Things to do in St.Kitts as a Family

St. Kitts is an island located in the Caribbean and is a perfect destination for families. I just came back from my trip there as a family of 3 (with it also being the first trip with my 6.5 month old son) and I couldn’t have asked for a better trip! Though traveling with a baby isn’t easy, IT IS possible. And I promise you can have fun as long as you let go of expectations, schedules and control, which is what usually comes with travel in general.

Due to flight schedules, we had to take two flights with a layover in Miami from JFK. It wasn’t ideal with a baby, but we had no other choice. Thankfully, beginning November 2, 2023, Jetblue will have direct flights year round, from New York’s JFK International Airport to St. Kitts’s Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport three times weekly.  According to the St. Kitt’s weather, the best times to travel there is between February and May because those are the driest months. Personally, I tend to travel during off season to avoid crowds. I visited in September and loved that it was quiet and more peaceful. It was humid during this time, but I didn’t mind considering we spent a lot of time in the pool and knew that’s what usually comes with an island destination. Here are things to do in St. Kitts as a family.

WHERE TO STAY IN ST. KITTS:

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour is a luxury resort located on Banana Bay and only 20 minutes from Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. We stayed there for six nights as part of a the package prize I won at the St. Kitts Tourism event in October 2022. The hotel is absolutely stunning and I can’t imagine staying anywhere else if you’re in St. Kitts.

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour is a family friendly resort that offers various activities and wellness programming, a full-service spa, and some of the best restaurants in St. Kitts.”

We stayed in a King bed with a beach view that also came with a private terrace and a spa inspired bath. Not only was the room spacious and great for families, but the hotel also provided us with a crib, which became one less thing to bring. All the rooms and suites at St. Kitts luxury resort face the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea, so your mornings are always off to a great start.

There are two swimming pools, the secluded adult-only Rampart Pool and the Lagoon Pool, which is perfect for families. We took our son Hunter to the Lagoon Pool everyday. It was a beautiful moment to watch him get comfortable in the water. We  also ordered food by the poolside, making it a great way to spend the afternoon. The hotel was also kind enough to book a cabana for our last day and it was the perfect way to end our trip in St. Kitts. It was secluded and comfortable because we were out of the sun. I highly recommend booking a cabana when you’re here because it’s a luxury experience especially for families. And if you’re on vacation anyways, why not treat yourself?!

ISLAND FORT BY CAMP HYATT

The Island Fort kids club is complimentary and designed to entertain children from three to twelve years old with a mix of outdoor activities, storytelling, arts, crafts and more.

Hunter was younger than the recommended age for Island Fort, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the playroom and all the toys. As a parent, I appreciated that Park Hyatt had Island Fort because it was a great way to break up our days and to give Hunter his playtime. This was one of the main reasons why we decided to bring him with us on this trip.

We also did two activities here: 1) make tie dye shirts 2) create keychains. I never made tie dye shirts before, so it was a fun experience. Even though both activities were meant for Hunter, we enjoyed it as well since he’s too young to participate. I’m excited for us to wear matching tie dye shirts in our next vacation and to also show him the keychain we made when he gets older! The Island Fort has a weekly schedule of activities, so guests can reserve them once they arrive.

SUGAR MILL SPA AND SANCTUARY

At Sugar Mill Spa & Sanctuary, align your body and soul while unifying the physical and spiritual elements through exclusive intention-based treatments, fitness practice during yoga and meditation classes, and globally inspired healing philosophies.

Self care is important for everybody, but especially for mamas. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your baby. That’s why I prioritized wellness when I was here and booked a 50 minute custom, holistic massage. It was a great hour that I had for myself while my partner watched our son.

Sugar Mill Spa and Sanctuary is extremely peaceful and gave me a much needed reset. It was nice to have a moment for myself without worrying about my son. Mom guilt is something I struggle with till this day but I’ve been learning to still carve out time for myself and the more I do it, the better I feel. The spa is also free for guests whether or not you book a treatment here, so definitely make sure you visit and spend time at the steam room, sauna, plunge pool or lounge area!

DINING

There are three signature restaurants in Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour including:

• Great House: Great House restaurant reflects the grand houses that once stood at the center of each plantation, where governors congregated over meals. Today our St. Kitts restaurant, Great House, is a luxurious and relaxing setting at the heart of our resort. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily.
• Fisherman’s Village: Enjoy ocean-front dining for lunch and dinner in a casual setting at Fisherman’s Village. Designed to reflect the huts and berths that once lined the St. Kitts coastline, this is the place to enjoy stunning ocean views paired with an eclectic menu of island-inspired foods and freshly caught seafood.
• Stone Barn: The stone barns on the island of St. Kitts were once used to protect the crops during the wet season on the island. Our Stone Barn offers adult-only dining for dinner and serving food from the hearth. (*this was closed during our stay, so we didn’t get a chance to dine here)

We had breakfast at The Great House everyday and it was such a lovely experience. The staff was extremely welcoming and it was nice to see familiar faces throughout our stay. We dined indoors and outdoors depending on Hunter’s mood and naps, but both experiences were great. We also had dinner at The Great House one evening and it was just as fantastic as it was for breakfast.

• Fisherman’s Village is amazing for dinners because you are right by the ocean. I would recommend watching the sunset and then dine here afterwards. Surprisingly our baby slept for all the dinners, with occasional wake ups, but it was easy to settle him with some quick rocking and strolling.

RESORT ACTIVITIES

Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour offers immersive experiences and activities for guests to book during the stay. I thought it was a great idea to have something to do for just my partner and I. We booked the paint and sip while our son was playing in his portable activity center by us. It was a fun date night activity and the best part is that we now have souvenirs of our time at St. Kitts to take back with us.

*Other activities you can book include kayaking, rum tasting, snorkeling, bingo, etc. Just make sure you ask the hotel for the resort activities so can you reserve in advance.

ST. KITTS FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

Aside from what Park Hyatt has to offer, a few other activities I would recommend to do in St. Kitts as a family are:

• Visit Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a well-preserved fortress on a hill on the island of St. Kitts in the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean. It is not specifically designed for kids or babies, but is still a great attraction to visit as a family. Considering the history and impressive British military engineering, it is definitely an attraction worth adding to your itinerary. I have to admit that it was quite difficult to hike up the stairs, but it was doable with our Ergobaby Metro+ Deluxe Stroller. The views from the top are breathtaking and reminded me of a painting. Fun fact: “the construction of the Brimstone Hill Fortress began in 1690 and that it continued intermittently for just over 100 years until completion.” If you love history, then this is a place you’ll appreciate
• Visit Fairview’s Great House & Botanic Garden: Fairview Great House and Botanical Gardens is a historical landmark in St. Kitts and is a great place for families. We had a guided tour around the Great House, which was originally built in 1701 by the French. It was interesting to see the different rooms including the Women’s Parlor, the Men’s Room, The Master Bedroom, etc. The best view was right through the veranda of the Master Bedroom, which offers a panoramic view of The Botanic Garden. We were the only ones there at this time, so it was a nice private tour and definitely doable for families!

• Visit Romney Manor, Caribelle Btik and Wingfield Estate Sugar Plantation Ruins: Wingfield Estate Sugar Plantation Ruins is adjacent to Caribelle Batik at Romney Manor, which makes visiting both attractions convenient. Wingfield is situated within a rainforest. Surrounded by nature, this luscious green visit is perfect for tourists and locals. You can also find Romney Manor nearby, which is an attraction in St. Kitts that is known for Caribelle Batik, its botanical gardens, and a 350-year-old saman tree. The museum is also the home of Caribelle Batik, a “process that uses molten wax to resist dye penetration by each successive color by applying molten max.” It was impressive to see how batik is made and visitors can buy batik products at the shop here. Like Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, this wouldn’t be marketed as a kid or baby friendly attraction. However, it is a must visit in St. Kitts and also can be a fun family activity.*My partner and I enjoyed both visits and were grateful to have our son along our adventures. It was also nice to see what the island has to offer aside from staying at our beautiful resort.
• Spice Mill Restaurant: Spice Mill Restaurant is located at Cockleshell bay and is a must visit for travelers! You can expect a unique Caribbean dining experience with beautiful indigenous architecture. It’s also only a three minute walk from the Park Hyatt. I loved that we had a table by the water and the romantic lighting made it great for dinner. It was also an optimal environment for baby to sleep. The food was wonderful and we enjoyed our relaxing evening here
• Marshalls: For your last night at St. Kitts, I highly recommend visiting Marshalls for a romantic and ocean view dining experience. This surprisingly was a great place to bring a baby because it was a calm and quiet environment (taking into consideration we visited during off season). The ambiance is truly like no other. Whereas Spice Mill was more romantic by the ocean, Marshalls was more romantic with sophistication, elegance and exquisite culinary. The service here is top notch and the staff was extremely attentive. The food here was also exquisite and I think this is the perfect last meal before you leave St. Kitts.

TAKEAWAYS FROM MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP WITH A BABY

Just because you’re on vacation with a family doesn’t mean that parenting stops. I was anxious to travel with my son because I didn’t know what to expect, but that’s a normal feeling. Before I became a mom, I loved traveling and I was scared that it would be a side of me that would disappear. I’m proud of myself for still acknowledging that version of myself and not holding back due to fear.

Like with most travels, not everything goes accordingly to plan. You have to be flexible and you have to go with the flow. Especially with a baby, I had to adjust Hunter’s nap schedules, which also affected our meal times. It wasn’t the end of the world and we just took it moment by moment. The positive side of all of this was that it truly allowed us to be present and to enjoy our trip. There was less planning and more being present and I would do it all over again if I could. Now that this trip is completed, I can’t wait to see where we’re going next!!

*I want to give a huge thank you to St.Kitts Tourism and Park Hyatt St. Kitts for hosting us and organizing our first international trip as a baby. We truly had the best time and this will forever be part of our story.