Hermitage Plantation Inn

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 can be accommodated on 2 daybeds in the sitting room (at no extra cost if under 12 years old); one of these cottages can fit up to 4 kids.

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

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. 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:

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.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

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.