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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 have been determined for just a little R&R. We shortly determined the theme of our honeymoon can be to easily lime and there’s no higher spot to do this than Park Hyatt St. Kitts.
Sugar, Spice and Every thing Good
St. Kitts, named for St. Christopher, the patron saint of vacationers, is a kind of islands blessed with all of the tropical necessities wanted for a honeymoon—turquoise bays, golden sands and plush mountain peaks. Whereas it might 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 by way of 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 Practice, 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 precise 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, “Probably the most stunning seashore on St. Kitts. Excellent for honeymooners.”
Arriving, we’re welcomed by one of many property’s most stunning options—a protracted, open-air entryway with ponds stuffed 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 examine 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 Yr’s competition 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 typically zoom round in golf carts to navigate the property, so with baggage in hand, we determine 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 shortly 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 ultimate 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 collection of buildings that comply with the arc of Banana Bay, that 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 proper spot for a 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. Timber-clad partitions, red-accented chairs and Caribbean shutters that body the dawn, which casts its glow on the superbly 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 sport 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 heart within the completely air-conditioned health club and comply with 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 out there to visitors without 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 lodge’s non-public seashore. Whereas you need to navigate a couple of rocks when making your method in, you’re shortly rewarded with heat, turquoise water. We’re typically one among 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 goals are manufactured from, particularly for households). The stillness makes it significantly simple to calm down. We’ve acquired our seashore reads, fish tacos from the close by Rampart Pool Bar and loads of sunscreen from the towel station positioned on the seashore.
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 authentic British protection methods. One factor is definite: Park Hyatt St. Kitts is aware of learn how to do swimming pools.
If you happen to like Piña Coladas… and bagels
It’s a kind 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 lodge’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 regularly pair with contemporary fruit, particularly since St. Kitts is house to 44 distinctive types 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 Greatest High quality Eating Resort Restaurant in 2022 by the distinguished World Culinary Awards.
Whereas absolutely embracing the artwork of limin’ makes it onerous to go away the wonder and luxury of Park Hyatt St. Kitts, we determine to enterprise off the property one afternoon to the close by Cockleshell Seashore. Our purpose: to discover a Piña Colada. We accomplish this shortly 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 ultimate 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Monika Markovinovic is a Passport Journal contributor and freelance author who embodies the spirit of a real Gemini, balancing her love for journey with the comforts of house.
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