Perfect West Indian beach house

Guest: Susan from NC (North Carolina)
Date of Stay: 04/10/10 Review Submitted: 04/18/10

My husband and I had originally planned to stay at Nisbet Plantation (near the Lazy Turtle) but we discovered this villa and realized we would enjoy the privacy and luxurious space of renting our own house with a private pool on a beach front location. The owners are friends with the folks at Nisbet, so we set up an account our first day and enjoyed their beach front bar and lunches outdoors, plus made dining arrangements for two nights--all on our "tab." Lazy Turtle has all the comforts you need to fully relax on vacation, and the owners provide lots of dining tips, a local driver and guide who makes renting a car for the week a snap, maid service, pool cleaning (both twice a week) and wonderful suggestions about how to enjoy Nevis. The house has ceiling fans everywhere and a beautiful large screened lanai that looks out at the private pool, lawn, and pathway to the beach. There is lush tropical foliage everywhere, maintained by the gardener--the owners take excellent care of everything, so it's all clean, well functioning, and comfortable. We stocked up on basics for breakfast and snacks at a local grocery, then found fascinating places to dine each night or to have lunch. Nevis is rich in history, and we loved exploring the island. Lazy Turtle is the perfect place if you enjoy privacy, tropical beauty, proximity to excellent dining experiences and sightseeing, and being right on the ocean.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Beauty on the beach

Guest: Karl V. (-)
Date of Stay: 01/14/12 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

We opted to vacation on Nevis because of its reputation for a laid-back life-style: small, quaint villages nestled in a tropical paradise, quiet and devoid of throngs of tourists. The sound of the ocean and the feel of the sun were our only two requirements. For one week we rented The Lazy Turtle, which exceeded our expectations on all levels. It sits on a lush, gardened property at the end of an untrafficked lane. There is the house, then the pool and gazebo, then a verdant spanse of lawn down to a gate and on to what turned out to be one of the prettiest beaches on the island. The beach is sloped and not very wide – we liked it because few people walked by. For those who want the wide beach sunbathing experience with the option of ordering tropical drinks while you wait to tan, one only has to walk a minute to the Nisbet Plantation next door. The Nisbet is very welcoming to Lazy Turtle renters. We spent our “wildest” night of the week at the Thursday night Nisbet barbecue where we danced, beach-side to an island band. Life at Lazy Turtle is easy. The kitchen has all the conveniences for making meals. Jane Paul gave us a list of good restaurants to try but our favorite meals turned out to be the ones we made at the house dining al fresco on the porch or in the gazebo.…huge savings, too, as prices at the better eateries are steep. Jane was island-central, she knows everyone and steered us in the right direction every time. She was unobtrusive and exceedingly kind – arranged an island tour, a must if one is at all interested in the people, culture and history. She also expedited our travel to the island, car rental, and our trip back to St. Kitt’s airport. Lazy Turtle is cleaned twice a week and is well-maintained. The main bedroom is air-conditioned and the other is not, however we found island breezes sufficient. The main focus of the house is the huge screened-in porch where cocoon-like hammocks lure you to read or sleep. The pool is just the right size for water aerobics, raft floating, or a refreshing dip after baking poolside. The beds were comfortable, made more so because sleep was against the back drop of peepers, night birds and the thrum of the ocean waves. Most memorable was watching the light show put on at night by huge fireflies at the edge of the lawn. If one is looking for privacy, nature and an accommodation that feels like home then we highly recommend The Lazy Turtle.

Recommended for:

Beauty on the beach

Guest: Karl V. (-)
Date of Stay: 01/14/12 Review Submitted: 01/28/12

We opted to vacation on Nevis because of its reputation for a laid-back life-style: small, quaint villages nestled in a tropical paradise, quiet and devoid of throngs of tourists. The sound of the ocean and the feel of the sun were our only two requirements. For one week we rented The Lazy Turtle, which exceeded our expectations on all levels. It sits on a lush, gardened property at the end of an untrafficked lane. There is the house, then the pool and gazebo, then a verdant spanse of lawn down to a gate and on to what turned out to be one of the prettiest beaches on the island. The beach is sloped and not very wide – we liked it because few people walked by. For those who want the wide beach sunbathing experience with the option of ordering tropical drinks while you wait to tan, one only has to walk a minute to the Nisbet Plantation next door. The Nisbet is very welcoming to Lazy Turtle renters. We spent our “wildest” night of the week at the Thursday night Nisbet barbecue where we danced, beach-side to an island band. Life at Lazy Turtle is easy. The kitchen has all the conveniences for making meals. Jane Paul gave us a list of good restaurants to try but our favorite meals turned out to be the ones we made at the house dining al fresco on the porch or in the gazebo.…huge savings, too, as prices at the better eateries are steep. Jane was island-central, she knows everyone and steered us in the right direction every time. She was unobtrusive and exceedingly kind – arranged an island tour, a must if one is at all interested in the people, culture and history. She also expedited our travel to the island, car rental, and our trip back to St. Kitt’s airport. Lazy Turtle is cleaned twice a week and is well-maintained. The main bedroom is air-conditioned and the other is not, however we found island breezes sufficient. The main focus of the house is the huge screened-in porch where cocoon-like hammocks lure you to read or sleep. The pool is just the right size for water aerobics, raft floating, or a refreshing dip after baking poolside. The beds were comfortable, made more so because sleep was against the back drop of peepers, night birds and the thrum of the ocean waves. Most memorable was watching the light show put on at night by huge fireflies at the edge of the lawn. If one is looking for privacy, nature and an accommodation that feels like home then we highly recommend The Lazy Turtle. Should we return to Nevis we know it’s the ONLY place we’d stay.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

The perfect escape!

Guest: Dana & BJ (Portland, Ore.)
Date of Stay: 10/24/11 Review Submitted: 11/12/11

All the comforts of home but in a beautiful location in paradise. The pictures are accurate but don't come NEAR to capturing what it feels like to be there in person. What can we say? Everything---EVERYTHING---about the Lazy Turtle felt right, thanks to who owns it (Jane and Lara) and how they maintain it. The house and pool are cleaned twice weekly. The garden---cared for by a lovely older gentleman---creates an amazingly beautiful and private surrounding. The kitchen is stocked with everything but food. The grill is ready to fire up anytime. The screened patio is PERFECT---for reading, games, meals, naps, or when you've had enough sun for a while but don't want to be inside (also a wonderful barrier for mosquitos, which are sprayed for regularly). The access to the beach and to the Plantation Inn beach bar is perfect---just close enough, but not TOO close. The lounge chairs by the pool and the gazebo are lovely in- and out-of-the-sun options all day. And LAST BUT NOT LEAST---the pool. Where do I start? I had no idea the pool would be my absolute favorite part but it was. Before we arrived, it seemed like a nice feature and I assumed we'd be down at the beach all day and maybe take a dip at night. But turns out seeing and hearing the beach was a wonderfully sufficient backdrop to floating peacefully and privately in your own pool. If you're looking for a private getaway with access to people and places when you want them but isolation from them when you don't, Nevis and the Lazy Turtle are absoutely perfect. Lara's and Jane's arrangements and recommendations were MOST valuable and appreciated. Bonnie's greeting and tour of the house was very welcoming, and she's a phone call away if you have questions or need anything. Marlon Brando's tour was definitely a worthwhile 3 hours---basically acquainted us with the whole island, history, attractions and driving customs (very handy!). But mostly, we miss the pool. Thank you, Jane, Lara and Bonnie, for a most wonderful getaway and for the care while we were there. Against our better/selfish judgement, we're telling EVERYONE about the Lazy Turtle!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Attention to detail!

Guest: Nikhil D.
Date of Stay: 07/02/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

From the outset Lara and Janes attention to detail was outstanding.they provided so much information that planning the days was a breeze. The villa was perfect, the pool length was just enough for even adults to swim and all of us spent more time in the pool than anywhere else. Eating out was easy but after the first couple of days we shopped and started cooking at home. Nothing like sitting with family in the verandah and feeling the breeze cone through the house. House and pool were perfectly clean and were cleaned twice in the week that we were there. Everyone we met was friendly, the island was small enough to explore well and is still frozen in time rather than commercialized. If you like quiet peaceful Island life, this is the place to visit. In particular: 1)Jane is a very attentive host. Her crew is a well oiled machine. The pickup at the airport and the trip across the narrows to the house was fantastic. 2) tour with Marlon, courtesy of jane was an absolute joy. Marlon is a true gentleman. 3) The botanical gardens and the Thai restaurant inside are outstanding. 4) oualie beach was perfect for kids 5) Rumors had great food to eat and is close to the house. 6) meat pies at the snackettes were great. We bought the entire lot one day. 7) The perfect pool at the house 8) the par 3 course close to the villa We hope this wonderful hideaway stays as unspoiled as it is. Hope to get to it again in coming years. We could not ask for more from the owners or the island.

Recommended for:Families with young children, families with teenagers.

Our Refuge

Guest: sam L.
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 07/15/11

Nevis was not an island where we felt welcome. The clerks in stores never spoke, never said thank you, smiled etc. Lots of people hanging around the streets, and cars taking both lanes, stopped while people talked, not caring that you were behind them. Not the most attractive beachs. Grocery stores not up to American standards-lack of fresh fruit, vegs and decent bread, but a new store is coming. The house became our refuge. It was clean, no ants roachs etc, and parts have been remodeled and updated. Beautiful gardens iin a mostly secluded setting. The pool was a godsend.Lots of attractive seating areas, with a large screened porch, many hammocks and attractive furniture. Internet access, Ipod dock and DVD player & sattelite TV. Kitchen lacking in some amenities, but workable. Only the master bed room has A/C, rest of house could really use it! The owner is very diligent, called 3 times to make sure we were OK. Very quiet,lovely views, lots of wildlife right in the backyard. Lots of biting bugs in the early morn and at dusk, OFF provided by owner, much appreciated. We were happy to be away from the glitz, noise, and traffic of some other islands.

Owner response:We greatly appreciate the reviewer’s kind comments about Lazy Turtle Villa; we regret that the reviewer did not appreciate the life style of the island. Nevis is a small island, and a small community, in which everyone knows everyone else. People tend to socialize in the streets and even from double-parked cars. They do not intentionally mean to be rude. This is part of the natural slow rhythm of the island. Shy by nature, particularly with strangers, initiation of good-humored conversation will readily bring out a friendly smile. Nevisians are well educated, religious, bear no grudges and very proud of their island. It should be noted that Nevis is trying to nurture agricultural production, and a number of roadside produce stands provide a variety of local fruits and vegetables. The Charlestown open market provides a plethora of produce. However, because of the limited market, part of the charm of the island, the majority of food products must be imported. The availability of products in the stores, although very adequate, certainly cannot be compared to the variety available in the US or even in the more commercialized Caribbean islands. There are natural beaches galore, unspoiled, not crowded some with close off shore reefs teeming with tropical sea life.

Recommended for:Age 55+.

Great villa!

Guest: MikeinTx (Texas)
Date of Stay: 05/01/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

We had a great time at the Lazy Turtle.......renting is the way to go! The villa is great.....plenty of room, great screened in porch, and your own pool with a view! We spent most of our days just hanging out at the villa and swimming in the pool. There is also a small trail (50 yds) at the back end of the property to get to the beach (but you can also walk on the road around the property). Very easy to get everywhere. I encourage any visitors to open a tab at Nisbet, for those times you want an easy meal or drink.....we did breakfast there every morning.....very relaxing! Laura, Jane and Marlon were all very helpful and made the trip a pleasure! We will be back!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers.

Great vacation

Guest: cotton clan (Cheshire CT)
Date of Stay: 04/16/11 Review Submitted: 05/21/11

My family and I had the pleasure of staYING AT THE lAZY TURTLE tHIS aPRIL 2011. wE LOVED IT. tHE BEDS WERE COMFORTABLE, AND THE KITCHEN HAD EVERYTHING WE NEEDED. tHE LOCASTION WAS PERFECT QUIET, BUT NOT FAR FROM ANYTHING. THE BEST PART WAS THE HUGE SCREENED PORCH. WE SPENT HOURS THERE READING SLEEPING IN THE HAMOCKS . i HAVE NOT BEEN THAT RELAXED IN YEARS!! mARLON WAS THE MAN. HE WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE EVERYTHING

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Heavenly Home in Nevis

Guest: Di (SC, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/05/11 Review Submitted: 03/27/11

If you are looking for a place to relax, look no further. The Lazy Turtle, with all the comforts of home, incorporates luxurious tropical views, private pool, easily accessible ocean, fencing of brightly colored foliage, hammocks inside & out, & a delightful gazebo for reading in the shade. In addition, Jane serves as the consummate hostess to answer any questions we might have about life on the island & to make suggestions about not-to-be-missed places. Being at the Lazy Turtle next door to Nisbet Plantation is a definite benefit as well. Since we were able to run a tab at NP, we enjoyed many afternoons at their ocean-front bar, ate delicious meals served 3 times daily, and participated in their delightful Thursday night BBQ. In short, we had the best of both worlds--the privacy of our house, pool, & yard & the socialization of an elegant plantation. Some days we opted for privacy & home-cooked meals; other days we enjoyed meeting interesting people from around the world. We have taken many trips to various areas of the world, including Hawaii, but nothing compares to Nevis' laid-back, restful vacation character. The wonderful, friendly people here make us anxious to return, & Jane's hospitality guarantees that we'll be staying at the Lazy Turtle.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Napping in Paradise!

Guest: Marlon (Gurnee, IL)
Date of Stay: 02/12/11 Review Submitted: 02/27/11

As a surprise for my wife, I looked for a vacation destination that offered a relaxing atmosphere, absent of the typical ‘spring break’ crowd, and the possibility of coming home more relaxed than frazzled from our vacation - the Lazy Turtle lived up to that expectation and more. While we, and most of our friends, had never heard of Nevis, the trip could not have been more perfect, and Lara (owner) was extremely helpful in answering my questions to relieve any 'pre-book' jitters; even found great airline pricing for me. Jane Paul (Owner of Coral Reef Villa ) was our host during our stay as she and her husband live on Nevis several months of the year. We appreciated her presence so much as it took the guess work out of our event planning. The pictures of Lazy Turtle on VRBO, while great, do not do the place justice. The owners have made every accommodation to ensure you have everything at your fingertips; including our recommendation #5 below. We very much enjoyed having a private pool available to cool off after a day out on the town. I didn’t expect the pool to be such a welcomed feature but it certainly became one. The climate is so perfect that air conditioning isn’t really necessary – we opened the large sliding doors to allow for the evening breeze, and sounds of the ocean waves, to permeate the home. The view from the screened porch is breathtaking, and the close proximity to the ocean is ideal. Our recommendations: 1) Rent a car for the duration of your visit. I considered only renting a few days as we planned to relax and read - glad we decided against that. Having a car at your disposal 24/7 is very useful. 2) Purchase groceries during your stay – eating out every meal is both time-consuming and expensive. 3) Plan for more than a 1 week visit; we stayed 12 nights and it was just about right (maybe 10 would be optimal but definitely not 7 – too short). 4) Make reservations in advance to reserve a spot during their ‘special event’ night (e.g. pig roast, beach BBQ, etc). 5) Prepare a picnic lunch for a visit to Lover’s Beach (large umbrella, ice chest, and folding chairs are available for use at the Lazy Turtle) – worth the time. 6) No need to exchange dollars or EC’s prior to your visit; both are welcomed and easily converted, if necessary, as well as most major credit cards. THANKS again Lara and Jane for the use of your beautiful home and all your hospitality.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, age 55+.