Timothy Beach Resort

In Depth

The Caribbean side of Frigate Bay is the liveliest beach on St Kitts. It is backed by beach bars for much of its length and there is all the watersports and ‘liming’ activity that you could ever want. Timothy Beach is just a skip and a jump from all this, the closest hotel to the action. Its three-storey buildings sit set back into the slope of Timothy Hill. They face across the valley, looking over the hotel’s neat lawns and the inland lagoon to the hills beyond, but because they are set high they have a good view of the beach, its bars and beyond them the Caribbean Sea.

As you arrive you draw up beneath the lawns and sky blue buildings to the ‘central’ area of the hotel, which sits closest to the beach. You enter via a brightly-coloured awning which leads into the Reception area. The walls are decorated with murals of tropical flowers and there are a couple of sofas in the room where you can sit and read the information about tours and activities available on the island. In the corner is a computer terminal with internet access.

The dining room is set next door, a few steps closer to the shoreline. It is open on two sides, so it has a good view down over the beach and the sea beyond. On one side it is bordered by the open kitchen where you will see the chefs at work and at the rear by the bar. A television plays news or sports events at the bar. There are more murals on the walls and the bright colour scheme that you see around the resort reaches a crescendo here, with an interior of peach and aqua blue and outside pink and turquoise awnings that reach out onto the grass towards the tables on the lawn. The restaurant area has WiFi.

The dining room is the hub of the small resort and it becomes quite lively at mealtimes, but during the rest of the day the guests gravitate to other areas around – from the closest beach bar down below, Mr X’s Shiggidy Shack, comes a siren call of easy reggae, so you will find yourself down there some of the time. But if you want a quieter place to sunbathe, then the hotel has it. There is a spot just below the dining room, overlooking the sea, on a platform with loungers. From here steps lead down to a quiet corner of the beach itself, where it is sheltered and has good swimming – easy to nip down and cool off. Alternately you can go up to the hotel’s swimming pool, which is even more hidden away on a higher platform, painted pink and secluded by a fence of trellis. A free-standing bar, The Dock, is set in a wooden building on the lower platform for busy moments in the day and evening.

There are 60 bedrooms in all at Timothy Beach, set inland in two three-storey blocks that overlook the lawns. Actually they are a combination of studios and one and two-bedroom apartments called townhouses – and individual double rooms that can be sub-divided if you do not want a full suite. Inside, the rooms are spacious and decorated in a light and bright colour scheme, with white wooden trim, light tiles and very bright tropical fabrics. There is a cable TV and a fridge in all rooms and either a kitchenette in the case of the studios or a full kitchen in the one- and two-bedroom units.

With this variety of rooms and their affordable rates, Timothy Beach sees quite a variety of types of guests, ranging from families to groups of students on projects, as well as the usual holidaymakers that want to stay next to St Kitts’ best beach. The small hotel lays on some entertainment – with live music a couple of nights a week - and there is often a good buzz to the place, but with its large self-contained rooms it is also ideal if you want to live fairly independently. Timothy Beach is friendly base from which you can get the best of St Kitts.

Beach & Swimming

The beach is right there beneath the hotel. Timothy Beach is positioned at the eastern end of Frigate Bay South. Actually, Frigate Bay has two sides, 'North', on the Atlantic side, which is much wilder and not so good for swimming, and 'South', which is the calmer Caribbean side and ideal for swimming and watersports. The strip is about three quarters of a mile of light brown sand (commonly called golden hereabouts) and it backed for much of its length by beach bars. There are busy bars, quiet bars, large and lively or small and secluded ones, so you can wander along to your heart's content until you find the right place for you. There are watersports concessionaires along the strip too.

Timothy Beach has a swimming pool, set back above the beach and tucked away above the hotel. It is screened by trellises, which means that it is nicely sheltered. There are loungers and parasols.

Sports & Recreation

The hotel itself offers no sports equipment for use on the beach, but there are plenty of concessionaires that can offer it. You can organise a windsurfer, a small sailing dinghy or catamaran and there are kayaks and snorkelling gear. Jet skis and scuba diving are also available through operators on the beach.

If you would like to snorkel there is a good reef just below the hotel at the eastern end of the beach.

As you look out away from the beach you will see the fairways of the 18 hole Royal St Kitts golf course. It is an attractive course that runs along the Atlantic shoreline (so beware the onshore winds). There are also tennis courts on the other side of the bay, at another hotel. Timothy Beach is happy to make a booking for you for golf or tennis. Horse-riding is available too. Stables are based in the north of the island and so trails take in the canefields as well as the Atlantic beaches.

If you are feeling less active and fancy a flutter then there is a casino at the Marriot hotel on the other side of Frigate Bay.

The Rooms

There are 60 rooms in several different categories at Timothy Beach. They range from free-standing rooms up to two-bedroom apartments, with plenty of flexibility because of adjoining rooms. They are spacious and comfortable and brightly decorated with tropical colours. Some have a hillside view but most have a view out into the bay and to the sea. The furnishings are wicker and rattan and they are brightly decorated with a light colour scheme and bright tropical colours in the fabrics.

All rooms are equipped with a small fridge at least. In one and two-bedroom suites there are full kitchens. They are all air-conditioned and most have ceiling fans. There is wireless internet access in most of the rooms and all suites and townhouses have outside space. There is daily maid service to the rooms.

The One-Bedroom Suite bathrooms were completely remodeled in 2009 and now have walk-in 'Kittiitan Rainforest' showers. The bathrooms include granite countertops, upscale faucets and fittings, imported tropically colored Spanish tiles, fine North American hardwood cabinets and to complete the rainforest theme there is composite pebbled flooring within the showers.

Dining

The dining room, Sunset Café overlooks the beach from the 'central' section of the hotel. It is brightly painted with tropical murals and there are some tables out on the lawn below the main dining room. There is an 'open' kitchen on one side of the dining room and the bar is on the back wall. The dining room serves all three meals, from a relatively short but good menu of international and Caribbean food.

The Dock Bar, which is located down on the beach, is open mid afternoon. It has a happy hour during the week and a Sunday afternoon barbecue with a live band.

Of course there are several places within walking distance (on Frigate Bay beach) that will serve you food by day and often in the evenings. There are also restaurants on the other side of the bay too.

Children

Timothy Beach is ideally set up for families. The two bedroom townhouses can sleep as many as six and rooms are adjoining so you can have some privacy.

While there are no specific programmes or entertainment for kids, the hotel can provide cots and high chairs. Baby-sitting is available by arrangement. Contact the front desk.

Useful Hints

Timothy Beach is happy to put basic supplies into your kitchen for your arrival. Let them know in advance, milk, cereal and drinks will be waiting for you in your kitchen.

Practical Facts

Annual Closure Dates: open year round

Dress Code: Casual

Facilities: Freshwater swimming pool. Sunset Café restaurant (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and bar. Small gift shop. Watersports available next door. Snorkelling reef beyond restaurant. Royal St Kitts Golf Course nearby.

Complimentary: WiFi access in rooms and restaurant. Use of beach towels and chaise lounges by pool and on the beach. Live entertainment twice a week.

Other Services: Front desk will arrange activities (golf and tennis nearby) and excursions. Laundry service. Airport transfers. Daily maid service.

Children: Welcome. Baby sitting available (extra cost). Cots and highchairs available.

Weddings/Honeymoons: A basic Hotel Wedding package is available from US$540 and an Island Wedding package from US$762 plus tax and service charge and a 7 night honeymoon package from US$1,399 during summer including tax and service charge.

Accommodation: 60 rooms, suites and townhouses

Room Types: All rooms have air-conditioning and most also have ceiling fans, en suite bathroom with tub/shower (unless otherwise stated), a patio or balcony, and either a king, queen or two twin beds, cable TV, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, direct dial telephone and free WiFi access. Mountain View Room - faces Timothy Hill and has a coffee maker, mini refrigerator and small balcony. Ocean View Room - larger balcony or patio with ocean views and has a coffee maker and mini refrigerator. Studio Room - has ocean views from balcony or patio, an open-plan living/dining area with a queen sofa sleeper which is opened at night to form the bed, a fully equipped kitchenette area with stove top/hob, microwave oven, toaster, coffee maker and full size refrigerator. Large Studio Room - ocean view with large patio and located closer to the sea. As before but larger and has a king-size bed and kitchen with a conventional stove and oven. The en suite bathroom has shower only. One-Bedroom Suite - ocean view with a large balcony or patio off a living/dining room area and kitchenette with stove top, microwave oven, toaster, coffee maker and full size refrigerator. The bedroom is located to the rear and has views of Timothy Hill. En suite bathrooms now have walk-in rain showers. Two-Bedroom Suite - same as the one-bedroom but with an additional bedroom with balcony and ocean views, and three bathrooms. Two-Bedroom Townhouse - these are closest to the sea and have a large ocean view patio off the living/dining room area with a queen sofa bed. One bedroom is ocean view with a large balcony and the other bedroom faces Timothy Hill. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a conventional stove and oven, microwave, toaster, coffee maker and full size refrigerator. There are three bathrooms, two upstairs and a bathroom with shower only on the main floor.

Credit Cards: American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover

Special Packages

ISLAND WEDDING PACKAGE
Option 1 - Transfers to and from the airport and to Basseterre to obtain license. Services of Minister or Magistrate and license. Bridal bouquet created with island flowers and groom's boutonniere. Traditional two tier wedding cake and Champagne or sparkling wine for toasting. Wedding on the dock at Timothy Beach Resort overlooking the Caribbean Sea with a decorated wedding arch. Cost US$540 per couple, plus 22% service charge and tax. Excludes accommodation.

Option 2 - Transfers to and from the airport and to Basseterre to obtain license. Services of Minister or Magistrate and license. Bridal bouquet created with island flowers and groom's boutonniere. Traditional two tier wedding cake and Champagne or sparkling wine for toasting. Wedding on a romantic natural beach or the beautifu grounds of Romney Manor beneath the ancient Saman Tree. Cost US$762 per couple, plus 22% service charge and tax. Excludes accommodation.

HONEYMOON/ROMANCE PACKAGE
This 7 night package for couples includes return airport transfers. Accommodation for 7 nights in a large air-conditioned, Ocean View Room with a spacious balcony. Welcome bottle of chilled Champagne. Full breakfast daily served on the beach side covered restaurant terrace. A three-course dinner for two on an evening of choice from the restaurant's full a la carte menu. A private island tour. Cost from US$1,399 per couple for 7 nights, including tax and service charges.

DELUXE HONEYMOON/ROMANCE PACKAGE
This 7 night package for couples includes return airport transfers. Accommodation for 7 nights in a large air-conditioned, Ocean View One-Bedroom Suite with living/dining area and a spacious balcony. Welcome bottle of chilled Champagne. Full breakfast daily served on the beach side covered restaurant terrace. A three-course dinner for two on an evening of choice from the restaurant's full a la carte menu. A catamaran cruise with snorkelling, open bar and picnic lunch on Nevis. Cost from US$1,759 per couple for 7 nights, including tax and service charges.

ST KITTS NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE PACKAGE
This 7 night package for couples includes return airport transfers. Accommodation for 7 nights in a large air-conditioned, Ocean View Room with a spacious balcony. Welcome bottle of chilled Champagne or island fruit drink. Full breakfast daily served on the beach side covered restaurant terrace. A three-course dinner for two on an evening of choice from the restaurant's full a la carte menu. A rain forest hike, a St Kitts Scenic Railway trip and a catamaran cruise with snorkelling, open bar and picnic lunch on Nevis. Cost from US$1,799 per couple for 7 nights, including tax and service charges.

ST KITTS CUISINE PACKAGE
This 3 night package for couples includes return airport transfers, accommodation for 3 nights in a large air-conditioned, Ocean View Room with a spacious balcony, a welcome rum or fruit punch and full breakfast daily served on the beach side covered restaurant terrace. PLUS - A Caribbean Cooks cooking class. A Caribbean Cooks Special Dinner Cuisine Class and candlelit dinner for two including a complimentary glass of white wine or a rum punch. A private island tour to include a visit to Brimstone Hill Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Caribelle Batik and Romney Manor, and a Caribbean buffet lunch. Cost US$875 from 16 Apr to 20 Dec 2011, per couple for 3 nights, including tax and service charges.

ST KITTS HISTORY, CUISINE AND CULTURE PACKAGE
This 7 night package for couples includes return airport transfers., accommodation for 7 nights in a large air-conditioned, Ocean View Room with a spacious balcony, a welcome rum or fruit punch and full breakfast daily served on the beach side covered restaurant terrace. PLUS - A Caribbean Cooks cooking class. A Caribbean Cooks Special Dinner Cuisine Class and candlelit dinner for two including a complimentary glass of white wine or a rum punch. A private island tour to include a visit to Brimstone Hill Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Caribelle Batik and Romney Manor, and a Caribbean buffet lunch. A Valley of the Giants or a Plantation Heritage Tour. A St Kitts Scenic Railway excursion. Cost from US$1,799 per couple for 7 nights, including tax and service charges.

All rates and package inclusions may be subject to change without notice.

Locality

Timothy Beach is situated right in Frigate Bay, the centre of tourism in St Kitts. It sits just above Frigate Bay 'South', the Caribbean beach, where the beach bars stand almost shoulder to shoulder along the sand. It is a popular beach with the Kittitians as well as tourists. There are many more hotels on Frigate Bay 'North', the Atlantic side, where there are also some restaurants - try the pizza restaurant, PJ's - and a couple of beach bars that you can visit as an independent traveller. You will also find the Royal St Kitts Golf Course on this side.

In order to see real St Kitts life, you have to climb out of the valley to the north (you are likely to have arrived from this direction when coming from the airport). After passing through a light industrial area you come into Basseterre the capital, on the Caribbean side of the island. It is a pleasant town which (unlike many other towns in the Caribbean) has not been completely rebuilt in concrete. You will notice the stone and wood 'skirt and shirt' buildings. There are some cafes and shops around the 'Circus' and Independence Square.

The mountainous north of the island is exceptionally pretty. Until recently it was blanketed with the light green of sugarcane fields, but the industry closed in 2006 and so it is gradually being reclaimed by the darker green of tropical scrub. Many people make a round-island tour, stopping off at the small villages and maybe at one of the plantation houses such as Ottleys. If you head south out of Frigate Bay you come into the South-Eastern peninsular, a section of hills that is barely developed (though there is plenty in the planning for the far south of the island). There are several good beaches along the peninsular, many with beach bars.

Meet & Greet

If you are travelling independently, Timothy Beach would be happy to arrange for a taxi driver to meet you at the airport (they are usually readily available there anyway). The ride takes around ten minutes and costs US$12. Alternatively, if you would prefer to be taken care of from the minute you arrive at the airport until the time that you leave, a Transfer and Concierge Service is offered by Kantours.

If you have booked your trip through a travel organiser, it is likely that their representative will be at the airport to meet you. This service and your return airport transfers should be included in the cost of your holiday. Please check at the time of booking.

Getting Around

You should definitely explore St Kitts while you are visiting. It is exceptionally beautiful and it is fun to see a bit of West Indian life. This can be arranged through an island tour, of which there are plenty, or through a taxi tour, which are available through drivers that Timothy Beach knows well.

You may want to consider hiring a car. It means that you can travel at your own pace, visiting beaches by day and restaurants in the evenings and is very useful if you are catering for yourself and need to get groceries. We recommend that you book your rental car in advance via your travel organiser or direct with TDC Thrifty Car Rentals, who will deliver to the property and issue your Kittitian driving licence, price US$20. 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 in August there can be a shortage of cars in St Kitts, so you are advised to book in advance. Also book early if you want one for a week or more because the pre-booked rates can be better.