St. Kitts & Nevis

Two Islands One Paradise

St. Kitts and Nevis, like no other islands in the Caribbean embody a lush tropical feel, usually associated southern islands. At the center of St. Kitts stands the spectacular, cloud-fringed peak of Mount Liamuiga, a dormant volcano covered by dense tropical forest. And on Nevis, too, the ground rises upward into a cloud forest filled with elusive green vervet monkeys and brilliant tropical flowers. For ecotourists, or simply anyone who enjoys stunning natural beauty, St. Kitts and Nevis cannot fail to exceed expectations.

And yet nature is only a small part of the wonder of these small, relatively undiscovered destinations. Long ago, St. Kitts and Nevis were the pearls of the British Caribbean, rich and enormously important islands that were celebrated throughout Europe. Nevis, the "Queen of the Caribbees," possessed unimaginable wealth from its super-productive sugar industry, while on St. Kitts the impregnable fortress of Brimstone Hill stood as the Gibraltar of the West Indies. In this venerable history is plenty of romance as well, for it was on Nevis that the dashing young Horatio Nelson met, courted, and wedded Fanny Nisbet, all the while attending to the whirling social life of the island's prosperous plantation estates.

Still largely undiscovered, despite their extraordinary beauty, their remarkable history, and their unmatched charm, St. Kitts & Nevis offer a rare opportunity to visit the "Secret Caribbean."

Places to visit:

PLANTATIONS

Shadwell Great House

Gilbert Fleming built this Great House in the second quarter of the eighteenth century. He was one of three commissioners appointed by the British Government to distribute the lands acquired from the French by the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. In 1833 Fleming became Lieutenant General of the Leeward Caribbean and Lieutenant Governor of St. Christopher. He is reputed to have taken advantage of his official position to acquire a large estate, most of which was bequeathed to his son, Gilbert Fane Fleming.

Lodge Great House

Samuel Crooke, a Planter-politician who served as a member of the Island’s Council built this eighteenth century Great House. Samuel was the great-grandson of a Major Henry Crooke who was a member of Council in 1672 and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1676. Major Crooke is reported to have frequented the house of Sir Thomas Warner. This suggests that he was residing on the island before Warner’s death in 1648. Crooke left the plantation to his son Samuel Crooke ‘the Little’, who also served on the Council before the end of the eighteenth century. The Crooke connection is still preserved in the cane field nearest to the Great House being called ‘Crooke’s Garden’.

Belmont Estate Yard

This former French property was less than 100 acres when Peter Brotherson acquired it early in the eighteenth century. In 1726 the size increased when Brotherson petitioned for additional lands adjoining his property. Sugar was extracted by means of an animal mill for most of the eighteenth century. By 1828 the plantation extended to 286 acres, had a windmill and was owned by George Galway Mills, the great-grandson of Matthew Mills a late Speaker for the Assembly and Chief Justice before his demise in 1744. The lawyer John Barbot murdered G. G. Mills’ father at Frigate Bay in 1752. G. G. Mills was also active in the Island’s politics and served as a councilor in 1800. He later moved to England and became MP for Wallingford and Winchelsea.

Day Time Fun and Night Life:

While in St Kitts and Nevis check these local hot night spots;

Circus Grill

Overlooking the town square, Circus Grill is centrally located. The veranda's vantage point is marvellous, one of the optimal spots to sit and watch the world go by below. This open-air establishment offers the customer a choice of the veranda or the enclosed dining area for lunch or dinner. Lunch offerings include soups, omelettes, sandwiches, burgers and a full salad bar. Dinner guests will enjoy locally caught lobsters and fish, kebobs, chicken and ribs, and Black Angus Steaks. There are also Asian selections and occasionally an Asian Buffet is on the menu (buffets are strictly reservation only).

Mango

Our cosy restaurant is just steps above the waves and a short stroll from the golf course. Featuring open-air dining with a view of St. Kitts across the sea, Mango is an ideal spot to catch a spectacular sunset. The inventive yet casual menu is a testament to West Indian cuisine and culture, and serves Resort guests and the local community. A bar and lounge is enhanced with nautical accents and features tropical drinks including the signature Mangojito and the Tipsy Palmer for golfers. The restaurant seats 120.

Specialties

Mango offers a dinner menu of creative entrées. Freshly grilled specialties feature catch from neighbouring fishermen, including spiny lobster and mahimahi, and exotic ingredients and spices from Nevis' fertile volcanic soil, including coconut, mango and passion fruit.