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| | Key Features
NEVIS, a small and delightful volcanic island, sister island to St Kitts, not that easy to get to (usually via Antigua or St Kitts), but consequently uncrowded and largely unspoiled. Just a few mid and light brown sand beaches, one long main beach, some secluded, others lively with sports and beach bars. Generally unhurried island with a gracious, old West Indian air and a handful of the Caribbean’s most enchanting plantation house hotels (just one large hotel, others smaller), many lovely villas, some good restaurants. Excellent golf, biking, hiking, visible history in the historic houses and churches, some watersports | | |
THE DEFINITIVE NEVIS GUIDE, THE DEFINITIVE CARIBBEAN TRAVEL GUIDE FOR NEVIS
Nevis has endless, unutterable charm. The island is small, gentle and unhurried, and wonderfully beautiful, immensely fertile and overwhelmingly green. And with its lovely old buildings and plantation houses, it hints at the grace and finery of past ages in the West Indies. More than other Caribbean islands Nevis brings memories of the romantic West Indies of old. This is not to say it is marooned in the past, but still it retains more traditional West Indian charm than any other Caribbean island.
Just six miles by eight, the island is dominated by a massive volcanic cone, the Nevis Peak. Its slopes sweep down in graceful concave curves, rising momentarily over a couple of outlying lieutenants, and then tumbling to the flatlands, becahes and the sea. Politically Nevis is in Federation with St Kitts, which is just two miles away across ‘the Narrows’. The view of each from the other is beautiful, but despite their proximity the two are in fact quite different in atmosphere.
It is easy to relax in a place with such understated allure, but if you find yourself looking for some activity after a few days then there is a surprising amount to do, for a small island. There are some lively beaches and bars, there are good sights and the island’s visible history is there to explore - Charlestown is a pretty town and all around the island you will see the beautiful blackened stonework of the past in the walls, bridges and churches. There is also excellent walking in the island’s rainforested flanks. Everything is on quite a small scale, but if you don’t need round the clock entertainment, then Nevis is a place that can fill your days and evenings.
A good part of the historic enchantment of Nevis comes from its plantation house hotels, which are the loveliest in the Caribbean. If you are not staying in one then you should definitely visit, perhaps by going to dinner. Inevitably, with the straighter, faster roads and mroe modern houses, this sense of historic connection is gradually disappearing. Nevis has moved on and there are modern hotels there too. But with all its gentility and charm, Nevis still retains the old time West Indian ambience that makes it so special. |
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Stories from the Standpipe
A family staying at the Four Seasons in Nevis liked to try out "local" pizzas when travelling away from home. On a hike with Jim Johnson (Top to Bottom) they mentioned this and so he recommended a small place called Mem's. Mem’s is not a typical tourist place... On one occasion, when they ran out of regular cheese, they used Parmesan instead… and they have been known to substitute tuna with sardines when the need arises, even with anchovies when desperate… but, led by their two daughters (13 and 16), local pizza was what the family wanted, so Mem’s it was.
Next morning, after shopping in Charlestown, they decided to try Mem's for lunch. They knew there were always taxis in town, so when they saw a line of vans sitting by the main square, they went across and asked about going to Mem's. "No problem man", came the answer from the driver, so the family got aboard and spread themselves around the minibus. The driver, who had been eating his chicken lunch, got out to throw away his trash and at the same time popped his head into the shop by the vehicle, shouting "Heading into Brown Hill".
Suddenly the shop emptied and a whole crowd came running over and started to clamber on board. The 16 year old daughter was handed a baby by one lady, who then went back into the store for her shopping. It only dawned on the family what had happened when on of the passengers said how great it was that there were tourists riding a bus instead of taking a taxi! It was a local bus, not a taxi. The father was too embarrassed to tell them their mistake. They got to Mem's and the minibus went through the reverse loading procedure, with everyone piling out in order to let the family out (and to reclaim the baby from the daughter). After a ride like that the family went inside and ordered a pizza with everything.
After lunch the manager of Mem's asked if she could call them a taxi to get them back to Four Seasons. Both daughters shouted together -
"No, let's ride another bus". So they did.
The Unintentional Bus Journey is from a story provided by Jim Johnson (www.walknevis.com), edited by James Henderson
For more island gossip and stories click here
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Accommodation
Nevis is not a large island and it has never ‘gone’ for mass tourism. Instead there are lots of small hotels with their own distinctive style. In fact there is only one large hotel on the island, the Four Seasons Resort on Pinneys Beach. (When it opened in 1990 the Four Seasons more than doubled the number of hotel rooms on the island.
The unique thing about Nevis is its group of plantation hotels. These are some of the loveliest and most atmospheric places to stay in the whole Caribbean. Interestingly, Nevis’s sister island St Kitts, also has a couple of equally delightful hotels in the same style, but there are only a handful of other in the whole of the rest of the Caribbean.
There are of course other more traditional Caribbean beach hotels, but the other key feature of accommodation on Nevis is the villas. The island has recently made itself a name as a villa destination. Even here, the plantation style of the island has been picked up by architects and designers, and many of the owners have opted for antiques, furniture and design themes akin to an English country house or hinting at the island’s old colonial past. Most of these are independent villas, but some are also contained within estates that have some central facilities. Here the style is likely to be more modern such as villas at the Four Seasons resort, or at Hurricane Cove where unusually the ‘bungalows’ are like log cabins.
Hotels & Resorts
Nevis’s plantation hotels are truly special. Set in wonderful tropical gardens around historic buildings (dating, in the case of the Hermitage, from the 1680s), they have a classic Caribbean air, of old-time elegance and gracious hospitality. Only Nisbet is set on the beach rather than inland (though Montpelier and the Hermitage do have beach houses), but there are other more regular beach resorts.
| Four Seasons Resort
A full service beach resort with Four Seasons exacting standards, in the magnificent setting of Pinney's Beach on the Caribbean coast of Nevis.
Key Features: One of the exclusive Caribbean resorts. Big, international standard beachfront Nevis hotel, 196 large and luxurious rooms and suites, 3 restaurants, excellent golf course, full service spa, full watersports, 10 tennis courts, villas in the grounds for Nevis rentals.
From US$335/night in summer | | Montpelier Plantation Inn
An extremely refined plantation house hotel with an air of historic romance, set on a sweeping hillside. Small, elegant, with gracious hosts (it is family owned and run).
Key Features: Famous Nevis hotel, 17 rooms in a hillside garden setting, pool, tennis court, good views, elegant dining, beach house on a nice stretch of Pinney’s beach.
From US$290/night in summer | | Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
Unhurried, Unspoiled, Uncommon...is what they say about Nisbet, an elegant plantation house hotel set (uniquely) right on the beach; large and attractive rooms in cottages scattered around stunning grounds with tall palms; Great House refinement, excellent wedding venue.
Key Features: Rare beachfront gem among Nevis hotels, 36 rooms and suites, plantation Great House focal point, pool and hot tub, beach bar and restaurant, tennis, The Palms Spa, fitness centre, internet access and WiFi, afternoon tea, croquet. Good with special dietary needs.
From US$350/night in summer | | | ^ back to top |
Small Hotels & Inns
Many of Nevis’s plantation hotels, although among the leading hotels in the Caribbean, are small, and are actually called inns, and so they also fit into our Small Hotel and Inn category.
| Hermitage Plantation Inn
A wonderful plantation inn, with gracious West Indian atmosphere, set on the flanks of Mount Nevis. Authentic style, intimate retreat for couples, Nevis weddings and honeymoons.
Key Features: Small Nevis hotel for an intimate Nevis vacation, 15 rooms in pretty gingerbread cottages plus 3-bed private villa with pool, hotel pool, tennis court, riding; ever lively and fun, family owned and run, with beach club on Pinneys Beach.
From US$170/night in summer | | Montpelier Plantation Inn
An extremely refined plantation house hotel with an air of historic romance, set on a sweeping hillside. Small, elegant, with gracious hosts (it is family owned and run).
Key Features: A fine Nevis hotel, 17 rooms in a hillside garden setting, pool, tennis court, good views, elegant dining, beach house on a nice stretch of Pinney’s beach.
From US$290/night in summer | | Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
Unhurried, Unspoiled, Uncommon...is what they say about Nisbet, an elegant plantation house hotel set (uniquely) right on the beach; large and attractive rooms in cottages scattered around stunning grounds with tall palms; Great House refinement, excellent wedding venue.
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.
From US$350/night in summer | | Oualie Beach Resort
A small beachfront hotel with plenty of easy-going Caribbean charm, set right on the lovely Oualie Beach, overlooking St Kitts and the sunset. Excellent Nevis vacation for families.
Key Features: Nevis hotel and Nevis resort, 32 rooms and self-catering suites, safe swimming, plenty of sports (scuba, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, deep-sea fishing, mountain biking and horse-riding), so good for families, beach bar style restaurant with wireless hotspot, some Caribbean spa services - Reiki, reflexology and massage.
From US$215/night in summer | | | ^ back to top |
Villas
Nevis is a strong villa destination for its size and there are some lovely houses with all mod cons, but the island it is not fully developed yet by any means. Also you should exercise some caution if you are looking for top standards as the quality can be variable and not all are up to scratch, particularly for the sort of money that is being asked for rental. This is not because owners are trying to fleece you, rather that by comparison with the rest of the Caribbean they don’t provide the service for the money that they are asking.
The solution lies with the property management. If this is good, the chances are that the manager will match your requirements and standards to the right property for you. Similarly a few owners are as particular about who goes into their home as you are about the standards you require. This usually produces a happy outcome.
The properties featured on DefinitiveCaribbean represent some of the best villas for rental on Nevis. We will be adding more shortly. All villas come with a housekeeper or maid service. Help with the cooking and babysitting can usually be arranged. Service charges are not included so it is expected that you will tip your staff suitably. For advice, please refer to the owner or the local manager.
| | Sleeps 9 | Lambsdown and Firefly Cottages
A wonderful Nevis villa set up including a restored traditional building and a small collection of traditional and Caribbean style one-bedroom cottages, set in the fantastic greenery of the lower slopes of Nevis Peak.
Key Features: Superb Nevis rentals choice, mountainside setting above Oualie Beach, TV, CD and tape machine, barbecue, washing machine, dryer
From US$800-2,200/week in summer | | | Sleeps 8 | Allamanda
A 3 bedroom/3 bathroom Nevis villa, on the hillside above Oualie Bay close to Nevis's sports' beach, with excellent swimming. Ideal for entertaining or a large family (sleeps 8 when bunk beds are utilised).
Key Features: Excellent Nevis rentals villa, views to St Kitts, swimming pool, cable TV, phone, safe stereo cd and tape deck, barbecue
From US$1,900-2,225/week in summer | | Coral Gate
Lovely 4-bedroom colonial style villa for Nevis rentals with private pool set above Pinneys Beach and the Four Seasons Resort with fabulous 360 degree views to Nevis Peak behind and across to St. Kitts. Excellent family villa.
Key Features: Delightful Nevis villa, hillside setting with views over Pinneys Beach. Very large cable TV, VCR, CD and tape, phone, safe, washing machine
From US$1,700-2,100/week in summer | | Hill Rise House
A charming 2-bedroom/2 bathroom villa in a cottage style set in wonderfully colourful gardens with superb views to St Kitts and Mt Nevis as a back drop. A second 2-bedroom cottage allows eight people to share. Good privacy for couples.
Key Features: Great Nevis villa for keen tennis players, large swimming pool, pool house and private tennis court, excellent housekeeper. | | Sandpiper
A very liveable tropical four-bedroom house set just across from the beach in Oualie Bay on Nevis. Sandpiper is a timber-frame house in creole style, with brightly coloured rooms with louvered windows that open to the breeze, enclosed in a pretty tropical garden.
Key Features: Nevis Sandpiper villa rental: four-bedroom Nevis villa, full kitchen with large fridge-freezer with toaster, coffee maker and dishwasher, sitting room with TV, CD and cassette player, dial up internet, swimming pool, barbecue.
From US$1,700-2,200/week in summer | | Sugar Hill
A 4-bedroom Nevis villa in contemporary country house style set at 1100 ft on the flanks of Mt Nevis, giving fantastic views south to Montserrat and Antigua. Excellent choice for nature lovers and weddings.
Key Features: Stunning Nevis rentals option, hillside setting above the south-east coast, CD and tape player, phone, washing-machine, dryer, generator, ceiling fans. Swimming pool 32’x 14’ Depth 5’6” x 4’6”
From US$1,800-2,600/week summer | | | Sleeps 6 | Coralita
An extremely pretty creole-style house style set high in the Golden Rock Estate on the east coast of Nevis. Coralita has two bedrooms (and a simple third room in the pool house) and is simple and comfortable and a veranda with a lovely view. It has a pool in the very pretty gardens.
Key Features: Very attractive Nevis property rental, close to Golden Rock Plantation Inn, two bedrooms, full kitchen, living room with cable TV, large veranda, attractive gardens, gas BBQ. Separate wooden pool house (sleeps two).
From US$1,400-1,600/week in summer | | | Sleeps 5 | Amazing Grace
A stylish 2-3 bedroom Nevis villa with innovative design, excellent gardens and fabulous views, oriental furnishings and decorative art by the owner.
Key Features: Hilltop Nevis rentals setting in the Montpelier Estate east of Charlestown, two buildings either side of a 60ft rectangular lap pool, TV, CD and tape machine, generator, barbecue, washing machine, dryer
From US$1,400/week in summer | | | ^ back to top |
Villa Resorts
Villa resorts come in many different styles and guises, but the common thread is that they have self-catering villas attached to some common facilities. In a small villa resort this may be just a shared swimming pool or a bar/restaurant and in larger ones there may be a range of sporting or spa facilities, but staying in a 'resort' style villa gives you the privacy and freedom of a villa holiday with some of the services of a hotel. It is particularly popular with families or those that like the idea of a sense of community around the beach and pool or bar.
| Hurricane Cove Bungalows
A quiet bungalow hideaway in a delightful setting above Oualie Bay with fantastic views over a Caribbean beach and to St. Kitts.
Key Features: Twelve 1, 2 and 3-bedroom self catering Nevis villa & bungalows, shared swimming pool, some with private pools, small shop for basics, full kitchens; short stroll to beach for sports, watersports, scuba diving, restaurant and bar.
From US$165/night in summer | | | ^ back to top |
Cottages, Apartments and Condominiums
If a villa is too big or extravagant for your needs, but you are looking for an independent, self-catering option then a cottage, apartment or condominium might be the ideal choice. There is a limited choice on island at the moment, in good settings to be sure, and more are being built. As with all our featured accommodation, we only show that which we believe is the 'best of' this category on Nevis.
| Hurricane Cove Bungalows
A quiet hideaway with fantastic views over a Caribbean beach and to St. Kitts. Just twelve one, two and three bedroom bungalows in a delightful hillside setting above Oualie Bay, a short stroll to the beach, sports, watersports and scuba diving.
Key Features: Self-catering Nevis villa & bungalows, shared swimming pool, some with private pools, small shop for basics, full kitchens.
From US$165/night in summer | | | ^ back to top |
Guest Houses
We have not yet found any guest houses to recommend on Nevis. If you have had a particularly good experience, we would like to hear from you. Please email here.
Sailing and Cruising
No hotels or villas on Nevis offer a stay sail package and Nevis has no yacht charter bases.
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