Occasionally, I will meet another travel writer on a trip and we’ll become friends. That’s not exactly what happened with Sue Campbell and me. We actually bonded by email over a publisher who stiffed us both.
Since that time five years ago, we have traveled to Arizona and Cancun together. Our latest adventure was the perfect girls’ getaway on the island of Nevis – with a little bit of time in St. Kitts.
Our first four days were planned at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis, a boutique resort with only 36 cottages. The accommodations are spread out over 30 acres of beachfront property. It’s laid back, yet luxurious, feel has earned it four diamonds from AAA, and a host of other accolades from publications such as Conde Nast Traveler.
Once a working plantation, the Great House at Nisbet were once home to Frances Nisbet and her husband, British Naval hero Horatio Nelson. The place remains ready for royalty (Rear Admiral Nelson was knighted), with immaculate grounds and impeccable service.
The best thing about Nisbet Plantation Is that you’ll never run out of places to relax. A pool and hot tub are on the deck just outside the bar and Coconuts restaurant, all of which overlook the aqua blue water of the beach. On the beach you’ll find plenty of lounge chairs and even a selection of hammocks hanging between the swaying palm trees.
You’ll never find a wait for anything at Nisbet Plantation, which is one of the biggest attractions of the resort. Sue and I spent most of our days enjoying all of these quiet spots when we weren’t indulging on the food. From Coconut Pancakes for breakfast to Afternoon Tea and Rack of Lamb for dinner, the food at Nevis Plantation Beach Club is as good as the atmosphere.
I also took advantage of the spa one afternoon for a perfect massage, while Sue spent an evening singing with a local band. It’s the kind of place you can turn into whatever you want, whether it’s a girls’ getaway or a romantic vacation.
We did venture out of the grounds two mornings. One day we took a tour of the island and saw four of the other properties on the island, Four Seasons Resort, Golden Rock Plantation, Hermitage, and Montpelier Estate. All of the resorts were impressive and offered high end accommodations with a focus on privacy.
Along the way we also stopped at Bananas, a popular club with spectacular sunsets, for drinks, and took a ride through downtown Charleston. We continued to look for the green monkeys that we were told were all over the island. We saw a few, but didn’t get any close views.
Our tour finished with a great lunch at the Chrishi Beach Club, where the view was spectacular and Sue said the Fish and Chips was the best she’s ever had. We also made a stop at the thermal baths, though I have to admit I wasn’t overly impressed.
Our other trip out of Nisbet Plantation was for snorkeling on a catamaran with Islander Watersports. I have to say that it was the best trip of its kind I’ve ever taken. We drank rum punch, snorkeled off the boat in a little alcove in St. Kitts, and danced on the voyage all the way back.
We left Nisbet Plantation totally relaxed and headed to the dock for the boat ride to St. Kitts. We were picked up and taken from there to the St. Kitts Marriott.
This property was very much the opposite of the one we had just been in as it was a large resort with rooms in tall buildings. It was not very crowded and we did get to enjoy the pool and beach for our 24 hour visit.
Sue and I especially loved the cabanas on the beach as we had already had enough sunbaking. We also were treated to a superb dinner with the hotel’s general manager, Jacques Hamou, at La Cucina La Dolce Vita.
The next day we had the large breakfast buffet at the St. Kitts Marriott and spent some more time on the beach before heading to the airport. It was time for Sue to head to Canada, and me to Florida for my next adventure, but we knew we’d meet again soon.
After many years as one of the top tennis writers in the country, Marcia Frost now devoting most of her time to travel writing, with a focus on food, wine and spirits. She has her own blog at WineAndSpiritsTravel.com and does weekly columns for Inspirato on Sonoma and Paris (two locations she visits often). Marcia also freelances for many other outlets, including Yahoo!; AOL; Michigan Avenue; Rum Bum; Los Angeles Confidential; Travel, Food & Drink; and Air Tran’s Go! Magazine. She has been contributing to Girls’ Getaway since 2010. For more information on Marcia, visit her website MarciaFrost.com.