To get a way of the Kittitian lifestyle, one should embrace the sweetness of limin’. On the two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, to lime is to relax and calm down. It’s an idea that my husband, Cam, and I are thrilled so as to add to our vocabulary, particularly since we’d tied the knot only a week prior and had been determined for slightly R&R. We rapidly determined the theme of our honeymoon could be to easily lime and there’s no higher spot to do this than Park Hyatt St. Kitts.
Sugar, Spice and The whole lot Good
St. Kitts, named for St. Christopher, the patron saint of vacationers, is a type of islands blessed with all of the tropical necessities wanted for a honeymoon—turquoise bays, golden sands and luxurious mountain peaks. Whereas it could be the off-season (most vacationers go to between November and April), our descent into the 23-mile-long, 5-mile-wide isle proves we’re in for some picture-perfect June climate.
After zipping via customs, we’re on the street in the direction of our vacation spot. Fortunate for us, we hop in Invoice’s cab. Sunshine in human kind, Invoice provides us a tour of St. Kitts as we zigzag alongside the island roads. He factors out the Sugar Prepare, also called the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the final railway within the Caribbean. Initially constructed within the 1900s to move sugar, it now takes passengers on a 3-hour, 30-mile tour. Subsequent, we see Timothy Hill, a slim strip of land the place the deep blue Atlantic Ocean meets the azure Caribbean Sea. It’s no marvel actor Robert Redford constructed his Sundance Ridge house on the prime of this peak.
Paradise, Discovered
The street resulting in Park Hyatt St. Kitts completely units the stage for what awaits. On the appropriate is a breezy coconut farm with tall, swaying palm bushes, bundles of coconuts and playful Vervet monkeys. To the left, a glimpse on the Caribbean Sea. Catching us admiring the twinkling water diamonds of Cockleshell Seashore, Invoice chimes in and says, “Essentially the most lovely seaside on St. Kitts. Good for honeymooners.”
Arriving, we’re welcomed by one of many property’s most lovely options—a protracted, open-air entryway with ponds crammed with koi fish in each shade of orange, main on to a view that completely frames the ocean and sky like a chunk of artwork. It’s a jaw-dropping first impression, one which immediately places us in trip mode.
On the finish of the entryway is the reception room. As we test in and are welcomed with smiles and a rum punch (a staple right here on the island), we will’t assist however marvel at a mural on the wall celebrating Sugar Mas carnival, St. Kitts’ conventional New 12 months’s pageant for the reason that Fifties, showcasing costumed masqueraders, metal pan bands and pageant queens.
“No Badda Mi”
Park Hyatt St. Kitts is a sprawling oasis. Workers usually zoom round in golf carts to navigate the property, so with baggage in hand, we resolve to leap aboard one to get to our room. After six months immersed in wedding ceremony florals, I gasp as I take within the outstanding landscaping: Manila palm, blooming pink bougainvillea and arctic snow jasmine—each tree, flower and plant has been thoughtfully positioned right here. There’s even sugar cane, reaching excessive towards the sky. Our driver, Melroy, pulls over, snaps a cane in half and munches on it like a day snack. I rapidly perceive why St. Kitts is usually referred to as Sugar Metropolis—for 350 years, the nation was a number one producer of sugarcane.
After we arrive at our room, Melroy shares a remaining piece of recommendation: “Don’t let anybody or something hassle you on this journey. It’s your honeymoon, so take pleasure in it.” He factors to the door tag that reads: “No badda mi.” Feeling a bit run down from the marriage festivities, with runny noses and sore throats, we immediately undertake this phrase as our unofficial honeymoon motto—an ideal embodiment of the artwork of limin’.
The resort’s 78 rooms and 48 suites are organized in a sequence of buildings that observe the arc of Banana Bay, which means every lodging faces the shimmering turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Our Beachside Suite, standing at 688 sq. toes, consists of a big non-public terrace—the right spot for a morning espresso. This suite is a masterclass in understated luxurious, echoing the island’s wealthy heritage and tradition whereas seamlessly intertwining modern structure and colonial design. Timber-clad partitions, red-accented chairs and Caribbean shutters that body the dawn, which casts its glow on the peerlessly crisp white linen.
Limin’ 101
Our honeymoon days revolve round one factor: effortlessness. We swing on hammocks tucked between tall palm bushes, play an enormous recreation of Join 4 on the luxurious lawns and greet the household of orange cats who name the property house. We additionally make sure that to benefit from the five-star facilities. We work out on the 24-hour health middle within the completely air-conditioned gymnasium and observe it with a go to to the neighboring Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary. This 37,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art oasis options teak-wood decks, overgrown gardens with tanglehead grass and a soothing lemongrass aroma. We benefit from the plunge pool, sauna and steam room, all obtainable to visitors while not having a remedy.
My pre-holiday analysis on St. Kitts and Nevis tells me it was a trip favourite of Princess Diana. I see why when my toes step on the white sands of Banana Bay, the resort’s non-public seaside. Whereas you need to navigate just a few rocks when making your means in, you’re rapidly rewarded with heat, turquoise water. We’re usually one in all solely a handful of visitors occupying loungers on the sand. It’s remarkably quiet right here, with most visitors selecting to lounge by the infinity-edge pool with its trickling fountain and direct view of Nevis (and I can’t blame them; it’s what pool desires are product of, particularly for households). The stillness makes it significantly straightforward to calm down. We’ve obtained our seaside reads, fish tacos from the close by Rampart Pool Bar and loads of sunscreen from the towel station positioned on the seaside.
By late afternoon, because the solar begins to set over the rolling peaks of the island, we discover ourselves on the adults-only pool, which is constructed into rampart stone arches modeled after the island’s unique British protection programs. One factor is definite: Park Hyatt St. Kitts is aware of tips on how to do swimming pools.
If you happen to like Piña Coladas… and bagels
It’s a type of journeys the place we’ve discovered our signature meal and may’t get sufficient of it. A house-made bagel, rivaling any in Montreal or New York Metropolis, is discovered on the farmhouse-inspired Nice Home, the beating coronary heart of the resort’s three eating decisions full with present kitchen, rum bar and library. The salmon is completely smoked and the avocado is totally scrumptious. It’s a easy delight we frequently pair with contemporary fruit, particularly since St. Kitts is house to 44 distinctive forms of mango.
Elsewhere on the property, there’s Fisherman’s Village, serving up freshly caught seafood (if mahi-mahi is the catch of the day, don’t hesitate to order) with views of Nevis. However the resort’s crown jewel is reservation and adults-only Stone Barn, named the Caribbean’s Finest Fantastic Eating Lodge Restaurant in 2022 by the celebrated World Culinary Awards.
Whereas absolutely embracing the artwork of limin’ makes it laborious to depart the wonder and luxury of Park Hyatt St. Kitts, we resolve to enterprise off the property one afternoon to the close by Cockleshell Seashore. Our aim: to discover a Piña Colada. We accomplish this rapidly by sitting down on the island favourite, Reggae Seashore Bar, whose slogan is “rush slowly.” We kick up our toes, take pleasure in our creamy coconut cocktails and laze within the solar—good vibes abound.
On our final morning, we return to the Nice Home for one remaining bagel. We really feel a sure lightness, one which comes with loads of relaxation and an agenda with completely no to-dos. Stuffy nostril: cleared. Sore throat: gone. When requested about our honeymoon spotlight, Cam and I agree: “swimming within the sea collectively.” Our waitress smiles and provides, “We don’t name it the ocean, we name it the healer.” Therapeutic—maybe that’s what limin’ is all about. Being collectively, having fun with one another’s firm and going with the move. It’s every thing you hope a honeymoon may very well be and Park Hyatt St. Kitts has made it ever so candy.
