Hermitage Plantation Inn

St. John-Figtree Parish, St Kitts & Nevis, Caribbean
Book from GBP Book from £160 per night

Friendly family-owned 18th century plantation inn with guest rooms in pretty gingerbread cottages and one of the island's best restaurants

Friendly family-owned 18th century plantation inn with guest rooms in pretty gingerbread cottages and one of the island's best restaurants

Full of history, character and classic style, the Hermitage Plantation Inn is known not only for its beautiful location on the slopes of Mt. Nevis, but also for its amiable and sociable hospitality. This alone makes it an ideal place for families, as well as those seeking a romantic and private destination.

Here you'll find a hint of old Nevis: the Great House, built 250 years ago and said to be the oldest wooden house in the Caribbean, is filled with antiques, oriental rugs, a library, a veranda restaurant, a sun terrace and a well stocked bar.

The individual guest cottages, some with distant sea views, are scattered in the gardens - a botanist's dream. Mostly planted by the owner Maureen Lupinacci you'll find cocoa, mango and breadfruit trees, spider orchids, and sandpaper flowers. For animal lovers there are horses, dogs, rabbits, pigs, ducks, geese and even the occasional monkey wandering about. A freshwater swimming pool and tennis court are also on site and in room spa treatments are available.

Highs

  • Relaxed, friendly atmosphere - the Lupinaccis are great hosts who welcome children as well as romantics
  • Steeped in history and West Indian charm: gingerbread cottages, polished wooden floors, huge four-poster beds, verandas with hammocks...
  • Tropical rainforest, animals, horse riding and walking trails make it ideal for nature lovers
  • Delicious cooking and fine rum punches

Lows

  • Nearest good beach is a 15-minute drive away
  • Not for those seeking glitz, nightlife, casinos or shopping - people come to Nevis and its plantation inns to get away from it all, unwind and do very little amid beautiful scenery.

Best time to go

The hotel is open all year round. There are no hard and fast rules for the seasons in St Kitts and Nevis. Generally, the best time to go is January to May when it's cooler and dryer. The hottest and wettest months are usually from July to November, while the hurricane season spans June to November.

Our top tips

Go for at least a week so you can enjoy the whole Hermitage experience - food, relaxation and adventure, as well as see the island.

Great for...

Family
Foodie
  • Boutique Guesthouse
  • 15 bedrooms
  • Restaurant + bar
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Daily Maid Service
  • Towels & Bedlinen
  • Concierge Service
  • Tennis Court
  • Laundry Service
Room:

Rooms

Clustered around the main house are 15 charming traditional guest cottages with names such as Goosepen and Treetops, many with their own veranda and hammocks. Most rooms are spacious and have antique furnishings with gorgeous mahogany four-poster or canopy beds covered with traditional quilted covers. Mosquito nets (mostly for decoration) surround them, and local artwork and old prints adorn the walls. All rooms come complete with a paddle fan, a shower and bathtub, a direct dial phone, an ironing board and a refrigerator. Cool highland breezes mean there is no need for air conditioning.

The Balcony Rooms, which overlook the pool and terrace, have a large airy bedroom with a bathroom, a separate dressing area and a private porch.

The Gingerbread Cottages, many with distant ocean views, are ideal for families. They have a separate sitting room with a television, a DVD player, a CD player and a kitchenette. Children/extra guests can be accommodated on 2 day-beds in the sitting room (at no extra cost if under 12 years old).

The Hillside Rooms, located in the restored 17th century stone carriage house and stables, are slightly smaller and do not have verandas, which is reflected in the price.

For those seeking privacy in style, you can book the beautiful yellow Manor House - a full villa with 3 double rooms set in its own gardens and with private swimming pool. Upstairs, there are 2 master bedrooms with antique canopy beds, large baths and dressing rooms, and a third double guest room. Downstairs is a large sitting room, which can sleep 4 extra guests. It has a full kitchen, a dining room with seating for 10, and a spectacular wrap around veranda. A popular choice for families.

Features include:

  • Fan
  • Hairdryer
  • In-room treatments available
  • Iron
  • Minibar
  • Mosquito net
  • Safe box
  • WiFi

Eating

Start your day with a full Planters breakfast on the veranda or in the garden - homemade breads (lemon, orange, pumpkin or corn), freshly-made yoghurt, eggs any style (including West Indian omelettes), flying fish, saltfish, sausages, seasonal fruit (mostly from their own trees), pancakes and orange blossom French toast. For lunch grilled chicken or fresh lobster and fish from the local fishermen are offered alongside West Indian dishes such as pumpkin soup, salads and rotis. Afternoon tea is served in the Great House and is offered with the famous Hermitage carrot cake.

In the evening guests join the vivacious owners, Richard and Maureen Lupinacci (originally from Pensylvannia), for rum cocktails followed by a delicious 4-course dinner. Using local produce, dishes might include conch cakes with lobster sauce, red pepper bisque, fresh grilled wahoo in lemon and garlic butter, or beef en croute with spinach and aragula, followed by homemade desserts such as rum souffle or white chocolate and ginger cheesecake. You dine by candlelight on the veranda of the main house or on the private terrace of your own cottage.

There are also basic self-catering facilities in the Gingerbread Cottages - a small fridge and gas rings, which are ideal for making kids' snacks. In the private Manor House the kitchen is fully fitted with a hob and oven, cutlery and crockery, as and a large fridge. Supplies can be arranged through the main house.

Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and early suppers can be provided for children.

Features include:

  • Bar
  • Breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Room service
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • This is a relaxation destination; with a slower pace than some of the other Caribbean islands, Nevis offers the opportunity to chill out. Watch the sunset from the hammock on your veranda, take in the lush garden filled with fruit trees and tropical flowers, and enjoy a delicious dinner with Richard and Maureen

  • For swimmers, there’s a fresh water pool on site and transport can be arranged to take you to the beach (20 minutes away), where Hermitage can arrange deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, and scuba diving

  • Visit Charlestown for colonial buildings, cafés and the Museum of Nevis History - the birthplace of US statesman Alexander Hamilton. It’s the islands largest town, yet with a population of only 2,000 it can be explored in no time at all

  • At 3,232ft, climbing Mt. Nevis will take you through dense rainforest, populated by green vervet monkeys, up to the extinct volcanic crater. It’s a 5-hour guided hike so it’s not for the faint hearted, but you will be rewarded with views of the surrounding islands

  • Hermitage also offers escorted horse riding through the surrounding forests and hills – a fantastic way to see the island

  • For those who like to keep active there’s a tennis court, with racquets and balls supplied

  • There’s plenty of reading to be done in the well stocked house library, and star-gazing with a local astronomer is available

  • Alternatively, opt for one of Hermitage's 7-day packages - Romantic, Adventure, Diving or Equestrian (see Rates)

Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Birdwatching
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Historical sites
  • Horse riding
  • Museums / galleries
  • Plantlife / flora
  • Sailing
  • Scuba diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Trekking

Kids

Families are welcome. Under 12s stay for free if sharing with 2 adults and over 12s get free breakfasts. Early dinners at 6pm can be arranged. The whole area is safe and fun for children.Self-catering facilities and sofabeds in the larger Gingerbread Cottages and the private Manor House make these ideal choices for families. There may be a charge if an extra bed is required. Kids might also enjoy visiting the animals in the plantation’s farmyard.

Best for:

Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Baby equipment:

Baby cots available on request

Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

Kid Friendly: Balcony room

Location

This boutique hotel lies 800 feet above sea level at the base of Nevis Peak, on the island of Nevis.

By Air:
Nevis (22km) is the closest airport. There are no direct international flights to Nevis, but many airlines fly direct to Antigua (85km), from which you can take a connecting flight.

From the Airport:
The Hermitage can arrange air charters to meet flights at larger island gateways, as well as airport and ferry transfers once in Nevis (the take around 20 minutes).

By Car
See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.

Airports:

  • Nevis 22.0 km NEV
  • Antigua 85.0 km ANU

Other:

  • Beach 7.0 km
  • Shops 6.0 km
  • Restaurant 0.1 km

Rates for Hermitage Plantation Inn

Arriving on: