed with traditional gingerbread, angled to catch the best of the ocean breeze. Inside they use traditional Caribbean design too, with a screened porch and a sitting area. The bedrooms are largely white, splashed with brightly coloured floral bedspreads. There is air-conditioning, but it is rarely needed and louvres can be opened up to let in the sea breeze.
The layout of Nisbet, with cottages scattered around so much space, makes it easy for guests to tuck themselves away quietly. The hotel is very popular with honeymooners for instance. But it is also easy to meet other guests, at the beach by day. Then you meet again in the bar in the evenings, in the formality of the Great House.
Nisbet Plantation has a special place in Nevisian lore. In 1787 Fanny Nesbit married a young Horatio Nelson, stationed in the area in command of HMS Boreas and who later died at the Battle of Trafalgar. She was a widow (she had been married to a Dr Nesbit who came from the plantation) and they met and married on Nevis. She was given away by Nelson’s friend and naval colleague, the future King William IV. The marriage was not ultimately a success of course as Nelson took off with Lady Hamilton. Nisbet also has an interesting story in the more modern past. It was turned into a hotel by Mary Pomeroy in the 1950s.
See the early story or Nisbet Plantation. |
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Beach & Swimming
Nisbet’s beach has some of the finest sand on the island. It is blinding white, mounded on the beach and shelves gently into jade shallows that run through patched blue to the reef glinting white in the distance. Set on the north shore, the beach is exposed to the elements and can be quite windy, but the water is generally calm and the revetments that run straight out into the sea create protected areas for swimming. There is also good snorkelling. Gear is available to the guests.
A swimming pool set on a newly extended deck just behind the beach, right next to the beach restaurant Coconuts. It is a suntrap where you can sit hidden away on breezy days. A hot tub has recently been added by the pool. |
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Sports & Recreation
For watersports other than snorkelling and swimming you will have to head elsewhere, either to Oualie Beach or possibly to Pinneys Beach. There is a tennis court in the grounds of the hotel and a croquet lawn if the urge takes you for a game. An air-conditioned fitness centre has recently been added and features Cybex equipment - treadmill, elliptical/arc trainer, recumbent cycle, plus free weights, mats and an exercise ball.
If you would like a massage, Nisbet has The Palms Spa with traditional therapeutic massage as well as hot stone and a range of beauty treatments. There is a boutique close to the Reception area.
For those that would like to play golf, Nisbet will book start times at the Robert Trent Jones championship course at Four Seasons, or for play at the course on St Kitts. For a rather more unusual and inexpensive golfing experience, there is Cat Ghaut, a nine-hole par-3 mini-course just 5 minutes from Nisbet. |
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Staff
The staff at Nisbet are delightful and are definitely one of the reasons that guests return. Staff are particularly attentive and will often remember you by name. They also record your preferences (including any special dietary needs) so you will be served with your favourite drink without even having to think. The hotel is headed up by co-General Managers, Glen Hurd and Erin Mann. |
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The Rooms
The rooms at Nisbet offer the best in tropical living. They are large and they all have a sitting area, either a screened off space with louvred internal windows, with wicker furniture and a small wetbar, or a separate room. There are three categories, Premier Junior Suites, Deluxe Suites and Superior Rooms.
They are decorated mainly in white, with white tiles, white wooden ceilings and then splashes of tropical colour, in the spreads, the colourful Caribbean prints on the walls and then the tropical flowers picked from the garden. All the bedrooms can be air-conditioned, but one of the advantages of a setting like this is the natural ventilation straight off the sea. Rooms are positioned to catch the breeze, which you can let through by opening the louvres in the windows.
Most rooms have a full bath and there are telephones, hair-dryers, safes and tea and coffee making machines. In keeping with the atmosphere of the hotel, there are no TVs. There are robes in the bathroom and Gilchrist and Soames toiletries are provided. As part of a renovation programme during summer 2005 all soft furnishings were replaced in the deluxe and premier units and the bathrooms upgraded. The superior rooms were done during the 2006 summer closure. |
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Dining
The Great House
A magnificent setting in a plantation house that dates from 1778, with polished wooden floors, reproduction antique tables, candle-light and white table-cloths for elegant and romantic dining - air-conditioning was added late 2005. The cuisine is international with Caribbean flavours. Some entertainment in the bar. There is a Table d’hôte menu six nights a week. There are four or five choices that change each night.
Coconuts
Also down on the beach, but raised slightly and overlooking the pool, a pretty open-sided deck with louvres on angled stilts for shade and protection from the breeze. Breakfast is served here daily, also the popular weekly seafood barbecue on Thursdays.
Sea Breeze
The beach bar is set in a wooden building set right on the sand, with tables outside under umbrellas. Simple fare. Serves lunch only.
A continental breakfast can be served in your room. |
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Weddings
Nevis is such a romantic island it is little wonder that it is gathering popularity as a wedding destination. At Nesbit, there are a good variety of wedding locations with excellent backdrops – for instance you might wish to marry under a flower festooned wedding arch on the beach or by the old sugar mill – and the ever friendly and attentive staff make a great effort to ensure that your wedding is special.
Nisbet do a wedding package upon which you can build as you wish. It includes the dedicated services of a wedding coordinator, an hour’s massage for both bride and groom to soothe pre-wedding nerves, decorated wedding location, bride’s bouquet/flowers, wedding cake, photographer with 24 colour photos, licence, registration and minister’s fee, transport to and from authorities as required. |
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Children
Children are always welcome at Nisbet and babysitting services are available, but there are no laid on activities and the atmosphere is more romantic than child orientated. |
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Useful Hints
This spot of Nevis can get quite breezy so it’s a good idea to take a cardigan or wrap to put over your shoulders during the winter evenings.
Nisbet is strong on special offers and promotions, so it is worth keeping in touch with this site and/or checking the hotel’s website and tour operators and travel organisers that feature the hotel. |
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Practical Facts
Annual Closure Dates: 24 Aug-10 Oct 2008
Dress Code: Smart casual during the day, casually elegant on evenings - no shorts, jeans or T-shirts in the Great House after 6pm
Facilities: 3 restaurants, 2 bars, Great House lounge, reception, gift shop, freshwater pool and hot tub, tennis court, croquet lawn, fitness centre, The Palms Spa
Complimentary: Welcome drink, complimentary postage, afternoon tea, sporting equipment including snorkelling gear, tennis rackets and balls, croquet set, internet access and WiFi, weekly manager's rum punch party
Other Services: Golf reservations, babysitting, picnic lunches, in-room massage, tour desk for activities, eco-tours, hiking and plantation tours, room service, DVD library
Accommodation: 36 Plantation-style rooms and suites in 14 cottages
Room Types: All rooms are air-conditioned with ceiling fans and have a bathroom en suite, custom stocked mini-bar (simply contact the hotel with your shopping list to ensure that all will be in place for your arrival), tea and coffee making facilities, in-room safe, direct dial telephones, hair dryer, bathroom amenities. 14 x Superior Rooms housed in 7 semi-detached cottages. Each room includes a bedroom with king size bed or two twins, bathroom en suite (shower) and a screened patio. 10 x Deluxe Garden Suites located in 5 semi-detached cottages, each room includes a bedroom with king size bed or two twins, a bathroom en suite (tub/shower), separate living room area within an enclosed porch with queen size sofa bed and patio. The remaining suites are located in 3 sets of two-storey cottages with 4 suites each and are closest to the beach. These comprise of 6 x Upper Premier Junior Suites on the 1st floor and 6 x Deluxe Junior Suites on the ground floor. They include a bedroom with living room area with sofa bed, either a king or two twin beds, larger bathroom en suite (tub/shower), wet bar and open patio.
Children: Welcome. Baby-sitting is available through reception. Children under twelve can be fed in the Great House at 6pm.
Weddings & Honeymoons: The basic 2008 wedding plan is charged at US$1,295 on top of accommodation costs. See here for a special 2008 romance/honeymoon package commencing at US$3,325 per couple.
Credit Cards: MasterCard, VISA, American Express |
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2008 rates
| | 20 Dec- 02 Jan 2007-08 | 03 Jan- 31 Mar 2008 | 01 Apr- 31 May 2008 | 01 Jun- 31 Oct 2008 | 01 Nov- 19 Dec 2008 | | Meal Plan | MAP | MAP | MAP | MAP | MAP | | Superior Room Single Double | 695 695 | 475 595 | 315 395 | 280 350 | 315 395 | | Deluxe Junior Suite/ Deluxe Garden Suite Single Double | 795 795 | 555 695 | 395 495 | 360 450 | 395 495 | | Upper Premier Junior Suite Single Double | 895 895 | 635 795 | 475 595 | 440 550 | 475 595 | | Third person 10 yrs + | 125 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | | Child 3-9 yrs | 75 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | | Child 0-2 yrs | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free | All rates are quoted in US$, per room, per night and are subject to 10% service charge and 9% government tax. MAP (Modified American Plan) = room, breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. Extra adult/child rates do not apply to Superior Rooms. Children U5 not accepted in Premier Suites. All rates are subject to change without notice. DEPOSITS
A three-night deposit is required in order to secure a reservation. This deposit is then applied to the first and last two nights of your stay. CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS Due to the smallness of Nisbet Plantation, a strict cancellation policy applies for "No Show" and cancellations within 28 days (Winter) and 14 days (Summer) of arrival, for which a charge of the three-night room rate will be imposed. In case of early checkouts, the three-night deposit is applied to any cancelled nights of a confirmed reservation. If the accommodation is re-sold for the full period of the booking, there will be no cancellation fee. |
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Special Offers
Nisbet is very good at generating offers, so it is well worth looking on their website to see what new offers are available. |
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Special Packages
Adventure Package
Choose five of the following activities for US$325 per person plus enjoy a complimentary evening of star-gazing at Nisbet:
Choose 4 of the following:
• Horseback riding
• Taxi island tour
• Catamaran sail
• A full body massage in "The Palms" spa
• Kayaking and snorkelling adventure
Choose 1 of the following:
• Mountain bike rental
• Rain forest nature hike
• Hike to the peak of Mt Nevis
Valid 03 Jan-19 Dec 2008. All rates and inclusions are subject to change without notice. |
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How to Book
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with Nisbet Plantation Beach Club Nevis, or if you wish to telephone them, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number. |
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UK Tour Operators
If you wish to book through a tour operator or travel organiser, please follow the link below.
See List of UK Tour Operators
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Locality
Nisbet is located in the very north of the island, close to the town of Newcastle, which has just a couple of local shops and bars. Most of the activity is on the western shore of the island, but nothing is very far in Nevis. The liveliest beaches for watersports are Oualie Beach and Pinneys Beach, where you will also find beach bars on these beaches. Restaurants include Miss June’s, close to Oualie, Bananas at Cliffdwellers and the ever popular Sunshine’s on Pinney’s Beach.
If you drive yourself to Charlestown it is probably better to use the west coast road which has recently been redone and is in good condition. The east coast road is extremely scenic, but also extremely rough. |
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Meet & Greet
Nisbet can arrange for a taxi to meet you on your arrival at the airport (costs US$10), which is less than three minutes from the hotel.
Nisbet offers an arrival and departure package (US$70 per person each way) which includes a meeting service on arrival in St Kitts (during daylight hours), sea transfer between St Kitts and Nevis and then taxi transfer from your point of arrival in Nevis to the hotel. |
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Getting Around
You should definitely explore Nevis and although this can be done on tours, you may want to consider hiring a car for at least a couple of days. It means that you can travel at your own pace, visiting beaches by day and restaurants in the evenings.
Hiring a car to explore the island is easily arranged. If you are not travelling in peak season and you don't think you will want a car for more than a day or two, hotel reception will be able to assist you. Otherwise, we recommend you book in advance via your travel organiser or direct with TDC Car Rentals, who will deliver to the property and issue your Nevisian driving licence, price US$25. Vehicles can be returned at the airport or be collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day.
Be aware that in the winter season there is often a shortage of cars in Nevis, so you are advised to book well in advance. Also book early if you want one for a week or more because the pre-booked rates can be better.
Taxis are readily available through the reception at the hotel, through drivers who remain on property.
The island bus service (actually private minibuses) runs regularly from Newcastle to Charlestown down the west coast of the island. Services passing Nisbet are relatively infrequent but they do eventually come. |
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