Sugar Hill

In Depth

After numerous visits to Nevis and the Golden Rock area in particular, three lifelong friends from Britain decided to forego their traditional hotel visits and build themselves a home on Nevis, to reflect their own interpretation of the best in tropical island living. After a long search they came across the perfect location in 1999. Over 3 acres of wild forest on a sugar plantation, with sensational views to the Atlantic Ocean and the neighbouring islands of Antigua, Montserrat and Redonda. It was to become ‘Sugar Hill’.

The house was built by Noral Lescott, one of the islands’ premier contractors, and the gardens followed quickly. Under the supervision of Maurice Liburd the wild scrub was tamed and transformed into a controlled and pleasing landscape that still retains its aura of wilderness, but is interspersed with exotic plantings. One in particular is the jade vine that covers the pool pergola; with its mass of hanging blooms.

In February 2004 Sugar Hill was featured in the Nevis Historical Society House and Garden tour, a fitting recognition for a beautiful property and its gardens.

The approach to the house is an experience in itself. Up an exciting, mile long road through sub-tropical mahogany groves where wild monkeys, donkeys and goats abound... Sugar Hill is totally private but it is not isolated, and at an altitude of 1100ft it has Nevis Peak as a magnificent backdrop. There is a main house with two bedrooms and either side of it are two cottages which contain additional bedrooms, an element that gives guests a little more privacy.

The main house property and is laid out on two levels. There is a large living room, a powder room and well equipped kitchen with a gas oven and hob, warmer, barbecue, dishwasher, coffee-machine, blender, toaster, fridge-freezer, bar fridge and sink. The living room gives out onto a veranda, which has a section for outdoor dining. Steps lead down to the L shaped pool through a tunnel of miniature palms. A banana grove, along with the occasional mango, and of course the jade vine, provide adequate shade. There are two bedrooms in the main house - one with a king size bed, the other with two single beds. The second two bedrooms are each in their own cottage just a few yards from the main house, the Blue Cottage and Philip’s Cottage. All bedrooms have en suite shower rooms and some have tubs.

Sugar Hill is comfortably furnished in up to date English country house style, with a mix of antique and decorative objects and furniture. There is a generator for the island’s occasional island power outages. The floors are a mixture of tile and antique pine. All the bedrooms have sea views and all rooms have ceiling fans.

Beach & Swimming

Set above Golden Rock in the south-east of the island, Sugar Hill is not on the beach. The closest beach is Windward - where one of the most used holiday images of Diana, Princess of Wales and her young sons was captured by the ever pursuing paparazzi - which is remote and on the Atlantic side of the island, but the best active beach to visit from the from the villa is probably Pinneys Beach. The area around Sunshine's is quite lively. It has beach facilities, some sports and of course Sunshine's bar itself. If you want somewhere quieter then you can just walk slightly farther along the beach.

Sugar Hill has a good sized swimming pool, measuring 32'x 14' with a depth of 4'6" to 5'6".

Sports & Recreation

There is a mountain trail (Water Source Trail) that starts a minute's walk away from Sugar Hill. Other sports in the area include horseback riding (both in the hills and down on the beach). Hiking is one of the pleasures of Nevis and there are a number of excellent guides. Farther afield, mountain bike hire and scuba diving are available on Oualie Beach, along with deep sea fishing and kayaking. If you are interested in horse racing, the race track is about 10 minutes drive away as is the Windward Beach.

Golf is available at the Four Seasons Resort (about 20 minutes by car), also a spa. Use of the Golden Rock's tennis court and pool is also permitted - they do an exceptionally good Lobster Sandwich if you are there around lunchtime, and the cocktail hour is worth strolling along to if you want to do a bit of socialising.

Locality

Sugar Hill is set high on the hill above Golden Rock in the south-east of the island, a very 'local' part of the island. The Golden Rock Hotel is about 3 minutes walk down the hill and it is not far from several of the island's best plantation inns, which make for an excellent dinner in romantic surroundings. Montpelier Plantation Inn, Old Manor Hotel and The Hermitage are less than 10 minutes' drive from Sugar Hill and Mem's Pizza for a cheap and cheerful alternative is about 12 minutes' drive away. Most of the restaurants and bars, however, are in Charlestown (20 minutes' drive) and beyond. Look out for Eddy's and the Café des Arts in Charlestown, and Bananas and Miss June's beyond. Charlestown and supermarket shopping is 18 minutes drive whilst the airport is about 28 minutes away by car.

Useful Hints

There is no TV at this property because the owners feel that the surrounding views and wildlife are a more than adequate substitute. Monkeys often visit the property, which provide marvellous entertainment but take care, they are wild animals and you should not attempt to approach them or feed 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 for arrivals.

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

With its location a mile from the main road a hire car is a necessity at Sugar Hill. 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