They call it “luxury with no footprint.”

You understand it the moment you walk into Sunset Reef in St Kitts, the island’s newest hotel and arguably the most exciting new hotel in the Caribbean. 

There’s no front desk: check-in means taking you straight to your room, eliminating the typically arduous arrival experience that you find at just about every hotel in the region.

But it’s not just about reception; this is a place that is redefining the Caribbean hotel experience, a philosophy that covers every facet of the resort. 

No footprint means the hotel is powered by an ingenious geothermal energy system that uses heat from the sun to power the pool ,the air conditioning system, water filtration and water conservation. 

The system ensures that the pool is always heated, even at night, that the rooms are cooled without the loud sounds of a traditional air conditioning system, and every unit of energy at the hotel is used 13 or 14 times. The hotel is also working on an additional solar system that will completely take the property off the grid. 

And no footprint means Sunset Reef has created a seven-room boutique hotel with the amenities of a five-star luxury resort.

It’s quite a feat — from the Sandbar beach bar (perched above the sparkling beach) to the state-of-the-art fitness center (replete with Pelotons) to the outdoor hot tub-and-cold-plunge system, as general manager Marc Schneider says, “when a guest comes to stay, they shouldn’t have to want for anything.”

That extends into the fantastic suites: clean, sleek design; a synthetic fireplace, wireless chargers on the nightstands, an iPad that is your resort compendium, allowing you to order room service and make any request to the hotel staff; smart TVs with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video; and large, modern bathrooms. 

We should also address the name: the aptly-named Sunset Reef is home to what are unquestionably the most brilliant sunsets in St Kitts, shimmering, vibrant sunsets that are required viewing every day of your vacation (some with a green flash included).

But this is not just a place for dolce far niente, although the magnificent infinity pool is a constantly compels you to take a sun-filled dip. 

This is a place for travelers. 

Set in the Trinity village of St Kitts, it’s a hotel that actively encourages you to get out and explore the wonders of this island: the farm-to-table movement, the hiking at Mount Liamuiga, the artisanal rum-making at Belmont Estate; snorkeling and diving.

Ask Director of Operations Alex Nobert and he’ll give you his personalized recommendations for the perfect St Kitts afternoon, whether you want to journey up the foothills of a dormant volcano or enjoy a few Caribs on the water at a place called Rum Dawg. (Yes, Rum Dawg).

Then there is the Drop Anchor Grill, the signature eatery that has quickly become the best restaurant in St Kitts, with a locally-focused, mostly locally-sourced menu by Italy’s Chef Christian that has artisanal pizza and the island’s freshest seafood (make sure you have the snapper at least once during your stay. Thank us later.)

There’s a pervasive, unending feeling of wonder here, as you ask yourself how Sunset Reef has turned a relatively small property into this world-class, amenity-filed destination resort. 

It’s a new model for the Caribbean boutique hotel, one that delivers every need of a luxury traveler, one that achieves real sustainability, not just green lip service; and one that does so while ensuring an authentic, truly Kittitian experience. 

This is the best new boutique hotel in the Caribbean — and, more importantly, it’s a new kind of boutique hotel in the Caribbean, where you don’t need 1,000 acres and 500 rooms to make a significant impact. 

You don’t even need a footprint. 

For more, visit Sunset Reef.