St. Kitts and Nevis has evolved over the past decade or so into a multifaceted destination for both cruise stops and longer-term stays, with globally recognized attractions like the UNESCO-recognized Brimstone Hill fortress and the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, operating on the bed of a former sugar-cane railroad.
St. Kitts reopened to tourism in October 2020, as the destination has taken a cautious, safe approach to welcoming back international visitors Currently there are eight hotels and resorts accepting guests. Visitors must remain at their hotel for the first seven days after arrival. You can still mingle with other guests, dine in the restaurants and bars and partake in a variety of special activities during that seven-day period.
After seven days, guests may elect to take a PCR test (at their own expense, $150). Those who test negative may leave the resort but only to take part in authorized tours (currently there’s only one, the Kittitian Highlights tour which includes a visit to Timothy Hill overlook, the capital city of Basseterre, and Brimstone Hill). Only after 14 days, and another negative test, can visitors move freely about the islands. (Here’s what you need to know before visiting).
If you want to visit St. Kitts and Nevis right now, here are the places you can stay:
Park Hyatt St. Kitts: St. Kitts’ newest luxury destination is located within the Christophe Harbour development, which includes a world-class marina, the Pavilion Beach Club, and the stylish SALT Plage beach club. Guest rooms face the Caribbean Sea and the sister island of Nevis; most have soaking tubs and private decks, and rooftop suites feature private plunge pools. Three on-site restaurants are accompanied by en-suite dining.
St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino: If gambling is your jam, this is typically the place to stay on St. Kitts; alas, the casino is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Still the Marriott can’t be beat in terms of activity options when you need to stay put on a pandemic vacation: the big hotel has a wide selection of rooms, suites and villas, seven restaurants and bars, a spa and 18-hole golf course, and a broad sandy beach on Frigate Bay.
Four Seasons Nevis: One of the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean, the Four Seasons is an icon set before a beautiful stretch of Pinney’s Beach with Nevis Peak rising in the background. The resort boasts an impressive array of guest accommodations from hotel-style rooms and suites to standalone villas. The 350-acre property offers plenty of breathing room when social distancing is at a premium, including a lush Robert Trent Jones designed 18-hole golf course and a variety of private beach cabanas lining the shore. Dining options include the new, open-air On the Dune restaurant.
Golden Rock Inn, Nevis: Located not on the beach but in the lush highland rainforest of central Nevis, the Golden Rock sparkles with old-school Caribbean charm. The resort, built in and around the grounds of a former sugar mill, integrates deeply with its surroundings, offering guests an opportunity to unwind by a pool surrounded by tropical plants and birds, sipping on a signature rum punch, or hike to the Source — literally the wellspring of Nevis’ water.
Royal St. Kitts Hotel: This Frigate Bay hotel boasts a stylish lobby, cheerfully appointing studios and one- and two-bedroom suites, two pools, and four dining options, including a pool bar and sports bar. The Royal St. Kitts is located directly on the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course and also has an on-site spa.
Montpelier Plantation & Beach, Nevis: A former sugar mill shades the swimming pool at this luxury hotel on the ground of the former Montpelier estate. Private dinners in the mill building is just one dining option; others include the poolside Indigo restaurant and meals with sweeping views from the terrace at Restaurant 750. Further pampering can be found at the resort spa.
Paradise Beach, Nevis: The 13 villas at Paradise Beach include 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units with private pools and kitchens, and the beach bar serves three meals daily to guests. The villa resort is located on the west coast of Nevis, close to the Four Seasons.
Marriott Vacation Beach Club, St. Kitts: Colocated with the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the beach club is a vacation-ownership resort with two- and three-bedroom villas with full kitchens. Guests have access to all resort amenities.