Hart of Nevis

In Depth

Ian Hart’s background is in hotel keeping and after several years spent running game-viewing lodges in Africa he was lured across to the Caribbean by the opportunity to run Montpelier, one of Nevis’s delightful plantation inns. When he arrived in 1984 the island’s communications were limited a solitary telex machine and so he has seen the island change in dramatic fashion.

Montpelier was ten hard-working years which culminated in the visit by Diana, Princess of Wales, and her two young sons. Her visit to the island and the establishment of a Four Seasons Resort helped to put Nevis finally on the tourist map.

In parallel with the general development of Nevis many holiday homes were built. Partly due to the abundance of prime building land but also because of a general shortage of hotel rooms, villas became a significant sector of the economy. So, on leaving Montpelier, managing and renting homes was a natural progression and Hart of Nevis was formed.

The properties managed by Hart of Nevis each represent a personal interpretation of the perfect home in paradise and so they vary considerably in style. And also in location, as they reflect Nevis’s traditional divide between the 'beach side' and 'mountain side', both of which have distinct advantages. In centuries past the old plantocracy seemed to prefer altitude – the views and the climate up on the hillside are hard to improve on – and so they built their great houses, now the plantation inns, up in the hills. Villas have clustered around them. But in twentieth and twenty-first century fashion, newcomers have built their homes on the beach and of course these are extremely popular for other reasons.

But for all the character and comfort of the houses, it is the island itself that provides a good part of the charm in a trip to Nevis.

In Ian Hart’s own words:

‘Nevis is a low key destination. People come here to unwind to a gentler pace, a remarkable tonic for the soul in this stressed out world of ours. Nevis lacks 'obvious' instantly gratifying activities, but just invites its visitors to discover its essence, and the gentle kind nature of its people. It has everything to offer if you are prepared to look for it.

Why not come and try it for yourself?’

Services

Villa Rentals

Most house owners in Nevis have a great affection for the island and so they like to come back to stay in their houses, but they also try to keep expenses down by renting them out. Hart of Nevis markets the properties for them and deals with all the bookings. Then, when clients arrive, they see to all phone deposits, provisioning, taxis, rental cars, internet connections and even restaurant bookings, providing orientation to the property and the island where required. Books detailing information for visitors can of course be found in all the villas, along with unprejudiced restaurant guides and suggestions. Most importantly Hart of Nevis has several houses to offer of good rentable standard, which enables them to do a better job of matching the clients to the property most likely to suit them. Satisfied customers tend to return.

Villa Management

Hart of Nevis oversees the properties and is in touch with guests while they are staying, but in the background they ensure the general smooth running of the property, giving expatriate owners peace of mind during their times off island. This is especially during hurricane season, when properties have to be shut up properly, including the securing of shutters, disconnecting cisterns and services in order to minimise damage. On a day to day level, the grist of the business is paying the staff, social security payments, bills and taxes and generally keeping an eye on things.

Provisioning

Hart of Nevis is happy to do any reasonable provisioning requests for the first night and breakfast. Most of the properties offer complimentary dinner (cold roast chicken, salads, fruit, ice cream) and breakfast provisions, along with some beer and wine, and last but certainly not least, some Hart of Nevis original rum punch.

Staff

The staffing in Nevis villas is generally low key. Swimming-pools are maintained on average twice weekly by a professional local team. All the guest will be required to do is remove the occasional leaf with a net. Gardening staff are also included but they usually have many places of employment so their visits are difficult to predict.

The number of visits by a housekeeper included in the rental varies on the size of the property. Hours tend to be 9am till 12 noon-ish. Housekeepers will do personal laundry, make up beds, wash up and generally tidy. You will not see them on Public Holidays. Additional mornings are negotiable and run at about US$25 per visit.

Babysitters can be arranged as well as an occasional cook. The cooks available in Nevis are of a local rather than a gourmet standard, though this may well change in the coming years. Tipping of housekeepers is encouraged of course, and runs at about US$15-25 per bedroom per week.

Check In/Check Out

Check-in is usually flexible, unless previous tenants have left earlier that day, but most arrivals are early evening anyway. Please keep the agent informed if your schedule changes and make sure to have his contact details on you when you travel. The official noon departure time is only enforced if guests are coming in the same day.

Departures

If you have a hire car, you can choose to return it at the airport (making sure the luggage will fit) or have it collected from the villa prior to your departure (a small charge is made for this).

If your travel organiser hasn't already made the appropriate transport arrangements to take you back to the airport, you can book a taxi through Hart of Nevis. The agent will be at the house for your departure to collect the house keys and of course to wish you a safe journey home. 

Booking Conditions

To secure a booking a payment equalling 50% of the rental is required. The balance, inclusive of the government tax, falls due 30 days prior to arrival. The specified refundable phone and security deposit (as specified on each of the villa details) is paid to the agent in cash or travellers cheques on arrival.

Cancellation Policy

For all cancellations made in writing over 60 days from scheduled arrival date, 90% of the deposit will be returned. From 30-60 days, 25% will be returned. Within 30 days of scheduled arrival, no refunds will be offered. You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover these potential losses.

Travel Insurance

Since accidents can happen, we recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy that gives you full protection for damage to Third Party property.

Weddings

A villa wedding is an excellent option and offers you the sort of privacy and 'made to order' experience that you would not be able to achieve at a hotel.

A number of the properties make excellent venues for villa weddings and give stunning backdrops for wedding photographs so if you like this idea, Hart of Nevis will happily liaise with a professional local wedding organiser to ensure that everything goes smoothly on your wedding day.

You may choose to have the ceremony at your villa, but if you wish to marry in a church or at another location, the reception can still be held there.