By Alison McGill
Most honeymoons ask you to pick a lane: lazy beach days or a trip full of sightseeing. St. Kitts lets you have both. On this tiny Caribbean island, you can start the morning with a hike through the rainforest, spend the afternoon on a catamaran or a stretch of volcanic-sand beach and end the day with a couples’ spa treatment. Whether you want to stay in a hammock or climb a volcano, this is a honeymoon you get to design yourselves.
Why St. Kitts feels so easy
One of the biggest travel trends of the year is quietness. ‘Quietcations’ or ‘Hushpitality’ is a movement focused on comfort, silence and escaping the stressors of modern life. With always-on digital lives, so many of us crave quietude in a travel destination. This is especially true when it comes to a honeymoon locale and finding a centreing spot to reconnect after an extremely busy and emotional time of life.
“In St. Kitts you feel an immediate sense of warmth when you are flying into the island,” shares Kelly Fontanelle, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, “Looking out the window before landing, you see mountain ranges, ocean and lush greenery. Everything about the island delivers a feeling of deep relaxation for the mind, body and soul. When you get to St. Kitts, I always say you leave all your worries behind.”
With a history that dates back 3,000 years, St. Kitts is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, forming part of the West Indies in the northeastern Caribbean. It united with sister island Nevis in 1882, and together they’re considered among Spain and England’s first colonies in the archipelago. St. Kitts may be tiny at just 174 square kilometres, but there are countless ways to enjoy it, particularly for newlyweds in search of connection and romance.
Here are our picks of where to stay, play and indulge your senses on a St. Kitts honeymoon.
Romantic resorts
A honeymoon is when to go big and splurge on your hotel, and St. Kitts is home to a host of stellar resort properties. The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour is situated on the southernmost tip of the island and has stunning views of Nevis and the Caribbean Sea. The vibe here is barefoot luxury and you feel it the moment you enter the sleek open-air hotel foyer. Choose an Ocean View Suite and awaken to the soothing sound of waves, then linger on your terrace to enjoy breakfast set against panoramic vistas of Banana Bay or Straits of Nevis. Wellness is a big focus at this resort and the on-site Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary Spa is where to go for soothing therapies like sound healing, spiritual meditations, and specialized couples’ treatments hosted in an exclusive double spa suite featuring a private pool, chilled champagne and nibbles.
KOI Resort Saint Kitts is another favourite located on the southeastern coast of the island offering oceanfront vistas of Moon Bay. The design style here is modern and chic, perfect if you love a contemporary edge. The resort’s central location in the island’s capital city of Basseterre makes it an ideal choice for exploration. From here you can charter a private catamaran for a romantic sunset sail, hop on a 45-minute ferry ride for a day trip to neighbouring Nevis, or head out for a diving adventure to check out St. Kitts’ many wrecks, reefs and caves.
Essential island experiences
Getting to know the island on a deeply personal level involves immersing yourself in the stunning natural environment and history of St. Kitts.Journey into the wilds of the island’s living rainforest, exploring the foothills of the Mount Liamuiga volcano on the northwestern part of the island with a guided nature trek. If you are feeling fearless, hike to the summit, which is St. Kitts’ highest point and one of the tallest in the eastern Caribbean archipelago. This area is also home to Liamuiga Natural Farm, the island’s only working coffee farm. Taking a tour of this property located more than 450 metres above sea level gives you a look inside the growing and harvesting process and includes a custom-catered lunch created exclusively from the farm’s own produce – it doesn’t get any fresher!
On the island’s southwest coast sits Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a preserved military fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the late 17th century. It’s a steep drive followed by a climb to the top, but the trip is absolutely worth it for the cinematic views from above. On a clear day, you can see the neighbouring islands of Nevis, Saba and St. Eustatius. It’s also a secret spot beloved by locals for chasing rainbows.
Balancing adventure with beach time is, of course, a must on every St. Kitts itinerary. The island has miles of postcard-perfect volcanic sand beaches and electric blue ocean waters to enjoy. Make a stylish statement
This article first appeared in the print edition of Today’s Bride. Read the full issue here.
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