Nevis

Nevis: An Undiscovered Gem Across the Water from St. Kitts

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Nevis is one of those islands that just never occurred to me to visit. Don’t get me wrong: I’m the type of person who wants to visit anywhere I haven’t been before—well, other than China; I never had a desire to go there, and then found myself in Shanghai and it was pretty much just as I expected—but two seconds on the Caribbean island made me wonder why it hadn’t been higher on my list (or rather, on my list at all).

NevisI mean, COME ON.

Nevis panoramaThe thing is that on a Sunday, in Nevis, there isn’t much to do. Luckily, that’s the recipe for my favorite kind of day.

Four Seasons NevisOur Star Clippers tender let us off in Charlestown, which might as well have been uninhabited. On Sundays, everything is closed. It would have taken too long to get over to neighboring St. Kitts by ferry. So, alongside Carol and Steve—who had been to the island a handful of times before—we wandered along the beach in search of Internet (them) and a pool and lounge chairs (us) at the Four Seasons Nevis.

Four Seasons Nevis It took us the better part of half an hour, sloughing through the sand, monkeys twittering about in the trees that flanked the coast. When we got to the resort’s domain, there was a path that led from the sand up to the pool There was virtually nobody there. SVV and I claimed a table and a lounger.

NevisWe were immediately approached by a pair of employees, who asked our room number. I thought they were going to kick us out when I confessed we weren’t actually guests. But they didn’t. They brought us a bar menu instead, and we promptly ordered cocktails and an appetizer.

Four Seasons NevisI’ve stayed in many Four Seasons resorts—from high up in the mountains of Vail to perched above the Opera House in Sydney—and this one was just as nice as all the rest, yet more laid back. The infinity pool was awesome, with beanbags that floated, and I could have spent days just chilling poolside here. But a full day of nothingness turned into three hours at the Four Seasons turned into time to go to catch the last tender, and suddenly our afternoon was over.

Four Seasons NevisWe trekked back up the beach and caught a ride with the Star Clippers‘ sports team on their zodiac back to the ship and enjoyed the beautiful view Nevis afforded from the water.

Nevis-12 Nevis-13There are islands we visited that I don’t feel the need to ever return to (see: St. Maarten, Guadeloupe)—and then there’s Nevis. Next time, I think I’ll pair her with a few days on her other, bigger half, St. Kitts, but the point is not if but “when,” as there will be a next time.

Four Seasons Nevis

If you’d like to visit the Four Seasons Nevis for your next Caribbean vacation, drop me a line at Kristin (at) GroupTrekTravel (dot) come, and I’ll hook you up.

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COMMENTS
  • January 18, 2013

    Looks like the perfect place to do a lot of nothing.

  • January 18, 2013

    I was lucky enough to go to Nevis on a press trip last year, and I stayed at the Montpelier Plantation – seriously one of my favourite hotels ever.

    I always kind of prefer smaller, more individual hotels to the big fish like the Four Seasons (even though they’re obviously amazing too), and this place was absolutely stunning – and the food was incredible. I still dream about spiny lobster scrambled egg breakfasts….

    Plus the islanders are amazing. It’s still such a small, close-knit community – older people are always known as Mr or Mrs (insert last name here) and every time a driver sees another driver they know, they toot their horns. As everyone knows everybody else, there’s a whole bunch of horn tooting going on!

    • January 21, 2013

      Oooh, I see that property pop up on Jetsetter all the time, and I really want to stay there! I like to mix it up with smaller, intimate properties and the bigger Four Seasons-style resorts that have all the bells and whistles.

  • January 19, 2013

    Looks like an Awesome place! Glad you could visit it. The color of the water and the unspoilt beach looks pristine. Gorgeous weather too.

  • January 20, 2013

    Whoa- what an unexpected gem!
    …Also feel pretty silly that I didn’t know that island existed until I read this blog post. Oh well.

    • January 21, 2013

      Well, most people hear of St. Kitts because it’s the bigger island with the airport. Often people refer to the country just as St. Kitts and leave out Nevis entirely, so I hardly doubt that you’re alone!

  • January 20, 2013

    Looks like a gorgeous spot, sometimes on Sundays these resorts are “open to the public” meaning locals – at least that has been my experience in French Polynesia, which may be why they didn’t kick you out.

    • January 21, 2013

      Interesting. I sort of got the impression that the island has such little foot traffic that they would let any paying customers in! But maybe we just caught them on a good day =)

  • January 21, 2013

    What a pool!!!!

  • January 21, 2013
    Haidang

    -honeymoon round II with SVV

    -never had a desire to go to China either. but we need to make it to the great wall at some point right?

    • January 21, 2013

      Every day is a honeymoon with SVV!

      I am with you, though–I think the only circumstance in which I would go back to China (Hong Kong aside; I really like that city) is to do the Great Wall. The rest of the country is just too crowded and polluted (and dare I say, rude) for my liking. Completely opposite of Vietnam, where the people couldn’t have been kinder!

      • January 21, 2013
        Haidang

        Don’t forget to write that on a card and give it to SVV ;- )

        As for China, only been to HK and Macau…my mom was incredibly glad i forgot you could jump off the tower in Macau- she said the rope was more likely to break b/c it’s made in China -_-. But yes, i completely concur with everything you said- SO incredibly crowded, SO incredibly polluted (even HK now too), and of course rude. Im sure people in the rural areas are nicer though. For Vietnam – im glad you had a great time. I find Vietnamese people to be really rude (maybe b/c i understand the language) compared to Thai , Burmese, Laotians, &Cambodians (maybe b/c i dont understand their languages ^_^). Guess it’s just all perspective! Anyway, your camera’s twin came in the mail today. Waiting for its “eyes” to arrive now. Pictures coming soon…or sibling rivalry? ha ha

  • January 21, 2013
    Haidang

    staying on topic about Nevis… ;-)…i have not touched Eastern Carrib. Islands yet but since you are…put this on the list? (St Lucia ) http://www.jademountain.com/default.html

  • January 21, 2013

    Looking at pics like these while having a broken heater in the apt is cruel (ok, we’re talking San Francisco winter – but it’s still cold!)

    • January 22, 2013

      I think San Francisco winter is worse than any winter I’ve lived through–it’s deceiving; it looks so blue and sunny out, and then the wind from the Bay is enough to have you running back inside for cover!

  • January 21, 2013

    Those are my kind of days!

  • January 22, 2013

    This is just the kind of place I could spend the rest of my life… And the kind of views I could die in front of! I have never been there but now it might be my next destination!^^
    Thank you for those awesome pictures! 🙂
    Mélanie F.

    • January 25, 2013

      Agreed! I should have looked at real estate during our brief five hours there 😉

      • January 28, 2013

        Hummmm,
        Yes maybe you should have^^ but it is never too late!! 🙂
        I hope the time will come where i’ll have gathered anough money to invest in such a place 🙂
        Thanks for your quick reply!
        Mélanie F.

  • January 22, 2013

    As Liz Lemon says “I want to go to there!” Looks like paradise. If I’m able to make it down there (mid-winter sun trip?!) I’ll definitely be sure to talk to you about the Four Seasons hookup!

  • January 23, 2013

    I never heard of Nevis before. These photos speak for themselves, they are stunning. Would love to go on holiday on these beaches.

  • January 23, 2013

    Nevis is now on my MUST visit list! Seriously, that looks like my kind of place, if I can ditch my kid somewhere …

    Also, I love that you just showed up at the resort pool and they were so welcoming. Long long ago, I went to LA for a week with a friend. One day our hostess told us to put on our swimsuits and jump in the car. She drove us to Palm Springs where we pulled up to a swanky hotel, walked through the doors like we were staying there and right out to the pool area. I spent the entire time freaking out that we’d get found out and thrown out. Never happened. I should have just sat back and enjoyed it. Fun memories 🙂

    • January 25, 2013

      Did you know you can pretty much do that at any hotel in LA? LOVE that about the city! Nearly all of the pools are open to the public.

  • January 23, 2013

    It’s 16F degrees in NYC right now. I would much rather be on this island with a drink in hand!

    • January 23, 2013

      Agreed! My car said 7° this morning! Brrrrr!

  • January 23, 2013

    That looks magical. I would like to be there…Right Now.

    • January 25, 2013

      It’s in the 20s here in TN, which is a rarity (OK, I know nothing compared to Chicago but still…), and I’m ready to be back on that beach, like, yesterday.

  • January 24, 2013

    This is certainly not on my short list, but after seeing these photos I am seriously reconsidering! It looks like the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

    • January 25, 2013

      I know, right? Wasn’t on my list either–in fact, it might have been the island I was least excited about on our itinerary going into the cruise!

  • January 24, 2013

    Sounds like a perfectly simple sort of day – and those beaches – absolute perfection!

    • January 25, 2013

      The type of place that forces the over-energetic like you and me to slow down and chill the eff out!

  • January 24, 2013

    For a moment thought you were referring to Australasia’s biggest bungy jump aka: The Nevis, which is neither a calming nor soothing experience!
    Your Nevis, on the other hand, looks like a beaut.

    • January 24, 2013

      HA! So true! Have you done it? That’s always been on my adventure bucket list–I did the SkyTower bungee in Macau and New Zealand—and a water-touch bungy in Taupo—but when it comes down to it (if ever), it will be interesting to see if I could actually make the Nevis jump…or if I’d chicken out!

  • January 30, 2013

    all of these caribbean posts are such a welcome break from winter. since it is blah and snow covered outside, i find that i can look at these beachy pictures all day. definitely day dreaming material. thank you!

    • January 31, 2013

      I can’t complain, I’m sure, compared to your Colorado winters, but we’ve had pretty crappy winter this past month here in Tennessee–from nonstop rains to freakin’ tornadoes!

  • January 31, 2013

    This Four Seasons property appears to be like heaven recreated on a heaven like Nevis.Never heard about this island before, it seems St. Kitts hogs the maximum highlight. Now, as you put it aptly, I am also going to club these together and plan my schedule accordingly.

    • January 31, 2013

      Good plan! Seems you go to St. Kitts for the action and to Nevis to get away from it all.

  • February 1, 2013

    Incredible island. I can definitely see myself simply lounging next to the pool.

  • February 7, 2013

    A wonderful place to travel. Great!

  • February 7, 2013

    St. Kitts and Nevis were for me as well like those little island spots you never heard of. However, I really liked St. Kitts a lot (unfortunately there was no time to visit Nevis as well) and I als o will for sure one day return to this cute island.

  • February 9, 2013

    Nevis looks stunning. It was not on my list either but definitely is now! Thanks.

  • February 9, 2013

    This is such an awesome scenery. I wonder where Nevis is located.

  • February 15, 2013

    My God! wonderful pics and place!!!

  • February 21, 2013

    Yu have really convinced me to go back to the Caribbean. It’s been so long since I last visited and even then I only went to Jamaica. Your pics of Nevis look extremely enticing and loved your story of stopping off at the Four Seasons. That’s exactly the sort of thing I would do. Most hotels are normally quite accommodating of guest visitors which is how it should be.

  • April 22, 2013

    That looks like the definition of paradise the scenery looks amazing…true bliss. I should stop reading your blog because my bucket list is getting too large and I’m not sure if I’ll live long enough / make enough money to be able to do all of them 🙁

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