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Montpelier Plantation Inn is in the very best tradition of the plantation house hotels that Nevis does so well. Set in lawned gardens, looking to Nevis Peak in one direction and to the Caribbean Sea in the other, the small hotel centres on a restored great house and its conical windmill, whose very stones sing of old time West Indian romance. It is heart-stoppingly pretty. The interiors however, and the 18 rooms and suites gathered around the grounds in cottages, have a modern tropical touch, with vibrant splashes of colour on a stylish, subdued background. Family owned and run, Montpelier is the most refined of the Nevis plantation hotels. Its keynote of traditional Caribbean graciousness, along with its contemporary style and excellent cuisine, give it all the refinement of an elegant country house hotel in the tropics.
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KEY FEATURES
| Famous Nevis hotel, 18 rooms in a hillside garden setting and a club house on a nice stretch of Pinney’s beach. Large freshwater swimming pool. Breakfast Terrace, Pool Bar for lunch and afternoon tea, Great Room lounge and bar, Great Room Terrace and The Mill restaurants for elegant dining. Tennis court, concierge, gift shop, book & DVD library, games room with TV, beach shuttle and complimentary internet access. |
STYLE
| Understated elegance in the romantic and historic setting of a restored stone 18th Century plantation house and gardens, but with modern levels of comfort and contemporary interior design. Montpelier offers elegant plantation-style living |
CLIENT PROFILE
| Well heeled and sophisticated independent travellers from both sides of the Atlantic |
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There is a wonderful sense of historic romance about Montpelier. From the moment you pass through the hefty metal gates at the entrance to the inn you feel the splendour of plantation life, in the beautiful cut-stone walls and flattened Georgian arches that have the burnt-black authenticity of the eighteenth century, in the cannon at the entrance and in the twelve leisurely acres of gardens that are planted with colourful sprays of tropical bushes set within 30 acres of rolling country side with spacious views of the sea and Mount Nevis. Montpelier is the most refined of Nevis’s plantation house hotels.
As you arrive you draw up beneath a huge ficus tree to the steps of the Great House. This is the heart of the hotel and (although it is a restoration) its stones are redolent with the grace and finery of centuries past, when Nevis needed a fleet of ocean going ships to keep it supplied with luxuries (and the machinery of sugar production). A windmill, originally built to crush cane, stands above the Great House, marooned in bougainvillea now and is an intimate restaurant. In the Great Room itself pre dinner drinks and cocktails are served beneath a beautiful barrel-vaulted ceiling. The dining room, on the western veranda, leads off the Great Room and has a delightful view, down 750 feet to the sea below and on to the sea horizon. At night it is often utterly dark, interrupted only occasionally by the lights of passing ship, as undeveloped as it was two centuries ago.
Of course the atmosphere of modern-day Montpelier is made of other things besides, though the level of elegance is retained. Actually on arrival you are greeted with a chilled towel and a rum punch or a juice made with fruit from the property. The Hoffmans, the owners of the inn, will also be there to welcome you and will take you to your room. You are simply asked to register some time before you leave. Around the hotel there are moments of modern style and design, hefty sticks of bamboo and the hardware of the old sugar industry, that bring a contemporary touch. The ambience at Montpelier is that of an international house party, quite sedate, but carefully steered and casually elegant.
The seventeen rooms are set in modern buildings scattered around the huge lawned gardens. These don’t have the same traditional appearance of the main house at all, or even the character of the wooden, red wriggly-tin-roofed administration building, but inside they are large and nicely decorated in contemporary style. There are generally two bedrooms to a cottage, but the entrances, fed by their own paths through the greenery, are completely separate and there is no sense of sharing a building. Each room has very private outside space.
If you are feeling active then there is a large swimming pool just above the Great House and a tennis court in the grounds, even a croquet lawn. And if you want to visit the beach, Montpelier also has a beach house, Montpelier by the Sea, which is set at the northern end of Pinney’s Beach, with its own facilities. A daily shuttle takes guests there.
If there is a sense of historic romance about Montpelier, it has also been the site of romantic history. In the 1780s a young Horatio Nelson was stationed in the area, in command of HMS Boreas. He spent a lot of time in a lookout on Saddle Hill. And then in 1787 he was married, in another great house on the Montpelier estate (a few hundred yards up the hill), to a widow living in Nevis, Fanny Nesbit. She was given away by Nelson’s friend and naval colleague, the future King William IV. Their signatures can be seen in the register in the local church, Fig Tree Church. See the story of Montpelier Plantation.
Like many Caribbean hotels, Montpelier specialises in giving the opportunity to do very little, in good comfort and often in good company. You will find yourself sitting on your balcony enjoying the quiet and dreamy tropical afternoon, or on one of the benches placed strategically around the grounds, from where the view carries down to the Caribbean Sea and then to infinity.
Guests tend to scatter by day, to explore the island or simply to enjoy the solitude of their rooms, but then in the early evening they return to the Great House, to gather for drinks before dinner. The Great Room is the heart of the plantation, just as it was two centuries ago, and as you walk through the gardens, which look fantastic at night, you could almost be back in Nevis’s plantation heyday.
Update, October 2008 – During the last year Montpelier has renovated over 60% of their rooms. In October 2007 a new bedroom category became available with the creation of eight Plantation Rooms. Formerly Premium Rooms, they were re-styled with new wooden floors, comfortable lounging chairs, a mini fridge and in-room bar menu and larger chairs on the porch. Completely new bathrooms were installed with mahogany vanities, vessel sinks and Elemis amenities. Then in early 2008 a new Villa Suite in a separate two-bedroom cottage was built. It has a plunge pool (9ft x 7ft), living room, two covered porches and a sundeck. In-room facilities include a wet bar, Nespresso coffee machine and full entertainment centre with TV, DVD, CD, MP3 station and internet access. During the annual summer ( 18 Aug-04 Oct 2008) closure the Junior Suite was completely renovated and replaced by a new Garden Suite which adjoins one of the Plantation Rooms. It has a spacious sitting area and bedroom with over 20ft of windows, a wet bar, WiFi and MP3 station, and en suite bathroom with a double walk-in shower. |
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Beach & Swimming
As a plantation house, Montpelier is not on the beach, but the inn owns a beach house, Montpelier by the Sea, at the northern end of Pinney’s Beach. A shuttle runs down at 10.30am (about fifteen minutes) and returns at the guests’ collective agreement in the afternoon. Reserved for guests of the inn, it is on a very nice stretch of the beach, good for swimming, and there are loungers and sun shades, and a changing room, shower and lavatory.
There is also a pavilion for a picnic lunch, which can be provided by the inn. Snorkelling equipment is provided, but if you would like to take part in more adventurous watersports, it is best to head down to Oualie Beach (ten minutes further on), where you will find windsurfing and kayaks (and mountain-biking) through Windsurfing Nevis and scuba diving through Scuba Safaris.
Montpelier has a large pool in its grounds, just behind the main hotel building, around which is a sunbathing area. The daytime bar is right next door so you can order drinks and light meals. |
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Sports & Recreation
Montpelier has a hard tennis court. Racquets and balls are provided free of charge and lessons are available at extra cost. There is a Games Room with TV and DVD library and individual cassette players are available for those that want to listen to a recorded book from the library.
There is an excellent golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, at the Four Seasons resort on the west coast, about fifteen minutes drive away. There is also a spa at the Four Seasons, though a masseur or masseuse can also come to your room.
For something a little more active, walking tours are another really good part of life in Nevis. A couple of excellent guides take walks up into the rainforest and to look at the plantation ruins that abound in Nevis. Horse riding and mountain biking are also available. |
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Staff
Staff is hardly the word for the Hoffmans, the two generations of an American family that own and run Montpelier. In the best traditions of an inn they are very visible, entertaining the guests almost as though the place were a private house. The late Lincoln Hoffman and his wife Muffin have spent a lifetime travelling the world for work, much of it in the Far East. The next generation, son Timothy (who is the General Manager) and his wife Meredith also live on property. Their daughter Tonya is also a director and consultant. See the story of the how the Hoffmans came to own Montpelier.
The Executive Chef is Janice Barber, who has been at Montpelier since 2002, but has lived in the islands since 1989.
Personalised arrival and departure service
Montpelier have a very clever arrangement with Federal Express to take the hassle out of travelling whereby your luggage is shipped and arrives at the hotel before your arrival. At Montpelier, your suitcase will be unpacked, your clothes pressed and made ready for your arrival. Upon departure your packed suitcase can be picked up and returned to you at home. No more lost luggage worries! Please contact Montpelier about this service. |
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The Rooms
There are eighteen large rooms and two suites in cottages scattered around the leisurely gardens. They are stylishly decorated, with an expanse of white wall which is offset by mahogany woodwork and by the striking, colourful splash of a bright tropical flower or leaf. The upholstery is sleek and unfussy. Each room has two twin beds or a king bed (some are four posters with muslin hangings), louvered windows and a private terrace. The rooms at Montpelier have been air-conditioned, but at this elevation it is needed only for a few weeks each year. Most of the time the breeze can be coaxed through the glass louvres. There is a fridge, an iron and ironing board and hairdryer in each room. In the bathroom you will find Gilchrist and Soames toiletries.
The Garden Suite has a spacious bedroom with a four-poster king-size bed and sitting area with a wall of jalousie windows, bamboo flooring and en suite bathroom with a double walk-in shower. It also has a wet bar, WiFi and Ipod station, along with a delightful gazebo out in the garden for lounging. The two-bedroom Villa Suite is set apart from the other cottages and has its own plunge pool, wet bar, a spacious living room giving out to covered patios and a sundeck. It currently also has the only in-room television (in fact there is only one other television on the property, downstairs beneath the dining terrace), plus a DVD player, CD and MP3 station. |
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Dining
Dinner at Montpelier is in keeping with the inn’s house party style. There is a three course prix fixe menu, with three or four choices for each course. Seating is between 7:30 and 8:30 at individual tables. Guests generally gather for cocktails beforehand, which often has the result that during their stay they meet and dine with one another. The main dining room for dinner is off the bar in the Great House, the Terrace Restaurant, which has a fantastic view into the dark, sometimes moonlit night.
The Mill dining room is set in the striking setting of the old windmill shell above the Great House. Here there is a similar prix fixe menu, of four courses with choices and a complimentary glass of champagne. It operates three or four times a week in the season, so you will need to book in advance. There are 70 wines on the wine list.
Picnics are available for when you head down to Montpelier by the Sea.
The hotel is good at coping with special dietary needs, but it is a good idea to discuss your requirements prior to confirming your booking. |
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Weddings
Montpelier is a fantastically romantic backdrop for a wedding. It is like being in your own country house in the Tropics. And you won’t have to lift a finger. The Hoffman family are experienced hands at wedding and event planning. They organise about a wedding a month, catering for any number of guests, and so they know what needs to be done. They are at pains to ensure that each couple feels special, so while you are at Montpelier the staff is devoted to your needs. They will work closely with bride and groom to ensure that all their wishes are incorporated into an individual plan for the important day.
Please see some Wedding Ideas that you might wish to consider when planning for your wedding. |
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Children
Children over the age of eight are welcome at Montpelier. That said the hotel can have quite an adult atmosphere. |
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Useful Hints
Montpelier is not on the beach and you should be comfortable with the sedate and low key atmosphere. It is not intended to be a resort with a never-ending diet of activities. |
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Practical Facts
Annual Closure dates: 2010 tba
Dress Code: Smart casual. No shorts or T-shirts in the evenings. A light cardigan or shawl is advisable for winter dining.
Facilities: Concierge. Freshwaer swimming pool. Tennis court. Private beach club. Games room with TV, book and DVD library. Sugar Shop boutique. 2 restaurants - The Terrace and The Mill for dinner, plus the Breakfast Terrace, and the Pool Bar for lunch and afternoon tea. Great Room bar and lounge.
Complimentary: Welcome drink and cold towel on arrival, tennis and tennis equipment, snorkelling equipment, DVD/CD library, beach shuttle service, daily cooked breakfast and afternoon tea included in the rates. Live entertainment twice a week. Internet access.
Other Services: Federal Express luggage service (see under Staff), bookings for deep sea fishing, diving, sailing, golf, spa/massages, hikes, tours, other island trips
Children: Welcomed, 8 years and over
Weddings/Honeymoons: Wedding plans start from US$1,650 (see above under Weddings)
Accommodation: 18 rooms - 8 Premier Rooms, 8 Plantation Rooms and 1 Garden Suite and 1 Villa Suite
Room Types: All rooms have a view to the sea over the countryside, a private veranda, large tiled bathroom with a shower/tub, direct dial telephone, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, hair dryer, in-room safe, coffee/tea making facilities, iron and ironing board, 110/220v, fridge, Gilchrist & Soames goodies in the bathroom and either two twins or a king-size bed. The Plantation Rooms are newly refurbished existing rooms with new wood floors, king-size bed, larger chairs on the porch, and new bathrooms with mahogany vanities, vessel sinks, temperature controlled shower with rain-shower head. The Garden Suite has a private entrance from its garden terrace and a bedroom and sitting area with a wall of jalousie windows. It has WiFi, iPod station, a wet bar and a delightful reading gazebo with a sofa in the garden. The en suite bathroom has a walk-in shower for two. It adjoins a Plantation Room via a covered porch to the rear to create a 2-Bedroom Garden Suite. The Villa Suite is a separate two-bedroom cottage with plunge pool (9ft x 7ft), living room, two covered porches and a sundeck. In-room facilities include a wet bar, Nespresso coffee machine and full entertainment centre with TV, DVD, CD, MP3 station and internet access. The en suite bathrooms have partial outdoor showers.
Credit Cards: American Express, Visa, MasterCard |
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Rates
| | 01 Jun- 31 Oct 2009 | 01 Nov- 14 Dec 2009 | 15 Dec- 14 Apr 2009-10 | 15 Apr- 31 May 2010 | 01 Jun- 31 Oct 2010 | 01 Nov- 14 Dec 2010 | | Meal Plan | BP | BP | BP | BP | BP | BP | | Premier Room (1-2 persons) | 320 | 420 | 520 | 420 | 320 | 420 | | Plantation Room (1-2 persons) | 380 | 480 | 580 | 480 | 380 | 480 | | 1-Bedroom Garden Suite (1-2 persons) | 580 | 680 | 780 | 680 | 580 | 680 | | 2 -Bedroom Villa Suite (1-4 persons) | 920 | 1,070 | 1,200 | 1,070 | 920 | 1,070 | Rates in US$, per room, per night including full English breakfast (BP = breakfast plan), afternoon tea, use of the Inn’s private beach facility with complimentary transfers, use of tennis court, and library of books/DVDs. Rates are subject to tax and service charge of 20%. A dinner supplement is available at US$65 per person, per day (plus tax and service) when requested at the time of booking for your entire stay. All rates are subject to change without notice. A 50% deposit is taken to secure reservations, which is non-refundable (less 5%) unless cancelled in writing 30 days or more prior to arrival (100% deposit and 60 days cancellation notice applies to Christmas & New Year periods). A minimum stay of 10 nights is required for periods overlapping Christmas and New Year. Guests can check-in after 2pm. Check-out is before 12 noon. Changing facilities are available for early arrivals. Late check-outs accommodated subject to availability. |
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Special Offers
NEVIS ESCAPE - DOUBLE NIGHTS OFFER
Enjoy an amazing ONE FREE NIGHT EVERY OTHER NIGHT for stays between 10 October and 10 December 2009 inclusive. Book any number of room nights and you will receive the same in free nights and full breakfast is included throughout your stay. Offer valid for all new bookings for stays completed between 10 Oct-10 Dec 2009. If booking half board the dinner supplement is payable for all nights including free ones. This offer is not combinable with any other Montpelier special offer, added value or package, including the complimentary boat transfers offer - the hotel will, as always, assist with booking transfers. |
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How to Book
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with Montpelier Plantation Inn Nevis, or if you wish to telephone them, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number. |
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UK Tour Operators
If you wish to book through a tour operator or travel organiser, please follow the link below.
See List of UK Tour Operators
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Locality
Montpelier is set in St John’s Parish, a five minute drive up the hill out of Charlestown, and then down quite a long and rickety drive. Close by are the Nevis Botanical Gardens, which are well worth a visit. In the area of Bath, just before Charlestown, you will also find the Nelson Museum.
Charlestown has a number of cafes and bars, but most of the restaurants are located either in the town or north of it around Pinney’s Beach. Close by is the Hermitage (another plantation house hotel). |
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Meet & Greet
The norm on Nevis is to find a taxi on arrival at the airport. There are plenty of drivers and they provide a good service. If you fly to St Kitts, a hotel representative will meet you at the airport and assist with the ferry transfer to Nevis. There are two ferry options to Nevis, a private/semi-private water taxi or the public ferry and the hotel will help with information and pricing or advise of any special offers. If you are travelling with a tour operator or travel organiser, your transfer should be included as part of the arrangement. |
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Getting Around
You should definitely explore Nevis while you are there. This can be arranged through an island tour, but you may want to consider hiring a car for at least a couple of days. It means that you can travel at your own pace, visiting beaches by day and restaurants in the evenings.
If you are not travelling in peak season and you don't think you will want a car for more than a day or two, the hotel reception will be able to assist you. Otherwise, we recommend you book in advance via your travel organiser or direct with TDC Car Rentals, who will deliver to the property and issue your Nevisian 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, in February and even in August there can be a shortage of cars in Nevis, so you are advised to book well in advance. Also book early if you want one for a week or more because the pre-booked rates can be better.
Taxis are readily available through the reception at the hotel, through drivers that the inn knows well. |
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