So really, these Palm Grove villas aren't really "villas" but more like condominiums with separate pools and gardens? Interesting.. So, there aren't any free standing palm grove villas? What Palm Grove villa do you reccomend?

Palm Grove Villas are a mix. The older villas are back-to-back duplexes (2 units with a common wall). The resort just finished 5 or 6 free standing villas in Palm Grove two years ago. They were more popular with long term renters. If you get a duplex, stick with the one storey units facing south (catch the breeze) or pay a bit more for a free standing villa along the first fairway. If you want more privacy there is one two bedroom free standing villa in Sunset North with a beautiful garden. To be honest; we're talking about the only 5 diamond resort in the Caribbean and although the villas are privately owned, the resort has strict guidlines as to their condition and amenities. If it isn't 4S quality it isn't in the rental pool. I've been in numerous villas in all the neighborhoods and they are definitely rich people's second homes. The owners come from all over the globe so you get a different taste in each villa. Some have sleek modern furnishings, some have lovely antiques, all have great artwork. You get German China instead of Melamac plates and silver plate instead of stainless steel untensils in the kitchen. The master bedrooms have king beds and the second bedrooms have a mix of King, Quenn, twins, 1-double and twin beds. One 4 bedroom in Sunset has all kings. Don't be afraid to ask the front desk to show you different units if you are not satisfied with the one they assign you. Before I retired and decided to move to Nevis, we stayed in Palm Grove and the 2 bedroom on the hill (1601). I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did ours. Maybe you'll want to move here too!

Thanks! There is a Nevisian Villa special on the FS site and it says it includes a Palm Grove Villa w/ Plunge Pool and complimentary golf cart plus other incentives. Do you think I can request a stand alone 2 bedroom villa for the same special?

The villas at the FS Nevis seem to be the most reasonable to me. At other resorts, such as Little Dix Bay or Parrot Cay, the villas are ridiculously expensive! Does anyone know of other resorts such as FS Nevis that have reasonably prices villas with two bedrooms?

It never hurts to ask. I'd imagine a lot would depend on the season and the hotel's bookings. And the villa of choice's availability. Some (most) of the owners come down for the winter. The Palm Grove Villas picture on the 4S web site is one of the single storey 2 br. duplexes. You can see by the roofline that they share a common wall. The view, if I'm not mistaken, is taken from the backyard plunge pool patio of one of the 3br. free standing Palm Grove villas at the dogleg of the 1st fairway. The 2 br duplexes are along the fairway and the free standing 3 br villas are around the hole. The buildings are quite strategically placed for privacy from each other. The golfers will be going past your back veranda/yard. The plunge pool is great for cooling off after a hot sunbath on your own patio and for a midnight dip -plus- you always have the three distinctly different pools and jaccuzzi along the beach too. Check this site out http://www.fsestatesnevis.com/VillaMap.html it is the villa sales departments site and may give you a better idea of the property.

I assume going in the summer would allow more room to ask for a certain villa?

FS Nevis seems like it can't be beat... the prices arent ridiculously expensive for a luxury villa WITH a kitchen, and the lush and beautiful scenery on the island makes up for the beach [which seems to still have very clear water, just not very turquoise].

Nevisian, is there much to do on St. Kitts that isn't on Nevis? Are there day trips to other Caribbean islands nearby other than St. Kitts?

Oh, also, what kind of villa is this in the photo:

http://www.fourseasons.com/image_lib...87_496x620.jpg

Is it the two story Palm Grove Villa? I thought all individual villa residences came with pools for each family staying in each duplex. I noticed that villa also has an infinity pool, which is what I would prefer.

That is one of the 2 storey villas along the 18th fairway (on the other side of the lily pond). The pool belongs to the front villa. It is not shared with the other unit in the duplex. If you notice, the other side of the duplex does not have a pool. Some owners did not put them in. This pool must be new, I don't remember seeing it. It's obviously bigger than a plunge pool and has enough patio space for lounge chairs. I doubt that it is an infinity edge pool but it certainly is better than a plunge pool. I was in this unit 10 years ago. You can see the ocean from the upper storey (master bedroom balcony) beyond the 18th green. The unit that has the pool faces West. The breezes come off the mountain behind it so keep that in mind. I've been told that the resort is on a big upgrade campaign for units of this age so this one may have been rehabbed. For example, the kitchens and bathrooms were originally white tile and they are upgrading to marble. The furniture was wicker and most of the owners I talk with say that the resort is asking them to update the chintz and wicker look.
Try this URL for a look at the floorplan for a 2 storey unit http://www.fsestatesnevis.com/resale.html

Ah I see... that villa seems like it needs to be somewhat updated with newer furniture, etc. Will most of the villas be updated by June 2008?

I guess I just have to call the hotel and ask them about which villa w/ a pool to rent for the $1125 price per night.

TrijanBMW - I asked a friend in housekeeping and she thinks that unit has been upgraded. Since it is always pictured in the adds, it is very popular. She also said that the villas are always in better condition that the hotel rooms since they rent less and the owners pay individual attention to them. Personally, I don't think that you will have a problem with any of the villas. Mid-summer isn't high season so the resort should be able to give you a choice if the first unit they assign you isn't up to your expectations. They really do deserve their 5 diamond reputation. I wish SKBFAN would chime in here about St. Kitts. The sugar train doesn't run during the summer so you'll have to rely on a rental car or taxi. Taxi is best. You must visit Brimstone Hill fortress, Rawlins Plantation and the old part of downtown: The Circle. St. Kitts is building an entirely new downtown for cruise ships and although the shopping will be St. Thomas-like, it isn't the original Basseterre. Walk around Basseterre for a day. Get to know the people. The Cricket grounds are new for this last years International matches, The Roman and Anglican churches are worth a look see. Ferry service between the islands is every day and frequent. We go shopping in St. Kitts. For us it's like shopping in the next city down the road. Ballyhoo restaurant in the Circus (main Square) is good for lunch. You could also take a day trip to St. Martin by flying out of Nevis in the early morning and back about 7pm. Rent a car at the airport in St. Martin. Be back to the airport ahead of schedule. They will stop check-in when they say they do and woe to him who arrives 5 minutes after their time. Take Winair or Liat. The hotel will arrange it for you. We grocery shop for French cheeses and specialty foods there.

I really can't decide if I want to go to Nevis. I try to convince myself that the beach is really nice, but when I see photos of Turks & Caicos, I think to myself that the beach seems supreme there. But then again, I say to myself... well there aren't any resorts that I really like on T&C. Amanyara is too expensive for a two bedroom suite/villa [which is what we need], and Parrot Cay is too expensive for a 2 br. villa/suite too. Grace Bay Club is in our price range, but I don't exactly like how the hotel is 4 story condo buildings with only two small pools.. same with Somerset, and The Palms. Nothing seems to beat the FS Nevis with the reasonable priced 2 bedroom villa with the private pool.

I've heard that the Four Seasons Great Exuma is far away from the main town where the restaurants are, yet there are some amazing excursions to the cays in the Bahamas. The beach at the FS is also amazing it seems, but there are only 2 bedroom suites w/o private pools.

Other reasons too don't seem to beat Nevis in the room category... Raffles Canouan Island has nice suites but the cheaper ones don't have kitchens or private pools. Jumby Bay's villas are too expensive. Ritz Carlton St. Thomas has reasonable priced condos, but they're lacking privacy and a private pool...

In the end, I think to myself... well Four Seasons Nevis seems to have it all. Very nice resort with three pools, plenty of tennis courts, a closeby town, restaurants, history, golf, and a top rated spa. I have the option of booking a villa with a private pool. The scenery is gorgeous, yet it just lacks that stereotypical white sand Caribbean beach and the excursions to different beautiful cays. I think I am just thinking too hard about this!

I really can't decide if I want to go to Nevis. I try to convince myself that the beach is really nice, but when I see photos of Turks & Caicos, I think to myself that the beach seems supreme there. But then again, I say to myself... well there aren't any resorts that I really like on T&C. Amanyara is too expensive for a two bedroom suite/villa [which is what we need], and Parrot Cay is too expensive for a 2 br. villa/suite too. Grace Bay Club is in our price range, but I don't exactly like how the hotel is 4 story condo buildings with only two small pools.. same with Somerset, and The Palms. Nothing seems to beat the FS Nevis with the reasonable priced 2 bedroom villa with the private pool.

I've heard that the Four Seasons Great Exuma is far away from the main town where the restaurants are, yet there are some amazing excursions to the cays in the Bahamas. The beach at the FS is also amazing it seems, but there are only 2 bedroom suites w/o private pools.

Other reasons too don't seem to beat Nevis in the room category... Raffles Canouan Island has nice suites but the cheaper ones don't have kitchens or private pools. Jumby Bay's villas are too expensive. Ritz Carlton St. Thomas has reasonable priced condos, but they're lacking privacy and a private pool...

In the end, I think to myself... well Four Seasons Nevis seems to have it all. Very nice resort with three pools, plenty of tennis courts, a closeby town, restaurants, history, golf, and a top rated spa. I have the option of booking a villa with a private pool. The scenery is gorgeous, yet it just lacks that stereotypical white sand Caribbean beach and the excursions to different beautiful cays. I think I am just thinking too hard about this!

I wish there was a resort just like the Four Seasons Nevis with all of the activities, close proximity to a town, yet somewhat isolated, but with a better beach. Nothing seems to beat a Four Seasons.

Yes, you are thinking too hard about this. This is a one time trip and if you like 4SNevis you will come back, if you don't like 4S Nevis then you will spend a bit more and try Parrot Cay or Exuma: the next vacation. This won't be the last trip you take - will it? Vacations are supposed to be carefree and relaxing. You are getting yourself into a tizzy. Choose whichever resort seems to suit your criteria today and go for it. Your criteria may change for your next trip. And the stereotypical white sand beaches aren't typical, they are rare. Sand is sand colour and the beaches of Nevis and St. Kitts are light golden (except for two black beaches on St, Kitts) and lovely. The ocean is not teal blue because the water is deeper than the shallow sandbars of the Bahamas or the Caymans. Good luck in choosing and have a great vacation wherever you decide to go.