Jan 27, 2024

THE JOURNAL

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Travel Inspiration

Fora Essentials: Run, Don’t Walk, to the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

Fora Author Blair West

Editorial & SEO Manager

Blair West

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Park Hyatt St. Kitts Presidential Villa 2

Images courtesy of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

For travelers in need of a warm-weather vacation — which, let’s be real, is all of us at the moment — it’s no secret that there are tons of options to choose from. Between all-inclusives, boutique beach retreats, tented camps and more, travelers are spoiled for choice. We get it. 

But every now and then, a 10/10 resort pops onto our radar, making choosing a no brainer. The Park Hyatt St. Kitts, with its paradisiacal setting, minimalist design and exceptional staff, is one such resort.

Nestled in one of the Caribbean’s coveted enclaves, the Park Hyatt St. Kitts is a tropical dream come true. It comes complete with all the trappings of a five-star resort — sleek suites, expansive swimming pools and world-class spa & dining — plus breezy tropical vibes and a unique sense of local authenticity. Plus, with new airline routes, the destination of St. Kitts and Nevis is gearing up for its (proverbial) day in the sun, making the Park Hyatt that much more appealing.

Read on to learn why the Park Hyatt St. Kitts is one of our favorite escapes in the tropics.

Ready to get away? Connect with Fora to plan your trip and book your stay at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts.

1. The resort offers something for everyone — and then some 

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Guest Room Balcony

Image Courtesy of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

Given the amount of stellar Caribbean resorts to choose from, the bar is set high, especially when it comes to amenities. But the Park Hyatt delivers, starting with its private stretch of white-sand beach, where guests can choose from myriad water sports. Steps away, you’ll find a modern Mount Olympus: we’re talking infinity-edge pools and trickling fountains, connecting to overwater pathways and flower-framed sundecks. Here, guests lounge in shaded hammocks and sun-soaked chaises, breaking up their pool and beach time with alfresco games of cornhole, shuffleboard or life-size chess. Like we said, something for everyone.  

And it’s not all pool and beach. On property, guests can learn about the island’s diverse local heritage through cooking classes and rum tastings, plus relax with movie screenings under the stars and bonfire nights complete with s’mores. (All aforementioned activities are included in the resort fee, which is a plus.) There’s also a sublime spa — more on that later — a kid’s club, a 1,750-square-foot gym nestled in the jungle and even a Top Golf Swing Suite.

2. But, unlike other resorts of its caliber, it’s giving “under-the-radar”

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Reception Room

Image courtesy of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

When you book a home-run resort like this one (with alll the five-star amenities), you run the risk of it feeling less-than-authentic. Not the case here. The Park Hyatt St. Kitts gives off the cool — yet never snobby — vibe that not everyone knows about it. And those who know about it treat it like a well-kept secret.

Why? Beyond the resort’s minimalist elegance — the 124 rooms and suites are a masterclass in understated luxury — the resort has tons of character. Accommodations are filled with local pottery and sculpture; the lobby’s centerpiece is a mural by a local artist featuring the island’s annual Carnival celebration. (During Carnival, masquerade performers welcome guests.) The adults-only pool is built into rampart stone arches modeled after the island’s original British defense systems. And instead of traditional staff titles on their nametags (e.g., “bartender”), employees are encouraged to include a conversation starter on their badge, such as “gamer,” “creator” or even “butterfly.” This was an idea from the general manager, who encourages employees to develop genuine connections with guests. 

Connect with Fora to plan your trip and book your stay at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts.

3. It’s a foodie & spa destination in its own right

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Spa

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Spa

It’s rare to find gastronomy worth traveling for, but thanks to the resort's three signature restaurants — one being a veritable culinary destination — we’re grabbing our passport. 

The Park Hyatt’s magnum opus is Stone Barn, which was named the Caribbean's Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant in 2022 by the prestigious World Culinary Awards. Guests are treated to an intricate, nine-course tasting menu based on the elements (wood, stone, earth, water, air & fire), with unique ingredients like veal cheek, cedar-infused scallop and truffle air (yes, truffle air). Diners can watch the magic happen in the open-concept kitchen, too, where the chef leads guests through an utterly memorable culinary journey complete with elevated tropical cocktails, like a prosecco-infused piña colada. 

For guests wanting a wellness moment, the Park Hyatt also delivers. The spa is a fantasy of teak-wood decks and overgrown gardens, with the scent of lemongrass throughout. There’s also a plunge pool, sauna and steam room for all guests (you don’t have to book a spa treatment to use them, which is a nice touch). And don’t miss a yoga session or sound bath in the restored former sugar mill on property. 

4. New airline routes make this destination even more accessible

Park Hyatt St. Kitts courtyard lawn

Image courtesy of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts

In fall of 2023, Jetblue announced new nonstop routes to St. Kitts and Nevis’s Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport (SKB), which will majorly upgrade the destination’s convenience factor. (US-based travelers previously had to connect once or even twice en route.) An “if you fly it, they will come” approach, if you will.

But don’t worry, despite the added accessibility, the breezy and laid-back Caribbean vibe of St. Kitts won’t be going anywhere. The pint-size island is made up of fewer than 60,000 residents, and, according to one (exceptional) local tour guide, it will always be a small community. “You can’t pass people without saying good morning or good evening,” he explained. “St. Kitts will always be St. Kitts.”

Ready to get away? Connect with Fora to plan your trip and book your stay at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Author - Blair West
    Blair West

    A travel journalist and passionate storyteller, Blair is the Editorial & SEO Manager at Fora Travel.