Allamanda

In Depth

Allamanda is an impressive modern three bedroom villa that sits in Oualie Bay in the north of Nevis, a very short walk from the beach. Tucked into the hillside, it is a light and sunny house that offers comfortable and affordable accommodation for a large family. There are excellent views of the bay and beyond to the south east peninsular of St Kitts. All the rooms have views to the ocean. Oualie Beach itself is one of Nevis' liveliest and most scenic beaches, and has safe swimming, a variety of water sports and an informal beach bar and restaurant.

Upon arrival at the villa you will be greeted with a rum punch and a cold dinner to ease you into island life. Complimentary breakfast provisions are also provided. Around you Allamanda's gardens have matured in a remarkably short period since planting and are a profusion of colour and variety. Some older established trees - namely the Tamarind (which has a sweet sour pod used to make drinks and to flavour curries) - attract the local troupe of vervet monkeys right to the house. Thankfully this group is not as brazen as some and do not enter the property.

The house is built on two levels, with the main living space and two bedrooms on one level and the third giving out onto the pool deck. The front entrance takes you straight to the main living area, an all-purpose open plan living/dining-room/kitchen and breakfast bar. This is often the style in the Caribbean, to ensure a cool passage of air through the house, and to allow the cook the opportunity to socialise while preparing meals. The kitchen itself is very well equipped and caters well for family groups and entertaining. Kitchen appliances include a whirlpool fridge/freezer with icemaker, dishwasher, oven, microwave, blender, toaster, coffee-machine and there is a separate pantry. Double hardwood louvered French doors open out on either side of this large living area onto the covered veranda, where there is further seating for relaxing and dining al fresco. Three arches frame the view over to St Kitts.

Two of the bedrooms are at each end of the main living area. One being the Master bedroom with a king-sized bed, the other a twin bedroom. and both have en suite shower rooms - the master bedroom's en suite being very spacious with walk in shower cubicle, bidet, lavatory and a twin vanity basins set into a tiled work surface with plenty of room for his and her bits and pieces. French doors open from the bedroom, framing the glorious view across the channel to St Kitts.

On the other side of the sitting room, the twin bedded room has beds pushed together but otherwise everything is identical, except that it is smaller and is the guest bedroom. It has a walk-in shower room and only a single basin set in a tiled top vanity unit, loo but no bidet. Again French doors open out to embrace the views across to the sea.

An open staircase from the veranda leads down to the lower level and the third bedroom, where there are two single beds, bunk beds and an en suite bathroom with two basins set into a vanity unit, walk in shower, ample cupboard space and a loo. A small fridge means you don’t have to go all the way upstairs for a cold drink.

The hardwood louvred doors from the bedroom open out onto the pool deck with its gingerbread child fence and gate and there are plenty of pool loungers and a gas-fired barbecue for use by the pool.

There is also a fully equipped laundry room with washer and dryer and a clever chute that comes from the living room upstairs so you can just throw all your dirty laundry down it and a basket catches it at the bottom. All linens, bath and beach towels and cleaning materials are provided.

The bedrooms are air-conditioned and there are overhead fans in all the rooms.

Beach & Swimming

Oualie Beach just a minute's walk away has excellent protected swimming. It has everything for a great day out on the beach including watersports and a PADI dive operator. The water is shallow and protected so it is good for children.

Sports & Recreation

On Oualie Beach there is windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, mountain biking and snorkelling. Close by are horse-riding, tennis, historic boat trips and a day catamaran sail. Hiking into the rainforest, one of the pleasures of Nevis, can be arranged. Golf is available through the Four Seasons.

Music night at Oualie Beach Resort can be quite fun and takes the form of a family evening every Tuesday where any instruments are welcome, seed pods and spoons included.

Locality

Allamanda is located just across from Oualie Beach in the north of the island, about two miles from the airport at Newcastle and five from Charlestown. Oualie Beach is the main watersports beach on the island besides Pinneys Beach. As you head south there are other beaches and bars an easy drive or ride away, including Tequila Sheila's at Cades Bay, the Gallipot on Tamarind Bay and of course Pinney's Beach itself, where you will find Sunshine's.

There are some fun places to eat in Charlestown, but for an amusing evening of Trinidadian food consider Miss June's and for romantic atmosphere try one of the plantation house hotels or Bananas at Cliffdwellers.

Useful Hints

Those ever present monkeys love the tamarind tree. They won't come into the house, so please don't encourage them.

The first night's meal, essential breakfast provisions and some beverages are offered complimentary with all main house bookings. Additional shopping with no service charge is also offered. Rental rates for villas on Nevis do not include 'tips' about which you will find advice in the guest information book at the villa.

Airport Meet & Greet

The managing agent will arrange for a taxi to meet you at your arrival point and the agent will meet you personally at the house. We advise that rental cars be left at the house for your arrival, and not at the airport. This should be arranged at the time of booking your vehicle.

Getting Around

A hire car is strongly recommended for all private villa holidays. You will need it for exploring the island and visiting the beaches by day and the restaurants in the evenings. You can ask the rental agent to arrange a car for you. He will have it delivered to the property and issue your Nevisian driving licence, price US$25 or book direct with TDC Rentals. For a small fee 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 over Christmas, February and even in August there can be a shortage of cars on Nevis, so you are advised to book well in advance