Compared to other Caribbean isles, St. Kitts, with its lush rainforest and unspoiled beaches, has remained virtually undiscovered for some time. A favorite with travelers who seek it out for its quiet, laidback nature and genuine Caribbean flair, St. Kitts is now on the verge of discovery, as the Kittitian government focuses its effort on developing tourism on a mass scale and promoting leisure activities. In fact, the tiny island is expecting record-breaking tourist arrivals when it hosts the ICC Cricket World Cup next month. 
Accommodating so many visitors might have been difficult
without the addition of the 537-room
"Marriott has given St. Kitts, if not a household name,
then at least more recognition in the marketplace," says Robert Kelly, the
director of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority in
After the hotel's first year of operation, St. Kitts saw a 32.6 percent increase in stay-over visitors, according to an economic report from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), released the following year.
"The 'full' opening of the Royal St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort and the re-opening of the St. Kitts Golf Course at Frigate Bay changed the tourism landscape in St. Kitts and Nevis and introduced 'niche' marketing, especially for meetings and conferences, romance tourism (weddings and honeymoons), and sports," the CDB report stated.
Later in 2004, the resort—owned by Royal St. Kitts Beach Resort Ltd., and located along the Atlantic coast on the windward side of St. Kitts, received the Hotel of the Year award from the government's Ministry of Tourism.
There's no question that the big, bustling resort offers something for everyone—from families to honeymooners, golfers to gamblers—with accommodations and amenities to match.
The resort's five-story main building, called the Frigate Bay House, has 237 guest rooms with either golf-, resort- or ocean views. All rooms are oversized and well appointed, and most have large, private balconies furnished with chaise lounges and other outdoor furniture. The one-bedroom Royal Suites on the fifth floor (featuring ocean or golf views and ranging in price from $825 to $1,025 per night), as well as two Presidential Suites, are reserved by request only and are not available over the GDS.
"We use them for the high rollers in the casino," says Randall Doty, the director of marketing for the property.
The most requested accommodations, though, are not in the main building but in the three-story garden houses that surround the three swimming pools between the main building and the beach, Doty says. These units have an additional 234 rooms that are especially well suited for families and can be configured as one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. "They are perfect for families or two couples traveling together," he says. "The three-bedroom units can sleep up to 12 people because the couch has a bed, too."
A Family Affair
The key to the Marriott's success, though, has undoubtedly
been its full range of amenities and activities for kids and adults
contributing to its reputation as a "
Children between the ages 5 to 12 can participate in Kidz Club activities (free with inclusive packages) including games, contests, handicrafts and painting. The entire family can come together in the evening for movies on the big screen in a room filled with big, overstuffed chairs and bean bags.
Golf at the adjacent Royal St. Kitts Golf Club can also be a family affair. Introduced last year, Marriott's "Kids Golf-4-Free" program enables kids up to 15 years old to play for free when accompanied by a paid adult. In addition, kids receive a free golf lesson when accompanied by an adult who is paying for a lesson. Director of Golf Greg Downer makes sure that all golfers feels comfortable on the course by offering a range of clinics for men, women and children. He says golf lessons are essential for families that want to "play and stay together."
"The worst thing you can do is learn with a spouse," Downer laughs. "I've seen more fights when the husband is trying to teach his wife to golf."
World-Class Spa
If guests do need to cool off after hitting the links—or in
lieu of golf altogether—the soothing Emerald Mist Spa can help restore
tranquility. The 15,000-square-foot facility features eight oversized treatment
rooms, a private couple's room and men's and women's wet rooms equipped hot and
cold plunge pools, saunas and steam rooms infused with eucalyptus oil. By far,
the most popular spa treatment is the Kittitian massage, known elsewhere as a
Swedish massage, says Rachel Stormes, the spa director. While all spa
technicians are adept,
In keeping with the family-friendly theme, the spa offers a Princess for a Day package, which includes a manicure, pedicure, glitter make-up, an up-do hair style, lip gloss and sunscreen. Men can get the Coral Reef Gentlemen's Facial, designed to ease irritation from shaving and sun exposure.
What's New?
When it comes to food, guests can expect the same quality
and service they are used to from the Marriott brand. The eight restaurants on
the property ensure a variety that can appeal to all palates—whether it be
With the recent arrival of Executive Chef Andreas Mahl, a past recipient of the prestigious five-star rating from Mobil Travel Guides, the menus are in the process of being reconceptualized. First, the food and beverage team is working to raise the quality of the food ("You have to get the basics right," Mahl says). Second, "It was important for us to bring the local food to the next level. It's simply seafood, fish, prawns and good lobster with some strong spices," Mahl adds. Third, "We're trying to realign the food with the atmosphere, the uniform and the music," says Kevin Anderson, the food and beverage director.
Getting There
The big drawback to selling St. Kitts is the hurdles required in getting there and back, agents say.
"To get to St. Kitts out of
With a total travel time of nearly 12 hours and two connections in some cases, travelers tend to balk, especially people with families.
"Nobody wants to fly, unless it's nonstop," says
Becky Veith, a Conde Nast Traveler-recognized Caribbean travel specialist in
Getting anywhere in the Caribbean has become more of a
challenge since January 23, when the
"With the passport issue, it becomes more of a difficult sell," says Lucardi. "If clients have kids who don't have passports, it may affect their decision to go to St. Kitts. It definitely doesn't help."
Lucardi says that places like
Despite its drawbacks, Lucardi says travel to St. Kitts is on the rise. "Over the last couple of years, we've seen double digit increases. I would say that a portion of that is related to the introduction of the Marriott, but I see growth coming from some of the other properties on the island as well."
The key to selling people on St. Kitts, agents say, is to understand the type of client that the island would appeal to, and what features would be most important to them.
"We get more requests from seasoned travelers who are looking for a true overall experience that allow them to travel outside of the hotel to experience different things," Lucardi says. What she calls a "niche destination on a smaller scale," St. Kitts offers many different kinds of experiences, whether it's the Timothy Beach Resort ("More of a value hotel that is great for families who don't want to spend a lot of money," she says), an all-inclusive stay at the Marriott property or Ottley's Plantation, a small luxurious inn tucked away in a mountain hideaway with breathtaking views.
An Island Worth Discovering
Agents agree—once people decide on traveling to St. Kitts, they are pleasantly surprised. It's all a matter of educating them on this little-known destination.
"It's not going to be the most top-of-mind," says
Lucardi. "But the reality is, there are going to be people who don't want
to just go to
For clients who do go, Lucardi recommends dining at Turtle Beach Bar and Grill, "one of those places you don't dress up for," she says. On the island's southeast peninsula, the waterfront bar and restaurant specializes in seafood and barbecue dishes, such as fresh grilled fish or lobster.
"That to me is a place to kick back and relax if you just want to chill and look at the view."
Upcoming Island Events
Upcoming events on the island may require booking the property well in advance. Kelley says there are rooms still available during the ICC Cricket World Cup in March. Another busy time is during the 11th Annual St. Kitts Musical Festival, June 21-24. This year, Grammy Award-winning artist Michael Bolton will be among the top acts performing.
Fast Facts St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino 869-466-1200 www.stkittsmarriott.com For questions and VIP requests, contact Randall K. Doty, director of marketing at 869-466-1200, 340-514-7584 (cell) or via e-mail at [email protected].