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Nevis map
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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
There is a Pirate Week rapidly approaching for the small island of Nevis and no pirate week would be complete without a bit of treasure, and so Nevis will be hiding a treasure chest chock full of goodies supplied by a local company known as TDC. The clues will be placed in the hotels and aired on ChoiceFm Radio 105.3. It should have silver and goblets and all sorts of things.
Pirate week will have other treasures than just the hidden Treasure Chests. For starters, there is the treasure of excellent fine dining and food. This is a Peppered Pickled Pirate Party Time and there will be peppers sauces and seasoning spicing up the fine meals being served all around Nevis. Hopefully everybody will be able to make it to the Hamilton Museum in Charlestown to taste the variety that Nevis has to offer, but as for them during the dinners as well.
 Then there is the treasure of the Caribbean Sea. It not only provides fish for the table, but beautiful waters for snorkeling and Diving (Nevis’ Indian name was Oualie, Land of Beautiful Waters). There will be a dive trip to wrecks and a Marine Biologist for snorkeling and learning about all the sea creatures. The memories will be a treasure that will last you a lifetime!
History is always something to treasure and Nevis has more than its share. Of course there is the Pirate History that this festival is about, but there is also the history of the sugar industry that made Nevis known as the Queen of the Caribbean. The museums are named after two famous historical characters, Alexander Hamilton was born here and Horatio Nelson came here, fell in love and got his treasure of a lovely bride! There are hikes scheduled as well as museum days.
And one can’t forget the treasure of having a good time, and Pirate Week on Nevis promises that for everyone. There will be chasing livestock to make pirate stew at Herbert Heights, a house Pirate Party at Ms. June’s Cuisine and all the costumes parties and dinners at the fine hotels.
Ah treasure! It abounds at the little Caribbean destination of Nevis! Check it out at www.piratesofnevis.com for a golden time.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Searching for Safety, by Jim Johnson
Searching for safety is something man has been doing for thousands of years and continues to this day. Primitive man hid in caves to keep safe from the sabre-toothed tiger and later build shelters to keep him safe from the elements, wild creatures and even spirits of the world. Today safe can mean from terrorists, crime, financial recession, or just keeping our children safe from drugs and bad influences. Safety has been a universal theme around the world.
Pirates of yore sought safety as well. They needed a safe harbour during the storm or a safe place to sell their goods and to relax. They were in a risky occupation and so appreciated the safety when they got it that much more. Pirates did like safety, and thus some came to a little Island in the Caribbean known as Nevis.
 Captain Bartholomew Sharpe came to Nevis after her was refused entry into Barbados. He felt it was his next best option for getting his crew to a safe harbour and those irritated Spanish would dare brave the guns of Fort Charles. Captain Kidd ran to Nevis with his stolen French ships and sold the goods to raise money for Trinity Church, he felt he would be safe and get a safe return for his efforts.
It is ironic that these gentlemen came to Nevis because, unlike St. Martin or Antigua, it does not have safe harbours from storms. There were no large enclosed bays or ports, this is still true today and explains why Nevis doesn’t get large cruise ships. The people were also fair and just, or at least so by the standards of the 17th century! Fortunately, Nevis seems to be just off the main path of the hurricanes, though it does get the errant storm.
Some of the pirates not only found safety and fair treatment on Nevis (as long as they abided by its laws), but also beautiful scenery and great food. Those all still exist today, even though the pirates here are a thing of the past. Or are they?
Nevis is hoping to bring a few back at their new Pirate Festival, Peppered Pickled Pirate Party Time. It promises to highlight, beauty, safety, fun and food, as well as the pirates.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Pirates Past, by Jim Johnson
It was once written that “perfect travel ... demands two qualities in a country, that it shall be full of beauty and that it shall be full of ghosts. A land with too little past may thrill the eye, but not the memory.” Nevis with its majestic beauty and turbulent certainly fill those qualifications, and it will be showing them at its upcoming pirate festival this fall.
It was the starting point for two pirates, Captains William Kidd and Bartholomew Sharpe. They got their first commissions from Nevis as well as crew and supplies, and would return to Nevis for sanctuary and to sell their goods. Then there was Edward Lowe, “the greatest monster to ever infest the seas” who sat off Fort Charles and sunk British Shipping.
 Pirates were hung in Gallows Bay on Nevis and this angered “Black Bart”, the pirate admiral that wrote most of the Pirate’s Code. He was coming to wipe Charlestown off the face of the Earth, but a hurricane prevented his fleet’s arrival (that and stopping to raid the shores of St. Kitts).
Between the various pirates, the naval powers (and many of the naval officers were pirates), the waters around St. Kitts and Nevis are the final resting place for more than 390 ships sunk between 1492 and 1825, yet only a dozen wreck sites have been identified. The remainder by many is believed to be the largest concentration of unexplored wrecks in the Caribbean.
The landscape on shore is also covered in ruins, many of which date back to the 1600’s. There are remains of old sugar mills, storage houses and even some structures that are mysteries! They are hidden along the coast and up in remote valleys on the mountainside, resting in the rain forest amongst towering tree ferns and flowering Heliconia.
During the Pirate week there are planned dives to some of the shipwrecks and hikes exploring the mountain ruins. Float above the decks and smile at the barracuda while admiring the coral and brightly colored fish. Pretend you are Indiana Jones as you roam the jungles and discover the hidden past. Experience archaeology, and adventure in real life!
Pirates of the Caribbean - Caring and Sharing, by Jim Johnson
Caring and sharing, not two words commonly associated with pirates anywhere. Robbing and pillaging are more likely to be used, but did Pirates in the Caribbean care and share between themselves or with others? The evidence is pretty strong that they did.
Take Captain William Kidd for instance. He tried not to kill people if possible, used part of his proceeds to set up Trinity Church, and practiced racial equality because he felt the races were equal. His number two in command was “a small black man” and Vander Haul was crew, not a slave. Over 40% of the crew were of African origin and they were paid sailors that only got 33% less than the Captain, unheard of in the 1600s.
 Captain Sharpe rescued a dog from the cooking pot by paying his crew not to eat and “Black Bart” wrote the Pirate’s Code, the first document providing benefits for sailors and their families if they were injured on the job. It also ensured fair treatment of all the personnel on the ship, right down to the cabin boy, and told the crew they were to treat ladies with respect and care for children. Not bad for bloodthirsty, sea roving villains.
It is because of these humanitarian tendencies that the Pirate Weeks on Nevis will be including functions to promote charities. There will be raffles for Cancer Victims and single mothers’ groups, fundraisers for schools and youth clubs, a promotion to encourage self-respect in the children and stop gangs from forming. There is a day for visiting the museums to raise money for the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society.
Nevis Pirates realize that these problems exist everywhere, but on Nevis they hope to alleviate them some. These activities are optional, but encouraged and available. They should also be fun! Caring and sharing, unusual words to use when talking about pirates, but they did apply to many of the pirates of old in the Caribbean. Nevis hopes to continue that tradition amongst the pirates that attend their pirate festival.
For infomration about a charity on Nevis that offers a counselling service to women and children in crisis and general need because they are suffering sexual, emotional or physical abuse, please see the Definitive Caribbean Review of The Change Centre.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Parrots, Pirates and Monkeys, by Jim Johnson
Parrots and Pirates or pirates and parrots or parroting pirates, try saying that three times fast, it is almost as bad as Peppered Pickled Pirate Party Time! Everyone associates pirates with parrots (Jimmy Buffet, one of the greatest modern day pirates, has his fan club called the Parrotheads), and especially pirates in the Caribbean. Ironically enough, while some parrots were pets, most ended up as meals when rations ran low!
Parrots are native to the tropics and the Caribbean is no exception. While there is still the famous Roseau Parrot of Dominica and the rare St. Lucian Parrot, most of the parrot species on the smaller Caribbean islands were killed off early in the settling of the region. They were not directly killed by the colonists, but rather by their pets, house cats and dogs, as well as that pesky mongoose.
 The parrots most common in the Caribbean at that time were ground nesters and, while the adults were big with razor sharp teeth, the babies got devoured when Mom and Pop went out for lunch. Dogs and mongoose ate the eggs. It is a tragedy, especially for the pirates as they had no companions, or did they?
On Nevis, just like in the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, there were monkeys! Now these monkeys were not native, they were brought as pets of sailors during the early 1600s. By the late 1600s they had been declared a public nuisance and banned. They were already established though, and so the pirates could collect them as pets!
Did Captain Kidd or Bartholomew Sharpe or their crew actually capture and keep any of the Nevis monkeys as pets, the records don’t tell. If they had, the monkey would have been just like Jack in the movie, right at home in the rigging. Nevis monkeys like high spots and trees and can frequently be seen swinging on vines through the forests.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Bumbo Origins, by Jim Johnson
Many people come to the Eastern Caribbean to relax, and what better way to forget your worries than lounging in a hammock under a palm tree sipping rum punch. This popular Caribbean alcohol frees the mind while soothing the soul, and is actually nutritious! But how did rum come into being and who first started mixing rum with fruit juices? Believe it or not, it was actually the Pirates of the Caribbean!
Rum first came into being when some molasses, a by-product of the sugar industry, got contaminated by yeast and started fermenting, some time in the early 1650’s (about the same time Hermitage Plantation on the island of Nevis was being built). It was called Rhum, Ron, and Rumbullion and was high in sugar, minerals and 160 proof alcohol. The people drinking it became somewhat rowdy, full of energy, and had some rather painful hangovers the next day. It became known as the “Kill Devil” Drink!
 It was great for sailors and ships as, unlike water or beer, it never went bad and, when mixed with other liquids kept them from making people sick (Unlike people, few bacteria seem to survive mixing with 160 proof alcohol), plus tasted excellent. The minerals also helped with the adsorption of vitamins. Both the Navy and the Pirates saw possibilities. The British Navy just mixed it with weak beer, which later became know as grog (could this be why some sailors are a bit “groggy”?). The Pirates were a bit more adventurous!
They were in the Caribbean and could get fresh fruits, as well as spices. They started mixing the rum with various juices, nutmeg, cinnamon, and even honey. Some of the extreme ones combined it with raw eggs and goats’ blood. Pirate Punch, which at that time was known as “Bumbo” was born.
Nowadays they tend to leave out the raw eggs and goats’ blood, and it is referred to as Fruit or Rum Punch instead of Bumbo, but the actual mixtures vary throughout the Caribbean. Nevis is having a Pickled Pirate Party Time this fall and rum will be flowing, one event is a “Roaring Rum Mixer” at Nisbet Plantation. Everybody and anybody can bring something liquid so the bartender can mix it with rum for you to drink (If you bring blood, you drink blood) and it will be followed with a beach barbecue.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Beaches on Nevis, by Jim Johnson
Caribbean beaches are known throughout the world as being particularly beautiful with white, powdery sand. There is also the occasional black sand beach thrown in for variety. These beaches were important to the settling of the Caribbean and to its economy today. Pirates were common in these areas at one time because the beaches were easy to land on with deep water close to shore.
The white sand is coral-based, comprised of the broken skeletons of literally billions of sea creatures, many of which still inhabit these coastal waters. A morbid thought, but they can be considered the “bleached bones” of Davey Jones locker! Rather than ponder about the things that died to form these parts of paradise, think about the things that still live here, and that you can watch as you swim through the crystal clear waters.
 It’s amazing what you can find on coral sand beaches! Just on Nevis, one small island in the Eastern Caribbean, they have over 500 identified shells washing ashore, plus coral, crabs and lobster bits as well as a myriad of tiny shrimp and lots of fish. It makes for some great beachcombing, but also fascinating snorkeling and diving.
This abundance of sea life also at one time provided lots of food for the people of the Caribbean and still does. Wahoo and Mahi are common on the menus at most Nevis restaurants as well as snapper, kingfish and the occasional grouper (that is grouper, not groupies, though they come here as well). Their lobster sandwiches are considered some of the best in the world.
During the upcoming fall there will be a Pirate Festival on Nevis of which the beaches will play an important part. There will be beach bonfires and parties, plus diving to wrecked ships offshore and trips with a marine biologist, plus sailing and snorkeling included! One company, Adventure Tours/Top to Bottom has been making conch horns and collecting shells. If anyone can guess how many sea creatures are represented in this accompanying photo (Warning there is a bottle in the middle with lots of little shells), email Jim and if you are within 10%, they will give you a pirate prize!
Pirates of the Caribbean - Musical Mysteries, by Jim Johnson
Music is a part of the world. From the “squeaking of the reptiles” complained about by a visitor to Nevis in 1649 (He apparently didn’t know that frogs are amphibians) to the melodious songs of birds, to our numerous Calypsonians, music is a part of Nevis’ Caribbean heritage. It has unfortunately recently become a concern on this small bit of Caribbean paradise.
Nevis is planning a pirate festival and they are trying to keep it based upon fact and as “Nevisian” as possible, but there appear to be few records of what music the pirates played or preferred! They have some Nevisian Sea Shanties, most of which cannot be sung in the presence of ladies or children, but also those were fishing songs sung offshore by local fishermen, not Pirate Songs.
Edward Lowe, once declared by the British Governor on Nevis “the worst monster to ever infest the seas,” preyed on Nevis shipping and they do have one of his chants. Seems the crew sounded loud horns and beat drums as they approached their victim, but the song was only one word, “Death” constantly repeated. Nevis is planning a Conch Horn Blowing (Some of the horns sound like a person passing gas, should be entertaining), but feel the song needs improvement, the words are simple but you can keep getting the first and second verse confused!
There is always the old “Fifteen men on a dead man's chest. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum,” which appears to be at least partly authentic. Dead Man’s Chest is a barren island in the BVI’s with no food or animals, the pirates would abandon people there with a pistol and a bottle of rum (And you thought that was made up by Disney). Dead Man’s Chest is Caribbean, but not near Nevis!
One Hotel, Nisbet Plantation has their UK Travel Agents and Tour Operators working on the issue. They are having a contest to see who can come up with the best song mixing pirates, Nisbet, and Nevis, plus British Airways. The agents are writing the songs and then setting them to a popular tune, the best can win a week at Nisbet. Sounds like a lot of fun.
Still doesn’t solve the musical mystery that started this article. What was the authentic music of the Pirates from the 17th and 18th centuries? If anyone knows, please email Jim.
Pirates of the Caribbean - Peppers and Pirates by Jim Johnson
Peppers and pirates, the two make an interesting combination. But, are the two connected? Both were found in the Caribbean and certainly spiced up the region. They are also now combined in the Peppered Pickled Pirate Party Time that Nevis, a little island in the Eastern Caribbean is planning. But were peppers important to pirates? Certainly!
Pirates, and the Caribbean, used peppers for two main reasons, flavour and health!
The spicy flavour of peppers is well known and appreciated by chefs all over the world, but few realize that hot peppers come from the Caribbean and are still made into tangy hot sauces. Forget the habenaros or jalapenos, check out Scotch Bonnets and the tiny bird peppers, they can scald the tongue! Many think that peppers hide other flavours or only add heat to the meal, but they help to enhance the taste buds, making other wonderful dishes taste even better. Nevis realises this!
While taste was of interest to the pirates, health was even more important. On the ship one could suffer several nutritional deficiencies as well as get food poisoning from ill prepared dishes, peppers help prevent this. Peppers contain Vitamin C, so helped avoid scurvy, and the capsaicin has been shown to provide a whole host of side effects from helping kill bacteria while providing energy through increased metabolism to fighting cancer to even helping with baldness (It appears to be true based upon studies out of Japan). Pirates were healthier because they ate peppers!
Peppered pirates in the Caribbean, there certainly were! And the Peppered Pickled Pirate Party Time on Nevis will give you a chance to try them. Not only will the food be peppered, but the local Food Processors Guild is planning to provide samples of different hot sauces, both as a contest for visitors to judge the best and to sell so you can spice your meals up back home. It will help bring out the pirate in all of us.
Arrgggh!
Pirates of the Caribbean - Raising Pirate Awareness, by Jim Johnson
Recently, Pirates have been getting quite a bit of bad press, but it is mainly the Pirates off the coast of Somali! The Pirates that were actually once found in the Caribbean were very different. One small island, Nevis has decided to create an awareness of the differences. They hope to show what Caribbean Pirates actually contributed to the world as we know it today, and have some fun along the way.
In raising the flag of pirate awareness, it should be noted that many of the Caribbean pirates were actually privateers, commissioned by one country as private citizens to prey on the shipping of other countries. Captain Bartholomew Sharpe was given a letter of marquee to harass the Spanish while William Kidd was sponsored by the King of England to steal French Ships. Unfortunately, one country’s privateer was another’s pirate, however they weren’t all bad.
Captain Sharpe rescued cocker spaniels and Captain Kidd actually only killed one person - he hit him over the head with a bucket when telling him to shut up! Kidd also used his money to help set up Trinity Church in New York. Rescuing dogs and setting up churches certainly sounds like Nevis, but not Pirates!
Pirates also practiced a certain amount of racial freedom, Kidd’s “Number One” was a small black man, and many pirate crews were over 40% African, crew not slaves. Captain Kidd insisted upon this. Everyone got equal pay. This in the 1680’s, combined with “patting their rears” to the British Navy got the Admiralty to frame him as a pirate, even though he was later pardoned by the king. The pardon was a little late though, he was already dead!
The Pirate’s Code, and there was an actual Pirate Code, insisted on all officers being elected, curtailed drinking, and insisted upon proper treatment of ladies! The Captain only received ½ share more that the crew and could be voted out! The Code also was the first written Workman’s Compensation, and was enforced! Captain Black Bart, who wrote the Code, preyed in Nevis waters.
Pirates supporting charities, racial freedom, curtailing greed, and Workman’s comp? Pirates of the Caribbean were definitely different!
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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$375/night in summer | | Montpelier Plantation Inn
An extremely refined plantation house hotel with fantastic views over the south coast of Nevis. Set in delightful hillside gardens, Montpelier’s restored stone estate house is redolent with history and romance, and with gracious hosts (the small hotel is family owned and run) it is a low key but very elegant tropical hideaway.
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.
From US$320/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$365/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$150/night in summer | | Montpelier Plantation Inn
Montpelier is an extremely refined Caribbean plantation inn which sits in restored stone buildings and very attractive tropical gardens on a hillside above Nevis’s southern coast. Family owned and run, and with an air of gracious hospitality and historic romance, Montpelier is an elegant tropical country house retreat.
Key Features: A fine Nevis hotel, 18 rooms in a hillside garden setting, pool, tennis court, good views, elegant dining, beach house on a nice stretch of Pinney’s beach. 2 restaurants – The Terrace and The Mill, plus the Breakfast Terrace and a pool side bar for lunch and afternoon tea. Great Room lounge and bar. Gift shop, games room with TV. Complimentary beach shuttle and internet access.
From US$320/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$365/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 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 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 above the east coast of Nevis. Coralita has two bedrooms, a swimming pool (with a pool house containing a simple third bedroom) and a veranda with a lovely view. It is relatively simple but comfortable and it has a delightful setting in 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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