FALL / WINTER 2005 NEWSLETTER

As we begin our fourth year at Montpelier Plantation Inn, we wanted to keep everyone informed about what is happening at Montpelier, island wide activities in Nevis, as well as whats going on with the Hoffman family.  We hope you find it interesting and that it brings back fond memories of your time spent with us. 

We look forward to seeing you again before long.

     

Summertime
Before our annual close down period we make a wish list of improvements we want to make. And then we make the list even bigger (just to give Tim plenty to worry about.)

And we are pleased to say that our list has included the final completion of adding air-conditioning to all the rooms.  We put David, our carpenter, on the task of raising the height of bedside tables especially for the four poster beds.  We also checked the views from each room and discussed necessary pruning with Sturge and Junior.

Behind the scenes we have completely updated the 40 year old electrical system  including 1400 feet of new electrical cable and a new generator.  Other work included redesigning the kitchen and expanding the laundry area.

Dining News
Lincoln has been busy selecting wines. The wine list now has 78 labels and the addition of a new wine country - South Africa.

Our collection of fine aged rums continues to be of special interest. The quality of good aged rums has been able to fool one or two committed cognac drinkers.  It is a particularly smooth drink which should not be missed on your next visit.

Nevis just celebrated its first annual cooking week called NICHE (Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition).  NICHE is an opportunity to learn about Caribbean gourmet cuisine and dishes based on the freshest local produce, seafood and meats of the Caribbean. Montpeliers Executive Chef Mark Roberts, was one of the featured chefs of NICHE. If you are interested in attending next October please contact www.nevisisland.com 

                

  

Nevis News
Coconut Grove, near Nelson Springs, has opened and offers French cuisine. A new delicatessen in Cotton Ground will open by Christmas for those who need the fixings for a spur of the moment picnic at Montpelier by the Sea.

Highlights of the week long celebration for the Bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar included two historical actors representing Nelson and Fanny who visited the schools, and a light operatic performance of Nelson and Emma.

MTV launched their new Caribbean station, Tempo, here on Nevis with a live concert for 4,000 people.

Who Was Philippa?
Many guests and visitors to Montpelier know about the modern tombstone on Saddle Hill with its 17th century marker stone that commemorates the life of Philippa Prentis Phillips who died on 11th August, 1683.  Her identity, origins and details of her life both in England and Nevis, have remained a mystery even though she has acquired iconic status, being one of the very earliest English women to live on the island. Over the last few years much research has been done and the bulk of the mystery has now been solved. Next year a fictional book about this saga will be published, Rivers of Time: Why Is Everyone Talking to Philippa?  The narrative is based on verified historical facts but the setting is Montpelier Plantation Inn.  Many of the staff at Montpelier  and some of the guests! make vignette appearances, as do other people on Nevis.  The 96 year old Mr Herman Ward, whose craftsmanship can be seen on the pillars at the entrance gates, is one such.
If you would be interested in receiving further information about publication date and discounted prices, you are invited to contact the author, June Goodfield, directly at june.goodfield@virgin.net

  

 

Montpelier Family News
Helena, in housekeeping, was awarded Best Employee of the Year by the Ministy of Tourism in Nevis in June. Helena is the third emplyee to be recognized by Nevis for outstanding service.

Muffin and Lincoln celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.  Tonya received her PhD from Columbia University and is now back to London.  Meredith and Tim sampled the vineyards of California and France.  And Kyler, at 19 months, is certainly in charge.

Calypso is never to be found without a ball in his mouth waiting to play with you, while Rudder waits patiently nearby. Nobody has ever seen Arawak, Tim and Merediths cat, but if you see Rudder suddenly spring into chase then you can be sure that the cat is nearby.
                                                                                  

Read all about it
Montpelier is delighted to have received a number of awards in the past year. Most recently Montpelier was accepted as a member of Relais & Chateaux. A special tribute is owed to the kitchen for their notable contribution to this membership. There are only six other R&C hotels in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Travel and Life readers voted Montpelier the Best Boutique Hotel and Best Restaurant. As this award is generated by the readers themselves, we receive this with particular honour.  In addition, The AAA American Automobile Association certified Montpelier as a Four Diamond Hotel and Restaurant.

Finally, the Hotel and Tourism Authority of Nevis voted Montpelier Best Hotel of the Year.  We are delighted to share news of these accomplishments with you. It is entirely due to the Montpelier staff that we have the pleasure of receiving these awards.

We look forward to seeing you at Montpelier before long.

With warm regards,
The Hoffmans

 

 

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