Never heard of Nevis? I hadn’t either before I was invited to go!
Nevis is a 36-square-mile island in the Caribbean Leeward Islands with a population of about 13,000. It’s sister island is the much larger Saint Kitts. As you fly into Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on St. Kitts (SKB), you’ll see the formidable, dormant Nevis Peak volcano, miles of beautiful beaches, grand cliffs, a lush countryside, and villages with small, colorful buildings.
Nevis locals are warm and very hospitable. The dominant language is English, which is spoken with a strong West Indian accent, however, the language often spoken amongst locals is an English-based creole known as Nevisian or Nevis Creole.
Alexander Hamilton (yes, THAT Hamilton), was born on the island. History buffs will enjoy the Hamilton House and Hamilton Museum.
The Four Seasons Nevis
If you follow me, you’re probably wondering, “Why is Trae Bodge, a money-saving expert, writing about a trip to a 5-star resort? ”
Here’s why. I was invited to visit the resort with a few members of the media, and I wanted to check it out for myself.
My takeaway: While the Four Seasons Nevis is more expensive than the typical vacation that I would recommend, it is a fantastic option for special celebrations, like a honeymoon, a milestone anniversary, or a big birthday.
These once-in-a-lifetime moments deserve a splurge, do they not? As long that your budget allows a trip like this, I would encourage it wholeheartedly. Trust me, you will never forget it.
The Four Seasons is the largest property on Nevis with almost 350 secluded acres, 189 rooms/suites and more than 20 private villas, some with private pools. It has tennis/pickleball courts, a championship golf course, three infinity pools, a spa with massage cabanas and plunge pools, a fitness center, and several dining options.
Established in the 1990’s, the resort has become an important part of the island of Nevis. It is common for local families to have at least one member employed by the resort, and some employees go on to found their own establishments. The resort is family friendly, with childcare, programs for kids, watersports, and a family pool. There are also quiet spots for folks looking for seclusion.
Arriving at the Resort
The Four Seasons Nevis offers efficient airport transfers, with vans to take guests to the ferry, and fast, friendly ferry service (approximately 12 minutes) with complementary beverages. As you approach the pier of the resort, you have an experience reminiscent of The White Lotus, with a line of staff waving and welcoming you with smiles.
My fellow travelers and I immediately knew we were in for the experience of a lifetime.
The main property is divided into separate areas, including the rooms and villas, three pools with ample seating, beachfront lounge areas, a variety of restaurants/bars, a spa, a fitness center, and areas for activities, like golf, tennis/pickleball. The grounds are impeccably kept. Everywhere you turn, there is something pretty to look at.
Dining
There is a broad array of dining options. The restaurants and bars offer a delicious mix of Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines. Farm-to-table practices utilizing local offerings are common. Expect spiny lobster, red snapper, drinks using private label Crowned Monkey Rum, and fresh produce from the island.
We had a chance to enjoy two of the resort’s upscale establishments, Mango and EsQuilina, both of which are open air. Highlights included crab cakes, sweet plantains, lovely salads, corn/fish chowder, and rum cocktails.
The breakfast buffet was also a favorite of our group, as were the 24-hour room service and cocktail service at the pool or beachside.
And if you’re open to leaving the resort, stroll down the beach to the famous Sunshine’s Beach Bar & Grill, where you can enjoy dishes like jerk chicken, grilled mahi mahi, conch fritters, and their legendary – and deceivingly strong – Killer Bee rum cocktails.
On-Property Activities
There is lots to do on the property, including tennis and pickleball, golf, swimming, and non-motorized water sports, like kayaking and snorkeling. There are also specialized activities just for kids, as well as rum tastings, monkey spotting, and celebratory or seasonal events.
We were fortunate to have a small-group wine tasting courtesy of Kind of Wild wines, and we had a chance to meet some of the founders, including the delightful Katie Lee Biegel (she’s on the left). You may remember that I’ve written about Kind of Wild before. The wines are not only delicious, but they are organic, vegan, zero sugar, and low-calorie.
Wellness & Fitness
The resort has a world class spa with offerings including massages, sound baths and yoga classes. My co-travelers and I had a chance to experience the massages with back and foot scrubs, and we all felt like the treatments were among the best we had experienced. After our massages, we were given hibiscus tea and encouraged to relax on the comfortable lounge chairs.
The spa area also had a steam room and healthy snacks. We also tested out the cold plunge pool and hot pool. I was a cold plunge naysayer, but I gave it a shot! I did it twice and only lasted a few seconds, but I will try again. It was surprisingly invigorating! The whole spa area was incredibly peaceful and relaxing.
We also did a sound bath, led by the wellness manager, Sidra Samuel. I had never experienced a full sound bath, and given that this was was right by the ocean, I may be forever spoiled! Sidra led an opening meditation and then we were immediately transported by the sounds of a variety of instruments and sound makers.
The fitness center was in a temporary location due to a fire, but it was a nice facility facing the beach with cardio machines, machines for functional training, and plenty of mats, free weights, kettlebells and more. There are also classes, including Beach Bootcamp and HIIT, and personal training is available.
Off-Property Activities
You may not feel the need to leave the resort during your stay, and I wouldn’t blame you! But, if you’re up for an outing, there are land activities, like the Hamilton history tour or a tour of the island. There are also water activities, such as boat rides that feature deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, or scuba diving.
We did the Half-Day Sail & Snorkel (aka, our “3-hour tour) on a catamaran, which is operated by Leeward Island Charters. The crew was incredibly sweet, fun, efficient, and safety-concious, and they took excellent care of our group. The catamaran took us to St. Kitts, where we snorkeled and swam. There was a delicious catered lunch, including wraps and small sandwiches, cookies, and a variety of cocktails and non alcoholic drinks. These trips are surprisingly affordable, especially if you’re traveling with a group. Per person rate is about $150 for the first six people. Additional guests are $90 for adults and $45 for kids.
No matter what you’re in the mood for, the Fours Seasons Nevis has you covered!
How to Save Money at Four Seasons Nevis
The Four Seasons Nevis is a luxury resort, however, there are ways to save.
Check out their saving events, like the Island Breakaway, which runs from June 1 – October 31. Starting rates for a Nevis Peak View Room is $770, and if you book in advance, you can save up to 25 percent. You can also get a 4th night free, complimentary airport transfers, and a $200+ spending credit per stay, based on what level of room you book.
As you book your stay, look out for dining specials, like Pre-Fix menus, in-room breakfast, and in-pool dining.
There are spa discounts too, like Rainy Day Specials, where you can save 15 percent off all 50-minute treatments, 20 percent off when booking 2 or more services, and discounts when you book a service within 24-hours of your stay or on specific days.
There are also discounted wellness/fitness bundles when you book yoga, a sound bath, and pilates together, and flat rates for unlimited golf, tennis, and pickleball.
Enjoy!
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