Montpelier Plantation & Beach

We spent seven enchanting nights at Montpelier Plantation and Beach in Nevis this July, and it’s safe to say it’s become one of our favourite tropical escapes ever. From the lush, meticulously maintained gardens to the serene atmosphere and welcoming service, everything about our stay struck the perfect balance between relaxed island charm and understated luxury. We arrived at the property with a friendly welcome and cold towels from Mandy. She quickly completed the necessary paperwork, cheerfully told us we had been given a complimentary upgrade from the Premier room I had booked, and gave us a tour of the property. We paused at the bar to be served our delicious (and potent!) welcome glasses of rum punch, and continued on through the thick, verdant gardens toward our room. We were assigned “Plantation” Room #16, which offered beautiful views over the grounds and down toward the Caribbean Sea in the distance. There was a lovely floral arrangement with handwritten card to greet us—a nice touch. The room had good storage space and plenty of natural light thanks to windows on two sides. However, we did feel the room could use a few updates. The air conditioning struggled to properly cool the space, largely due to older jalousie windows with some glass slats that no longer closed completely. The bed pillows lacked substance, and the bedding included only a top sheet and optional cotton blanket—something slightly cozier would have been appreciated. The bathroom, in particular, was in need of renovation: the caulking, taps, and worn countertop didn’t quite align with the property’s 4-star rating. That said, we were told that five rooms will be redecorated during the upcoming seasonal closure, with plans to continue upgrades next year, which is encouraging. Despite those minor room shortcomings, the grounds, food, and hospitality were truly exceptional. Montpelier’s tropical setting is nothing short of idyllic, and the atmosphere is wonderfully quiet and restorative. We spent our days lounging by the peaceful pool, walking to the nearby Botanical Gardens, and taking advantage of the included shuttle to the hotel’s private beach, a pristine and uncrowded spot perfect for swimming and snorkelling. We were amazed by the marine life we saw—starfish, parrot fish, crabs, and even an octopus made appearances during our swims. For those looking to stay active, the hotel provides tennis equipment, and we enjoyed a few relaxed (albeit hot!!) matches on the well-maintained court. They provide racquets and balls, if needed. The culinary experience at Montpelier is truly top-notch. Each morning began with a delightful à la carte breakfast offering ten diverse options, along with a fresh fruit bowl, juice, and any type of coffee or tea beverage. A charming complimentary afternoon tea is served daily from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring a different flavour of scone (all outstanding) or cake. We dined several times at Indigo and The Terrace, and every meal impressed. Themed dinners were particularly memorable: Burger Night, Tapas Night, and a Restaurant Week menu that featured tamarind as the star ingredient were all thoughtfully executed. The regular menus were just as strong, with high-quality ingredients and beautifully presented dishes. Cocktails were equally excellent, and service throughout was consistently warm, knowledgeable, and attentive. One highlight was a dinner at Passion, a local restaurant just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, where we sampled delicious Nevisian cuisine in a relaxed setting—highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the local dining scene. Montpelier made arrival incredibly smooth by arranging our airport transfer. Upon landing in St. Kitts, we were greeted by a lovely guide who gave us information about both islands as we were driven to the private boat dock. There, two smartly uniformed boat pilots whisked us across to Nevis in a sleek, modern boat in just six minutes. The return journey, however, was considerably less polished: a shared van took us from the hotel to the public water taxi dock, followed by a cramped boat ride back to a very busy pier in St. Kitts, and finally a drive in a poorly maintained SUV with weak air conditioning to the airport. We expressed our disappointment to the hotel, and to their credit, they took the feedback seriously and assured us they would look into improving the return experience for future guests. Housekeeping was excellent throughout our stay, with our room thoroughly cleaned each morning and turndown service provided every night while we were at dinner. One small disappointment was the absence of a treat at turndown; a couple of cookies or local candies would be a thoughtful (and typical) touch at this level of property. As it was the low season, we were able to take advantage of their very competitive “Live Like a Local” promotional rate, which seemed like a bargain for this pricey island. And in terms of pricing, do be aware that all bills are presented in U.S. dollars, and 24% in taxes and gratuities is automatically added to each cheque, so costs can add up quickly. Still, for the level of service, cuisine, and ambiance offered, we felt it was well worth the splurge. In summary, while there are a few areas for improvement, Montpelier Plantation and Beach delivers a truly special experience for discerning adults. The magical setting, warm hospitality, and outstanding culinary offerings far outweigh the minor room concerns. We left incredibly relaxed and already dreaming about returning. We sincerely hope to make Montpelier a regular destination in our future travels.

We had a lovely stay at Montpelier in January. This is the place to go to recharge and enjoy the Caribbean at its finest. The resort is not on the beach but do not let his dissuade you. There is transport to a private beach and the private beach is outstanding. We also had an easy taxi ride to the public beach where you can get your fill of the swimming, sun and beach bars. The staff is available and communicative. Asheena, Mandy and Janella answered my many questions by email in advance of the trip. Muffin is a wonderful host and you truly feel like a guest in her home. The breakfast is delicious and civilized. Recommend the ginger juice.

We just enjoyed our SIXTH visit to Montpelier and came away with even more love and affection for the proprty and its amazing staff. It is difficult to find a hotel that has a sense of place, beautiful and luxurious amenities, thoughtful service and delicious food. Montpelier does it all while making it look and feel quite effortless, even joyful. Most of the staff has been together for years, even decades and while there is a high level of service given at every touch point, it is relaxed, thoughtful and genuine. The hotel is so elegant. I think the best spaces have a lived in feel, a patina that speaks to all of the guests and get-togethers that have taken place there. Montpelier has that lived-in feel, not everything is perfect and who would want it to be? The interiors are lovely and refined. You know you’re in The West Indies when you’re there, but there is a british influence as well, with lovely textiles and flourishes throughout the common spaces. The food is incredible. Breakfast is included in the rate and it is not to be missed. The menu is creative and full of indulgent and healthful options. Indigo and The Terrace have amazing menus as well. There is truly something for everyone and it is all done extremely well. We laughed after every meal because we literally had nothing left on any of our plates! Many people think of visiting the West Indies and Caribbean as strictly beach vacations. It is so nice to be at The Montpelier because you are above the beach and have the lush landscaping and scenery of a rainforest. The grounds are so well kept but feel natural and not overly manicured. The rooms are clean, light and airy with luxurious and comfortable beds. The rooms are spacious and have lovely terraces. Though you don’t spend much time in your room, it is still nice to return to one that is warm and could be your own little beach cottage. There are design flourishes but mostly they are simple and meant to blend in and allow the exterior landscape to be the star. The Beach is just a short 15 minute drive and it is like having your own private beach! Amazing bungalows and amenities. We highly recommend The Montpelier now and always! We will be back next year...

If you are looking for something away from the crowds, the required "beachfront", the kids, the Jet Skies" and want beautiful, natural surroundings, Then the Montpelier is certainly worth looking at. BTW - The resort has its own private beach which should be on the cover of Conde Nast or Traveler Magazine. It's spectacular! It's really really hard to put in words how special this place is. Its natural beauty, rooms, pool, restaurants and super friendly staff are a potent combination that make guests feel special without much effort. We conuted 30+ in a tree just outside our room patio the morning of our departure. It was if they wanted to say good by! If you like seeing monkeys, then you will not be disappointed. The rascals are there. They are particularly active in early mornings and late afternoons. This was our 2nd visit to Nevis, first staying at the Nisbit 6 years prior. The Nisbit visit was wonderful, but of the two, we walked away preferring the Montpelier. A special thanks to a special lady, Leslie. Leslie was there for us a breakfast time. She is a caring, social person who effortlessly made us feel at home. What a gal!

Abi at the Montpelier planned our wedding for April 2024 on their private beach, she was very patient, understood my vision for my wedding and went above and beyond for us, most of my communication with Abi was via email due to time difference. My wedding was everything and more than I envisioned! We spent the night of our wedding at the Montpelier and it is absolute paradise, the room was outstanding. Thank you for making our wedding the best day of our lives. We cannot wait to come back!