For lovers of historical past and heritage, The Hermitage Nevis gives an genuine style of Caribbean island life. The previous plantation inn is unfold over 5 acres, with fairly gingerbread cottages scattered via lush gardens stuffed with palms and mango timber.
On the lodge’s coronary heart is the historic seventeenth century Nice Home, considered one of many oldest homes within the Caribbean. This household run boutique lodge in Nevis gives conventional hospitality and a spot to unwind on the fringe of the rainforest on the slopes of Nevis peak.
This text might comprise affiliate hyperlinks that present fee on purchases you make at no additional value to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A historical past of The Hermitage
A plantation at The Hermitage is assumed to have been established as early because the 1670s. The Nice Home was constructed a while between 1670 and 1740 and is likely one of the oldest wood homes nonetheless standing within the Caribbean. That it has survived so lengthy is right down to the power of development with a body fabricated from Lignum Vitae. This terribly arduous wooden was native to Nevis however not grows on the island.
Within the mid seventeenth century the bigger sugar plantations that Nevis later turned identified for had but to be established. Right now the Pemberton household from England who owned The Hermitage ran a blended plantation, rising indigo, tobacco, cotton and spices.
Land was terraced for cultivation and the unique stone walling nonetheless exists in elements of the gardens. Later the Pembertons established plantations on different elements of Nevis however saved the unique home attributable to its cooler location at 800 ft above sea stage on the slopes of Nevis Peak.
Household hospitality at The Hermitage Nevis
Within the Seventies, Richard Lupinacci, who was working within the Caribbean on the time, bought the home from the descendants of the Pembertons. Vegetation had by that point fully overgrown the Nice Home. Richard informed us how he might barely see something of the home as he was proven the best way in by a neighborhood man. Banging on the beams of the Nice Home, they realised that they have been arduous as rock, and that the construction was sound.
Uncover 15 superb issues to do in Nevis
What started as an impulse buy and a restoration mission, turned a household dwelling for the Lupinacci household. Step by step different conventional wood buildings have been added within the gardens to accommodate company and Richard’s spouse Maureen took cost of the ornament in Caribbean nation home type. Earlier than lengthy it made sense to increase the house to take paying company and create a small, household run plantation inn.
The Hermitage is likely one of the Nevis Lodges that provides a really genuine plantation expertise. It’s nonetheless very a lot a household enterprise, run collectively by Richard Lupinacci, his son Richie Lupinacci and spouse Annie Lupinacci. Sadly Maureen handed away a few years in the past, however her spirit lives on within the heat hospitality, nation home type and in framed household photographs on show within the Nice Home.
If you’re within the historical past of Nevis, you may take this half day island tour from St Kitts, that features a cease on the close by Botanical Backyard.
The Nice Home at The Hermitage Nevis
The Nice Home stands on the coronary heart of The Hermitage with a floor ground that encompasses a chic drawing room, studying room, eating room and bar for using company. The unique cross formed construction stays, supported by the Lignum Vitae beams, though in fact different elements of the wood constructing have been a lot restored through the years.
A lined restaurant verandah garlanded with fairy lights to at least one aspect is a more moderen addition. It was constructed when The Hermitage turned a lodge, to supply extra space for company to dine, overlooking the orchards and gardens.
Caribbean antiques that the Lupinacci household have collected through the years are used to furnish the Nice Home. The lodge is virtually a residing museum, with Caribbean made cane backed wood sofas designed to let the air movement via.
You may additionally get pleasure from my assessment of the close by Montpelier Plantation & Seashore – Caribbean boutique lodge in Nevis
Vintage wood chairs, tables and cupboards fill the spacious rooms, with oriental rugs and previous prints of Caribbean life on the partitions. Of all of the lodges in Nevis, The Hermitage gives a sensation of stepping again in time. The impact is of a drawing room the place Horatio Nelson, who was stationed on Nevis as a younger Captain within the 1780s, might need felt at dwelling.
Bar at The Hermitage
At one finish of The Nice Home, a welcoming bar gives cabinets laden with extra several types of rum than you may depend. The horse racing theme, with previous footage and racing photographs, is in honour of proprietor Richard Lupinacci’s position as President of the Nevis Turf and Jockey Membership.
Previously, common race conferences have been held on the small race monitor, down the hill at Indian Fortress. The race course is positioned adjoining the windswept seashore, the place vibrant fishing boats are actually drawn up on the sand.
The Hermitage is justly well-known for its Rum Punch, the recipe having been perfected through the years. In actual fact just about any form of rum might be discovered within the bar, from completely different islands and traditions within the Caribbean.
If you’re after a rum tasting with the educated bartender, this might be the right place. Proprietor Richard Lupinacci can also be a fan of a cigar, and they’re accessible for company to take a seat on the porch and smoke as they sip their rum.
If you’re within the historical past of Nevis, you may take this half day island tour from St Kitts, that features a cease on the close by Botanical Backyard.
Our Cottage at The Hermitage Nevis
Our lodging was in a fairly cottage, known as The Pasture. Because the title suggests, it is likely one of the historically constructed wood homes that was moved from one other a part of The Hermitage grounds, the place it stood in an space of pasture.
Picket dwellings like this are identified within the Caribbean as “Chattel Homes” as they fashioned a part of a person’s moveable property or chattels. They might be dismantled or moved by cart to a different location, for the reason that home is perhaps constructed on employer’s land.
The standard chattel home is constructed with a wood body and partitions, raised on a stone base to permit air to flow into and defend from termite harm. Ours had wood shingles, shady hurricane shutters and an enclosed verandah with a hammock, overlooking the lawns the place the Vervet monkeys would come to play within the afternoon.
Inside, the type was conventional plantation stylish, with darkish wooden vintage furnishings, botanical prints and Persian rugs on the flooring. Over time the Lupinacci household have collected a big assortment of unique Caribbean antiques, just like the carved mahogany sofas and chairs.
The nation home type was set by the late Maureen Lupinacci, mom of Richie and spouse of Richard senior, who created the hospitable really feel of The Hermitage, as soon as it moved from being a vacation dwelling to a lodge. Our fairly 4 poster mattress, was embellished with lace and swathed in mosquito nets, giving a romantic really feel to the room.
If you’re not capable of keep on Nevis, you may nonetheless take these excursions from close by St Kitts
Half day Island tour of Nevis from Basseterre
Our Rest room at The Hermitage
The lavatory was additionally conventional in type, with an vintage wash stand and eco-friendly toiletries. We discovered our cottage extraordinarily comfy and enjoyable, particularly appreciating the small kitchenette space, the place we might make snacks and drinks every time we needed.
Vervet monkeys at The Hermitage Nevis
Located on the slopes of Nevis Peak on the fringe of the rainforest, The Hermitage attracts a big troupe of Vervet monkeys. We loved the present from our verandah because the monkeys performed and socialised within the late afternoon on the lawns of the lodge.
Every now and then there was a clatter because the monkeys would climb the mango tree near our cottage and run throughout the roof. The lattice of the verandah supplies a barrier in opposition to the monkeys, however typically they don’t come onto the balconies or steal issues, aside from the ripe mangoes from the tree when they’re in season!
St Kitts in footage – benefit from the 10 most instagrammable views of St Kitts
Searching for some seashore time on Nevis? This island tour from St Kitts features a tour of Nevis and time on Pinney’s seashore to calm down and order lunch.
Breakfast at The Hermitage
We loved our lazy breakfasts on the restaurant verandah overlooking the orchard, with all dishes served from the menu or on request relatively than buffet type. On provide was a selection of contemporary native juices to begin, our favorite being the milky and aromatic Soursop. Espresso or tea was served on the desk, with different selections from the menu.
We’d typically begin with a plate of contemporary fruit accompanied by hand-crafted yoghurt or milk soaked muesli. My favorite to comply with was the oh-so-moreish coconut French toast, with a candy syrup to pour indulgently on prime. Man at all times ordered the baked egg and cheese souffle, with tomatoes and herbs, which was actually tasty.
There have been many different choices, of eggs cooked any method you please, or a full cooked breakfast, however we loved attempting these home specialties.
Eating at The Hermitage Nevis
Dinner was served on the lined verandah, overlooking the gardens and orchard. Desk settings have been old fashioned elegant, with white desk cloths, glowing glassware and a sprinkling of fairy lights. We dined within the restaurant on one of many evenings of our keep, and loved a dinner of salad with dates and walnuts to begin. This was adopted by domestically caught Mahi Mahi in a caper sauce and an accompaniment of contemporary greens.
The menu is a la carte with a selection of two or three dishes per course, and a menu that modifications each day. The type of delicacies appears to be elevated dwelling cooking, with the emphasis on native produce, fruit and greens. Spices and herbs are harvested immediately from the gardens surrounding the lodge.
Chef Alex was on trip after we visited, however he has launched a conventional wooden burning oven at The Hermitage. It’s used on Fridays for the Italian themed evening, to supply pizzas with artistic native toppings. Wednesday nights are additionally a spotlight with the West Indian buffet, so in case you are visiting from exterior the lodge we’d advocate Wednesday or Friday as the perfect days to dine at The Hermitage.
If you’re not capable of keep on Nevis, you may nonetheless take these excursions from close by St Kitts
Half day Island tour of Nevis from Basseterre
The West Indian buffet at The Hermitage
The Hermitage is likely one of the greatest lodges on Nevis to style a conventional Caribbean feast, at their West Indian Buffet, with a pig roast that’s held every Wednesday night. The Caribbean buffet is well-known on the island and sometimes attended by guests from different lodges and native residents who desire a dinner that includes all of the favorite conventional dishes. I used to be alerted the entire piglet roasting on a spit within the orchard, by the squeak, not of the pig itself however of the spit turning slowly over the brazier.
Our night began with one of many well-known Hermitage Rum punches within the elegant rooms of the Nice Home, as guests gathered in anticipation of the meal forward. We moved for dinner to the tables on the lined verandah, the place a fish soup was served as a starter. In the meantime, within the eating room of the Nice Home all of the dishes of a veritable feast have been laid out on the vintage mahogany desk.
Even by Caribbean requirements the place a number of dishes are sometimes served, the desk was groaning with all of the various things to attempt. We moved across the desk, serving ourself from the native dishes of fried plantains, fried fish, cooked greens, salads and sauces.
If staying on close by St Kitts, discover these prime 10 St Kitts meals and restaurant experiences
After hours on the spit, the roast pig was meltingly tender and there have been some home specialties too, just like the Hermitage rabbit pie which was very tasty. I assume that is the closest we’d get to the a number of dishes that might be served in a Nevis family on a feast day like Christmas or one of many different native festivals.
Extra lodging at The Hermitage Nevis
The Hermitage Nevis is understood for its Gingerbread cottages which might be scattered across the gardens and grounds. All of the lodge’s lodging is in these fairly cottages or in bigger buildings just like the Carriage Home, which were transformed with separate residences on the bottom ground and first ground.
The Lupinacci household have a eager curiosity within the vernacular structure of the Caribbean and have made a enterprise of developing new wood villas on Nevis, protecting the normal carpentry strategies alive.
Lots of the visitor cottages have been moved from different areas or constructed as actual replicas of older buildings. The lodge began with simply 4 visitor rooms however has now grown to 13 rooms for as much as 35 company, unfold throughout the property and painted in tropical shades of pink, turquoise and yellow.
Uncover 15 superb issues to do in Nevis
Gingerbread cottages
Fairly wood “Gingerbread” cottages are scattered across the grounds, providing spacious lodging, since they’ve a separate sitting room and kitchenette. In days passed by every wood Chattel home could be constructed simply sufficiently big to be moved on a cart if required, with a gabled roof and lined outside verandah added on the entrance.
As extra space was wanted, a second or third home might be added on on the aspect, every forming an additional room. All of the rooms round The Hermitage are embellished in comparable nation home type, with vintage furnishings, 4 poster beds and fairly classic objects which were collected by the household through the years.
Annie Lupinacci has lately opened a house decor boutique and artwork gallery at Indigo Blue in Charlestown. She informed me how she is progressively refreshing the rooms and including vibrant prints of Caribbean scenes by native artist Kate Spencer. Her purpose is to to replace right here and there, whereas sustaining the identical comfy Caribbean appeal that was created by the late Maureen Lupinacci.
My favorite of the Gingerbread cottages was The Pink Home, with spacious interiors, polished wood flooring and fairly vintage furnishings.
Hillside Rooms
The Carriage Home is likely one of the unique 18th century buildings of the property that has been renovated to deal with quite a few suites. The partitions are of previous stone, topped with wood balconies that give a primary view of the gardens the place the Vervet monkeys play within the afternoon. As there are a number of separate rooms inside one constructing, The Carriage Home could be superb for households or teams of buddies.
Balcony Rooms
Balcony Rooms provide the perfect worth, in a two story constructing with rooms on each flooring. Regardless of the constructing’s fashionable development, the impact is vibrant and charming, with enclosed balconies, mild and ethereal rooms stuffed with conventional furnishings, and fairly painted exteriors.
Villas at The Hermitage
Throughout the lane from the primary lodge, The Hermitage owns two personal villas, every set in its personal gardens. The Yellow Manor Home has three bedrooms and is a contemporary duplicate of a Nevis Nice Home. Rose Villa is the bigger of the 2 with 4 bedrooms and has a non-public swimming pool. Both of the villas is right for household teams who can self cater or use the lodge’s restaurant and different amenities.
If you’re not capable of keep on Nevis, you may nonetheless take these excursions from close by St Kitts
Half day Island tour of Nevis from Basseterre
Actions at The Hermitage Nevis
Life at The Hermitage is fairly laid again, with ample alternative for chilling within the hammock in your verandah. However for those who fancy getting a bit extra energetic, there’s a tennis court docket simply throughout the lane from the primary property. Raquets can be found to borrow and in case you are actually eager, a tennis professional might be organized.
Simply above The Hermitage, lanes and small roads encircle the slopes of the Nevis peak, enabling you to hike alongside the previous cart roads used up to now by locals to get from one plantation to a different. Quite a few mountaineering trails run up the slopes of Nevis Peak. Some you may comply with by yourself, others are a bit harder to comply with, taking in waterfalls and rainforest trails, so a information is really useful and simply organized by the lodge.
After all the swimming pool is there to chill off and swim just a few lazy lengths, and it’s a 15 minute drive to a number of the stunning seashores on the west aspect of the island.
Searching for some seashore time on Nevis? This island tour from St Kitts features a tour of Nevis and time on Pinney’s seashore to calm down and order lunch.
Artwork Home Boutique at The Hermitage
Annie Lupinacci runs The Artwork Home Boutique, in a conventional wood home by the doorway to The Hermitage. The boutique is surprisingly spacious inside and full of resort put on on your Caribbean vacation. Vibrant floaty attire crowd with seashore baggage, fairly jewelry, scarves and solar hats.
There are additionally some beautiful souvenirs that you simply’ll wish to take dwelling. Youngsters t-shirts are printed to Annie’s personal animal designs, and in addition stocked are present playing cards by native artists and books that inform the tales of Nevis.
If you’re in Charlestown, cease by at Annie’s latest boutique Indigo Blue, which homes a group of trendy homeware, presents and paintings by St Kitts based mostly artist Kate Spencer. The store is in one other conventional previous constructing known as Riviere Home, which is deliberate to be a gallery for Kate Spencer’s vibrant work and prints evoking scenes from life on Nevis and St Kitts.
I’ve been an admirer of Kate’s work since I final visited St Kitts and purchased one among her scarves in The Gallery boutique in Basseterre, which has now sadly closed. Annie additionally sells Kate Spencer prints and playing cards at The Artwork Home and plans so as to add them to most of the rooms at The Hermitage.
Examine 12 issues to do in St Kitts for the fashionable traveller
Sustainability at The Hermitage
The Hermitage gives a soothing and low key expertise that appears like staying as the private visitor of the Lupinacci household. Among the many sustainability initiatives we noticed have been:
- The household have a eager curiosity in preserving the previous buildings of Nevis and the talents used to take care of them. Along with the lodge, they handle the development of conventional type wood villas on land that they personal, as a way to promote and protect the normal carpentry abilities wanted for wood buildings.
- There isn’t a air-con within the lodge which saves electrical energy. As a substitute the rooms are cooled within the conventional method, by cautious positioning to catch sea breezes and shade from the gardens. Electrical followers can be found the place wanted.
- Single use plastic is averted within the rooms and restaurant, with water and juice being served from glass jugs.
- The toiletries that we noticed within the rooms have been from extra sustainable manufacturers, though there’s nonetheless some use of single use plastic.
- The main focus within the restaurant is on supporting native farmers and fishermen, serving native and seasonal produce wherever potential. The weekly West Indian buffet is a superb showcase for native dishes and delicacies.
If you’re not capable of keep on Nevis, you may nonetheless take these excursions from close by St Kitts
Half day Island tour of Nevis from Basseterre
Who will get pleasure from staying at The Hermitage Nevis?
- The Hermitage is a captivating Caribbean retreat for individuals who desire a quiet place to calm down, unwind and atone for their studying within the hammock.
- The property will enchantment to guests within the historical past and heritage of Nevis, on this former plantation with a Nice Home courting again to the seventeenth century.
- Lots of the cottages have separate sitting rooms and kitchenettes, which is able to enchantment to those that need extra space and the flexibleness to arrange snacks and lightweight meals.
- The lodge appears to enchantment to each UK and American company relying on the time of 12 months. Lodging in particular person cottages is right for {couples} of all ages and also will enchantment to households with youthful youngsters who need a spot that’s relaxed and unstuffy.
Uncover the prime 10 issues to do in St Kitts – for cruise guests
Good to know
- The rooms do not need air-con, however relatively are saved cool within the conventional method by ocean breezes, shaded shutters and verandahs and electrical followers.
- With such an previous property, it’s inevitable that what Richie calls the “Gremlins” will generally be at play and issues don’t fairly work as they need to. For example the wifi in our cottage was fairly weak. The Hermitage crew deal promptly with points that come up, however persistence might should be utilized to issues similar to plumbing or lighting in the event that they go mistaken.
- The seashore is a 10-15 minute drive from the lodge and we advocate renting a automotive if you wish to see the a lot of the island.
- The island of Nevis and The Hermitage provide a quiet and enjoyable environment. If you’re on the lookout for nightlife, that is in all probability not the island or the lodge for you.
Location of The Hermitage Nevis
The Hermitage is positioned on the island of Nevis within the Leeward Island Group of the West Indies. At solely 36 sq. mile, Nevis is the smaller of the 2 islands that make up the Caribbean nation of St Kitts and Nevis.
To succeed in Nevis, most company arrive through the airport on St Kitts and take a ferry or water taxi throughout the quick straits that divide the 2 islands.
The Hermitage sits on the slopes of Nevis Peak bordering the rainforest, on the southern aspect of Nevis. Journey time from the island capital of Charlestown the place ferries and water taxis dock to the lodge is round quarter-hour by taxi.
If you’re not capable of keep on Nevis, you may nonetheless take these excursions from close by St Kitts
Half day Island tour of Nevis from Basseterre
E book your keep at The Hermitage Nevis
E book your keep immediately with The Hermitage via their web site or contact them immediately to debate your necessities. The Hermitage may also be booked as a package deal via journey corporations that specialize in luxurious Caribbean holidays.
Discover extra attractive locations to remain – hotels in Nevis or lodges in St Kitts
The place else to remain in Nevis
If there’s no availability at The Hermitage, we will additionally advocate a few different small luxurious lodges on Nevis. Try Montpelier Plantation and Seashore and The Golden Rock that are additionally plantation lodges.
Methods to attain Nevis from St Kitts
It’s surprisingly straightforward to get to Nevis from St Kitts, with quite a few ferry or water taxi crossings every day. Listed here are just a few choices to achieve the lodge
Flying into the Robert L. Bradshaw worldwide airport near Basseterre on St Kitts you may then:
- Take a taxi from the St Kitts airport to the ferry terminal in Basseterre (10 minutes / value $20-25 US). Subsequent take one of many common ferries that run round 1-2 occasions per hour to Charlestown, capital of Nevis (30 minutes / value a technique 32 EC – $12 US). A taxi from Charlestown ferry terminal in Nevis will take you to The Hermitage (15 minutes / value $20-25 US). That is the route we used to reach in Nevis. Take care in case your flight arrives late within the day as there are much less ferries to Nevis accessible later in day. Ferries run round each 30-60 minutes all through the day on the hour and half hour and actual timetables might be seen at every ferry port however could also be topic to vary.
- Alternatively the lodge can organise a direct taxi / water taxi switch to the lodge (value round $150 US) That is the quickest path to the lodge and advisable in case you are arriving late within the day or desire a stress free switch. The personal switch will contain a taxi from St Kitts airport to Cockleshell Seashore on the south aspect of St Kitts (20 minutes). From the seashore pier a water taxi shall be ready to take you to Charlestown Nevis (15-20 minutes). At Charlestown a taxi will take you to the lodge (15 minutes)
Direct flights to Nevis
There’s additionally Vance W. Amory worldwide Airport within the north of Nevis, which is a chance for personal planes. Direct flights arrive to Nevis Airport from Puerto Rico and some different Caribbean islands. From Nevis airport it’s a 25 min taxi trip to The Hermitage.
Taking a rent automotive to Nevis
You probably have a rent automotive and want to journey with it to Nevis, there’s additionally a automotive ferry (Sea Bridge) that runs from the south of St Kitts at Main’s Bay to Cades Bay on the west aspect of Nevis. The ferry runs round 3 occasions per day however might be topic to vary.
We couldn’t verify the precise value of the ferry however we heard it’s $100 US return. It’s essential examine along with your automotive rent firm that the automotive is allowed on the ocean bridge. This route is greatest suited to those that plan to be on St Kitts for just a few days earlier than arriving in Nevis and need the comfort of 1 rental automotive in each areas.
Flights to St Kitts and Nevis
Most worldwide guests to Nevis arrive through St Kitts airport. From the UK the one direct flight is with British Airways twice weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) from London Gatwick (LGW) with a quick landing in Antigua.
Flights from the USA embody a preferred each day flight from Miami (MIA) with American Airways who additionally fly weekly on a Saturday from Charlotte (CLT) and New York (JFK).
Air Canada runs a weekly Saturday flights from Toronto (YYZ). Delta flies weekly from Atlanta (ATL) and flights from different Caribbean islands are operated by Liat, United, Seabourne, Winair.
Notice that info is offered based mostly on our expertise and greatest info at time of writing, however it is best to examine for updated info on-line or through a journey agent earlier than making journey plans.
Plan your go to to St Kitts and Nevis
If you’re planning a go to to stunning St Kitts and Nevis you’ll discover lots extra info on the Nevis Tourism web site and the St Kitts Tourism web site.
Learn Subsequent
Uncover 15 superb issues to do in Nevis
Pin it
Heather’s 4 evening keep at The Hermitage was hosted* by the lodge
* Extra data on my insurance policies web page
This text is initially revealed at Heatheronhertravels.com
