At Park Hyatt St. Kitts, Sophisticated Luxury Meets Caribbean Paradise

Since it debuted at the end of 2017, Park Hyatt St. Kitts has quickly become one of the leading hotels on the island.

The Park Hyatt’s first Caribbean hotel, the property brings sophisticated luxury combined with a flare of Caribbean charm.

Situated in the most natural and untouched region of this Caribbean island, the resort is an idyllic destination in the West Indies. In the distance, Park Hyatt St. Kitts’ General Manager Flor van der Vaart said, “[Sister island] Nevis is always in your line of vision, whether you’re at breakfast or at the gym, and at the night it’s magic, too — you can see the mountains of Nevis. I think that’s what people are consistently wowed by.”

The resort has an open-air contemporary lobby, 78 guestrooms and 48 suites, many which feature private rooftop swimming pools and sundecks, and the majority have either beach or sea views.

A King category room.

The way the resort is laid out, van der Vaart said, it never feels over crowded. Even at 93% occupancy, guests can enjoy a tranquil and relaxing stay. “So many beaches now are so filled up, people had to wake up early just to get the chair they want by the beach or pool. But we are so spread out, that’s never an issue.”

At the Miraval Spa, the plunge pool, sauna, and steam rooms are available to all guests of the five-star resort. A 1,750-square-foot, 24-hour health club is also located in the spa with both cardio equipment and weights. Additionally, the resort features two swimming pools: The Rampart swimming pool for adults and the Lagoon Pool for family swimming.

When it comes to the culinary offerings at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts, there is the Great House, which is open all day and includes a rum bar; Fisherman’s Village, an overwater eatery with a seafood-focused menu; and Stone Barn, a dinner- and adult-only establishment serving globally influenced meals.

Overwater eatery Fishermans Village Dining has a seafood-focused menu.

Van der Vaart said the food has been a sticking point with guests. “I think the top three things that stand out when people leave are the views, the people, and the food,” he told Travel Market Report.

The resort has also introduced curated culinary experiences, including a chef’s table option of varying cuisines. Van der Vaart added it has been in high demand, and “being able to interact with the chef is a special experience.”

The success of the resort has been buoyed by new airlift from carriers in key gateway cities. Air arrivals from January through April 2019, are up by 14.5% over last year, with North American arrivals up even further than that at 17.2%, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Mid-week peak season service has expanded from JFK by American Airlines and from Atlanta by Delta, as well as a new flight from Miami. The destination will, next week, receive its first flight on American Airlines from Dallas-Fort Worth.

“We’re excited as the destination expands and grows,” said Park Hyatt St. Kitts Director of Sales Marketing Bahia Husband.

The Presidential Villa’s pool.

To generate more business through off-season, she said, the resort currently has several promotions available, including a fourth night free offer for every three-nights booked through Dec. 21. To reward travel advisor partners, the resort is also providing travel advisors with 15% commission upon booking.

In addition, Husband said the resort is pursuing the groups and weddings segment, and was successful in the first half of 2019. “We’re looking to continue that,” she said. The property is offering three experiences to enhance the group experience with the Meet in Paradise promotion, from 20% off spa treatments to one complimentary pool cabana rental.

A similar wedding promotion is available for groups booked through the end of the year, traveling in 2020. Groups with a minimum of 10 rooms can choose from three extras, including a two night gift certificate for the couple to return on their one year anniversary, a sparkling toast during the wedding reception, and one complimentary hour of a steelpan band during the event. 

The Miraval Spa offers a plunge pool, sauna, and steam rooms.