36 Square Miles: No Room for Stress on Nevis
by Steve Lassman, Vice President & General Manager
A villa vacation in Nevis encompasses everything a getaway should have: spectacular scenery, abundant attractions, laid-back, friendly locals, a relaxing vibe, perfect weather, and a unique, accommodating culture. There are reasons why people need to leave their everyday environment. Nor’easter snow storms, long waits in traffic, more daily tasks than hours in a day all contribute to the need to escape from the everyday. Nevis allows visitors to appreciate the simpler things in life like the beauty of nature, a friendly greeting, and sunshine and sea air that relax the mind, body, and soul. As mentioned on the island’s tourism website, “Stress is a word, not a way of life.”
Add in the element of luxury living and exceptional service to the beautiful, unspoiled, uncrowded island, and you have the ingredients of a vacation you’ll remember the rest of your life.
We stayed in the Villas at the Four Seasons Nevis. The entire staff was so positive and accommodating. Exceptional service was the rule from the moment we arrived. Warm welcomes from the open and friendly staff made check-in easy and seamless, and it set the tone for the entire vacation. It was like arriving at a long-time friend’s home.
As we drove up Sunset Hill to our villa with views of the ocean on one side and the majestic Mt. Nevis towering on the other, a feeling of serenity and calmness washed over me. They say the color green is the most calming color of the rainbow, and the villas are surrounded by beautiful shades of green from the golf course to the lush landscape covering Mt. Nevis. The simple exterior displays gingerbread lattice woodwork construction, reminiscent of a British West Indian plantation home. The villa’s interior is where they display the grandeur. We walked through the front door of our villa to find an open layout from the kitchen to the living room, with high cathedral ceilings and oversized rooms offering an airy feel. The high-quality luxury was a fantastic bonus, but the whispering warm breezes and classic comforts are what lulled me to sleep every night.
Nevis is the perfect place for families or couples to relax and reconnect. The island may only be 36 square miles in area, but there are enough activities, history, culture, perfect weather, and natural beauty to last a lifetime. More than 10,000 year-round residents will agree, and yet despite the fact that the island has so much to offer for so many people, crowds are a non-factor more often than not, so you can enjoy this peaceful private paradise on your own if you so choose.
Activities abound for those with varied interests on the island of Nevis. Nature tours through Devil’s Copper and New River Spring, and hiking through The Golden Rock Nature Trail and Upper Round Road offer visitors the chance to view lush natural landscapes and unparalleled beauty in addition to sightings of rare, indigenous species of wildlife.
There is no shortage of historical landmarks in Nevis as locals will tell you. Walking the streets of Charlestown offers visitors a trip back to colonial times with rows of 18th and 19th century homes that have been restored to reflect a bygone era. Economist, lawyer, and American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was born in Charlestown, and the two-story Georgian style home where he spent his early youth now functions as a museum and a meeting room for the Nevis House of Assembly.
For active pursuits Nevis has plenty of water sports and perfect weather for visitors to enjoy. Snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, and other activities in Nevis’ warm, crystal blue waters give vacationers endless outdoor enjoyment. If you want to exercise on land and participate in the local culture, cricket, football (soccer), and netball will help you break a sweat and interact with locals.
After all the activities of the day, it’s nice to have such a spacious, comfortable, exquisitely decorated villa to call home. No matter where we were on the property, it never felt crowded because of the overall size and layout of the residences. Even on the beach I was able to find a spot without a soul in sight; no fighting for chairs or umbrellas, or waiting in line for anything. We toured the property daily, scoping out different areas, and the only visitors we came across were an occasional golfer, or if it was late afternoon we were sure to see a troop of African Green Monkeys foraging for their dinner near the mango trees or fresh water from the golf course creeks.
It is hard to say which area of the residences or the island was my favorite because they were all so unique and displayed their own charm and advantages. Palm Grove Villa’s advantage is its location right alongside the resort which offers views, not only of Mount Nevis, but also of the first tee, and the beach, pools, restaurants and spa are just a short stroll away. You can even order room service from these villas. I really liked their large-screened lanais which makes so much sense for the Caribbean, but is rarely found. Some of the villas here have a one- bedroom separate cottage that gives privacy for families traveling together. Even though some of the villas are duplexes, the landscape was designed to offer total privacy between the 2 villas, including the pool areas.
I am leaning towards the Palm Grove Estates as my favorite because of the sunset ocean views and scenic vistas of nearby Mt Nevis. They also offer access to a championship golf course rated Number One Best Golf Resort in the Caribbean by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Since all the villas come with a 6-passenger golf cart, your villa is no more than 10 minutes away from the resort area, no matter where you’re located. The higher up the mountain the villa, the views are better, the landscape is greener and lusher, the air is crisper, the location is more secluded, and the villa is larger.
I have to admit that it takes a lot to get me excited about a place after visiting destinations and accommodations for 20+ years, but I’m so happy that I was able to experience the newly renovated Nevis Four Seasons and all that it has to offer. It truly exceeded all my expectations, and as we taxied on the ferry to St. Kitts and watched the sunrise peek out from Mt. Nevis, I felt that this is a place where a return trip is a must.
