First time to Nevis

Old Mar 11th, 2004, 09:49 AM
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First time to Nevis

Because I'm never truly happy unless I'm dreaming about a trip to the Caribbean, I'd like to start planning now for a trip to Nevis in November. We're staying at the Mount Nevis Hotel & Beach Club. Our stay includes two dinners at the hotel's restaurant, but I'd like recommendations for other restaurants. Are the plantation inn restaurants generally the best? Do you rank one over the other? Are non-guests allowed to dine at Four Seasons or Nisbet?

We plan to rent a car for most of the time we're there. DO you have a rental company to recommend? Do you have any tips for people attempting to drive on the left side of the road for the first time?

What beaches should I plan to see? The hotel has a shuttle to its own beach, but since they only show one photograph of it on their website, i'm guessing that it's either small or less desirable than other beaches on the island. Also, which beaches have beach bars or snack huts for lunches during the day? Or public facilites, for that matter?

What 2-3 sites would be the best to see? I'm already leaning toward the botanical gardens. And since our hotel is on Mt. Nevis, i'm sure we'll do a little casual hiking form the hotel. Anything else?

I can't wait to go! THanks in advance for any advice you care to pass along.
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Old Mar 11th, 2004, 10:14 AM
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For dinners, definitely Miss June's and Montpelier Plantation.
Four Seasons is not known for their food, (I've stayed there and found the food ho hum) but the breakfast buffet is super, lunch is nice and the property is really beautiful.
I preferred Montpelier to Hermitage and Golden Rock, but that's just my opinion.
The only problem we had with driving was the roundabouts and businesses with a separate in and out drive. We tried to go in the out once :-}
The island is not known for its beaches, but Pinneys - where FS is - is one of the nicest and has a cool beach bar/rest. called Sunshines. Get the Killer Bee.
Also nice, is Oualie Beach. They have a good bar/rest. there and water sports can be arranged. (Snorkeling/catamaran rental,etc.)
Botanical gardens are nice, and you must take a trip over to St Kitts and do an island tour that includes Brimstone Hill and the new railroad.
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Old Mar 11th, 2004, 04:18 PM
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Go to www.nevis1.com for a everything you'll ever want to know about Nevis. You'll find unbiased reviews of nearly every restaurant, resort, beach bar, activity and attraction on Nevis. It's chock full of useful information and has lots of photos. The next best thing to being there.
 
Old Mar 12th, 2004, 06:28 AM
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I would also recommend Monpelier Plantation for dinner. We also ate at Banana's. We enjoyed our meal there, but the real draw is the beautiful sunset.
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 11:26 AM
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Nevis, Queen of the Carobbean.Stayed on Nevis Mar 8th to March 20th. Highly recommend Noel's Car Rental. Very safe Island and roads in good shape from Airport around to Golden Rock.Slower going on East side of Island but not a real problem to drive around. Rental owners met us at the Airport when we arrived, arranged a car for two day side trip to St. Kitts and met us again at ferry with same vehicle upon our return. Stayed Mt Nevis Hotel March 20th before flying back to Antigua for flight home. Good choice. Dinner at Banana's. Lunch at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club or Hermitage Plantation Beach Bar. Walk downtown, very safe. Visit the Inns even for just a drink. Pickup Swords, Ships and Sugar (History of Nevis. which is a great read.
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Old Apr 16th, 2004, 11:47 AM
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We were first timers in 2003 and we're going back for our second trip next week!

My general advice (and I apologize if perhaps this is too preachy) is to sit back, enjoy, get into island time, don't try to force out the best, and let the good things come to you (metaphorically)! The feel of the island is wonderful and charming, and we found joy in almost every place we ate, visited, and stayed.

That being said, however, I still have a couple of recommendations. And I need to preface this with giving you our perspective: we are rather laid back and low-key, and we don't typically go to the fancier places, so if I don't recommend them, it's not because they're bad, but because we just didn't go.

We did not eat at Nisbet or Four Seasons or really any other high-end place. Of the "low" to "middle of the road" venues, Sunshine's food is outstanding; very fresh, plentiful, and good. And the atmosphere can't be beat. Cla-cha-del was great as well. Tequila Sheila's was good. Oualie's food, in my opinon, lags a little bit in quality.

We rented a car from TDC and had no issues.

Regarding driving on the left: practice in an out of the way place first, and then go for it. There;s really hardly any cars on the road, especially near where you are staying. You'll be surprised how soon it becomes second nature.

Pinney's is the showcase beach, and a very good one. This is where Sunshine's is. You can eat at Oualie if you go to the beach there. The beach is small, quiet, but charming.

I don't believe there are "public facilities", per se, at any of the beaches.

Enjoy!

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Old Apr 16th, 2004, 05:10 PM
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Hit the Golden Rock Inn for a dinner or lunch amid the tropical birds and fauna. Also, a "best kept" secret is Lover's Beach, about a mile south of the airport...a secluded beach and great snorkeling. Robert
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Old Apr 18th, 2004, 03:00 PM
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I have to give a dissenting opinion on Miss June's. Neither my husband nor I (nor the couple at our table) found it to be enjoyable at all. The claim to fame is surely quantity over quality. I believe there were 20+ dishes, served buffet style, the night we were there, and none of them very good. We were extremely disappointed as we had heard and read such glowing reviews.

I will, however, highly recommend Montpelier Plantation. Wonderful food, service, atmosphere, the whole shebang. We also enjoyed all of the restaurants at the Four Seasons, where we stayed. You don't have to be a guest at the Four Seasons to dine at their restaurants. We don't usually like buffet-style dinners but the Caribbean night at the 4S beach bar was quite good and worthwhile. We also ate at both of the dining rooms and found both to be very good.

Sunshine's, just down the beach from the 4S, is definitely a great place to go for lunch (I'm not sure they serve dinner) and the killer bees go down way too easily. The food at Banana's was so-so but I can imagine it would be a great place to watch the sunset (we arrived post sunset).
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Old Apr 20th, 2004, 12:18 PM
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I agree with Sharona (?), Miss June's was too much food, too much drink, and too long. Check out Galipot which is down near Bananas. It's an open air place right on the water and they have WONDERFUL food. One note, they are only open on Thursday-Sunday.
Nisbet has the most beautiful beach, by far, and it's a great place to have lunch on the beach. Pinney's has the most action and Sunshines can't be beat for fresh yummy food.
Another favorite of ours is Old Manor for dinner. Unlike the other plantation restaurants, you can order of of a great menu and it's reasonably priced. Great Lamb Chops and Risotto too!
You're going to love it all! We are just now making plans for our eighth visit.
 
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