The only recognizable resort name on the island, St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino might not be what you’d normally expect of a Marriott, but it’s what you’d expect from a Marriott in the Caribbean Islands. The calm, cool, and collected property and its staff offer the ideal escape for couples looking for a getaway with no notion of space and time. From the moment you pull up (there’s complimentary on-site parking), you’ll be captivated by striking views of the Atlantic, which are visible all the way from the majestic and exposed lobby to most of the 320 guest rooms in the Frigate Bay House and 71 Garden House suites.
While certainly best for a couple’s retreat, the resort is perfect for anyone in need of a Caribbean weekend that fuses leisure with a bit of physical activity. In addition to a casino that’ll give you a run for your money, St. Kitts Marriott features one of the top rated golf courses in the Caribbean. There’s a well-equipped fitness club (with a daily schedule of complimentary classes) to help you stay on track and a plethora of dining outlets to veer off and indulge.
Nods to West-Indian culture are deeply rooted throughout the open five-story property, from the anchored ship divvying the lobby’s façade and courtyard to the casino’s village-like architecture, making you forget you’re in one of the few enclosed spaces on the property.
Things we loved about St. Kitts Marriott:
- Sushi bar in lobby restaurant and its fresh, raw catch
- Gratis fitness classes from spinning to yoga
- Secluded beach with unparalleled views
- Striking vistas from anywhere on property
Rooms at St. Kitts Marriott
The best feature of the rooms at St. Kitts Marriott Resort is hands down the beds, which will make you feel as if though you’re sleeping on cloud nine. Even though you won’t want to get up, the sound of the air conditioner might cause you to before your alarm goes off. But that’s ok, because adventure or leisure waits you just feet away
Though only the rooms in the Garden Houses, which fuse Caribbean comfort with colonial charm come equipped with a whirlpool, most rooms in the Frigate Bay House (the resort’s main building) offer private balconies with sweeping vistas of St.
Kitts and the Atlantic to make up for the lack of bubbles. Plenty of space and a seaside vibe make you feel like you’re in a beach house.
All rooms and suites feature:
- Individual climate control
- Luxurious bedding - down comforters, custom duvets, cotton-rich linens
- Pillows: down/feather
- Rollaway bed
- Hardwire Internet
Pools at St. Kitts Marriott
You can get your swim on in one of the three pools or hot tub, but it’s the beach of the St. Kitts Marriot Resort where you’ll want to spend most of your time. A bounty of gazebos keeps you out of the sun when you’re not in the mood to melt. When you are, dip your toes into the sand and go head first into the Atlantic. Every time you come up for air you’ll be in awe of the gaping mountainous views surrounding you.
When it’s time for a drink, jump back into the main pool and backstroke your way to the swim-up bar for a frozen libation.
If you want to take up snorkeling, there are on-site fin and mask rentals for $15 (a charge we wished the hotel would have assumed for the sake of exploration and adventure), while board games are up for grabs and totally complimentary. In the mood for something more physical? Partake in a game of table tennis, actual tennis, or volleyball. But for real endurance take a rainforest hike through Valley of the Giants with Greg’s Safaris, which can be booked directly through the resort. Don’t forget to bring sunblock, energy, and a camera of course.
Skip the breakfast buffet at Calypso Restaurant for which the fee is $23 and the spread is nothing out of the ordinary and instead hit up the Café for its simple yet delectable egg white and turkey bagel and a cup of flavored java.
Possibilities for lunch are plentiful if you’re spending the day lounging beach or poolside. Indulge in homemade pies and ice cream at the Pizza Shack or get a taste of the Caribbean at Bohemia Beach Pool Bar & Grille.
Standouts included the chicken wings (go for the spicy island jerk) and crispy conch cake sandwich with roasted coconut mango slaw and key lime aioli. Regardless of where you decide to dine, make sure to set aside at least an hour (our wrap took 45 minutes on one occasion), as the wait staff here is working on island time, which can be hard to deal with at first until you remind yourself that you’re on vacationing in paradise and time is insignificant (except when you’re starving). Even so, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed by a gratis fruit smoothie (or on one instance our full order) after bringing the hiccup to light.
For supper, there are three routes you can take. While we missed out on what is pegged to be the resort’s dining highlight – Blu Restaurant – serving up inventive takes on local seafood and farm to table fare beside 180-degree panoramic ocean views, we did get to experience Royal Grille Steakhouse. The “city-style” yet laid-back steakhouse proffers an international wine list to pair with USDA cuts of meat you’d expect from a steakhouse, seafood, and even vegetarian options (think saffron risotto with mushrooms and truffle oil).
Alternatives include La Cucina, which serves Northern Italy’s rustic fare, as well as sushi from the lobby bar restaurant. On our last night, we thoroughly enjoyed the kamikaze roll (BBQ eel, avocado, jalapenos, spicy tuna and sesame seeds) we took back to our room. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, opt for the banana foster roll.
While there’s plenty of foodstuff to you keep your belly full on-site, venture out elsewhere for dinner at least one night during your stay. Upon the resort’s recommendation, we feasted at Marshalls (the island’s only tablecloth concept) where you can enjoy views of neighboring Nevis whilst getting a genuine taste of the Caribbean by way of conch ceviche and curry mutton.
Whether you’re looking unwind solo in the eucalyptus steam room or spend the afternoon with your loved one in one of two isolated couple’s room equipped with its own private whirlpool and shower, the Emerald Mist Spa at St. Kitts Marriott is the epitome of relaxation. Take a plunge into the hot or cold whirpool and sweat off any toxins in the dry sauna. Spa treatments are available inside one of their nine treatment rooms or beachside in the garden cabana.
Emerald Mist Spa is considered the island sanctuary for tourists and locals alike, with a team of native massage therapists – the most popular of which is Avan -- who’ve been here since the resort opened. The spa menu is comprised of various face and body therapies, and a recent addition is the spa’s blend bar, which creates tailored body scrubs and bath salts using indigenous herbs from the surrounding area.
The spa’s signature treatment is the bamboo massage. Similar to a hot stone massage but with less intrusive heat, it’s a blend between deep tissue and Swedish techniques that both increases circulation and relieves muscle tension. If you’re too sunburned to partake in any of the massage therapies, you can rejuvenate your skin with the sun recovery route, which consists of a cooling aloe hydrating wrap finished with coconut milk moisturizer.