If you want unspoilt and relaxed, but with a hint of chic, then that’s Nevis. Part of the St Kitts and Nevis Federation – the smallest independent country in the Caribbean – Nevis is acclaimed as one of the last outposts in the West Indies that avoids mass tourism and is making a name for itself as a holiday destination for privately owned villa rentals.
There are no cruise ships and no large airport, though regular international flights from the US, Canada and England flights to and from neighbouring St Kitts, which is a short distance away – 5 minutes by speedboat – and from nearby Antigua.
There are no high rise hotels but some attractive Plantation Inns – Montpelier Plantation Inn, The Hermitage, Golden Rock and Nisbetts – and the luxury Four Seasons resort.
There are also a range of local restaurants and beach bars, each with its own character and specialities in the form of rum punch and seafood and other dishes. They include Double Douce, Sunshines, Chevy’s and Lime.
Nevis is not short of things to do, from the beautiful and uncrowded Pinneys Beach, to a range of water sports based at the Oualie beach Hotel, horse riding from The Hermitage, a visit to the Botanical Gardens, or a round of golf at the Four Seasons Championship Golf Course.
For hikers there is excellent walking up Mount Nevis and its sub tropical rain forest, or mountain biking for cyclists.
In Charlestown, the capital, many of the original Georgian buildings have been preserved and there are also two museums celebrating the life of Nelson and Lord Hamilton.