The Two Hottest Caribbean Hotel Openings

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, opening in November, will span the beach of Banana Bay and focus on art, culinary experiences and immersive excursions, according to the hotel’s management. 

All 78 rooms and 48 suites will have private balconies and terraces, and will overlook Banana Bay. The interiors will sport local artwork, rain showers and deep soaking tubs. 

We hear the 19 Premium suites will have private plunge pools and private sun decks. 

VIPs looking to go all out should also check out the resort’s Presidential Villa, which has two bedrooms with King beds, a private infinity pool, a game room and a wellness area. Note: The 5,210-square-foot villa also comes with a butler and the services of a private chef. 

For further details on the rooms, reach out to Meg Hellmuth (meg.hellmuth@hyatt.com), sales manager.

St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport is, roughly, a 20-minute drive from the resort. Guests arriving at Bradshaw can enjoy service from the signature YU Lounge private jet terminal. Note: Only private jets and select guests who might have opted for a package receive the special Yu Lounge experience and entry. 

VIPs are met at their aircraft and escorted to the lounge where they can enjoy refreshments and Caribbean tapas. Nice Touch: While the YU Lounge team assists with customs and immigration, luggage will be transferred from the tarmac to a chauffeured vehicle to take guests to the resort. Hint: Luxury Travel Advisor was told the hotel is putting together an offer for all guests staying in the Presidential Villa to go through the Yu Lounge arrival and is considering other packages.

Park Hyatt St. Kitts will have 78 rooms and 48 suites, overlooking Banana Bay.

Highlights at the hotel’s signature The Great House restaurant include a trendy Rum Bar with some of the best rums from the region and a conservatory serving plantation afternoon tea. Hint: Tell guests dining at the Great House to order either the Orange & Sugar Cane Braised Fennel or the Caribbean Pepperpot Lamb Shank Stew.

The Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary will have nine treatment rooms and a 1,750-square-foot, 24-hour fitness club with cardio equipment and weights. Note: We were told all spa treatments should be booked two to three months in advance. 

In the bridal suite, the hotel can provide hair, makeup, in-room hand / shoulder massages and other customized treatments upon request. Hint: Brides and grooms can take advantage of double treatment rooms for massages, as well as custom beachside meditation and yoga experiences to calm pre-wedding jitters. 

The Beachfront Lawn can be used for wedding ceremonies and the terraces can host receptions. Tip: There are numerous photography locations, from the sandy beach and rolling hills behind the resort to the sugar mill in the spa, all providing beautiful backdrops. Each wedding will have a dedicated event planner who will work with the wedding party to take care of every arrangement.

Hint: The closest golf course is Royal St. Kitts golf course (20 minutes away); however, there is development taking place on the southeast peninsula and a golf course will be available within 10 minutes of the hotel likely by 2018. 

With views of neighboring Nevis, the resort will provide non-motorized water activities, including snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking. Note: The Lagoon pool will be dedicated to family enjoyment, while the Rampart pool will be available for guests looking for an adults-only option.  

For all other hotel enquiries, connect with Julian Moore (julian.moore@hyatt.com), general manager.

The Great House restaurant in the hotel has a Rum Bar and a conservatory serving plantation afternoon tea.

French Leave Resort

French Leave Resort opened late last year in the luxurious Out Islands of the Bahamas and is already earning a reputation as a modern and chic hangout for both Millennial couples and families. 

Luxury Travel Advisor was told that the two two-bedroom oceanfront villas at this Marriott Autograph Collection hotel are the most requested accommodations. Both are situated on the harbor front on the island of Eleuthera and have ocean views. Each comes with a full kitchen as well as a washer and dryer. These are Villa No. 9 and Villa No. 12. 

The two-bedroom oceanfront villas are also the best for large families as they are the biggest accommodations: there are two bedrooms, a common living and dining room area, as well as large balconies. Hint: All of the villas have amazing views overlooking the Caribbean Sea, but the villas closest to the water are Villas 9, 10, 11 and 12. 

Every room comes with an iPad through which the concierge can accommodate all sorts of requests, ranging from dining arranged poolside to picnic baskets packed in the villas’ golf carts to pillow and housekeeping deliveries. 

Nice Touch: When booking a stay at the resort, guests receive a golf cart per villa and have access to complimentary water sport equipment, including paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear. Note: There is no spa at this hotel. 

There will be two new Oceanfront One-bedroom Villas that will be open by November. They will have a plush king bed and a private bathroom with double sinks and a spacious shower. 

For all other room enquiries, reach out to Shamario Farrington (sfarrington@frenchleaveresort.com), resort host.

French Leave Resort’s Oceanfront Two Bedroom villas have a spacious outdoor covered deck overlooking Governor’s Harbour and Cupid’s Cay. Shown here is the living area. (Photo courtesy of French Leave Resort)

The hotel’s signature restaurant, 1648, An Island Restaurant, is open to both locals and guests. Popular items include the Conch Rangoons, chili-braised Bahamian conch in a crispy wonton with scallion and herb cream cheese served with sweet and spicy dipping sauce; and the French Eleutheran Grouper, which is served blackened, grilled, or pan fried with peas and rice, cherry tomato salsa, seasonal vegetables, and remoulade sauce.

For all dining requests, connect with Patrick Rahming (prhaming@frenchleaveresort.com), restaurant manager.

The hotel’s freshwater pool overlooks one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque harbors, Cupid’s Cay in Eleuthera. The pool has sweeping views of the waters, and is a great place to enjoy sunrise and sunset. VIPs can also unwind and relax with delicious poolside dining options, which include lobster salads, pan seared ahi tuna and grouper wraps, along with inventive cocktails and the Bahamian lemonade, “Switcha.”

For guests looking for activities outside the pool, the concierge can arrange fishing expeditions, specifically bone fishing, reef fishing and big game fishing; and water adventure excursions through Fishbone Tours; as well as boat charters.

There are three airports on the island, but for guests of French Leave Resort, the two preferred ones are Governor’s Harbour Airport, which is a five- to 10-minute drive from the resort; and North Eleuthera Airport, which is about an hour away.

For other enquiries, or to further customize a stay at the French Leave Resort, reach out to Jahmed Mills (jmills@frenchleaveresort.com), general manager. 

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