We just returned from Nevis and it was our seventh trip. I guess that's my answer to your which island question! We love Nevis! We have stayed at the Hermitage three times and they organized our wedding down there five years ago. The owners, The Lupinacci's are so wonderful and treat you like family. If you want your privacy, they will respect that as well. Each cottage is unique but they all have huge comfortable plantation beds. The latest issue of Outside magazine picked it as one of their top ten hideaways.
We haven't stayed at Golden Rock but it's very nice as well and higher up Mt. Nevis so it is definitely lush and mountainous. We have eaten at the Golden Rock pavillion on Pinney's Beach many times and it's a great place to meet people.
Check out Old Manor too. I think they have the best

Oops. i hit send before I was finished.
Old Manor has a great restaurant and one of the few plantation inns that has a reasonably priced ala carte menu. Lennie, the chef, is fantastic!
Where are you flying in from? Nevis can sometimes be difficult to get to but always possible and always worth it.
If you have any other questions, I'd love to help. Good luck!

Nevis is a lot of fun for a couple . You have to find a local to take you on a hike up the volcano . Nevis is nicer than St kitss and I have stayed on both . We rented a private villa on nevis and also stayed at Montpeiler Plantation . I thought the Hermatage was great for dinner but there are nicer places to stay on the island .

Nevis is far nicer than St. Kitts although you should plan on going there for a day trip. On Nevis consider staying at Montpelier. The owners are truly nice people, the accomodations attractively furnished in very nice antiques, the food is fabulous, the grounds impecably maintained, the staff top notch and very accomodating, and the panoramic views of Mt. Nevis, Charlestown, the Caribbean and St. Kitts are nothing short of spectacular.

I thought it seemed like Nevis was a bit more to my liking , although they both look beautiful . We will be flying in from Montreal via phillie and St.Martin , then on to St Kitts .I believe if we end up choosing Nevis we will have to stay a night each way on St .Kitts . The island I am most interested in is St.Lucia and the Stonefield Estate Villas , but the airline we have standby tickets for only flies in 1 daily , whereas to St. Kitts it is a few times daily . Thus our chances are better with the Nevis idea . I also think from the net photos the Hermitage seems a bit nicer but we are on a budget and I dont know if its worth the extra money over Golden Rock .... I appreciate any and all info. Thank You !! Faith

Forgot to add that it is the first time back to the tropics without our 2 kids since our honeymoon 10 yrs ago ! Also , I believe a breakfast is included in the Hermitage , so there is not a big cost diff. in the end . Is one more romantic than the other ... Thanx , Faith

If your flight gets in too late to catch a ferry or shuttle over to Nevis, contact Janet Grell-Hull, a Nevis travel agent and she can arrange for a sea taxi to bring you over to Nevis in the evening. You don't want to waste a night or two on St. Kitts. [janstrvl@caribsurf.com] She's also a great contact if you're having trouble finding inter-island connecting flights.
I still vote for The Hermitage. Favorite cottages: The White House or Goosepen. Check out the romantic package because you can save a lot of $$. The packages include taxes and service charges which usually is about 18%. Also, a few dinners.

Hi Susan I noticed on The Hermitage website it mentioned the beachclub was now open , are transfers included in the cost ... Also thanx for the name of the Nevis agent , it is a good idea . I looked at the Montpelier and it looks very beautiful , but The Hermitage is so quaint , also more in our price range ! Similar in concept to Stonefield on St. Lucia , both former plantations . Love the info. !! Faith

I think you would be disapointed with both of them . We rented a villa called the Seceret Garden on the side of the rain forest . You can walk to the Hermitage from there . It has a pool and 3 bedrooms . Great veiws !Also about 100 monkets pass through in the AM .
Or better for you there is one right across the street from the Montpeiler Estate called Amazing Grace .You can view them both on line .

The villas look very beautiful , as did the Montpelier Estate , but they are slightly out of our price range . Unless the photos and reviews are decieving Hermitage and Golden Rock seem to be what we are looking for . But you have seen them in person , what is it you did not find appealing ... Your input is appreciated . I tend to like small off beat places , no big resorts etc. Robinson Crusoe with linen type of thing . Thanx , Faith

Hi Willem. I know you weren't directing this question at me but I felt I should reassure you that the website photos are NOT deceiving and that either one of these two fine establishments would not disappoint. The Hermitage is slightly more polished and high end than Golden Rock. But Golden Rock is a beautiful place. (P..S. I have been to both).

I think it would be hard to stay at a bad place on Nevis. Last year, I stayed a few days on Nevis and was able to visit both Hermitage and Golden Rock. They both looked lovely and peaceful. I think that with anything, the key is to get out and about and enjoy the island wherever you stay. You do say you like lush and mountainous, and Golden Rock is right on the egde of a rainforest with terrific views. (And I hear you about price range, for some of us, it is a major consideration!)

Thank You people ! Robrook , your description of both places is exactly what I was thinking . I believe both would suit fine . Budget aside , I still believe I am most drawn to The Hermitage , even with all the other places I have looked at . I will keep the lush factor in mind for Golden Rock , adds to the ambience for me !! Faith

I have had the pleasure of staying at Hermitage and could not have been happier. The Luppinaci's are first class hosts. I prefer Nevis over St. Kitts and love the uniqueness of Hermitage over Golden Rock. When I visited Golden Rock, most of the people stayinig there were alot older than we were.