A lush mountain retreat in the cool foothills of misty Mount Liamuiga, filled with the fragrance of exotic fruit trees, a picturesque golf course with rolling greens and in the distance, breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea caressing an archipelago of islands beyond.
In this most magical of settings on 400 acres of organic farmland with an artisanal village, orchards, guest cottages, villas and a great house, guests relive St. Kitts of a bygone era. Then, sugar was king and nature’s wholesome bounty nourished members of the community with organic produce z fuelled by aromatic rums.
Arriving In The Evening, I headed to the Mill Bar with its décor reminiscent of a sugar factory, where the General Manager was hosting guests with exotic rum infused cocktails inspired by the fruit and herbs grown on the organic farmlands of this sustainable eco-luxury resort. Here I met guests from North America, Europe, and the Caribbean who came to experience authentic St. Kitts, sharing with me their day’s activities of trips to the Batik factory, Valley of the Giants rain forest tour, Brimstone Hill Fortress — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — known as the Gibraltar of the Caribbean, and the scenic views from the island train ride. Adjoining the Mill was The Kitchen — within the Great House — a plantation style restaurant set in a décor emblematic of the bowels of a working sugar plant with ceiling to floor windows offering sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. A seasonal menu reflects the fresh produce of the farm and nearby estates, offering meals rich in flavours.
I was awakened by a parrot raising a racket over a green velvet monkey that was too close for comfort as they competed for mangos on a tree outside my cottage. Opening the curtains to my infinity pool deck I was rewarded with arresting views of the Dutch island of Sint Eustatius rising from the Caribbean Sea. Joining me by my pool was a yoga and meditation guru who took me on a journey of spiritual self-renewal as he led me through chants and poses awakening my senses to the freshness of the mountain air and tranquil tropical surroundings.
Breakfast that morning was at the plant nursery with hundreds of exotic fruit saplings to be planted across the resort. Under the shade of a large mango tree I dined on produce from the farm and nearby communities while learning about some island history. The resident farm manager told me the island was once shared by the French and English but later became an English colony and today still bears some French names such as Basseterre (the present day capital) and Dieppe Bay Town (very near to the Resort).
In the late morning I practiced my golf swings at the driving range with its impressive views of the cloud shrouded peak of Mount Liamuiga, abundant tropical foliage, Caribbean Sea, and the neighbouring islands of St. Barts and St. Martin. Designed by Ian Woosnam, the ‘Irie Fields’ golf course is a par 71, with 18 holes and among the most scenic I have ever played on with its 360 degrees of breathtaking vistas. With a semi rustic feel, the grounds are not overly manicured and nature is able to shape the plants.
For lunch I headed to Arthur’s Restaurant, the resort’s sea to fork eatery on a black sandy beach in Dieppe Bay Town where I dined on freshly caught lobster while enjoying the sounds of lapping waves and taking in the sights of fishermen mending their nets. This historic town in the Capisterre region is the earliest area in St. Kitts to be settled by Europeans and was part of French St. Christophe from 1625 to 1713. Dieppe Bay is a town of art and culture and one of four founding towns of the annual La festival de Capisterre where you will see costumed masqueraders reenacting traditional folk music and tales.
In the late morning I practiced my golf swings at the driving range with its impressive views of the cloud shrouded peak of Mount Liamuiga, abundant tropical foliage, Caribbean Sea, and the neighbouring islands of St. Barts and St. Martin. Designed by Ian Woosnam, the ‘Irie Fields’ golf course is a par 71, with 18 holes and among the most scenic I have ever played on with its 360 degrees of breathtaking vistas. With a semi rustic feel, the grounds are not overly manicured and nature is able to shape the plants.
For lunch I headed to Arthur’s Restaurant, the resort’s sea to fork eatery on a black sandy beach in Dieppe Bay Town where I dined on freshly caught lobster while enjoying the sounds of lapping waves and taking in the sights of fishermen mending their nets. This historic town in the Capisterre region is the earliest area in St. Kitts to be settled by Europeans and was part of French St. Christophe from 1625 to 1713. Dieppe Bay is a town of art and culture and one of four founding towns of the annual La festival de Capisterre where you will see costumed masqueraders reenacting traditional folk music and tales.
Heading back to my cottage, I detoured to look at the villa section of the property, some with up to 4 bedrooms, perfect for family vacations. Every villa is spaciously designed with high vaulted ceilings and a vast open and airy veranda ideal for entertaining by the infinity swimming pool. With beautifully crafted local stonework, shingle rooftops, shuttered windows, and carved balustrades, each captures the feel of traditional Caribbean villa living at its best and are available for rent or purchase as part of the island’s residency programme. Then I continued to the Farm House Residence comprised of four standalone individual one-bedroom cottages each with an oversized king bed, connected by footbridges leading to the grand central living pavilion with a professionally equipped kitchen. The Farm House sports a 100-foot infinity pool and is the most sumptuously appointed accommodation at the resort. All of the resort’s accommodations are designed by the award-winning architect for ultra-luxury hotels, Bill Bensle.
Heading back to my cottage, I detoured to look at the villa section of the property, some with up to 4 bedrooms, perfect for family vacations. Every villa is spaciously designed with high vaulted ceilings and a vast open and airy veranda ideal for entertaining by the infinity swimming pool. With beautifully crafted local stonework, shingle rooftops, shuttered windows, and carved balustrades, each captures the feel of traditional Caribbean villa living at its best and are available for rent or purchase as part of the island’s residency programme. Then I continued to the Farm House Residence comprised of four standalone individual one-bedroom cottages each with an oversized king bed, connected by footbridges leading to the grand central living pavilion with a professionally equipped kitchen. The Farm House sports a 100-foot infinity pool and is the most sumptuously appointed accommodation at the resort. All of the resort’s accommodations are designed by the award-winning architect for ultra-luxury hotels, Bill Bensle.
The evening had a special culinary treat, a farm to table dining experience, set in the middle of an herb garden. As the sun slipped away into the sea and the stars lit up the skies we enjoyed starters of pickled vegetables served on family-styled platters followed by a selection of grilled meats and roasted ground provisions, ending with fresh fruit tarts, as we bantered the night away with cheerful exchanges on our discoveries on the plantation resort. I drifted away from the group to listen to the sounds of the night — the rustling of leaves, crickets chirping, frogs croaking — then took a deep breath in to savour the air filled with aromas of fruit laden trees and garden herbs, then looked out into the landscape lit up with the moonlight of a silvery hue. There, in the not too far distance I could make out the silhouette of a troop of monkeys playing in the fields and smiled at their antics while reflecting on the resort’s ethos, ‘discover your best self while in harmony with the natural surrounding’.
On a path less travelled, BELLE MONT FARM at Kittitian Hill is a place where you will always want to return. — JP