Nevis Trip Report (from December)
 

So, I posted our Anguilla trip report a couple months ago and just got prodded to finish the rest of our trip to Nevis.

We flew LIAT from Anguilla to Nevis, via St. Kitt's. Four people (including the two of us) got off the plane. I went to pick up my luggage but was told "No, you will pick it up inside". Forty minutes later our two bags and the other couple's bags made it in. What is up with that?!? Someone could make a fortune if they opened a bar INSIDE the customs area.

Into a cab to Montpelier driven by a fellow from Washington, D.C. who married a Nevisian. I always find it amazing that you find out more about Nevis from the cabbies then anywhere else. We talked about the new construction (there is a lot going on), weddings, jobs...

Montpelier had all new staff at check-in. Nicole greeted us with cold towels (aahh, paradise). We stopped by the pool to pick up our rum punches and Kaddy recognizes us from our visit two years ago. He has my vote for best bartender. Out to the pool for some sun and a cool dip in the pool. No heated pools at Montpelier, it's, how should I say this, refreshing! Of course, tea time rolls around and it's time for my first of many half and halfs. A scone and a piece of cake. Wash it down with a Carib, and it's a meal!

One word about Carib beer. Carib from St. Kitt's is so much better than Carib brewed elsewhere. Don't know why, but it is. I've almost gotten into bar fights over this, ok, not bar fights but mellow discussions. I'm way too old for bar fights.

I digress...Nevis.

Restaurants

Montpelier Terrace

Janice Ryan has taken over the helm in the kitchen. The Terrace hasn't lost a thing. Great food, great view. Michele and I played backgammon almost every night before dinner. Don't miss the "antique rum" after dinner! We didn't eat in the old mill, but last time we were there, we did and it's quite an event.

Mangos (at Four Seasons)

I wasn't sure if I wanted to eat at a FS restaurant, but I'm glad we did. This place is much more casual and the food was excellent. Michele had the mahi mahi and the salsa served on top was mouth-watering. I had a delicious wahoo. And the vanilla rum punches were very tasty! We sat on the deck next to the railing and had an awesome view of St. Kitt's at night and watched the departing cruise ships lit up against the black sea. Oh and the rains came. It rained so hard we had to move our table!

Banana's

They moved up the hill and it's quite a ride to get there! Dinner was fine, but for me, the price point was a little high. Not Anguilla high, but a little too much for Nevis. But it has a great view! Michele had the fish, I had a steak, two salads and a couple of drinks...$130.

Double Deuce

I love the DD! Mark, former chef at Montpelier, makes the best ribs. That sauce is too much. His wife (girlfriend), whose name escapes me, is a kick. She'll give you a hard time, but is really just a sweetheart. Especially after a few stingers

Golden Rock Beach Bar

Michele swears by the lobster sandwich...best on the island and perhaps the Caribbean. I just wanted a cheeseburger in paradise. I've gotta have one, just one, on any trip to da ilons. And it's gotta be on the beach, on the water. Golden Rock is perfect. Service is lousy, but who cares! The bar is right there, the food is good and you can't beat the location.

Beaches

Well, Nevis isn't a "beach" island, not like Anguilla. But, Montpelier's "private" beach is quite nice. You get a free ride to the beach from Montpelier and you get to meet your fellow travelers. Also, long walks in either direction are just the ticket for a Ting with a sting when you get back!

Islanders

TC, taxi driver extraordinaire, took us hither and yon. She caught us up on all the news and island gossip. We met her niece also, who now owns the "chill" spa at Oualie Beach.

Kaddy - like I said, best bartender, hands down. 'Nuff said.

Cap'n Lester - snorkel boat driver. I think he needs to go faster in his boat...I don't think my kidneys have recovered yet! But the snorkel trip was really fun, even if the weather made snorkeling an adventure.

Things to Do

We snorkeled off St. Kitt's, got a massage at the FS, took long walks around Montpelier and their surrounding neighorhood, played backgammon and ate and drank and ate and drank. A great way to both start and end a vacation. No time for golf...ok, ok, there was time, just no energy! And why won't they allow non-FS people to play before 11 am is beyond me. The course was empty, seriously, empty. Not Temenos empty, but still...

We had a 7 am flight out and we had to meet TC at 5 am. Yawn, we made it to the airport at 5:30 am (with me grumbling all the way) and there was a line! Med students going back home for Christmas! We all just made it through before 7 am. Other than that smooth flying through San Juan, Dallas and home to San Francisco. 15 hours and fresh as a daisy. A dead, wilted, brown daisy.

So, where should we go next? Favorite islands so far - Nevis, VG, Tortola, Grenada, St. John, Anguilla, Jamaica, in that order.

Jus' limin'

Dave

looking HARD at going to Nevis for a 25th anniversary, thanks for sharing your trip Dave!

Thanks for the report Dave. Nevis is a special place. It grows on you.

Without trying to be controversial, are there any islands you wouldn't rush back to visit?

Don't know if you read the news but Sunshine's and the Golden Rock Beach Bar were forced to close last week for the development of a new hotel complex next to the 4S. I've read that Sunshine's will/has reopened right next to Chevy's down the beach towards Double Deuce, and Golden Rock will not reopen on the beach but will still serve their delicious lobster sandwiches at the Plantation Inn.

CW

Fantastic trip report! I just love reading about Nevis, and one of these days I promise I'll make a return visit to that lovely island.

Thanks for all the details in your report. We're headed to St. Kitts and Nevis in November. =)

Lovely report. Thank you.

Thanks for finishing the trip report, Dave. I enjoyed it very much!

CW,

For the controversial answer...the only place I would not go back to is Jamaica. Now I haven't been in about 18 years, but I don't like the feeling that I can't leave my hotel/resort at night. Plus, the vendors were really aggressive!

As to the other islands, I probably will return to the BVI's and Virgin Gorda in particular. I would go back to Grenada too. I think the vibe there is similar to Nevis.

Every island has its own personality and every island has its own pluses and minuses. You just have to match what you want with what that island offers. For us, that means a slower pace, relaxed dining, fewer people. So, no casinos, no huge resorts, less families with kids. There's absolutely nothing wrong places like that, it's just not something I'm looking for.

Off the soapbox...

Dave

Dave,

Agree with you completely. Thanks.

CW

Enjoyed reading your Trip Report. You should post it on our friendly forum at www.myislands.myeyez.net and www.nevisforum.com

Your feedback is helpful to future visitors.

SKBFan,

I posted it on the Nevis forum a few days ago!

Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed reading it.

Dave

I agree about the Carib, and my husband and I have discussed it over several of them! Definitely better brewed in StKitts...

However, it's still not a stretch to drink one while sitting in Grenada, or anywhere else in the caribbean for that matter!

Dave....
Great report! Do you say Gre-NA-da or Gren_naaaa-duh?
I really do not know the pronunciation of the island.
Also, I love Nevis!!!! Are there other islands easy to get to from there?

Well, when we visited Grenada a few years back, we were pronouncing it GreNAYda and no one corrected us! We loved Grenada, staying at the Spice Island Resort (before the multi million dollar makeover) and LaSource.

It's definitely on our list of islands to revisit.

As for other islands that you can visit from Nevis, St. Kitts is, of course, very easy. There's a ferry that takes you over and you can either rent a car or hire a driver. Some Nevis car rentals will allow you to use a car over on St. Kitts. Also, there is now a car ferry!

Other islands are close but I would guess you'd have to fly there. I've seen Montserrat and its active volcano and Antigua from higher elevations on Nevis.

Dave