To get a sense of the Kittitian way of life, one must embrace the sweetness of limin’. On the two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, to lime is to kick back and relax. It’s a concept that my husband, Cam, and I are thrilled to add to our vocabulary, especially since we’d tied the knot just a week prior and were desperate for a little R&R. We quickly decided the theme of our honeymoon would be to simply lime and there is no better spot to do that than Park Hyatt St. Kitts.
Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice
St. Kitts, named for St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, is one of those islands blessed with all the tropical essentials needed for a honeymoon—turquoise bays, golden sands and lush mountain peaks. While it may be the low season (most vacationers visit between November and April), our descent into the 23-mile-long, 5-mile-wide isle proves we’re in for some picture-perfect June weather.
After zipping through customs, we’re on the road towards our destination. Lucky for us, we hop in Bill’s cab. Sunshine in human form, Bill gives us a tour of St. Kitts as we zigzag along the island roads. He points out the Sugar Train, also known as the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, the last railway in the Caribbean. Originally built in the 1900s to transport sugar, it now takes passengers on a 3-hour, 30-mile tour. Next, we see Timothy Hill, a narrow strip of land where the deep blue Atlantic Ocean meets the azure Caribbean Sea. It’s no wonder actor Robert Redford built his Sundance Ridge home at the top of this peak.
Paradise, Found
The road leading to Park Hyatt St. Kitts perfectly sets the stage for what awaits. On the right is a breezy coconut farm with tall, swaying palm trees, bundles of coconuts and playful Vervet monkeys. To the left, a glimpse at the Caribbean Sea. Catching us admiring the twinkling water diamonds of Cockleshell Beach, Bill chimes in and says, “The most beautiful beach on St. Kitts. Perfect for honeymooners.”
Arriving, we’re welcomed by one of the property’s most beautiful features—a long, open-air entryway with ponds filled with koi fish in every shade of orange, leading directly to a view that perfectly frames the sea and sky like a piece of art. It’s a jaw-dropping first impression, one that instantly puts us in vacation mode.
At the end of the entryway is the reception room. As we check in and are welcomed with smiles and a rum punch (a staple here on the island), we can’t help but marvel at a mural on the wall celebrating Sugar Mas carnival, St. Kitts’ traditional New Year’s festival since the 1950s, showcasing costumed masqueraders, steel pan bands and pageant queens.
“No Badda Mi”
Park Hyatt St. Kitts is a sprawling oasis. Staff often zoom around in golf carts to navigate the property, so with luggage in hand, we decide to jump aboard one to get to our room. After six months immersed in wedding florals, I gasp as I take in the remarkable landscaping: Manila palm, blooming pink bougainvillea and arctic snow jasmine—every tree, flower and plant has been thoughtfully placed here. There’s even sugar cane, reaching high toward the sky. Our driver, Melroy, pulls over, snaps a cane in half and munches on it like an afternoon snack. I quickly understand why St. Kitts is often called Sugar City—for 350 years, the country was a leading producer of sugarcane.
When we arrive at our room, Melroy shares a final piece of advice: “Don’t let anyone or anything bother you on this trip. It’s your honeymoon, so enjoy it.” He points to the door tag that reads: “No badda mi.” Feeling a bit run down from the wedding festivities, with runny noses and sore throats, we instantly adopt this phrase as our unofficial honeymoon motto—a perfect embodiment of the art of limin’.
The resort’s 78 rooms and 48 suites are arranged in a series of buildings that follow the arc of Banana Bay, meaning each accommodation faces the shimmering turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Our Beachside Suite, standing at 688 square feet, includes a large private terrace—the perfect spot for a morning espresso. This suite is a masterclass in understated luxury, echoing the island’s rich heritage and culture while seamlessly intertwining contemporary architecture and colonial design. Timber-clad walls, red-accented chairs and Caribbean shutters that frame the sunrise, which casts its glow on the perfectly crisp white linen.
Limin’ 101
Our honeymoon days revolve around one thing: effortlessness. We swing on hammocks tucked between tall palm trees, play a giant game of Connect Four on the lush lawns and greet the family of orange cats who call the property home. We also make sure to enjoy the five-star amenities. We work out at the 24-hour fitness center in the perfectly air-conditioned gym and follow it with a visit to the neighboring Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary. This 37,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art oasis features teak-wood decks, overgrown gardens with tanglehead grass and a soothing lemongrass aroma. We take advantage of the plunge pool, sauna and steam room, all available to guests without needing a treatment.
My pre-holiday research on St. Kitts and Nevis tells me it was a vacation favorite of Princess Diana. I see why when my feet step on the white sands of Banana Bay, the hotel’s private beach. While you have to navigate a few rocks when making your way in, you’re quickly rewarded with warm, turquoise water. We’re often one of only a handful of guests occupying loungers on the sand. It’s remarkably quiet here, with most guests choosing to lounge by the infinity-edge pool with its trickling fountain and direct view of Nevis (and I can’t blame them; it’s what pool dreams are made of, especially for families). The stillness makes it particularly easy to relax. We’ve got our beach reads, fish tacos from the nearby Rampart Pool Bar and plenty of sunscreen from the towel station located on the beach.
By late afternoon, as the sun begins to set over the rolling peaks of the island, we find ourselves at the adults-only pool, which is built into rampart stone arches modeled after the island’s original British defense systems. One thing is certain: Park Hyatt St. Kitts knows how to do pools.
If you like Piña Coladas… and bagels
It’s one of those trips where we’ve found our signature meal and can’t get enough of it. A house-made bagel, rivaling any in Montreal or New York City, is found at the farmhouse-inspired Great House, the beating heart of the hotel’s three dining choices complete with show kitchen, rum bar and library. The salmon is perfectly smoked and the avocado is utterly delicious. It’s a simple delight we often pair with fresh fruit, especially since St. Kitts is home to 44 unique varieties of mango.
Elsewhere on the property, there’s Fisherman’s Village, serving up freshly caught seafood (if mahi-mahi is the catch of the day, don’t hesitate to order) with views of Nevis. But the resort’s crown jewel is reservation and adults-only Stone Barn, named the Caribbean’s Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant in 2022 by the prestigious World Culinary Awards.
While fully embracing the art of limin’ makes it hard to leave the beauty and comfort of Park Hyatt St. Kitts, we decide to venture off the property one afternoon to the nearby Cockleshell Beach. Our goal: to find a Piña Colada. We accomplish this quickly by sitting down at the island favorite, Reggae Beach Bar, whose slogan is “rush slowly.” We kick up our feet, enjoy our creamy coconut cocktails and laze in the sun—good vibes abound.
On our last morning, we return to the Great House for one final bagel. We feel a certain lightness, one that comes with plenty of rest and an agenda with absolutely no to-dos. Stuffy nose: cleared. Sore throat: gone. When asked about our honeymoon highlight, Cam and I agree: “swimming in the sea together.” Our waitress smiles and adds, “We don’t call it the sea, we call it the healer.” Healing—perhaps that’s what limin’ is all about. Being together, enjoying each other’s company and going with the flow. It’s everything you hope a honeymoon could be and Park Hyatt St. Kitts has made it ever so sweet.
