Kristen1206

i posted earlier sbout 2 deals I found for this winter...one for Aruba at la Cabana and one for St. Kitts at the Marriott.

What is St Kitts like? I have been to Aruba, Grand Cayman and Anguilla and loved them all.

I understand this is a lusher island which is great, but how are the beaches? the food? locals friendly?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Sunnyboy

St. Kitts is not anything like Aruba, Anguilla or Grand Caymen. First, St. Kitts is a volcanic island with mountains, lush rain forests, fertile sugar cane fields, old ruins and magnificant forts, rather than being flat and featureless like the other islands you've visited. Second, the beaches on St. Kitts tend to be smaller and are of darker sand. Because of the dark sand and the absence of a strong reef system the waters off the island lack the bright torquoise blue hue that you found on Anguilla and Aruba. You will find much better snorkeling and diving on the other islands then you will on St. Kitts. The Marriott, with 700+ rooms, is by far the largest resort on the island as most other places are either condos (under 75 rooms), small resorts (under 50 rooms) or plantation style inns (under 25 rooms). There are no high rise hotels nor is there a "strip" with scores of hotels like on Aruba or Grand Caymen's 7 Mile Beach. You find a wide variety of restaurants, many of them local establishments and some fine dining is offered at the Plantation Inns. You won't find as many gourmet restaurants on St. Kitts as you did on the other islands and with the exception of a KFC franchise in Basseterre you won't find any fast food places like on Aruba. The locals are extremely friendly. The Marriott is a relatively new hotel (parts of it are still under construction) and is suffering from a lack of consistentcy in service which is one of the reasons you can find price bargains. The "feel" at the Marriott is no different than you'd find at any other of Marriott's big resorts. Venture off the property, however, an you will discover the real St. Kitts which unlike Aruba and Grand Caymen, give you a old world Caribbean feel rather than the more Americanized or sanatized feel of the other islands you've visited. If you are looking for more of the same go to Aruba, if you are seeking a completly different experience go to St. Kitts.

Kristen1206

thanks sunnyboy!

paulalou

When we went to St. Kitts two years ago, we were looking for a laid back vacation with out feeling the pressure of "we need to do this and this and this" mentality. It was perfect fpr just that. There is shopping in the center of town, and it is very comfortable, low pressure experience.

It is easy to navigate - one main road, easy to walk. It certainly ws NOT like our other cribbean vacations, and that was good!

inthechips2

Heading to St Kitts next month and looking forward to it. Still debating whether we need to rent a car, but assuming we can make that decision once there - am I right?

We are serious walkers - we can walk everywhere if need be. How far is Timothy Beach Resort to Basseterre town?