Nevis, next to St. Kitts in the Leeward Islands, is a hidden destination gem that boasts beautiful vistas of volcanic mountains, pristine white-sand beaches, culinary experiences and monkeys galore. If you haven’t heard of it before, put it on your radar.
GETTING THERE
Many direct flights land at Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) on St. Kitts, including a direct flight on JetBlue from JFK, American Airlines and Delta Airlines. From there, it’s just a 15-minute water taxi or ferry to Nevis. For those who prefer to travel by sea, most public boats, small cruise ships and ferries travel to Charlestown, the capital. The ferry from Sea Bridge on St. Kitts can also accommodate vehicles to travel to and from the docks at Cades Bay, situated on the west coast of the island.
THE FOUR SEASONS EXPERIENCE
If you’re looking for luxury, the place to stay is The Four Seasons Nevis. Moments after your arrival at the airport, the hotel staff greets you before a short bus ride to where you board a private boat to get to the island.
This expansive, understated property is perfect for either a romantic getaway or family trip. It boasts 165 guest rooms and 24 suites, with an additional 39 villa and estate homes — offering the option for low-key weekend visits, extended stays or multigenerational family retreats.
The property includes the Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course and its sweeping views of St. Kitts, a luxury spa with an outdoor sanctuary complete with cold pools and hot springs, tennis and pickleball courts, and a beautiful landscape to explore and see the wildlife of the region.
Spa lovers will feel right at home on the property and may opt to indulge in a 65-minute Nevisian massage that pays homage to local spices and herbs, blending them with exotic scents of the West Indies. After any treatment, guests can lay back and bask in the sun while spotting a monkey or two while relaxing.
Couples can opt for a “spa under the stars” package, where they are greeted with a bottle of wine, candlelit dinner and a signature couples massage in their own private sanctuary.
For wellness-minded travelers, the spa also offers a variety of yoga and fitness classes, including Pilates, sound-bath meditation and water aerobics.
The standout culinary program has something for all palates — ranging from traditional Caribbean cuisine with unparalleled sunsets at Mango to fine dining with locally sourced seafood and farm produce at On the Dune. Another unique culinary experience can be found on the sand at Kastawey Beach Bar. While it’s casual, the elevated sushi menu tells another story, boasting sushi, nigiri and sashimi platters to share.
Rum and cocktail lovers will be glad to imbibe at the On the Dune outdoor bar or the Crowned Monkey Rum Bar, where they can savor a craft cocktail or learn about the island’s best rums through a guided tasting with the experienced food and beverage staff.
The “kids for all seasons” program at The Four Seasons Nevis is unparalleled. Children ages 3-9 can participate in a variety of supervised activities on the property, such as monkey spotting, kite making and learning about sea turtles. There is also a children’s pool complete with a splash pad that families can spend days in. Additionally, the property offers babysitting for parents looking for a night out during their stay.
ON THE ISLAND
Only a short walk down the beach from The Four Seasons is the local favorite, Sunshine’s Beach Bar & Grill. This A-list celebrity hot spot showcases the finest of local Caribbean cuisine, with dishes like fried conch, the catch of the day and homemade barbequed ribs — as well as the island’s most popular cocktail, the Killer Bee rum punch.
For a romantic dining experience and a perfect place to take in the Nevisian sunset, The Mount Nevis Hotel is not to be missed. Chef Rodelle Rawlins is at the helm of the kitchen, creating dishes like roasted beet salad, ahi tuna tartare and braised lamb shank with jalapeno and cheddar polenta. It also showcases an inventive cocktail menu with a rum-based espresso martini and homemade desserts like the tiramisu, which is certain to be a crowd pleaser at the end of the night under a Nevisian sky.