The Park Hyatt St. Kitts is offering an incredible deal right now. It is also a resort I’ve talked about visiting for more than a year. Yet I’m struggling over whether to book it.
At around $255 night with generous resort credit and beautiful accommodations, this is truly an exceptional deal. I’ve talked about visiting this resort since January 1, 2017, when one of my travel resolutions was to “take my wife to the new Park Hyatt in St. Kitts.” 2017 came and went with no visit to St. Kitts. We went to Germany three times instead. This property is one of my 2018 travel goals as well. It would also give me a chance to visit Saint Kitts and Nevis, a new country.
So why not book now?
First, time. The year has been incredibly busy with my new venture and time off is at a high premium. Shouldn’t time off be spent with family and friends in Germany? Second, travel. Augustine is at the age where nonstop flights are, well, ideal. I just took Heidi to Hawaii without Augustine. I’d feel guilty about leaving Augustine with my parents for 5-6 days and don’t want to take Augustine from Los Angeles to New York or Miami to St. Kitts. A 2-3 day trip is simply not worthwhile. Third, I still don’t like beaches and would be sitting inside all day (though my wife loves them).
I asked Heidi about it and she said, “I’d rather just go to Carmel.” We both love the Highlands Inn, a Hyatt Residence Club property there.
> Read More: My Favorite Hyatt in California
I’m still up in the air on this. I’d like to do both trips and so would Heidi. But with a more conventional “American” work schedule this year, I find it very difficult to justify. Let’s face it, with this great sale we won’t be needing another review of the property either.
What do you think? If you’ve been to St. Kitts, is it worthwhile? Or should we just stick to Germany and Carmel?
Honestly, St. Kitts is a “meh” island. I am a large Hyatt loyalist as well, but the property still seems overpriced at that price point. It’s a good “deal” relatively, but there are better islands to go to.
Mark is delusional! It’s an absolute gorgeous place to go too even around Christmas. Carnival, calypso shows, folklore dances, parades and a myriad of things to do. If you love the historical there places to visit that presents the battles between the French and the British for control. Nature is quite breathtaking, whether it be the peninsula where you will see the most gorgeous sunsets, to the rain forest and even Kittitian Hill.
Christmas as I mentioned will bring forth music from live bands in the streets as you can feel free to dance till the cows come home. Welcome to my island!
Beautiful islands..still off the beaten track. Not your typical tourist islands.
Excellent nature activities.
Nevis is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton..
Nice Christmas get away!
Just a thought, but as near as I can tell from your blog, my son is quite close in age to Augustine. From experience (my wife and I fly with our son a lot), I’m not sure what your trepidation is with taking a connecting flight. A flight that connects in the middle of the night would be one thing, but two daytime flights are great for the young tykes. They get to enjoy a flight (my son loves flying and I’m assuming that yours at least tolerates it), then take a break to run around the airport, then get on another plane. If they run enough in the airport (we find someplace where there aren’t a lot of people around, like an empty gate area or one of the increasingly-frequent airport play places) and burn some energy off then they’ll usually take a great nap on the second flight.
Your other reasons for being hesitant make more sense to me, but worrying about taking a connecting flight with a toddler probably shouldn’t be such a big concern.
Over the last couple months, the little fellow doesn’t like to sit still and I can only imagine a transcontinental daytime flight would be torture (unlike an overnight flight to Europe).
Three trips to Europe went off without a hitch last year, but he’s approaching the “Terrible”…make that “Terrific”…Two’s.
That’s the age when it’s hardest. I remember doing BOS-DEN with the twins when they were 18 months old (they are 4 now) and it was a big zero on the fun meter. I spent and hour with my son just walking up and down the aisle to the (fortunately) great amusement of people. At that age they are to active to sit still and their attention spans are too short to be distracted by a movie or toy for very long.
That being said if you wanted to go you could fly JetBlue Mint in one of the enclosed suites where he would be trapped which would help a lot in my experience.
However it seems like in all honesty you’d only be going for the sake of seeing the hotel or getting the “great deal”. I suspect you’d really be happier going somewhere that you actually want to like Germany or Carmel.
place is underwhelming, went a few months ago, skip it.
I booked it when I saw the deal but when I looked at how difficult the flights are, I’m gonna bail out.
Three words for you: Andaz Papagayo
Isn’t that two words? 😉
St. Kitts is my least favorite Caribbean island.
Happy Heidi = Happy Matthew. In 26 years of marriage I have learned that if they say something like “I would just like to go to Carmel” that really means it is what they want to do.
So I would take her to Carmel….
One thing is certain, we are going to Carmel!
Not worth it, go to Kittitian Hill instead.
St. Kitts and Nevis are often defined by the respective resorts, Park Hyatt and Four Seasons, respectively. However, while these are luxury resorts they do not represent the beauty of St. Kitts and Nevis. The true beauty of the islands is the local culture and people. I grew up on Nevis and am clearly biased but childhood spent with such beautiful people was an amazing experience. As for St. Kitts, how could your child not enjoy a trip to the Brimstone Fort on the northern side of the island? Perhaps a meal at Kittitian Hill while you are there? What about a ride on the Scenic Railway? Some of the smoothest rum I have had, Shipwreck, is a product of St. Kitts.
Park Hyatt is perfectly located right by the water taxi to Nevis. A five minute taxi ride, with Ting in hand, and your family disembarks on Nevis. While Nevis is the sleepier of the two islands it is not without sites. There is the Alexander Hamilton museum in town (Charlestown). There are local establishments that have been there for generations: Golden Rock (Gingerland), Hermitage, MontPelier, and return to the New Castle, Nisbetts. A great “adult only” day is what I call the “Rum Run” where rum punches are tried, and personally rated, at each of the establishes. A great family venue is Cat Ghaut, up on Shaws Road by the airport. It is Nevis’s first golf course and the grounds include gardens and walking trails. Great place to teach your child to play golf with scenic views of the Caribbean. If you go to Cat Ghaut be sure to ring the bell at the front of the house and ask for Tiger.
I understand and respect the comments left. I just stress that the beauty of St. Kitts and Nevis is far more than Park Hyatt or Four Seasons (which are both beautiful), it is the people and the experiences and the memories shared. Come lime with us for a few days. There can never be enough great people with whom to share our islands!
– Tiger
If a woman states her preference instead of saying i don’t care, you pick… you better damn well go with the preference. That’s how you find happiness.
All I can say is beach is not on my list of resorts to go. Aviod if your wife is a beachie
Oh my gawwwwd. Skip Park Hyatt st kitt at all cost!!! First, you’re literally stuck in the hotel. Island is pretty notorious with high crime rate.
We were once dropped off in middle of nowhere with no WiFi or cell reception for a sea excursion and nobody showed up. It was pretty scary… Second, service is very substandard given that the locals have a very lax and laid back work ethics.
When you ask for something, you end having to ask for it like 3-4 times. Third, food is unimpressive. Overall, do yourself a favor and skip it. There is a reason why they are lowballing with such cheap offer. I’m so sad to call this place a Park Hyatt.
I’m with you. Just got back and this should be a regency at best.
I totally get your question and sympathize with your dilemma. With a 2 year old and a 7 month old getting ready to go to Europe this summer, non-stop flights were key. As it is, I imagine the return flight will be tough, but we’ll see.
Even with just one kid a daytime transcon–followed up by two more flights to boot–doesn’t sound like anyone’s idea of fun, even in lie flat J to NYC.
I’d take your wife’s advice and just stick around the west coast. Maybe go down to Cabo if you want a new location (we did in Jan with 2 kids on Southwest and had a great time, especially since the SW fights were almost empty).
If only the Caribbean was closer to LA… In the mean time, there are so many wonderful places to go non-stop from LA. I’d save the PH St Kitts for another time. Maybe if you can book in the future when you can leave Augustine with your parents again? Maybe next year?
When did you go on this trip? Why are you posting such old and outdated content? No one wants to read what you write. Shut down this blog and stop risking your life. That is my advice to you walla.
Just go to Carmel. Wait until this property gets better legs under it.
You are going to be kicking your self later for not going to SKB! Treat yourself don’t beat yourself !