In St. Kitts. Questions?

[mkahanek]

Hello all,

My party and I just checked in to a 3BR here at the St. Kitts Beach Club. I am happy to answer (or attempt to answer) any questions you may have.

Mark

 

[rosepointe]

We were in St Kitts a few years ago while on a cruise ship. Passed the Marriott but did not have the time to stop. How is the beach there? The water areound that area of the island did not look that great where we stopped when we were there and I was wondering how it is on the property.

Also is the casino on property?

Thanks,
Sue

 

[Cathyb]

Questions to you

Hello all,

My party and I just checked in to a 3BR here at the St. Kitts Beach Club. I am happy to answer (or attempt to answer) any questions you may have.

Mark

Mark:

1. Did you rent a car or how did you get from the airport?

2. As an exchange -- was it the normal 'old' way or with the new system, please elaborate? Also how long did it take to confirm for you?

3. Any sales staff around?

4. We had been to St. Kitts once for a one day island tour (from Antigua)--is there much to do after that if we are not pool dwellers?

Thank you!

 

[JBRES1]

Hello all,

My party and I just checked in to a 3BR here at the St. Kitts Beach Club. I am happy to answer (or attempt to answer) any questions you may have.

Mark

Hi,
I am headed there in 77 days , but who is counting.
1) do you think any one building is better than the others ?
2) how does ther resort look ? Is it being kept up and is it clean ?
3) We have 5 units for the week we will be there , and have kids/young adults that like a swim up bar. Is there a swim up bar.
4) how costly are the restaurants on site ?
5) Transport to and from the airport ?


Thanks, Jim Breslin and famalies

 

[MabelP]

Yes, there is a swim up bar!!!

 

[KathyPet]

Was there in Jan. Love it!
A taxi from the airport will run you $12.00 which covers up to 4 people. I usually tip 15-20%
The resort is very clean
Restaurants on site are expensive because it is Marriott and of course like all the other islands most food is brought in
Highly recommend the following restaurants Marshall's, THe Beach House and Serendipty. Excellent meals at all 3. The Beach House is a long cab ride over the mountains, on roads with twists, turns, pot holes and no lights. Not to be driven except by a cab driver. Beautiful location and you can see the lights from Nevis across the way. Marshall's is a 5 minute cab ride and Serendipity is perched on a hillside overlooking the harbor. All of them are $$$. Within walking distance of the resort is a restaurant called Ciao's. Good food there too although not at the level of the first 3.
I like the Marriott Beach. It is on the Atlantic side and thus is supposedly rougher than the Caribbean side beaches but I actually prefer it. There is a reef quite bit off shore which susbatantially diminishes the size and roughness of the surf off the beach. We went to the beach on the Caribbean side where all the "Beach shacks" are and the sand there was so hot that you actually could not walk on it in bare feet. Not the case on the Marriiott Beach.

 

[byebye]

Hello all,

My party and I just checked in to a 3BR here at the St. Kitts Beach Club. I am happy to answer (or attempt to answer) any questions you may have.

Mark

Hey Mark, I'll be there in 3 weeks. I chose to rent a car and want to puchase a SIM card so getting around won't be a problem. Our main concern is staying in touch with some sick folks. I have tried to find out where to purchase one from here but it's pretty tough. If you could find out where to purchase one I would be indebted and appreciative. Thanks, Mike

 

[brother coony]

Hello all,

My party and I just checked in to a 3BR here at the St. Kitts Beach Club. I am happy to answer (or attempt to answer) any questions you may have.

Mark

Mark.Please say Hello to the girls and Vidal at the front desk for us,
Howard Beswick and Chuck Jackson. tell them we will See them Next Year
have a great Time
Thanks
Howard

 

[mkahanek]

We were in St Kitts a few years ago while on a cruise ship. Passed the Marriott but did not have the time to stop. How is the beach there? The water areound that area of the island did not look that great where we stopped when we were there and I was wondering how it is on the property.

Also is the casino on property?

Thanks,
Sue

Yes. Casino on property. Looks like slots and table games. But, electronic poker only.

Only spent a couple of hours on the beach so far. I thought it was nice. I would count the toes on my feet with the water at my neck. Was able to see fish etc. I will report more as I get further along.

 

[mkahanek]

Mark:

1. Did you rent a car or how did you get from the airport?

2. As an exchange -- was it the normal 'old' way or with the new system, please elaborate? Also how long did it take to confirm for you?

3. Any sales staff around?

4. We had been to St. Kitts once for a one day island tour (from Antigua)--is there much to do after that if we are not pool dwellers?

Thank you!

1. I usually rent a car. However, I decided not to. So far Taxi's have been the way to go. Nothing outrageous. Transport from the airport for our party of four was $20. For our lady who joined today $12.

2. Exchange the old way . Had a cancelled studio deposit from Ko Olina and snagged the 3BR instant during flexchange.

3. No sales staff yet. Which is fine by me.

4. You may find it challenging to be entertained for 7 days if you are not a beach/pool bum. We did zip line today and my buddy and I played a round of golf after. As the week gets along I will let you know if I get bored.

 

[mkahanek]

Hi,
I am headed there in 77 days , but who is counting.
1) do you think any one building is better than the others ?
2) how does ther resort look ? Is it being kept up and is it clean ?
3) We have 5 units for the week we will be there , and have kids/young adults that like a swim up bar. Is there a swim up bar.
4) how costly are the restaurants on site ?
5) Transport to and from the airport ?


Thanks, Jim Breslin and famalies

1. Yes some buldings are better than others for ocean. If you request and they accomodate. Go for Jessup, Westbury, Palmetto, or Trinity House.

2. Resort looks fine to me although the large fountain system outside the back of the hotel is drained. Not sure why. The "dated" reports you may have read on trip advisor may be an exageration. Not sure of your standards. I am not hard to please.

3. Swim up bar is closed (sign at the bar) indefinitely. I have not asked anyone why. You have to get out of the pool and go to the bar attached to the pool bar outside of the water. I was dissapointed in that.

4. Have not eaten at any on site restaraunts yet. Had a large pizza today (fed three of us) for $19.00. Suprisingly good. If we eat on site I will report back. Ate at Cathy's on the beach which was good. Was 85 for three combos and 4 beers.

5. Transport was taxi's no Marriott shuttles. 12-20 depending on party size and amount of luggage

 

[mkahanek]

Hey Mark, I'll be there in 3 weeks. I chose to rent a car and want to puchase a SIM card so getting around won't be a problem. Our main concern is staying in touch with some sick folks. I have tried to find out where to purchase one from here but it's pretty tough. If you could find out where to purchase one I would be indebted and appreciative. Thanks, Mike

What is a SIMM card? Are you talking about a Cell phone SIMM? You can buy pre-paid cell phone cards here for use to decrease your cost for intl dialing.

We have a T-Mobile blackberry and brought a wireless router with us. The T-Mobile is capable of UMA which encapsulates cell calls ( your number ) over wifi which will allow you to bill as if you are in the U.S. so free calls for us.

I will try to find out more info on the SIMM card if you explain what it is to me. However, answers to questions here is challenging.

 

[MikeZ]

1. Yes some buldings are better than others for ocean. If you request and they accomodate. Go for Jessup, Westbury, Palmetto, or Trinity House.

2. Resort looks fine to me although the large fountain system outside the back of the hotel is drained. Not sure why. The "dated" reports you may have read on trip advisor may be an exageration. Not sure of your standards. I am not hard to please.

3. Swim up bar is closed (sign at the bar) indefinitely. I have not asked anyone why. You have to get out of the pool and go to the bar attached to the pool bar outside of the water. I was dissapointed in that.

4. Have not eaten at any on site restaraunts yet. Had a large pizza today (fed three of us) for $19.00. Suprisingly good. If we eat on site I will report back. Ate at Cathy's on the beach which was good. Was 85 for three combos and 4 beers.

5. Transport was taxi's no Marriott shuttles. 12-20 depending on party size and amount of luggage

When we were there in March, the fountain was working and the swim-up bar was open, so perhaps they are down for temporary repairs. Of course, things move a little slower on the island, so we have a different view of "temporary!"

Loved our trip there-going back next March!

 

[mkahanek]

When we were there in March, the fountain was working and the swim-up bar was open, so perhaps they are down for temporary repairs. Of course, things move a little slower on the island, so we have a different view of "temporary!"

Loved our trip there-going back next March!

ehh certainly not going to let it bug me as I am easy to please. Now the weather on the other hand could become a problem.

 

[byebye]

What is a SIMM card? Are you talking about a Cell phone SIMM? You can buy pre-paid cell phone cards here for use to decrease your cost for intl dialing.

We have a T-Mobile blackberry and brought a wireless router with us. The T-Mobile is capable of UMA which encapsulates cell calls ( your number ) over wifi which will allow you to bill as if you are in the U.S. so free calls for us.

I will try to find out more info on the SIMM card if you explain what it is to me. However, answers to questions here is challenging.

A SIM card is for GSM cell phone systems. It carries the phone number & connects to the local cell phone service. If you have T-Mobile and I have AT&T we could swap the SIM card for a local one (provided the cell phone is unlocked) and send/receive calls using the local service. I would guess you would have to purchase one from the local cell service provider, I just don't know who that may be. Thanks.

 

[rosepointe]

Yes. Casino on property. Looks like slots and table games. But, electronic poker only.

Only spent a couple of hours on the beach so far. I thought it was nice. I would count the toes on my feet with the water at my neck. Was able to see fish etc. I will report more as I get further along.

Thank you....
Sue

 

[mkahanek]

Yes, there is a swim up bar!!!

I stand corrected. The swim up bar was open today. I enjoyed a $1.50 local brew this afternoon.

 

[BobG7734]

Here is a grerat website with lots of SKB info

www.sknmyislands.com/

 

[GregT]

Mark (and other St. Kitts visitors),

This property is definitely on the target list for me -- can I ask those who have visited how St. Kitts compares to St. Thomas, St. John and Aruba (from an island perspective, not a Marriott property perspective).

I love the spectacularly blue Caribbean water, does that stay on the Atlantic side? I also love excursions into the BVI, is there any comparable excursions possible in St. Kitts?

Please advise and thanks!! (and enjoy your stay!)

Greg

 

[rosepointe]

Mark (and other St. Kitts visitors),

This property is definitely on the target list for me -- can I ask those who have visited how St. Kitts compares to St. Thomas, St. John and Aruba (from an island perspective, not a Marriott property perspective).

I love the spectacularly blue Caribbean water, does that stay on the Atlantic side? I also love excursions into the BVI, is there any comparable excursions possible in St. Kitts?

Please advise and thanks!! (and enjoy your stay!)

Greg

We did a nice city tour and fort tour off the ship with a local person and it was wonderful. Not certain how easy it is to get off property. Drove through neighborhoods but did not see anything like a strip....maybe someone else knows the best way to get around.
Sue

 

[BobG7734]

St Kitts reminds me of as Aruba was 30-40 years ado. Very alid back and tourist friendly. They have great restaurants and excellent taxi service fo tours of the island. Would not rcommend a day trip to Nevis...we did that once and found it pretty non interesting. I do not know if the 4 Seasons has reopened since the huricane.

The Marriott has a lot to offer with pools and the beach (and casino).

Enjoy!

 

[dougef]

St Kitts reminds me of as Aruba was 30-40 years ado. Very alid back and tourist friendly. They have great restaurants and excellent taxi service fo tours of the island. Would not rcommend a day trip to Nevis...we did that once and found it pretty non interesting. I do not know if the 4 Seasons has reopened since the huricane.

Enjoy!

The Four Seasons is open.

A very fun day is to take the tour to Nevis run by a fellow named Christian, called the Tangerine Fun Truck. It can be booked at the Marriott tour desk. It is pretty much a full day and includes beverages on the "bus" and a very nice lunch. Four couples went the day we did it - all from the Marriott - and we had a great time. Christian is a hoot!

 

[mkahanek]

Mark (and other St. Kitts visitors),

This property is definitely on the target list for me -- can I ask those who have visited how St. Kitts compares to St. Thomas, St. John and Aruba (from an island perspective, not a Marriott property perspective).

I love the spectacularly blue Caribbean water, does that stay on the Atlantic side? I also love excursions into the BVI, is there any comparable excursions possible in St. Kitts?

Please advise and thanks!! (and enjoy your stay!)

Greg

I think the only excursion is to Nevis which to me was not great as we did that today. of course our cab driver ran over a dog and Sunshine bar and grill continually forgot about our order so all in all. Nevis will be out in our future.

As for the island of St. Kitts (and Nevis for that matter) they are generaly friendly to tourists unless you are uptight and demanding (which none of us are). There is a small "strip" walking distance from the hotel that has nighttime activities on some nights. We are doing the bonfire at Shiggidy Shack (I probably spelled that wrong) on Thursday.

Vs others:

I think the food was the best in Aruba and the worst in St. Thomas. St. Kitts is in the middle (our experience at Cathy's on the strip was good and Serendipity just past Basseterre was great).

Personally I found a good deal of people in St. Thomas indifferent. Aruba seemed on line with St. Kitts.

The water on property was very clear. Maybe Meghans Bay quality, but not Trunk Bay clear if that makes sense. However, during our stay thus far the Atlantic side has been quite calm and the Carribean side rough which as I understand is unusual.

hope this helps.

 

[KathyPet]

St. Kitts simply does not offer the range of outside activities that are offered on other islands. You probably could plan some sort of excursion every day for a week but that would about run through the list of things to do. It depends on what you are looking for on your vacation. My DH works really hard for a average of 50-55 hours a week running his own business. When we go on vacation to St. Kitts all he wants to do (and all I want him to do) is to rest and relax. Sitting on the beach or by the pool with his supply of a year's worth of books that he has not had time to read and a drink in his hand suits him just fine. We enjoy the Catamaran trip to Nevis for some snorkeling and rum punches and we usually take a trip to town to stroll the shopping area on the pier. If you have pre-teens or teens they may quickly be bored but for us it is about as perfect a vacation as you can get.