To get a really feel for the Chitite lifestyle, we should embrace the sweetness restriction. On the two-island state of St. Kitts and Nevis, on lime is to loosen up and unwind. It is a idea that my husband, Cam, and I are excited so as to add to our vocabulary, particularly since we acquired married only a week earlier than and had been determined for some R&R. We shortly determined that our honeymoon theme could be easy lime and there isn’t any higher place to do it than the Park Hyatt St. Kitts.
Sugar, spices and all the pieces good
St. Kitts, named after Saint Christopher, the patron saint of vacationers, is a type of islands blessed with all of the tropical parts wanted for a honeymoon – turquoise bays, golden sands and plush mountain peaks. Though it could be off-season (most vacationers arrive between November and April), our descent onto the 23-mile-long, 5-mile-wide island proves we’re in for excellent June climate.
After passing via customs, we’re on our approach to our vacation spot. Fortunate for us, we hopped into Invoice’s cab. The solar in human type, Invoice takes us on a tour of St. Kitts as we zigzag alongside the island’s roads. Sugar Prepare, also called St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the final railway within the Caribbean. Initially constructed within the 1900s to move sugar, it now takes passengers on a 30-mile, 3-hour tour. Then we see Timothy Hill, a slim strip of land the place the deep blue Atlantic Ocean meets the azure Caribbean Sea. No surprise actor Robert Redford constructed his house on Sundance Ridge atop this peak.
Paradise, discovered
The street resulting in Park Hyatt St. Kitts completely units the stage for what lies forward. To the proper is a breezy coconut farm with tall swaying palm bushes, piles of coconuts and playful Vervet monkeys. On the left, a view of the Caribbean Sea. Catching us admiring the glowing water diamonds of Cockleshell Seashore, Invoice chimes in to say, “Probably the most lovely seashore on St. Kitts. Excellent for newlyweds.”
Once we arrived, we had been greeted by one of many property’s most lovely options—a protracted, open entry with ponds filled with koi fish in each shade of orange, main on to a view that completely frames the ocean and sky like a bit of artwork. It is a gorgeous first impression, one which instantly places us in trip mode.
On the finish of the doorway there’s a reception room. As we verify in and are greeted with smiles and rum punch (a staple right here on the island), we will not assist however marvel on the mural on the wall celebrating the Sugar Mas Carnival, the standard New 12 months’s pageant of St. Kitts because the Nineteen Fifties, that includes costumed masquerades, steel bands and pageant queens.
“No Badda Mi”
Park Hyatt St. Kitts is a spacious oasis. The employees usually zooms round in golf carts to get across the property, so with our baggage in hand we resolve to hop in one in all them to get to our room. After six months immersed in marriage ceremony flowers, I gasp as I gaze upon the unbelievable surroundings: Manila palm, blooming pink bougainvillea, and arctic snow jasmine—each tree, flower, and plant thoughtfully positioned right here. There may be even a sugar cane, reaching excessive into the sky. Our driver, Melroy, stops, cuts a stick in half and chews on it as a day snack. I shortly perceive why St. Kitts is commonly referred to as the Metropolis of Sugar — for 350 years the nation was a number one producer of sugar cane.
Once we acquired to our room, Melroy provides one final piece of recommendation: “Do not let anybody or something get in your means on this journey. That is your honeymoon, so get pleasure from it.” He factors to a plaque on the door that reads: “No badda mi.” Feeling barely exhausted from the marriage festivities, with a runny nostril and sore throat, we instantly undertake this phrase as our unofficial honeymoon motto—the proper embodiment of the artwork of limin’.
The resort has 78 rooms and 48 suites unfold over a collection of buildings that comply with the bow of Banana Bay, which means each lodging overlooks the glowing turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Our 688-square-foot Beachside suite consists of a big personal terrace—the proper spot on your morning espresso. This suite is a masterclass in understated luxurious, echoing the island’s wealthy heritage and tradition whereas seamlessly intertwining up to date structure and colonial design. Wooden-paneled partitions, red-accented chairs and Caribbean shutters body the dawn, which casts its glow on completely crisp white linens.
Limin’ 101
Our honeymoon days revolve round one factor: ease. We swing on hammocks tucked between towering palm bushes, play an enormous recreation of Join 4 on the plush lawns, and greet the household of orange cats that decision the property house. We additionally ensure you get pleasure from five-star facilities. We work out within the 24-hour health middle within the completely air-conditioned fitness center and comply with it up with a go to to the neighboring Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary. This final 37,000 sq. foot oasis options teak decks, grassy gardens and the soothing aroma of lemongrass. We make the most of the swimming pool, sauna and steam bathtub, all of which can be found to company with out the necessity for remedy.
My pre-holiday analysis on St. Kitts and Nevis tells me it was Princess Diana’s favourite trip spot. I perceive why once I set foot on the white sand of Banana Bay, the lodge’s personal seashore. Though you must go just a few rocks in your means in, you’re shortly rewarded with heat, turquoise water. We are sometimes one of many few company occupying deckchairs on the sand. It is extremely quiet right here, and most company select to lounge by the infinity pool with its trickling fountain and direct view of Nevis (and I can not blame them; it is what pool desires are manufactured from, particularly for households). Silence makes it particularly simple to loosen up. We’ve got our seashore reads, fish tacos from the close by Rampart Pool Bar, and loads of sunscreen from the seashore towel place.
By late afternoon, because the solar begins to set behind the island’s rolling peaks, we discover ourselves on the adults-only pool, constructed into the stone arches of the ramparts modeled after the island’s authentic British protection techniques. One factor is for certain: Park Hyatt St. Kitts is aware of learn how to construct swimming pools.
In the event you like Piña Coladas… and bagels
It is a type of journeys the place we discovered our signature meal and might’t get sufficient of it. A house-made bagel to rival any in Montreal or New York is situated within the farmhouse-inspired Nice Home, the center of the lodge’s three eating places with an open kitchen, rum bar and library. The salmon is completely smoked and the avocado is extraordinarily tasty. It’s a easy pleasure that we regularly mix with recent fruit, particularly as a result of St. Kitts house to 44 distinctive mango varieties.
Elsewhere on the property is the Fisherman’s Village, serving freshly caught seafood (if mahi-mahi is the catch of the day, do not hesitate to order it) with views of Nevis. However the crown jewel of the resort is the adults-only reservation Stone Barn, which was named the most effective lodge restaurant within the Caribbean in 2022 by the celebrated World Culinary Awards.
Though absolutely embracing the artwork of limin’ makes it laborious to depart the wonder and luxury of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts, we determined to go from the property to close by Cockleshell Seashore one afternoon. Our objective: to seek out the Piña Colada. We shortly obtain this by sitting within the favourite on the island, the Reggae Seashore Bar, whose slogan is “run slowly”. We rise, get pleasure from our creamy coconut cocktails and laze within the solar – good vibes abound.
On the final morning, we return to the Large Home for one more cookie. We really feel a sure ease, the type that comes with plenty of relaxation and an agenda with none obligations. Stuffy nostril: cleared. Sore throat: gone. When requested concerning the spotlight of our honeymoon, Cam and I agree: “swimming within the sea collectively.” Our waitress smiles and provides, “We do not name it the ocean, we name it the healer.” Therapeutic—possibly that is what limin’ is all about. Being collectively, having fun with one another’s firm and letting go. It is all the pieces you hope a honeymoon might be, and the Park Hyatt St. Kitts made him so cute.