St. Kitts Honeymoons
In between Puerto Rico and Antigua on the sparkling Caribbean Sea is a small island called St. Kitts. At just 18 miles long and 5 miles wide, this tiny tropical treasure may not be on everyone’s radar, but that’s all the better for couples seeking to soak up the sun on gorgeous white sand beaches surrounded by warm waters. Your honeymoon on St. Kitts and its sister island Nevis is the ideal destination for complete serenity and relaxation in a land of spectacular natural beauty that’s as filled with romance as it is history.
The allure of St. Kitts has been a realm of legends from Christopher Columbus who first saw it in 1493 to the British colonial era that began in 1623. Originally called St. Christopher Island (or Saint-Christophe to the French), the island’s strategic location made it a valued stop on the sugar trade that lead to its growth and prosperity. Today, St. Kitts’ citizens, known as Kittitians, are as warm and welcoming as the Caribbean climate and proud of their home, which includes the largest fortress ever built in the Eastern Caribbean, beautiful Victorian architecture and tropical wildlife teeming with birds, monkeys and even mongoose.
Small in size, yes, but when it comes to breathtaking activities, St. Kitts is remarkably huge. The possibilities for adventurous experiences or romantic interludes are endless. Explore a gorgeous rainforest, dive and snorkel its kaleidoscopic coral reefs or hike 1,000 feet down into a volcano. There’s also fine boating, fishing, shopping and dining, strolling around the capital city of Basseterre or simply indulging in a luxurious spa.
Visit St. Kitts Tourism website to learn more.
WHERE TO STAY:
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OTTLEY’S PLANTATION INN, Ottley’s Village. Within a simply magnificent tropical rainforest setting, you’ll be swept away by the inn’s lush lawns and gardens as well as the stunning views of sea and volcanic mountains. Take a step back in time at this restored 18th century sugar plantation.
Address: Ottley's Village
Phone: (800) 772-3039
Website: www.ottleys.com ST. KITTS MARRIOTT RESORT & ROYAL BEACH CASINO, Frigate Bay. From the Emerald Mist Spa and championship golf course to the eight restaurants and two lounges, the exquisite décor, welcoming service and wealth of things to do will leave you in the ultimate lap of Caribbean luxury.
Address: 858 Frigate Bay Road
Phone: (869) 466-1200
Website: www.marriott.com/hotelsTIMOTHY BEACH RESORT, Frigate Bay. As the only resort on the Caribbean Sea, a 5-minute walk brings you to excellent snorkeling, sunbathing or sunset gazing on the beach. The property is one of only a handful of hotels in this exclusive St. Kitts district.
Address: Frigate Bay
Phone: (869) 465-8597
Website: www.timothybeach.com
From Frigate Bay to downtown Basseterre, experiencing comfort and romance is a breeze in the tropical splendor of St. Kitts. With a wide range of hotels, resorts, condos, villas, bed and breakfast inns and more, accommodations are plentiful on both St. Kitts and Nevis to suit every desire from upscale luxury to on-the-beach relaxation.
HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:
FAST FACTS
AIRPORT CODE: The Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport code is SKB.
AREA CODE: 869
LANGUAGE: English.
CURRENCY: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD$). In general, United States bills are accepted at shops and restaurants, but U.S. coins are not. ATMs are prevalent all around and give out funds in EC dollars.
ELECTRICITY: 230-volt system. Many hotels offer 110-volt supply as is found in the United States and Canada.
WEATHER: The average annual temperature is a gorgeous 80 degrees F. During summer months, expect slightly higher temperatures.
DRESS: Attire in St. Kitts is conservative casual. Informal wear is fine everywhere, even at restaurants, but dressing up at the more elegant eateries is a good idea. Be aware that beach attire (swimsuits and/or bare chests) is not considered appropriate in town.
TIPPING: 10% gratuity is usually included into hotel bills. Waiters receive 10-15%, while tipping taxi drivers is not required.
TIPS
DOCUMENTS: WHAT TO BRING: A valid passport is necessary, particularly when returning to your country of origin. VISAs are not required for citizens of most nations, but check with your travel agent if you are unsure. You can find additional entry information here.
GETTING AROUND: St. Kitts is small making traffic not much of a problem. Finding a taxi should be easy, but if you prefer to move around at your own pace, there are plenty of car rental agencies. However, you must pay for a St. Kitts visitor’s permit at a cost of about $24 USD. Other modes of transport include buses, scooters, ATVs and a ferry to get you to Nevis.
FROM THERE TO HERE: Approximate flight times from major cities include: Atlanta – 6.5 hours, Miami – 3 hours, Washington, DC – 5.5 hours, New York City – 4 hours and London – 8 hours.
DON’T MISS:
CHANNEL YOUR HISTORY: The islands of St. Kitts and Nevis are mana for history buffs. Brimstone Hill Fortress is a man-made UNESCO World Heritage site, and the island’s are dotted with other forts and ruins dating back hundreds of years. Also worth checking out is the St. Kitts Scenic Rail Tour, one of the last active trains in the Caribbean, that traverses the majority of the island through verdant landscape and over 24 bridges within the island’s incredible mountain range.
TAKE TO THE SEAS: For water sports, the calm bays and sea around St. Kitts provide some of the best fun to be had in the Caribbean on yachts, sailboats or jet skis. Diving and snorkeling are particular favorites as you can explore the numerous wrecks, reefs, caves and aquatic wildlife under the waves at locations such as Paradise Reef, Frigate Bay Reef, Monkey Shoals and Brimstone Shallows. The island is also noted for its exceptional fishing with numerous charters available.
TAKE TO THE SKIES: For the fearless of heart, take off on a zip-line tour over thick rainforest high in the air with jaw-dropping vistas of the island and its historic and natural sites. Sky Safari Tours offers five zip-line runs of up to 1,350 feet in length giving you a spectacle that will surely be among your honeymoon’s most talked about highlights.
RELEASE YOUR TENSION: Your honeymoon is the perfect time to escape reality with luxurious spa treatments in the otherworldly beauty of St. Kitts. You’ll find spa centers at most of the major hotels and resorts. Among the standouts are Royalan’s Health Spa in downtown Basseterre, and Mango Orchard Spa at the Ottley resort, which places you in an orchard overlooking the rainforest ravine for an absolutely soul-soothing experience.
SHOPPING: Strolling Basseterre with its old-world British charm is a treat in itself, but add in shopping and you’ll wonder where the time went. With an abundance of small shops and large centers such as the Pelican Mall and the TDC Mall, shopping in town brings you an assortment of regional and world-class items. Local artists and craftsmen display their work of clothing, prints, sculptures and fine jewelry. As a bonus, duty-free shops can be found in the Circus with an equally impressive assortment of wares.
GET IN THE THICK OF IT ALL: Sitting on the beach all day is great, but St. Kitts’ tropical scenery is so wonderful, it’d be a shame not to see it first hand. Luckily, numerous tours can take you into the heart of the island’s hidden treasures and natural beauty. Among them are Greg’s Safari with award-winning tours through the Mt. Liamuiga Volcano, the Valley of Giants Rainforest and the Atlantic Coast Rainforest; St. Kitts Captain Sunshine's Tour Services to explore the island’s many cultural monuments; or Trinity Inn Stables, which offers beach or rainforest horseback riding tours.
ACTIVITIES IN ST. KITTS
There’s never a dull moment on your idyllic honeymoon on St. Kitts. When not entranced by the breathtaking scenery of lush mountain rainforests, crowd-free white sand beaches and massive dormant volcanoes, you’ll revel in dreamily romantic relaxation. There’s plenty for your more active instincts, too. Explore the charming capital of Basseterre, restored plantations and historic forts. Get wet with sailing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and windsurfing. If that doesn’t keep you busy, there’s also horseback riding, hiking, golfing, zip-lining and much more.
ROMANTIC DINING IN ST. KITTS:
JASMINES, Frigate Bay. A romantic meal is assured as you dine either indoors or in the open-air tropical garden at this gourmet restaurant that specializes in West Indian flavors integrated with cuisine from all around the globe.
Address: Frigate Bay Resort
Phone: (869) 465-8935
Website: www.frigatebay.comWATERFALLS, Basseterre Bay. From its perch on the hill amid lush gardens, you’ll be treated to spectacular panoramic views of Basseterre. Be sure to request a table on the veranda to get a true Caribbean dining experience.
Address: 65 Wigley Avenue, Fortlands
Phone: (869) 465-2754
Website: www.oceanterraceinn.comTHE BEACH HOUSE, Turtle Beach. On one of the island’s most coveted white sand beaches, dining here is as much a feast for your eyes as it is your palate. The restaurant overlooks the ocean and Nevis across the bay making for a memorable gourmet meal, especially around sunset.
Address: Turtle Beach
Phone: (869) 469-5299
Website: www.stkittsbeachhouse.comSERENDIPITY, Basseterre. Near historic Fort Thomas and just outside of the capital, top notch dishes blend easily with wonderful views of the bay and the city for a romantic meal in a charming setting.
Address: 3 Wigley Avenue, Fortlands
Phone: 869) 465-8999
Website: www.serendipitystkitts.com
NIGHTLIFE IN ST. KITTS
Sunsets are king in St. Kitts, an island renowned for beauty more than wild nights out. That’s not to say there isn’t plenty of excitement to be had in the evenings over a frosty tropical drink or with music and dancing. Your best bet is to stay close to Basseterre and Frigate Bay area, where most of the bars and nightclubs are found. Virtually all of the hotels and resorts have a bar or lounge that range from lively fun to quiet intimacy with some form of entertainment.
MONKEY BAR, Basseterre. This friendly bar for locals and visitors alike serves up great drinks, and Friday night’s are when the fun kicks in with thumping music and non-stop dancing.
Address: Frigate Bay
Phone: (869) 465 8050OCEAN TERRACE INN’S FISHERMAN’S WHARF, Basseterre. Beautiful views of Nevis, Basseterre's harbor and the south-east peninsula create a gorgeous backdrop for a relaxing evening alone together or sharing a drink with new friends.
Address: Fortlands
Phone: (869) 465-2754
Website: www.oceanterraceinn.comBOBSY’S BAR AND GRILL, Frigate Bay. Both indoors and outside, evenings come alive with nightly karaoke, dancing and live entertainment on weekends.
Address: Frigate Bay Road
Phone: (869) 466-6133
Website: www.bobsysbarandgrill.comHENRY’S NIGHT SPOT, Basseterre. Dancing, drinking and entertainment has been the order of business at this capital city hot spot on weekend nights for more than 20 years.
Address: Dunns Cottage Lower Cayon
Phone: (869) 465 3508ROYAL BEACH CASINO, Frigate Bay. Clearly you are lucky at love, so try your luck at the huge casino at the Marriott Resort! Private salons are available for serious gamblers, but for everyone else, there are slot machines, croupier tables and the works.
Address: 858 Frigate Bay Road
Phone: (869) 466-1200
Website: www.marriott.com
Finding exceptional fine dining establishments on your honeymoon in St. Kitt’s is no trouble at all. Nearly everywhere you look—in resorts, around the water, in the capital city of Basseterre—gourmet restaurants offer beautiful outdoor patios or verandas with unspoiled views of the Caribbean Sea, mountains and, in many places, St. Kitts’ sister island, Nevis. Fresh seafood and indigenous ingredients are often menu highlights, infusing local style with hints of French and continental flavors into the mix.
DESTINATION WEDDINGS:
Rawlins Plantation Inn
Address: P.O. Box 340, St. Kitts, West Indies
Phone: (869) 465-6221
Website: www.rawlinsplantation.com
Wedding Package: $965 USDOttley's Plantation Inn
Address: P.O. Box 345, St. Kitts, West Indies
Phone: (869) 465-7234
Website: www.ottleys.com
Standard Wedding Package: $995 USDSt Kitts Marriott Resort & Royal Beach Casino
Address: 858 Frigate Bay Road, Frigate Bay, St. Kitts, British W.I.
Phone: (869) 466-1200
Website: www.marriott.com/hotels
Emerald Isle Package: $550 USD
Love In Paradise Package: $825 USDBird Rock Beach Hotel
Address: P.O. Box 227, Birdrock, St. Kitts, West Indies
Phone: (869) 465-8914
Website: www.birdrockbeach.com
Basic Wedding Package: $500 USDGolden Lemon Inn & Villas
Address: Dieppe Bay, St. Kitts, West Indies
Phone: (869) 465-7260
Website: www.goldenlemon.com
Wedding Package: $650 USDOcean Terrace Inn
Address: P.O. Box 65 Wigley Avenue, Fortlands, St. Kitts, West Indies
Phone: (869) 465-2754
Website: www.oceanterraceinn.com
Honeymoon Package: $1,600 USD
Every couple wants a romantic wedding and sharing vows on a tropical island. It certainly is a recipe for unforgettable memories. St. Kitts takes that a step further with its own unique blend of breathtaking beauty, fantastic weather and wonderful people in a lush paradise that almost feels more South Pacific than West Indies. Imagine saying “I do” in an historic church or estate inn, or on a white sandy beach or in a tropical garden, or even a magnificent centuries-old fortress.
All that is not only possible—it’s easy on St. Kitts. Here, you’ll remember the moment, not the bureaucracy. You don’t need to be a resident, but you will have to get a marriage license in St. Kitts, which requires obtaining a few documents.
Of course, to make the magic happen you may need help. At most hotels and resorts on St. Kitts, wedding planners are readily available to assist with the arrangements. From getting a clergyperson to flowers, music, catering and all the other details big and small, they’ll help bring your dream wedding to life on St. Kitts. In addition to planners, you’ll be able to find excellent packages to fully enjoy this one-of-a-kind wedding destination.
Below is a sampling of the many spectacular resorts and packages offered:
