By Donna Richardson
If you’re dreaming of a Caribbean getaway, the exotic island of Nevis is the perfect destination. Golden Rock Inn is a magical paradise, featuring just 11 bedrooms, and offers a secluded retreat within 40 acres of lush tropical grounds. It’s a fairytale hideaway where you can escape the daily stresses of life.
Ideal for couples or solos alike, the retreat has just 11 rooms and is a boutique hotel nestled in the Gingerland Hills. The journey there is an adventure in itself. Fly into St. Kitts and take a taxi to Reggae Beach Dock where you will meet a water taxi that will whisk you across the channel on the Wild Atlantic Ocean to Nevis.
Just 12 minutes later you’ll land at Oualie Beach dock. Then you’ll be chauffeured to Golden Rock Inn by a taxi which will climb up the Gingerland Hills and down a jungle path. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed into the reception by friendly staff, who will hand you a glass of the inn’s famous rum punch.
The gardens are designed by Miami-based designer Raymond Jungles and Keith, the head gardener, is happy to show you some of the hundreds of species of plants that thrive here, including 60 species of palms and an impressive collection of cycads, seed plants bearing a resemblance to palms and ferns that date back approximately 280 million years.
A striking feature that struts out of the jungle foliage is a pavilion designed by Edward Tuttle. This is a striking centrepiece at the helm of an oversized freshwater swimming pool and alfresco dining area.
At the resort, welcome the calm reflection of the spring-fed pools, surrounded by the flora and fauna and the sounds of nature. Up in the trees, you’ll hear the chatter of verdant monkeys and spot hummingbirds flitting between the branches. You might also happen to chance upon a local donkey on your walk. Golden Rock Inn is a place to relax and enjoy the natural health benefits associated with nature, which surrounds you.
There are so many sights and sounds to enjoy at Golden Rock, from the earthy musk that hangs in the air after passing rain, to the rustling of palm fronds. Birds chirrup in the trees, and tree frogs (Antilles coqui) begin a chorus that reaches a crescendo by nightfall. Stroll along winding paths beneath a lush canopy and admire views of Montserrat, Redondo, and Antigua. Turn toward the dormant volcano of Mount Nevis, where a brilliant sunset casts a glow that inspired the hotel’s name.
Watch for green vervet monkeys and hummingbirds, along with the Purple Throated Carib, Bananaquit, Bullfinch, Kestrel, Zenaida Dove, and various small amphibians, reptiles and even a servant monkey. Cradling a glass of Golden Rock’s renowned Rum Punch, you’ll feel completely relaxed as you surrender your senses to nature. The little sparrows are so tame they’ll even come and eat out of your hands.
Wellness
Golden Rock Inn is a place to relax and enjoy the natural health benefits associated with immersion in nature, offering the chance to reset, which is a prime reason guests choose this property. With one view of the peak and the other of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s a unique setting. The hotel can arrange poolside yoga, as well as excursions to explore the island’s natural beauty or you can shelter inside as the birds sing you a sweet soothing lullaby.
Accomodation
Golden Rock Inn on the island of Nevis is one of those places you discover once in a lifetime. It has just 11 bedrooms and was originally a sugar estate that dates to the early 1800s. It retains its original stone walls, but the interior has been transformed into a bohemian style by visionary New York artist Helen Marden, who owns the property. She and her late husband, Brice, intended it to be a place where other creative souls could come for complete privacy.
Inside the communal area in the main volcanic stone-clad building, you’ll find colourful modern art, vibrant throws and contemporary furniture as well as souvenirs from Helen and Brice’s globetrotting scattered around.
The sugar mill refinery tower rises out of the jungle like something out of a fairy tale. It makes for an incredible honeymoon suite. The Sugar Mill has two bedrooms, one double and one with two single beds as well as living space. There is a courtyard and garden which overlooks the mountain and the ocean. Sprawling across 630sqft it has two floors. There is one room with one king-size bed and another with two twin beds making it perfect for families.
There’s also a sitting area and a terrace to enjoy the views of Windward Beach while sipping a Caribbean rum on ice. Design accents include bright red shutters which strike harmoniously against the antique stone walls. King-sized beds can be found in the romantic Paradise Cottage, designed in the typical Caribbean style with a large terrace that invites the outside in.
Stepping down from this refinery is a cluster of brightly painted cottages that reflect the heritage of the estate. Wonderful fig trees surround Paradise Cottage, and the terrace offers a view through the garden to the sea beyond. A gorgeous hardwood floor runs throughout the 400 sqft property. The bedroom has a king-size bed and a living area with a chaise lounge and desk. The bathroom features a shower and a bath, as well as Le Labo bath amenities. Dar Cottage is a free-standing cut stone cottage with a queen bed, which is approximately 300 sq. ft. Throughout, you will find West Indian style furnishings and a private bath, ceiling fans, and king or queen beds. The terrace has sweeping views of the award-winning gardens and Mount Nevis.
Additionally, eight hillside rooms command stunning views of the ocean, mountain, garden, or pool. These include three duplex cottages: Scarborough, Mt Pleasant, and Morningstar and two freestanding properties called Coco Walk cottage and Winward cottage. They all feature a king bed or two single beds. Approximately 300 sq.ft, these rooms feature a private terrace, each with its own porch overlooking the ocean and the islands of Montserrat and Antigua. The Garden Room is a stunning West Indies-style cottage with a queen-sized bed and bathroom as well as a porch. All of these rooms are decorated in amazing colours and textiles, each one reflecting the liveliness of Caribbean heritage and original plantation structure but injecting the artist’s own artistic style. You can feel the exuberance of each room yet it is also minimalist.
Activities
You can be as active as you like, and there are many activities to get moving on the island. Book a thrilling off-road journey in a Funky Monkey all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or take a hike through the rainforest to reach the summit of Nevis Peak. Down on the beach, there’s horse riding or even to swim the channel between Nevis and St Kitts. And for some leisure time, why not head down to Sunshine’s Beach and Grill for a killer bee or a cold beer on the beach, return to the 11-bedroom boutique hotel for some R and R.
Weddings
This is a stylish retreat that makes the perfect backdrop for romance and destination weddings. The hotel takes care of the logistics, including transportation, flowers, cake, venue, and decorations, weaving in the most romantic Caribbean wedding traditions.
The beauty of Golden Rock and its gardens makes for an ideal venue to celebrate your special day. If couples choose to, they can rent out the entire property for their special day, so they can explore the 100-acre grounds. A destination wedding allows events to unfold over a week, so the event is not just over in a day. Choosing Nevis is romantic, and the island makes for a popular honeymoon destination.
Many lovebirds choose to get married in the pavilion designed by Edward Tuttle with privacy ensured by the surrounding tropical greenery, offering the best views of majestic Mount Nevis and Windward Beach below.
After the wedding, Nevis itself is an exciting place to honeymoon, with an emphasis on both relaxation and adventure. Thrill-seeking couples can spend their first days as newlyweds hiking through lush rainforest and geothermal fields to the hot springs where they can soak in its healing mineral waters surrounded by nature.
Food and drink
The Rocks, which is mentioned in the Michelin Guide, is one of Nevis’ best-kept secrets, visited by celebrities and locals alike. The head chef James Eaton worked at the Four Seasons before joining Golden Rock and his menu already offers a range of exciting gourmet choices to suit all guests’ paletes. Every year, Tripadvisor celebrates restaurants that consistently deliver amazing experiences with a Travelers’ Choice Award and a mention in the top 10 per cent of restaurants worldwide.
Breakfasts here have earned a legendary status due to the wide variety of options for guests to choose from. Select Golden Rock Benedict, poached eggs, English muffin or Canadian ham, sautéed spinach and Creole hollandaise. Try some local smoked wahoo for something different or a Nevisian style omelette with sautéed onions, mixed local peppers, tomatoes, fresh herbs and cheddar cheese for vegetarians and gluten-free egg white frittata with baby spinach, roasted peppers. The menu also includes vegan options, from the chickpea omelette with avocado, corn, onion, tomato, herbs and crispy kale.
Alternatively, there is also the oat and banana pancake with fresh berries and pure maple syrup. Dishes are served with pineapple, cranberry, apple juice or orange juice and loaded with local fruits. You can also choose ham, sausage, or apple-smoked bacon, breakfast potatoes and bread.
Those with smaller appetites can enjoy the Rocks breakfast parfait with homemade granola, mixed berries and Greek yogurt. There’s a breakfast bread basket with assorted homemade bread and pastries, butter and homemade jams or even a bowl of house-made granola with yogurt or milk. You can also choose two eggs, bacon and sausage with white toast. Coffee and tea are included.
Healthy options include tasty Caesar salads, Caprese salad, fresh garden tomato, buffalo mozzarella basil pesto, balsamic reduction, house garden salad, mixed local greens with sliced radishes, tomatoes and house vinaigrette, crispy risotto cake as well as local spinach can also enjoy sheep milk feta, avocado and garden salad. Guests can also enjoy the tasty Caesar and Caprese salads, fresh garden tomato, buffalo mozzarella basil pesto, balsamic reduction, house garden salad, mixed local greens with sliced radishes, tomatoes and the house vinaigrette, crispy risotto cake as well as local spinach.
Meanwhile, the West Indian French toast with homemade bread, maple syrup, berry compote and coconut compote is also delicious. Those with a sweet tooth will find Belgian Waffles with berry compote, crème Chantilly and pure maple syrup.
Situated on the wild Atlantic coast, Golden Rock Nevis is renowned for its seafood, which is selected by local fishermen. Whether you choose a local chunky conch chowder, the famous lobster salad, or locally caught fish of the day served with West Indian creole sauce, rice and beans, and fresh vegetables, you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy delectable shrimp, seared sesame tuna, coconut-crusted shrimp, and crab cake. Lobster is a speciality here and the chef finds many inventive ways to cook this delicacy from the grilled Caribbean Spiny Lobster Tail to lobster linguine with fresh tomato, garlic and parmesan and lobster hash with poached egg, potatoes, onions, peppers, parsley and cilantro. The grilled local snapper with saffron and lemon beurre blanc is also wonderful and the green curry shrimp with coconut and basil served with coconut rice and fried sweet plantain is a delight to the tastebuds.
Meat lovers can sink their teeth into a beef tenderloin with peppercorn sauce, sautéed mushroom, Asparagus and mash potato or even a pan-seared rack of lamb with rosemary baby potato cauliflower puree. Then there is a t-bone steak with truffle potato, assorted vegetables, red wine jus. You’ll also want to try Helen’s Moroccan Chicken, the owner’s renowned recipe with green cracked olives, house preserved lemon, and couscous. You’ll also want to check out the local Mahi Mahi with Chimichurri sauce, rice, and beans.
Al in all, a visit to Golden Rock is like no other, you’ll arrive a stranger and soon become a friend, staying here is a special experience and many people visit time and time again, it is the Caribbean’s best kept secret.
The lowdown
Fly directly from Gatwick to Robert Bradshaw International Airport. It is a 20-minute drive to Reggae Beach, where you can take a speedboat to Nevis. The hotel is a short journey from Oualie Beach. For days out you can visit the heritage village, Charlestown or the beach.
Donna Richardson received a flight, accomodation and excursions and stayed for four days.
