Please compare Nevis/St Kitts to St John
Jun 13th, 2005, 03:40 PM
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Please compare Nevis/St Kitts to St John
I live in California, and my husband and I go to Hawaii every year. Specifically, Kauai, although we have spent time on all of the other islands. I'm interested in a ~10 day trip to the Caribbean. I have been to a couple of the Bahama islands when I lived in Florida, as well as Aruba and Jamiaca, and found them all to be not quite my style. I generally feel the same way about the Hawaiian islands except for Kauai- beautiful, but way too overrun with tourists.
From everything I've read, I think I've narrowed it down to Nevis/St Kitts or St John. If you've been to both, I'd love to see a compare/contrast of them. Price (airfare is pretty much the same, although a shorter flight to STT ), beaches, hiking, natural beauty, restaurants, etc. I will also be about 5 months pregnant, so it will be a pretty relaxing trip this time around.
Thanks!
From everything I've read, I think I've narrowed it down to Nevis/St Kitts or St John. If you've been to both, I'd love to see a compare/contrast of them. Price (airfare is pretty much the same, although a shorter flight to STT ), beaches, hiking, natural beauty, restaurants, etc. I will also be about 5 months pregnant, so it will be a pretty relaxing trip this time around.
Thanks!
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:05 PM
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Libby - I have been to both, in fact I used to live in St Thomas (so I went to St John every weekend) and my mother lives in Nevis and in fact I just returned from a trip there at the end of May.
Anyway, both a beautiful, lush islands.
Nevis -
More variety of accommodations. From Four Seasons to plantation inns, to villa rentals.
Some very good restaurants, mostly at the inns and hotels, but there are some good independent ones as well, (Bananas Bistro, Cafe de arts, Gallipot, etc.) Lots of good hiking. Very naturally beautiful island. Wonderful golf course and spa at the Four Seasons (they do really good pregnancy massage)
St John - US island, more tourists than Nevis because of cruise ships (you may or may not see the people from the ships)
More restaurants than Nevis.
More shopping available. Beaches are better.
Honestly, I cannot say anything bad about either island. I love them both.
Some of these things I have listed may or may not matter to you, depending upon where you want to stay, etc. I am not sure if you are looking for a resort or small hotel, etc.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Anyway, both a beautiful, lush islands.
Nevis -
More variety of accommodations. From Four Seasons to plantation inns, to villa rentals.
Some very good restaurants, mostly at the inns and hotels, but there are some good independent ones as well, (Bananas Bistro, Cafe de arts, Gallipot, etc.) Lots of good hiking. Very naturally beautiful island. Wonderful golf course and spa at the Four Seasons (they do really good pregnancy massage)
St John - US island, more tourists than Nevis because of cruise ships (you may or may not see the people from the ships)
More restaurants than Nevis.
More shopping available. Beaches are better.
Honestly, I cannot say anything bad about either island. I love them both.
Some of these things I have listed may or may not matter to you, depending upon where you want to stay, etc. I am not sure if you are looking for a resort or small hotel, etc.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Jun 13th, 2005, 05:08 PM
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libby:I have been to St John and Kauai.While both are beautiful...Kauai is still my favorite..although the snorkeling was better in St John.
I know nothing about St Kitts and Nevis but can tell you that if you like nature...2/3rds of STJ is a National Park.It also has some of the most beautiful sunsets that I have ever seen.
A nice and convient resort on STJ is the Caneel Resort.When I go back..I will stay there.Good luck with your choice and have a good time!!
I know nothing about St Kitts and Nevis but can tell you that if you like nature...2/3rds of STJ is a National Park.It also has some of the most beautiful sunsets that I have ever seen.
A nice and convient resort on STJ is the Caneel Resort.When I go back..I will stay there.Good luck with your choice and have a good time!!
Jun 13th, 2005, 05:19 PM
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Christie is right about the national park (St John)
Nevis is a natual beautiful island, many parts of it actually remind me of St John because its so lush, lots of wildlife and flowers, etc. Their catch-phrase is "Nevis Naturally" actually.
IMHO I think Nevis is more laid back than St John...
If you want to stay at a resort these are the two you want to look at -
Caneel Bay on St John
or The Four Seasons on Nevis
Caneel Bay received a 85.7 overall from Conde Nast traveler for 2005
and the FS Nevis a 89.7 overall for 2005
Not that ratings mean everything either, just thought I would put that out there... GL
Nevis is a natual beautiful island, many parts of it actually remind me of St John because its so lush, lots of wildlife and flowers, etc. Their catch-phrase is "Nevis Naturally" actually.
IMHO I think Nevis is more laid back than St John...
If you want to stay at a resort these are the two you want to look at -
Caneel Bay on St John
or The Four Seasons on Nevis
Caneel Bay received a 85.7 overall from Conde Nast traveler for 2005
and the FS Nevis a 89.7 overall for 2005
Not that ratings mean everything either, just thought I would put that out there... GL
Jun 14th, 2005, 03:54 AM
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I have been to StJ but not Nevis...MIM04 what about the "vibe" on these islands? I was amazed at how American STJ seemed, I imagine you have the authentic Caribbean vibe on Nevis that you do not get on STJ? (Am planning a trip to Nevis later this year if finances allow!) I loved the feel of St. Lucia and St. Vincent, am hoping to recapture that on Nevis...
Jun 14th, 2005, 04:16 AM
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We recently returned from St. John and like you, libbykt, I was looking for an alternative to our favorite island of Kauai. St. John wasn't it. Don't get me wrong, we did enjoy our stay, especially our rental villa and the island is very beautiful. I enjoyed the local people more on Kauai and I missed the "aloha" spirit. The vibe just wasn't there for us. I didn't feel the locals were very welcoming to tourists -they had kind of a condescending and sarcastic attitude. On Kauai, we were invited to someone's home after only 15 minutes of conversation and at a bar we visited in Hanalei we were welcomed with open arms. The taxi and ferry to St. John from St. Thomas are harrowing for a first time visitor and extremely disorganized. Not a very good way to start and end a vacation.
Also, while there was natural beauty on St. John we didn't see any waterfalls or as very many wild flowers as we do in Hawaii, and I missed the perfumed air. It was extremely hot and humid and, while I did use bug spray (something I never need in Kauai) I am still scarred from the noseeum bites. As has been mentioned there are more accessible beaches on St. John and the water is warmer and generally clearer.
For those reasons I still prefer Hawaii to our experience in the Caribbean. But I am willing to keep looking! As I say to my husband, I'm willing to do the research!
Also, while there was natural beauty on St. John we didn't see any waterfalls or as very many wild flowers as we do in Hawaii, and I missed the perfumed air. It was extremely hot and humid and, while I did use bug spray (something I never need in Kauai) I am still scarred from the noseeum bites. As has been mentioned there are more accessible beaches on St. John and the water is warmer and generally clearer.
For those reasons I still prefer Hawaii to our experience in the Caribbean. But I am willing to keep looking! As I say to my husband, I'm willing to do the research
!
Jun 14th, 2005, 07:01 AM
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Hmmmmm. Thanks for all of the great information. I'm afraid that I've been so spoiled by Kauai that I will be disappointed wherever else I go. I think I am leaning towards Nevis though...
Jun 14th, 2005, 08:02 AM
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Joan - yes Nevis has the "Vibe" St John in very americanized IMO. (well its US, kind of has to be I guess) But Nevis is very Caribbean. I guess the difference is when I am in ST John I dont feel very far away (just a nicer place than where I live in the US) when I am in Nevis I feel like I am in a tropical paradise. I think the people are more friendly in Nevis because they don't have to deal with as many tourists on a daily basis so they are more welcoming. If that makes sense. I guess because its not overrun with tourists it makes the difference.
Jun 14th, 2005, 06:49 PM
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Joan - I've been so busy I haven't had time yet. I'll work on it next week. (I'm still gonna make it to Eleuthera one of these days.)
Libbykt, I feel the say way about Kauai. If you find someplace you like equally well, be sure to let us know.
Libbykt, I feel the say way about Kauai. If you find someplace you like equally well, be sure to let us know.
Jun 18th, 2005, 07:59 AM
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We are considering going to Nevis in November. Also we are considering St. Lucia--know very little about either. Looking for natural beauty--lush growth, volcanoes, spice trees,etc. Touristy places do not appeal. Any advice from anyone who has spent time in either of these two places?
Jun 19th, 2005, 04:49 AM
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Nevis is wonderful and the people too.
You folks who are trying to find another"Kauai" will be disappointed.
Not because Nevis isn't a wonderful island to visit, but Kauai is just so beautiful in its' way.
About the only island in the Caribbean combining lush tropical forests, rivers,waterfalls,and a volcano is Dominica.
Don't start out your vacation by thinking that it must attain a predetermined level of something or, most likely, you will always be disappointed.
Sorta like a first date..........
You folks who are trying to find another"Kauai" will be disappointed.
Not because Nevis isn't a wonderful island to visit, but Kauai is just so beautiful in its' way.
About the only island in the Caribbean combining lush tropical forests, rivers,waterfalls,and a volcano is Dominica.
Don't start out your vacation by thinking that it must attain a predetermined level of something or, most likely, you will always be disappointed.
Sorta like a first date..........
Jun 19th, 2005, 12:35 PM
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I would highly recommend Nevis over St Lucia, St Lucia is less developed, but in a bad way (if that makes sense) its a beautiful place, but there is more crime, etc there. I enjoyed my time there, but Nevis is more enjoyable to visit.
Jun 19th, 2005, 04:43 PM
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nini
I can't speak for Nevis as we have not been, but STL is lush, mountainous and beautiful. There are plenty of day trip activities to choose from. Day sails, jeep safaris, rain forest hikes, volcano, botanical gardens and more. We did not feel uneasy in STL, BUT, we did not venture out alone at night except for dinner as we are more of a day activities kind of couple and usually after dinner and a couple of drinks we are tired and ready to relax on the balcony. Boring huh?
Nevis is an island that I will research as well. Sounds beautiful and maybe a little more serene??? than STL.
I can't speak for Nevis as we have not been, but STL is lush, mountainous and beautiful. There are plenty of day trip activities to choose from. Day sails, jeep safaris, rain forest hikes, volcano, botanical gardens and more. We did not feel uneasy in STL, BUT, we did not venture out alone at night except for dinner as we are more of a day activities kind of couple and usually after dinner and a couple of drinks we are tired and ready to relax on the balcony. Boring huh?
Nevis is an island that I will research as well. Sounds beautiful and maybe a little more serene??? than STL.
