Nevis trip report
Jan 4th, 2006, 01:40 PM
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Nevis trip report
Background: My wife, 3 daughters (9, 8 and 6) spent Christmas week in Nevis, staying at the Oualie Beach Hotel (OBH).
Lodging: OBH was great for the kids, esp. the naturally contained beach and the shallow, calm and rock-free sea. Our room was fine and the hotel was safe and clean. The food was great - we enjoyed the adult food and the kids' menu was a hit, too; we visited with Chef Jason, who couldn't have been nicer. The Tuesday Night BBQ was the best. We met some very nice people and our kids made friends, too; it's a very friendly environment. Overall, the hotel was good and we're glad we stayed there; however, little things kept popping up (our safe didn't get fixed, we rarely got enough towels) that were minor annoyances. However, we know the mind-set of the islands and these things did not detract from our enjoyment.
Food: OBH was the best. We ate at Sunshine's, which was enjoyable, including the salad and rice. Mem's Pizza, near Charlestown, was good and reasonably priced, including the lobster salad. We dined once at Unella's, by the beachfront in Charlestown, which was good but nothing spectacular.
Sojourns: One main highlight was the Rain Forest hike with Jim of Top to Bottom Tours. Jim was incredibly nice, answered lots of questions and was wonderful with the kids; a great experience. The pace was nice and none too strenuous. The other was the Under the Sea snorkel experience. Barbara and Andre were also very nice, knowledgable and provided an interesting experience with their "classroom" sessions before the actual snorkel trip. The snorkeling itself was fair, mostly b/c we've snorkeled elsewhere in better locations. However, for a first timer or casual snorkeler, it's well worth it.
We also rented a car for a day and drove around the island. We stopped at various ruins, walked around Golden Rock, visited the Alexander Hamilton Museum and explored Charlestown, all which were worth it to get that full Nevis experience. We also visited the botanical gardens, which were beautifully hidden along one of the worst roads imaginable. The gardens were nice, but not uniquely Caribbean - we have seen similar vegetation in gardens in mainland US as well. Pinney's Beach was also nice and enjoyable.
Caveats: If one drives around the island, go counterclockwise, as all the signs seems to be in that direction (We went clockwise and kept having to turn around.) Also: One should always check bills - we frequently noticed errors on them (We did not think anyone was trying to rip us off, it's more of one of those "nuances," to put things politely.
Overall: Nevis is a wonderful island that has not been overrun by development, too many people and cruise ships. To that end, if you want great customer service, either go to the Four Seasons or another island. Conversely, if that does not matter, Nevis is a wonderfully quiet, friendly and beautiful little island which is worth a visit (and we've been around the Caribbean). Simply watch out for the goats in the road and don't miss the guava cheese!
Finally, I would like to thank those of you out there who answered my pre-trip queries; your advice was great. I am hopeful that this report can help others and that I can earn merit as a contributor to these forums. Your feedback will be most welcome. Happy travels!
Lodging: OBH was great for the kids, esp. the naturally contained beach and the shallow, calm and rock-free sea. Our room was fine and the hotel was safe and clean. The food was great - we enjoyed the adult food and the kids' menu was a hit, too; we visited with Chef Jason, who couldn't have been nicer. The Tuesday Night BBQ was the best. We met some very nice people and our kids made friends, too; it's a very friendly environment. Overall, the hotel was good and we're glad we stayed there; however, little things kept popping up (our safe didn't get fixed, we rarely got enough towels) that were minor annoyances. However, we know the mind-set of the islands and these things did not detract from our enjoyment.
Food: OBH was the best. We ate at Sunshine's, which was enjoyable, including the salad and rice. Mem's Pizza, near Charlestown, was good and reasonably priced, including the lobster salad. We dined once at Unella's, by the beachfront in Charlestown, which was good but nothing spectacular.
Sojourns: One main highlight was the Rain Forest hike with Jim of Top to Bottom Tours. Jim was incredibly nice, answered lots of questions and was wonderful with the kids; a great experience. The pace was nice and none too strenuous. The other was the Under the Sea snorkel experience. Barbara and Andre were also very nice, knowledgable and provided an interesting experience with their "classroom" sessions before the actual snorkel trip. The snorkeling itself was fair, mostly b/c we've snorkeled elsewhere in better locations. However, for a first timer or casual snorkeler, it's well worth it.
We also rented a car for a day and drove around the island. We stopped at various ruins, walked around Golden Rock, visited the Alexander Hamilton Museum and explored Charlestown, all which were worth it to get that full Nevis experience. We also visited the botanical gardens, which were beautifully hidden along one of the worst roads imaginable. The gardens were nice, but not uniquely Caribbean - we have seen similar vegetation in gardens in mainland US as well. Pinney's Beach was also nice and enjoyable.
Caveats: If one drives around the island, go counterclockwise, as all the signs seems to be in that direction (We went clockwise and kept having to turn around.) Also: One should always check bills - we frequently noticed errors on them (We did not think anyone was trying to rip us off, it's more of one of those "nuances," to put things politely.
Overall: Nevis is a wonderful island that has not been overrun by development, too many people and cruise ships. To that end, if you want great customer service, either go to the Four Seasons or another island. Conversely, if that does not matter, Nevis is a wonderfully quiet, friendly and beautiful little island which is worth a visit (and we've been around the Caribbean). Simply watch out for the goats in the road and don't miss the guava cheese!
Finally, I would like to thank those of you out there who answered my pre-trip queries; your advice was great. I am hopeful that this report can help others and that I can earn merit as a contributor to these forums. Your feedback will be most welcome. Happy travels!
Jan 4th, 2006, 02:53 PM
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Sweege, great report. I'm glad you liked Oalie, we too enjoyed that Tues BBQ - and thanks for tellin' it like it is. Big problem: I had guava jelly, guava cake, but how could I have missed the guava cheese? Now I will have to go back!
Jan 5th, 2006, 11:33 AM
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We were also in Nevis from Boxing Day to Jan. 3 -- maybe we saw you on Pinney's Beach!
Nice report. Did you skip the horse racing?
By the way, for those who like hiking, the climb from Golden Rock to The Source up on Mt. Nevis is easy to do without a guide (altho maybe not with kids quite that young).
I hate to spread negative vibes about a revered institution on Nevis, but Sunshine's Bar is really OVER-RATED, big time!
We went for dinner one night and had a terrible time. So-so food, and bad attitude from the staff.
They even had the nerve to steal the table out from under a Nevisian family who were drinking to accomodate cruise ship people.
Sunshine himself apologized to me for the bad night when I complained. . . but you are who you hire, right?
Nice report. Did you skip the horse racing?
By the way, for those who like hiking, the climb from Golden Rock to The Source up on Mt. Nevis is easy to do without a guide (altho maybe not with kids quite that young).
I hate to spread negative vibes about a revered institution on Nevis, but Sunshine's Bar is really OVER-RATED, big time!
We went for dinner one night and had a terrible time. So-so food, and bad attitude from the staff.
They even had the nerve to steal the table out from under a Nevisian family who were drinking to accomodate cruise ship people.
Sunshine himself apologized to me for the bad night when I complained. . . but you are who you hire, right?
Jan 5th, 2006, 12:47 PM
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Great report Sweege. When we were there last year we stayed in a villa just up the street from the OBH and couldn't agree more with your remarks...and Chef Jason (and his family) and the staff really underlined the reasons to vacation on Nevis. The remarks about Sunshines in a follow-up reply...yep, the "boozy" crowd and IMO, marginal food didn't turn us on. We're returning in a couple of months and will try the Rain Forest hike...one of the things we missed last time. Cheers, Richard.
Jan 6th, 2006, 04:42 AM
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I'm sad to see others did not enjoy Sunshine (and his employees) as much as we did. Both times we stopped there, the staff was real pleasant, greeting us as we arrived, chatting, and we really enjoyed the food.
I'm still waiting for someone to report on Miss June's...
Viceroy, where are you staying this time? I'm jealous!
I'm still waiting for someone to report on Miss June's...
Viceroy, where are you staying this time? I'm jealous!
Jan 6th, 2006, 08:09 AM
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Hi, Joan...I did a "Nevis Eats" report from a previous trip. You (and anyone else) can find the two parts (including Miss Junes) here:
http://www.myeyez.net/cgi-bin/stkitt...num=1105987339
And:
http://www.myeyez.net/cgi-bin/stkitt...num=1105987401
We're still mulling over 3 properties...looking for the best monthly rate. Cheers, Richard.
http://www.myeyez.net/cgi-bin/stkitt...num=1105987339
And:
http://www.myeyez.net/cgi-bin/stkitt...num=1105987401
We're still mulling over 3 properties...looking for the best monthly rate. Cheers, Richard.
Jan 7th, 2006, 09:27 AM
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Thanks for the great trip report. As I got dressed this morning and realized that we are going to have ANOTHER day with no sun, I ran to count the days until Nevis. Seventeen more days! Seems like an eternity, but your report gave me an extra boost until it's time to go. Thanks!
Jan 9th, 2006, 06:59 AM
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Thanks for all of the feedback, esp. since it was my first trip report. I'm new to these forums and find them - and the people who share opinions - fascinating. As to the Sunshine's comments: I agree that it was not stellar, but would say that it sufficed (service adequate, ribs were yummy, chicken dry, protions nice sized - two entrees filled up 2 daults and 3 kids). Happy travels!
