mpkp

I am thinking we will fly into St Kitts because the flight schedule seems better there. I would like to stay at nisbet for 5 days and thought to go straight there by ferry when we got in. I thought it would be good to stay in St Kitts for a day or two before we returned. Would we be disappointed in Timothy Beach Resort after Nisbet or would we enjoy it? Ottley Plantation is very expensive and there is only so much $$ to go around. I thought Timothy Beach Resort would be a good value.

Thanks for your help!

A_Traveller

Timothy Beach Resort is a fine, average type resort but it doesn't hold a candle to Nisbet. As you no doubt already suspect Ottley's will be a closer comparison to Nisbet. Whether or not you'll be disappointed at Timoty Beach depends on YOUR level of expectation. Many people enjoy their stays. Like everything else in life, you get what you pay for - if you want upscale luxury go to Ottley's - if you want more modest accomodations Timothy Beach will be just fine.

cw

Hi mpkp,

You don't say what time of year you're going but we've found during high season, that there's no problem with the timing of the flights to Nevis.

You may want to check into flying into Nevis and out of St. Kitts if you want to visit both islands. I don't think there is a big price difference.

Like A_Traveller, I agree that as long as you know that Timothy Beach is not Nisbet, you won't be disappointed. Both are beach resorts but that is where the similarity ends. Maybe you could reverse the trip and go to Timothy Beach first.

CW

JeanH

We stayed at Timothy Beach a couple years ago. From there, we headed to Oualie Beach on Nevis. I realize Oualie isn't in the same league as Nisbet, but I was still glad to have stayed on the much busier island of St. Kitts first.

We enjoyed both islands, and both resorts. Timothy Beach is definitely not fancy, but we were very comfortable and liked being within easy walking distance of several good restaurants.

eileen

Frankly, after Nisbet most any other resort on St. Kitts is going to be a disappointment, in my opinion there's nothing there that can hold a candle to Nisbet. We stayed three nights at the Marriott and then went on to Nisbet - it was like night and day because Marriott is huge and lacking charm and Nisbet is small, peaceful, charming, wonderful in most every way. But we were at the Marriott on points so it was okay, but I would have hated the Marriott if I had gone to Nisbet first. I also checked out Timothy Beach Resort when I visited and was very disappointed in the beach there (not much to recommend it at all -- beach at the Marriott much, much better)it is a pretty basic hotel, I wouldn't call it a resort. I agree with the other posters that one of the plantation inns on St. Kitts would be a better option and definitely go to St. Kitts first and finish up at Nisbet. By the way, we stayed in both the Deluxe and Premium rooms at Nisbet and even though the Premium rooms have a better view and are newer with larger bathrooms, I actually liked the Deluxe rooms better. They are in little bungalows set among 100's of coconut palsm with patios and a wonderful screened porch that serves as a living room. Very charming and sort of "old world" Caribbean (as in the 50's when travel to the Caribbean was glamorous). Those rooms are much better than the superior ones and I highly recommend the upgrade.

inthechips2

I would disagree about the beaches at TBR and the Marriott. The Marriott's beach is on the rougher side of the island where the beach in front of TBR is on the calm Caribbean side. It's a long quiet beach lined with beach bars, fun for walking in the mornings and not crowded during the day, except when the cruise ships are in Snorkeling can be good around the rocks on the end of the beach nearest TBR and you can kayak around to another beach (can't remember the name) for more swimming. The TBR is not posh by any means but we've stayed twice and plan to return next year sometime.

eileen

I guess I must have been at the TBR beach at a bad time (this was in April). Perhaps it was "high tide" but there was hardly any beach at all and the small width was crammed with beach chairs, water sports equipment, etc. Yes, it is a long beach and we loved Mr X's Shiggidy Shack!

mpkp

Thanks all. That is what I thought. Maybe it would be better to spend 7-8 nights on Nevis and just day trip to St. Kitts. The Ottley Plantation there seems really nice but it is more expensive than Nisbet.

My problem with Misbet is that you have to pay for dinner every night so that if you want to try another restaurant you would be paying twice for dinner. I would have liked a package that had 3 or 4 nights there but left me a couple of nights to go somewhere else.

I am also trying to convince myself that it is worth spending $5,000 on this trip! I had hoped to spend more like $3,000 - $3,500 but I can't seem to find that -- an airfare sale would help here!

cyburowl

We are staying at Nisbet in a few weeks. Just wanted you to know that when we spoke to Steve at Nisbet, he told us if we wanted to enjoy dinner elsewhere on the island on a couple of nights, we could have lunch on property (which is not included in our rates)instead of dinner (which is). Even though lunch is not the same as a several course dinner, I still thought that was a nice gesture and could be an option for you.

ejcrowe

Yes, I was just going to chime in about that. Just arrange ahead of time to have lunch on site instead of dinner--you may have to plan a day in advance to do that and get the credit. As cyburowl points out, lunch isn't as costly as dinner, but at least it frees you up to try other restaurants without feeling like you're paying twice for your meals.

Definitely try dinner at Montpelier once!

mpkp

Travelocity has rates for this property that does not include dinner. Their rates start at $187 plus taxes and fees while the hotel has rates starting at $350 plus taxes and fees. I believe the only difference is afternoon tea and dinner is included in the hotel's rates. I have never used Travelocity or any service like it and am skeptical to do it now. However, that difference is significant and I was wondering about it. I would think we could purchase dinner at various restaurants with the savings. Has anyone ever tried this?

ejcrowe

I've used Travelocity for flights with consistent satisfaction. But why not contact Nisbet directly and see what they'll offer for a room only or a breakfast plan?

Angler973

We always try to move from the least luxurious property to the most, when visiting multiple resorts. It is really hard to start high and go downscale. For that reason, I'd recommend starting at Timothy Beach, which is fine, and then moving to Nisbet, which in our experience is really a lovely place.

JeanH

We booked our room at Oualie Beach through Travelocity and had no problems at all. We also changed our dates a bit (although we added a night, not subtracting one), and that wasn't a problem either. The price was quite a bit cheaper than the rates shown on the Oualie Beach website.

Last year I also purchased plane tickets to Key West on Travelocity. There were some significant flight changes (and we were using two airlines). It took awhile on the phone, but I finally got all my money back, minus a $5.00 or so handling fee.

mpkp

Thanks for all of your responses. As I agonize about all of this, I think we will spend the entire time on Nevis -- 8 or 9 days encompassing Thanksgiving. We can day trip to St. Kitts but y'all have convinced me that I would not regret all the time spent on Nevis. So here is another question -- How about spending the first part of the trip at Hermitage and the last part at Nisbet? Would that be disappointing to me?

I think it might be nice to be up the mnountain for part of the time and they will sell you rooms with breakfast only -- we could try other restaurants during this time -- and then spend the time at Nisbet and not be concerned about only eating there. Hermitage has some good reviews here. I would go there first as I think I would like to move to the nicer place for the last memory. Montpelier looks lovely but it is very expensive and I think we would enjoy Hermitage.

So what do you think? 5 nights at Hermitage and 4 at Nisbet -- would that be a good combination?

Thanks

cw

Hi mpkp,

We've stayed at the Hermitage twice in the past two years. Here is the link to my brief trip report from last March:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34960717

I think splitting your stay between mountain/beach plantation houses is a good idea.

If staying at the Hermitage will give you a chance to explore other dining options, it's a good idea.

The Hermitage is a very friendly inn with nice rooms, excellent food, and a good bar. I'm sure you would enjoy it.

Be happy to answer any questions you may have.

CW

A_Traveller

Staying first at Hermitage than Nisbet is a good idea. You'll enjoy both places and you'll be going from a nice place to and even better one.

Nevisian

That's a great idea to split your time between the Hermitage and Nisbet. They are two very different resorts. You will not be disappointed in either. And do check out American Eagle direct flights into/out of Nevis from San Juan P.R..

ejcrowe

Yes, I also agree that splitting the time between Hermitage and Nisbet is a terrific compromise.

mymoosie

Love the Hermitage! I think you have a good plan. Enjoy!