My husband and I are planning a trip to St Kitts in January at the Marriott.. Any feedback from anyone? Any negative comments?

Hi! My husband and I have stayed at the Marriott for the last 2 summers. We love it and the staff was very friendly. We noticed that the service was better on this past trip at the restaurants. (We only ate on-site at lunch) Some people feel that the hotel is too big and out of place for the island and while they are probably correct, we still loved what the Marriott had to offer. We were upgraded to amazing rooms on both visits that were absolutely huge! We have stayed in the outer buildings and not in the main hotel where the casino is located so I don't know about those rooms.
You might be approached on the beach by very kind people trying to sell their wares, but a kind no thanks will do and they did not get on my nerves.
While in St. Kitts, I highly recommend the following restaurants/tours: See Carribel (sp) Batik, the Fortress, the rainforest.....for tours. As for restaurants: Serendipity, Mr. X's Shiggidy Shack, Sprat Net and Marshall's.

Have fun!!

Big (600+ rooms) resort, fairly new (about 3 years old), casino, several on-site restaurants with others near-by, big pool, large beach area with 100's of metal shade umbrellas, on Atlantic side of island so water can be rough at times (there is a man-made breakwater just off shore to cut down on wave action.

St. Kitts itself is an interesting island. Be sure to visit the Batik Factory at Rhomney Mannor, the Fortress at Brimstone Hill (one of the most impressive in the Caribbean), the Black Rocks, the petroglyphs and the beaches on the southern penninsula. If you are energetic have the concierge set you up with a guide for a hike to the top of the volcano (if it's a clear day the views of surrounding islands is fantastic).

A_Traveller....You put me to shame with my quick responses! Thanks for clarifying the correct names of the places that I mentioned which are well-worth seeing. You have a great assessment of the Marriott, as I tend to ramble on....
Do you live in the Caribbean, or are you just more observant than I am? Another

I promise to keep a journal of this summer's trip so that I can get the details straight.

To the op....please do consider a day trip to Nevis, one of our favorite islands. Chevy's Calypso Bar, Sunshines (all by the Four Seasons) are fun.. For a great meal visit Oualie Beach for lunch or dinner or Coconut Grove for an awesome dinner!

The Marriott is great! We stayed a few years ago in the main bldg. Very nice rooms. We were on the cheaper side of the hotel (not ocean view), but figured we were out so much so no biggie to look at the parking lot. The hills beyond were beautiful! There are tons of options for rooms at the Marriott.

I second the volcano hike-it's strenuous though-we loved it and got soaked. We also took a horseback riding tour of the jungle. I wouldn't recommend as the guides weren't very friendly, compared to volcano hike guide (named O'Neal). Catamaran trip to Nevis is great too, fun party atmosphere (low key if you're not into it), plus snorkling in secluded cove. There are tons of ways to spend money for delish dinners (all over the island), so pizza shack by the Marriott pool was a welcome breather one night after so much vacation eating! They had a coin op laundry that came in handy mid-trip. I don't know if the casino has caught on by now, but when we were there it was pretty quiet. We mostly ate a big buffet breakfast at the hotel which would hold us most of the day. We ate off property quite a bit for dinner, but they had a great variety of dining there.

jw - don't put yourself down. I thought your response was pretty good with a lot of worthwhile information. Mine was short and concise as I was writting it between phone calls. Interestingly, you post was not "there" when I started writting but by the time I actually hit the post button 30 minutes had past and you beat me to the "post".

I been travelling to the Caribbean for 25+ years and for the past 10 years have been able to make multiple trips there each year. I've been to St. Kitts numerous times in recent years which made answering the OP's question fairly easy.

For more information on St. Kitts visit www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com

For reviews of the Marriott visit www.myislands.myeyez.net

If you plan to go to the Marriott, make sure you leave the resort and explore the fun beach bars on the Caribbean side. www.mrxshiggidyshack.com and www.turtlebeach1.com

Definitely tour the island and see Brimstone Hill Fortress www.brimstonehillfortress.org

For pictures of the island visit http://anne64.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

You will love St. Kitts!

Be sure to post a Trip Report when you return...

The only negative is that you are missing a lot by not staying at one of the smaller hotels or inns on St. Kitts.
The marriott is a nice, big resort, but for my money it's about the same as any other big hotel.
St. Kitts is a really special place -- make sure you don't spend all your time (and money) inside the Marriott's walls!

Yes, do not spend your time only at the Marriott! That would be a dis-service to your whole vacation!

And, please do submit a trip report so that I can live through your vacation, as I am surrounded by 25 2nd graders!!!!! Argh!

The Marriott is very nice, very large. Take a day trip to Nevis, much quieter island. There is ferry service between the islands. Make sure you explore St Kitts a lot because it is really beautiful!

bjs7358, well, there is St. Kitts, or there is the Marriott on St. Kitts...2 different worlds...take your pick!

We stayed at Timothy's Beach Resort right on a snorkeling beach...more casual than the Marriott...Very enjoyable and laid-back. We drove all over the island and ate everywhere. We also drove over to the Marriott and walked all around. We felt like we had been zapped off the island by magic into Las Vegas...the Marriott is not anything like the rest of the island. If you like Las Vegas this is the place for you.

This is my very subjective opinion. I would be very disappointed in myself if I pretended to be objective.

We also spent a couple nights at Ottley's as a splurge as it was an anniversary trip. Yes Ottley's really spoils you. We enjoyed Ottley's too, on the luxury end of things...although I gotta say some of the other guets at Ottley's have come for total peace and quiet and they definitely don't want to chat with you. The staff is terrific though.

Oops, 2 mistakes in post above. WE didn't like the Marriott, I hope that was clear. (Judging from walking around inside and outside.) Also at the end of the post I meant to say the other guests at Ottleys...instead I said "guets", a typo.

Hi Melissa. Do you have any photos of Timothy's Beach Resort you can share? You mention that there is snorkeling right from the beach, how was it? Thanks!

Visit www.dannolansphotography.com

Click on Images and then scroll down to A Week in St. Kitts.

Dan, Thanks for sharing pictures. I had not thought of going to St. Kitts, but now I'm interested. Owa

Thanks for the photos Dan. You take beautiful photos. I looked at the Antigua photos too since we're headed there as well. Wow, Dickinson Bay lost a lot of beach. Used to be so much wider over by Sandals.

Just returned from a week in St. Kitts. Stayed at Calypso Bay Villas, but spent a day at the Marriott pool. Beautiful hotel with all the amenities, but they nickel and dime you for everything. Had lunch at their Bomemian Beach Bar was good, but pricey. Our worst meal on the island was at their Blu Restaurant. We prefer the open air beach restaurants.

I'd recommend staying at Timothy Beach Resort or rent a villa.