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Places to stay on Nevis range from fabulous plantation inns to posh resorts to several smaller properties. Unlike other islands that have a multitude of hotels strung along the popular beaches, understated Nevis has just a handful of oceanfront accommodations. Many visitors enjoy staying in the mountains by the rain forest, where breezes are refreshingly cool, trees and flowers are plentiful, insects are few and far between and where there's always the chance you’ll see scampering green vervet monkeys.
The wonderful thing about Nevis hotels is that each property is distinctive. The Four Seasons Resort can be attributed with putting Nevis on the map. This magnificent beach front property, with its award-winning Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and five-star cuisine, is world-renowned. It is known for its impeccable service and gracious hospitality. The resort was good before, but now it will be better than ever. After severe damage from Hurricane Lenny that knocked it out of business in November 1999, the hotel is now newly refurbished and improved. The swimming pools have been redesigned to include an invisible horizon, the rooms have refurbished and a seawall has been built offshore to reduce the effect of future storms.
Aside from the Four Seasons, many choose to stay at one of the five plantation inns on the island. Only one of them, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is located on the water, the others are in the hills, near the rain forests. Located on a long white stretch of beach lined with coconut palms, Nisbet is comprised of a series of individual cottages that line a long grass promenade stretching down to the sea. Here you’ll find a wonderful beach, one of the prettiest on Nevis, a beach bar/restaurant and pool right by the sea. You can relax in one of the many hammocks that are suspended between coconut trees along the beach. The main dining room is located in the former stone great house on the property.
The other four inns are scattered amongst the Nevis hillsides. The Hermitage Plantation Inn originally was a wooden West Indian house, believed to be the oldest wooden home in the Lesser Antilles. When the owners developed the structure into an inn, they replicated the details from several West Indian cottages around the property, using handmade fretwork, porches and verandas. Hermitage offers guest horseback riding, carriage rides in antique carriages, and any number of luxurious amenities.
Montpelier Plantation Inn is considered by many to be the quintessential British hotel of the Caribbean. Guests linger over afternoon ‘high tea’ in this historic stone hotel, as well as elegant fixed price dinners. Montpelier's rooms are cottages, surrounded by beautiful gardens. The hotel has a huge pool decorated by a large outdoor mural.
Most impressive ruins of a sugar plantation can be seen at the Old Manor Estate Hotel, which is located within Nevis’ picturesque hills. You will see remnants of an old factory and beautiful examples of the wonderful volcanic stone that is used throughout the island in many forms.
A very enjoyable, peaceful setting is that of Golden Rock Plantation Inn, popular with hikers, nature lovers and those looking for a cool, mountainside retreat. Even island visitors not staying at the hotel usually make this a stop in efforts to spot the green vervet monkeys scampering about and to enjoy the hotel's short nature walk that runs through the base of the rain forest. It's also one of the main launching points for a hike up to the top of the quasi-active volcano, Nevis Peak. Honeymooning couples are attracted to Golden Rock. They enjoy staying in its historic sugar mill, which has been converted into romantic bedroom suites.
The newest hotel on the island is the Inn at Cades Bay, located on a lovely stretch of powdery white sand. These pink-stucco suites are set right on the beach overlooking our sister island of St. Kitts. Each unit has an over sized bedroom, large bath, and many amenities, including a private patio and the prerequisite hammock.
High on a hill overlooking Cades Bay is the elegant Cliffdwellers Villa development, beautifully designed resort homes that are also rented out on a hotel basis.
Farther up the west coast of the island is the popular Oualie Beach Hotel, the center of water sports here. Located right on the beach, Oualie has undergone expansion and now has 12 more cottage-style rooms. Besides the hotel and lively bar, next door to Oualie is the center for scuba, snorkeling and whaling trips, deep sea fishing, boating excursions, as well as windsurfing and kayaking. Mountain bike rentals are available here as well.
Next to Oualie is Pinney's Beach Hotel, which is popular with local business people traveling or with visitors who want easy accessibility to town. It has a pool, restaurant, and air-conditioned rooms. It's a comfortable spot for the budget traveler, who also may want to consider the Sea Spawn Guest House, also in town. Another nicely kept budget guest house is Debbie's Guest House in Charlestown.
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