Honeymoon Destination: St. Kitts
There are few things more breathtaking than a landscape where the ocean marries the mountains. The island of St. Kitts, with its British flair and pristine beaches, may be only 69 square miles, but it’s covered with expansive mountains that make it the perfect spot for newlyweds looking for a combo beach-lazing/adventure-trek honeymoon.
Formerly known as St. Christopher, this West Indies isle has been minimally developed, leaving it uncrowded and unspoiled—ideal for traipses through rainforests, volcano exploring, and scuba diving and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, all of which can be arranged by the Marriott St. Kitts, the island’s largest full-service resort. Nestled between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, St. Kitts is the ideal ’moon for couples looking to add a touch of adventure to their romance.
BY DAY Take a tour of Brimstone Hill Fortress, built almost entirely out of black volcanic rock and located 800 feet above sea level, and enjoy the panoramic views of the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans, Kittitian mountains, and neighboring isles of Nevis, St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Martin and St. Barths. Embark on an exhilarating hike up 3,792-foot-tall Mount Liamuiga—a dormant volcano!—with Greg’s Safaris. The rugged three-mile hike—complete with friendly visits from green vervet monkeys through dense rainforest—peaks at the volcano’s rim, where you’ll have lunch while peering into the crater below. Soar overtop the canopied rainforest and enjoy a birds’-eye view of the island with a zipline adventure from Sky Safari Tours. Secure, comfortable (yes, really!) and smooth, this is a high-speed adventure above the treetops. And for a break, there’s always a snooze on one of the hotel’s beach loungers.
BY NIGHT South Frigate Bay—just a five-minute ride from the Marriott—is the nightlife capital of St. Kitts. A strip of beach-side shack bars—frequented by friendly, dancing island natives—begins at Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack and winds down the beach to Ziggy’s, where you’ll find some true island limin’ (relaxing, in island-speak). The Vegas-style casino at the Marriott is open 24/7 for late-late-night fun. Or check out Blue Martini, the Marriott’s new piano bar and lounge.
WHERE TO EAT St. Kitts is a wonderland of fine dining—but in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Try Spice Mill Restaurant, a quick 15-minute ride from the hotel, to dine right on Cockleshell Beach with a stunning view of neighboring cloud-tipped Nevis. Enjoy the unique twists on authentic Caribbean dining (think conch fritters with pineapple cabbage salad and lemon ginger aioli), and have a nightcap under the coconut-wood-topped beach bar.
The Marriott also offers multiple fine-dining restaurants, including Royal Grille Steakhouse, where the chocolate soufflé may just change your life. For seafood lovers, Blu’s ocean views and selection of fresh fish can’t be beat. And Reggae Beach Bar is the real deal when it comes to Margaritaville-type bars, with a colorful kick-back bar on the beach, a menu packed with fruity frozen drinks (made with real fruit), and St. Kitts’ version of bar food: fish caught that day, spiced and grilled to perfection.
