The individual guest cottages circle the 340 year old Great House which is the social center of the plantation. The intimate Great Room (as with all the rooms and guest cottages) is furnished with antiques and period furnishings from old family collections.
It is the setting for hours of conversation or quiet reflection with books from the adjacent well stocked library (formerly the Planters Office). More contemporary touches are the opera and movie musical videos which are available in the sitting room.
The bar, dining rooms and dining verandah, at the Great House offer service from early morning 'til late evening, manned by helpful, friendly staff. One feels as a house guest, not a hotel guest.
There is a crystal clear freshwater pool and spacious sun terrace set in the landscaped gardens extending to more than eight acres. Astonishing views of the scenery and area are available from every aspect of the property.
On Site On site there is an excellent hard tennis court (with complimentary rackets and balls), trailriding on horseback (English style, escorted), carriage rides through historic Gingerland, nature walks and history hikes (the ancient "Heritage Highway" or "Upper Round Road" passes right through The Hermitage).
For the child in everyone there is the farmyard with the plantation's pigs, sheep, ducks, peacocks, chickens and horses of all ages, shapes and sizes.
Rental cars and Jeeps are available for self-hire exploring (highly recommended, this is a most friendly island) and finding quiet nature spots or secluded beaches.
Other Activities - The Museum of Nevis History in Charlestown (at the birthplace of American patriot Alexander Museum)
- Captain Horatio Nelson Museum at Bellevue (Nelson married a Nevis widow and was based here ca.1785)
- Nevis Horse Races (public holidays)
- Art Galleries and Special Places
- Eva Wilkin Gallery at Clay Ghaut (walking distance)
- The Gallery of Nevis Art in Charlestown
- The Botanical Gardens and "Martha's" West Indian Tea House (walking distance)
- Montpelier Plantation Inn (walking distance)
- Old Manor Estate (walking distance)
- Golden Rock Estate (a good country walk)
Soft Adventures, On Land - Horseriding at Nevis Equestrian Centre (beach rides, western plantation ruins, lessons)
- Horseriding at Garners with Ira Dore (beach rides, north island trails)
- Horseriding with Fitzroy (Jessups, beach and mountain rides)
- Horseriding at Hermitage (historic Gingerland)
- Mountain Bike Rental
Escorted Nature Walks - Nevis Peak (strenuous, but exciting - weather permitting)
- Green Ghaut (lush forest and glens)
- Jessups Reservoir (ruins and forest glades)
- Night Stargazing (with astronomer, no light pollution)
History Walks
Historic Charlestown
New River Plantation
Rain Forest & Ruins (Mount Travers Estate)
The Sugar Trail (Heritage Highway to Hamilton)
Heritage Highway (Gingerland portion)
Soft Adventures, At Sea
Daysailing (both monohull and catamaran boats, meals and snorkeling included)
Deep-sea fishing (wahoo, kingfish, yellow tuna, blackfin tuna year round, mahi mahi in the spring and billfish in the summer months)
Snorkeling
Scuba (both PADI & NAUI) "Caves, Reefs and Wrecks"
Windsurfing and Sunfish Rentals
Off Island Adventures
Day trips by air or sea to St. Kitts (fortresses, sugarlands, mountain hikes, shopping)
Day trips by air charter to St. Maarten (shopping, casinos)
St. Bart's (restaurants, shopping, celebrities)
Antigua (English Harbour, shopping)
Dinning
On an island with few people and little nightlife, dining is almost the social event of the day. The Hermitage cooks are unrivaled, particularly under the direction of Maureen Lupinacci and her 30 years of entertaining in the West Indies.
One of their secrets is the best quality ingredients available. To be sure of the quality, most is produced on the plantation including home-reared pork and lamb. Much of the fruit comes from our own trees and the herbs from our own kitchen garden. Fresh fish, conch and lobster are obtained from our neighbourly fishermen. All of the baking, ice cream, desserts, jellies and jams are homemade.
Breakfast
The day starts with Full Planters Breakfast from 8:00am to 10:30am on the verandah. The sausage is from our own piggery, the yogurt freshly made daily. Specialties include West Indian omelets, eggs any style, a variety of breakfast breads (lemon, orange, poppy seed, pumpkin, bran or corn muffins), fresh seasonal fruit, pancakes (banana, pumpkin, oatmeal), or Orangeblossom French Toast. Bacon, ham or flying fish are usually available as well as West Indian saltfish every Sunday.
Lunch
Lunch is served from Noon to 2:30pm on the Verandah or poolside. Grilled marinated chicken breast, grilled fish of the day (generally mahi mahi or red snapper), lobster, shrimp, chicken or tuna salads are offered along with regional dishes such as pumpkin soup, rotis and curried chicken salads, followed by our sorbets and ice creams and cakes.
Afternoon Tea
Served in the Great Room or tea porch. English teas or our own local teas such as lemongrass are available along with the famous Hermitage carrot cake and other specialties.
Dinner
Dinner is always an event at the Hermitage featuring the most amazing creations mixing our fresh local products with classic international recipes. Maureen's menus are a constant surprise and delight, some samples:
Prosciutto with Fresh Mango or
Cherry Tomato & Parsley Salad with Fresh grated Parmesan or
Conch Cakes with Lobster Sauce or
Grilled Portabello Mushroom
Cauliflower & Stilton Soup or
Red Pepper Bisque or
Garlic Soup
Fresh Grilled Wahoo in Garlic & Lemon Butter or
Beef en Croute with Spinach & Arugula or
Marinated Shrimps on Black Bean Cakes
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Chocolate Bombe or
White Chocolate Ginger Cheesecake or
Cold Rum Soufflé or
Assorted Homemade Sorbets & Ice Cream
Special Diets
Most special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
