Ottley's Plantation Inn, St. Kitts
Vacation choices mean options that range from
active fun to doing nothing at all
By Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Sometimes a vacation comes with the tough choices. Scuba diving or spa
treatments. Hikes or horseback rides. Kayaking or windsurfing.
Or maybe just doing nothing at all.
Each day brings such difficult new decisions to the guests at Ottley's
Plantation Inn, located on the island of St. Kitts. Dating back to the
17th century and to its role as a great house which oversaw a sprawling
sugarcane plantation, today this intimate resort is a sweet retreat for
a handful of lucky guests. Twenty-four rooms set on this 35-acre property
give visitors the chance to step back to a quieter era. Days here are
infused with an Old World graciousness tempered with New World comforts.
Today the overseeing of the plantation is done from wide, breezy porches
that encircle the historic great house, all in the shadow of Mt. Liamuiga,
the island's dormant volcano.
Located on the east side of the island, views of the Atlantic Ocean compete
with sweeping vistas across historic grounds. On one side of the property
stands a small rainforest area where trails have been carved through the
ravines, tempting travelers to explore on foot or mountain bike. The shady
recesses are home to a wealth of tropical fauna and flora. Guests even
have a chance of spotting one of the island's many green vervet monkeys,
which scamper around the grounds, especially in the early mornings and
late afternoons in search of a tempting piece of fruit.
Guest Rooms
The quiet, elegant atmosphere of the landscape is
continued in the guest rooms, each decorated in a style which recalls
the property's days as a plantation. Colonial style furnishings and a
fusion of tropical colors combine to create a sophisticated hideway.
Guests can choose from several room styles. Standard rooms, the most basic,
are located either in the historic Great House or in a two-room cottage,
offering either garden or ocean views. Standard rooms, like others at
Ottley's have either a patio or verandah. Super deluxe rooms, also located
in both the Great House and in cottages, are larger, with either king
beds or two queens or twins.
For the ultimate in privacy, Royal Suite Cottages give lucky guests plenty
of room plus their own private plunge pool, a patio with a sun deck, and
a Jacuzzi in the Italian tiled bathroom. The cottages include a sitting
room and a bedroom (which can be rented alone as a Supreme Room), with
a tropical décor that includes cool, white tile floors and mahogany
furnishings.
Ottley's largest accommodation is The Grand Villa, perfect for families
or small groups. The villa includes two extra large Supreme Rooms as well
as a studio plus a full kitchen and outdoor patio. A minimum stay of seven
nights or longer is required for this villa.
All guest rooms include a ceiling fan and air conditioning, as well as
a room safe, coffee maker, blow dryer, iron and ironing board. The Supreme
Rooms also have minibars. Can't bear the thought of a few days without
a multitude of television channels? Some rooms can be outfitted with cable
television; guests need to request this amenity when booking.
Out & About
Although it's tough for visitors to tear themselves away from the relaxation
of the rooms, travelers can easily take advantage of the beauty of St.
Kitts with a guided tour of the rain forest or the island's volcano, a
challenge for any climber. Right on property, guests can try their hand
at croquet or develop their tennis skills on a new court. Wetter pursuits
include dives and snorkeling opportunities, deep sea fishing, and boat
trips to nearby islands--or just a lazy swim in the resort's own spring-fed
pool. And for beach lovers, shuttles run guests to two nearby beaches
as well as to shopping in Basseterre or golf at the 18-hole Frigate Bay
Golf Course.
Spaaaa....
Overexerted some of those muscles? Choose a massage or other relaxing
treatment at Ottley's new spa, The Mango Orchard Spa Retreat. The spa
overlooks the rainforest, continuing the relaxing atmosphere for which
the property is known.
Fine Dining
As the day draws to a close, travelers head to the resort's restaurant,
The Royal Palm. Tucked beside the remaining stone walls of the plantation's
old sugar factory across the lawn from the great house, the restaurant
features sophisticated fare that showcases local flavors in inventive
styles. Diners can begin with an appetizer of conch fritters and move
on to lobster quesadillas, shrimp ceviche, flying fish fillet for lunch
or on the dinner menu enjoy pan seared red snapper, herb-infused tenderloin
of prime beef, or other favorites.
So many choices. But, at Ottley's, guests find that -- whatever choice
they make -- it's always the right one.
For More Information:
Ottley's Plantation Inn
Ottley's Estate, St. Kitts
Telephone: (869) 465-7234 or (800) 772-3039
www.ottleys.com
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