Essential selling points

Why Montpelier Plantation Inn?

Why Nevis

Essential Media

‘... after sympathetic refurbishment by its current owners... it now combines the romantically historic – the old sugar mill is now a candlelit restaurant – with modern comfort.’ The Sunday Telegraph: Travel

‘A popular honeymoon destination, the hotel’s romantic credentials are long established – Lord Nelson and Fanny Nisbet were married here.’ The Independent

‘The resort has its own private beach, where couples can get married – you can even hire the entire hotel for your guests!’ Wedding: The Top 50 Honeymoon Hot List

‘An English country-house hotel transplanted to the tropics; where a cool elevation belies the warm welcome, nestling 800 feet up Mount Nevis. Breakfast is served alfresco ... lunches are taken at the pool bar or a picnic at Montpelier’s private beach club ... evenings begin with cocktails in the Great Room followed by sumptuous dinners on the Terrace.’ The Sunday Times Travel Magazine: The Perfect Hotel

‘Superb food, a private beach – and Lord Nelson married here too.’ High Life: 10 Best Exquisite Escapes

Essential Detail viewpoint

A hotel that we have known and recommended for many years and frankly just gets better. Since the Hoffman family acquired Montpelier they have stylishly enhanced the property whilst maintaining a traditional atmosphere reminiscent of the old Caribbean which exists less nowadays. It is clear that staff training centres around what the guests experience should be, establishing the right mix of attentive service and respect for privacy for each and every individual. It’s a perfect, enchanting hideaway to unwind and do nothing or surprise yourself and enjoy the many activities available on this exclusive island retreat.

Essential Facts

How to get there

From London to Antigua with scheduled services of British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, plus BMI from Manchester and Excel flights weekly London to St Kitts. Then onwards with Carib Aviation by shared/private charter, LIAT or American Eagle to Nevis. Flying time Antigua/Nevis 20 minutes. St Kitts/Nevis 8 minutes (by Liat or Carib Aviation shared and private charters). Alternatively see Airport Transfers for details of St Kitts to Nevis by boat.

Location

In the south of Nevis, 800 feet up a hillside with breathtaking views across the island to the sea.

Accommodation

16 rooms and 1 suite. Refer to page 5 for full description.

Activities

Montpelier’s private beach club – or Montpelier-by-the-sea as it is known – is located at Pinneys beach with sun shelters, beach pavilion and a bar (in an historic Nevisian house). Regular barbeque lunches are hosted here year round. Otherfacilities include changing room, WC and shower.

Visit Charlestown the Capital, the Horatio Nelson Museum, and The Botanical Gardens (a 5 minute walk away).

Golf & Spa – at Four Seasons Resort which features an 18 hole championship Robert Trent Jones golf course. Full spa treatments available at the Four Seasons. 20 minute drive from Montpelier.

Diving is available and there are many interesting dive sights around St Kitts and Nevis. Resort courses and full certifications are available. Rain forest tours, riding, eco hiking, deep sea fishing, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking are all on offer on the island.

Airport transfers

Local taxi fare approx US$25, approximately 25 minutes drive.
Transfers for arrival in St Kitts:
Private Speedboat – Montpelier Plantation Inn can arrange for a private speedboat transfer between St Kitts and Nevis (25 minutes) for approximately US$200 one way for the boat (plus a taxi between the dock and the hotel). Please make enquiries and book this direct with the hotel, when reserving accommodation.
Local Ferry – A choice of scheduled ferry companies operate between St Kitts Basseterre) and Nevis (Charlestown) and it’s a great way to see the islands from the water! The transfer time is about 45 minutes and it is very inexpensive (approx EC$15 per person each way), and departures run from approximately 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. Tickets are purchased at the dock and Montpelier Plantation Inn can assist with advising of up to date boat schedules and types.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in after 2:00pm and check-out before 12:00noon. Changing facilities are available for early arrivals. The hotel will always try and accommodate late checkouts depending on availability.
A personalised arrival and departure service is available whereby Federal Express deliver guests luggage to the hotel in advance of arrival and return it home. This includes the hotel unpacking and pressing clothes ready for guests check-in. Further details from the hotel.

Children

Are welcome 8 years and over.

Climate

Nevis enjoys a pleasant year-round climate with an average temperature of 79°F. Humidity is low and constant north-east trade winds keep the island cool. The annual rainfall averages 55 inches, however, there is really no rainy season.

Closure dates

2007: Closes 14th August. Re-opens 6th October.
2008: Closes 12th August. Re-opens 4th October.

Credit card

MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

Currency

Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, but US dollars are readily acceptable. Some money can be exchanged at the hotel and US dollars are also accepted. All charges at Montpelier Plantation are shown in US$.

Dress code

Smart casual. Jacket and tie are not required and not often worn. Gentlemen wear long trousers in the evening with collared shirt. Ladies may sometimes require a light cardigan or pashmina.

Drivers licence

A local licence can be obtained on presentation of a full and valid UK licence.

Electricity

220 volts (as in Europe) is the main power in the rooms, with 3 pin UK plugs. Plus 110-volt outlets (US) for lap top and cellular phones. Shaver adapters 110-220 volts in bathrooms.

Entertainment

Live entertainment twice a week – such as jazz pianist and calypso singer.

Hotel and sports facilities

3 restaurants (breakfast terrace, dinner in the Great Room Terrace or The Mill an 18th century sugar mill), fresh water swimming pool (20 x 10 metres), bar, tennis court including complimentary racket and balls (lessons can be arranged with a professional coach), The Sugar Shop boutique (offering unusual gifts made locally and from around the world), books and DVD library, Games room with TV, complimentary Internet access is provided at reception as well as in the rooms via dial up modem.
Private beach club – at Pinneys beach with sun shelters, beach pavilion, bar, changing room, WC and shower. Occasional ‘guests versus staff’ cricket matches on the green by the beach. A 15 minute journey from the hotel by complimentary transfer which leaves daily at 10:30am and guests agree on a common pick up time or order a specially arranged taxi. NB: The Inn has a number of steps that under certain circumstances could make it difficult for some guests.

Meals and drinks

Breakfast on the terrace – 8.15am to 10.00am.
Lunch at the pool bar – 12.00pm to 2.30pm.
Picnic lunches can also be arranged for guests visiting Montpelier’s private beach. This includes delicious salads, bagels, sandwiches – all served with fresh fruit and homemade cookies.
Lunch at the Botanical Garden of Nevis on the Montpelier Estate – the hotel also operates a restaurant ‘Martha’s at the Garden’ close by, where guests have signing privileges.
Afternoon tea at the Pool Bar – 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Pre dinner drinks and cocktails in the Great Room from 7.15pm.
Dinner – 3-course dinner in the Great Room Terrace from 7.30 pm onwards or 4-course dinner in The Mill, open most nights.

Minimum stay

10 nights for periods overlapping Christmas day and New Year’s Day.

Water

Bottled water is supplied in fridges in guest rooms at a local charge and it is also safe to drink tap water.

Well being

Massage can be arranged at the hotel. Spa services are available at the Four Seasons Resort and bookable through Montpelier reception.

Accommodation description

Number of rooms/suites: 14 Premier Rooms, 2 Plantation Rooms and 1 Junior Suite.
Facilities in each room: either king size bed with a canopy or 4-poster, or twin beds, ceiling fan, air-conditioning, direct dial telephone, iron and ironing board, in-room safe, hair dryer, fridge, private veranda, bathroom with bath and shower and tea/coffee making facilities.

Room descriptions

Premier Rooms

Semi-detached cottages house the spacious premier rooms which are dotted along the edge of the hillside, with views across the valley to the ocean in the distance. Each room has tiled floors with white washed walls, mahogany writing desk and cedar lined wardrobes, louvered windows and a door leading onto a private terrace. The spacious bathrooms have full size bath with overhead shower, welcome amenity pack including cotton wool buds, shoe sponge, shower cap, sewing kit, shampoo, conditioner and bath gel.

Plantation Rooms

These newly refurbished rooms offer a little more luxury for guests. The amenities are the same as the premier category, but for 2008 will include new tiled floors, restyled décor throughout and a chic modern look to the bathrooms including vessel sinks, seductive lighting, solid oak tops, and new temperature controlled showers with rain-shower heads.

Junior Suite

The junior suite includes all the above plus a separate living room and terrace with sofa bed, DVD player and a private reading gazebo with large sofa. This junior suite can be combined with another room* to form a two bedroom junior suite.
*Note the second room is not occupied when the accommodation is reserved as a junior suite.

Getting Married 2007/2008
Wedding package

A civil wedding at Montpelier Plantation (where Admiral Lord Nelson married Fanny Nisbet in 1787) by the resident magistrate can be held in various locations within the grounds. These include the Great House, under the giant Ficus Benjamina tree or in the vast tropical gardens.

Just a few marriages are held here each year, sufficient to ensure the competent performance, not so many as to render the special occasion a part of a production line. Montpelier’s management and staff genuinely enjoy the event; their warmth, cheerfulness and good spirits become an integral part of the important day in this beautiful peaceful place.

Cost: US$825

What’s included:

Legal requirements

The couple must be resident on Nevis at Montpelier for a minimum of 2 working days, to ensure the completion of the legal formalities. They must present themselves at the resident Magistrate’s office the day after their arrival in Nevis. The following documents must accompany them:

Pre-wedding formalities:

The stamping of the Marriage Licence, the Certificate of the Facts of the Application for a Licence, Registration of the Marriage, Completion of the Licence Application, all require minimum effort from the couple. They will need to attend the Magistrate to advise on the filling in of the forms and to provide the necessary documents as listed above. The Magistrate will obtain the Licence and by arrangement with the couple and Montpelier, the wedding will take place.

Optional extras (prices subject to change and individual requirements)

A professional photographer can also be arranged at additional cost. Prices range from US$200.
Any other special requests should be made directly to the hotel and will be accommodated if at all possible.

Wedding ideas

Montpelier is a delightful and romantic place for a wedding. It is like having it in a private Caribbean Country House except all the details are taken care of. The hotel works closely with the Bride and Groom to ensure that their desires and dreams are incorporated into their specially developed package. While they are at Montpelier, the hotel is completely devoted to their needs and they are not rushed in any way.
Listed below are some of the options others have looked at in building their unique package for the special occasion.

Exclusive use:

Depending on the size of the wedding, exclusive use of the hotel and its facilities can be discussed to include all guest rooms and/or private use of any area.

Music:

Food and beverage:

Dining areas:

Photography:

Flowers:

Most of the flowers need to be imported. Therefore Montpelier’s design florist can bring in most items and to a degree create most arrangements.

Other items:

A day in the life of a guest at Montpelier Plantation Inn

Start your day with a morning cup of tea or coffee on your terrace, taking time to absorb the view and the sounds from the valley below.

Savour a delicious cooked breakfast on the shady breakfast terrace, which includes freshly baked breads and cakes with homemade jams, jellies and juices.

A quiet morning by the pool may be the order of the day. Or take a short walk to the botanical gardens or a taxi into Charlestown the capital and shop at the Cotton Ginnery for local arts and crafts. For the intrepid traveller a guided eco-hike into the upper rain forest is another option.

Enjoy a light lunch by the pool. Don’t miss the barbeque lunch held every Tuesday down at Montpelier’s private beach – and enjoy a competitive game of cricket ‘guests versus staff’! On other days the hotel can provide a picnic lunch for you to take to the beach.

Too much activity? Then book massage in your room at the hotel or splash out on a spa treatment at the Four Seasons resort, just a 15 minute taxi ride away or have a leisurely game of tennis in the cooler part of the afternoon up at the hotel.

Dinner is an occasion on the Terrace with views of the twinkling lights of St Kitts across the water. Montpelier’s chef uses fresh produce from the hotel’s own herb and market garden. Mouth watering dishes such as shrimps on sugar cane skewers, suckling roasted pig, watermelon salsa and of course delights of the sea including mahi-mahi, snapper and Nevisian lobster.

At the end of the evening reflect on a strong sense of being truly connected to the people and the place, knowing that very special memories are being created.

2007-2008 Montpelier Map


Provided by our London representation company, Essential Detail.

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