Revered for its exclusivity and following a small foot print in the world’s premier destinations, the PARK HYATT has chosen the island of St. Kitts to open its very first Caribbean hotel.
With residents embracing tourism as an important part of the island’s transition from sugar cane cultivation, St. Kitts is home to the headquarters of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank — which regulates the shared currency of 8 islands — and is now welcoming wealthy international investors with its high value residency programme.
A secluded bay for intimacy and privacy
On arrival, guests are escorted through a Zen walking path, with piped spa music playing in the background as they make their way around tranquil koi ponds, towards the chic contemporary Great House ‘living room’ for check-in. The PARK HYATT stretches across the entire sandy crescent of the picturesque Banana Bay, with all rooms offering arresting views of St. Kitts’ sister island Nevis, whose peak seems always to be shrouded in mist and clouds. My roof-top suite was neutral in decor with undertone pastels of natural hues throughout, with ceiling to floor windows offering sweeping views of the aquamarine Caribbean Sea beyond. Incorporating the most advanced technology, this modern interpretation of the glamour of grand plantation home living seamlessly connected to my phone to share videos on TV screens and streaming of music through the high fidelity audio system. As well, the wifi internet connection allowed smooth links to the most demanding data intensive applications.
Christophe Harbour was a new and growing luxury enclave catering to an international jet set and superyacthing crowd with the PARK HYATT, the anchor hotel for this elite community of discerning families and individuals who have made St. Kitts their home.
My suite sported a walk through closet, separate indoor shower and bath tub, and on the terrace, a sun deck with entertainment lounge, bar area for dining and drinks, and lap pool perfect for soaking up the warmth.
Seafood, spa rituals, and events
With only 78 rooms and 48 suites spread over 20 acres, the hotel has an airy open feeling offering the freedom to roam about the property through its well laid out signed pathways, making it easy to find my way to the Fisherman’s Village for lunch. This seafood restaurant on the edge of the ocean has over-water cabana dining, a perfect place to enjoy the views of lapping waves and listen to the sea surf. Here I enjoyed the freshest catch of the day paired with crisp white wines, while making new friends with a family visiting from the nearby superyacht Christophe Harbour marina where their boat was being provisioned ahead of their next island hopping paradise adventure.
After lunch, the concierge escorted me to their 37,000 square-foot state Miraval Life in Balance Spa. With rituals and therapies that cleanse, heal and nourish the mind, body and soul, I arrived an hour early for my treatment to drift off in one of their hammocks in between sips of their signature tea, made with a fusion of rejuvenating local herbs such as lemongrass, basil, and thyme. The spa’s design features natural stone walls with nine treatment rooms, including three couples’ treatment rooms complete with heated private plunge pools and outdoor showers. My therapist then took me on a ‘sojourn of the elements’ where I created my own scrub for a decadent Sea Salt Scrub Body Treatment, leading into a restorative Lava Rock Massage for an indulgent experience of wellbeing.
Returning to my suite, I passed the ‘living room’ where I had checked in earlier and saw in the meetings & events area a swanky social event in progress with lots of paraphernalia, in full swing. This sophisticated area styled with chic furniture, elegant finishes and artistic flourishes offers over 7,000 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities, accommodating meeting requirements from discrete board meetings to small, exclusive social occasions in the laid-back setting of contemporary Great House ambiance.
The Stone Barn restaurant is reminiscent of the barns once used on the island to protect crops during the wet season and serves meals from a wood-fired hearth. The fragrance of the meals wafting through the air opened my appetite for a night of culinary island fare. Starting off with zesty Mahi Mahi Crudo, my main dish was a delectable Slow Roasted Five Spiced Duck, closing with Rum Roasted Pineapple, all paired with sommelier recommended wines.
After dinner drinks were at the rummery in the Great House restaurant — offering all day dining service — where I met new residents of Christophe Harbour who were ‘out on the town tonight’ and dressed in elegant batik wear from the famous local Caribelle Batik. From them I learnt Christophe Harbour was a new and growing luxury enclave catering to an international jet set and superyacthing crowd with the PARK HYATT, the anchor hotel for this elite community of discerning families and individuals who have made St. Kitts their home. The Christophe Harbour development is made up of a superyacht marina, village with upscale stores, members only private playground club house, sporting facilities, seaside eateries and bars with sunset party venues, a 2,500-plus acre real estate development that includes custom built villas, and a Tom Fazio golf course in the making. Until this course is complete, they tee off at the nearby St. Kitts Royal Club and the Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course on neighbouring Nevis.
Returning to my suite, I meandered through walkways criss-crossing the swimming pools dotted with eclectic star lighting effects on this balmy night. Reflecting on the stirring beauty of St. Kitts and the industry of her people, I agreed there was no better place for the PARK HYATT to extend their legendary hospitality than in the close knitted bespoke community of Christophe Harbour, where families and friends gather to renew their love for life and adventure. JP