Vacation Rentals by Owner

It's all true!

Guest: Peter (United States)
Date of Stay: 02/25/12 Review Submitted: 03/19/12

We had read all the highly favorable comments prior to this, our first, trip to Nevis in February 2012 and we were just a tad skeptical that the experience could be as good as the descriptions. I won't repeat all the details of the prior descriptions...only to say that they are all accurate, and then some. Nothing could prepare us the the wonderful sounds of the ocean and the trade winds and the sheer beauty of the property and the island. The four of us from Connecticut hiked, ran, and cycled and, of course, lounged by the pool. Then two of us spent a week in the Conch Shell Cottage, which is small (but seemed bigger with each day we were there). For mountain and road bike enthusiasts, the Wheel World shop at nearby Oualie Beach is well equipped with a very knowledgeable and helpful owner, Winston. Highly recommended. The car rental through Marlon went without a hitch, and his tour of the island is a terrific orientation. Favorite meals (other than eating "at home" in the villa: the Thursday grill buffet at Nisbet, next door, Neve restaurant at the Four Seasons, and the Golden Rock restaurant, a mystical place that seems like Shangrila. As noted in other testimonials, Jane and Ron are wonderful hosts who did everything they could to make our stay enjoyable. It's a very beautiful, restorative place. Some advice though: selections of foods and wines aren't the greatest in the island stores (although the restaurants have gourmet choices). For instance, if you're an artisanal cheese lover, you'll adapt to Kraft Cracker Barrel by necessity. If you're into high-end Euro or California wines, you'll get used to the lower-end Chilean wines that are available, which are decent and inexpensive. Many other items are of limited selection too, but it was good to get to know the local shopping cultures. Last bot not least, the people of Nevis are very warm and gentle...really lovely people. Peter and Laura, March 2012

Recommended for:

Nevis Paradise

Guest: Peg & Frank (Natick, MA)
Date of Stay: 11/05/11 Review Submitted: 11/18/11

November 17, 2011 This was something of a novel experience for us.. Peg had been to other Caribbean Islands. Frank had rented villas in Italy. Neither of us had ever heard of Nevis. We chose Coral Reef Villa because it sounded so nice and looked enticing on the Internet. We read the glowing testimonials but we were still skeptical. It seemed too good to be true. Rather than being too good, it was even better. And to our total satisfaction it was all true. This place was , in fact, so much lovlier and more charming than the website suggested _ from its expansive design, the comfortable, well-appointed furnishings; the lush tropical gardens and ,of course, the breathtaking sea views. The most difficult choices during our two-week stay was whether to relax on the lanei, lounge around the pool or wander onto the beach, which we discovered after much exploration, is one of the nicest on the entire island.. We started dining out but soon decided it was even more pleasant to cook our meals in the well-equipped kitchen and enjoy this wonderful villa even more. We were also a little reluctant about having a full-time housekeeper and gardener and wondered at the outset whether they might be too intrusive. It didn't take very long for us to look forward to daily visits with Jeanette, who was a warm, friendly presence, sharing the latest news, chatting about her life and thankfully relieving us of all those day-to-day chores that we were eager to get away fron in the first place. We didn't get to talk much with Henry but we loved watching him carefully tending to the lawns and gardens. And we could not have hoped for a more gracious and helpful hostess than Jane. Even from a distance, calling several times from her home in Pennsylvania, she made sure we were comfortable, sharing information about her family and her experiences on Nevis like an old friend,offering suggestions for activities and restaurants, arranging a free tour with Marlon and alerting us to an opportunity to share the water taxi with another couple on the way back to the airport. Her thoughtful gift of transportation from the airport exit in St. Ktts to the very door of Coral Reef, saved us much anxiety and made us feel welcome. Thank you Jane and Jeanette and Marlon and Henry and Bonnie. You made us feel like privileged guests embraced by a warm family generously sharing a truly wonderful world. We're already plotting our return. Peg & Frank

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Coral Reef a perfect retreat

Guest: Struan M.
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/16/11

Coral Reef Villa is everything the reviews make it out to be. The villa is relaxing, private, secluded and spacious – but not so isolated as to make you feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere. Nevis is a quiet, relaxed island and Coral Reef is a quiet, relaxed place to stay. While there is no air conditioning, the fans and natural breeze keep the place cool and we spent the majority of our time in the spacious porch which is behind mosquito screens meaning the view of the pool, garden and beach is unhindered but you don’t get bitten by the critters. The two hammocks on the porch are great for mid-afternoon snoozing and the good-sized pool fantastic for splashing into to cool off in the hot weather. The villa is a short 5min walk away from the upscale Nisbet Plantation, which is very welcoming and serves up fantastic meals and cocktails. The Nisbet chalets are just the other side of the Coral Reef access road, which leads directly to the picture perfect beach. Also 5mins walk away is the Nisbet Beach Bar which serves good, informal lunches and opens late on Thursdays with a great atmosphere. Additionally, the local dogs are friendly and well-mannered – they’ll keep their distance if you’re not interested but are well worth befriending and will reward you by keeping a loyal eye on the property! We hired a car for the week and I would thoroughly recommend doing so, which Jane can set up for you. The whole island can be driven round inside of 45minutes and there are a ton of nice places to stop off for lunch and a sunbathe/ snorkel – Double Deuce at Pinney’s Beach and Oualie Beach are particularly recommended, with Golden Rock Plantation a great bet for a nice dinner. Jane sends out a ton of information about places to go and things to see and will facilitate any adventure you wish to take on, such as hiking up to Nevis Peak. Overall, Coral Reef Villa is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway. Jane was not in the country during our visit but called to check all was okay and we were well looked after by the caretaker. Highest possible recommendation.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Laid-back luxury

Guest: Buck (Georgia)
Date of Stay: 04/02/11 Review Submitted: 04/12/11

Just returned from our Nevis vacation last week. Coral Reef cottage is about as relaxing as you can get. Jane and Ron have tried to think of everything and it shows, what great hosts. It has a well-appointed kitchen and BBQ grill for cooking in. Both bedrooms are en suite so it's perfect for two couples or a couple with kids. The pool with floats is refreshing any time of day. Most of our time relaxing at the house was either in the pool or on the fantastic porch. The beach is just a short stroll down the hill and there are beach chairs at the cottage. The water is fairly shallow up to about a quarter mile out where the main reef is. Snorkeling is just ok unless you swim past the breakers to the main reef. Its a daunting task, but I did it twice with a snorkeling vest. I was rewarded with gobs of reef fish and even swam with a large eagle ray each time. More leisurely is a stroll down the beach away from Nisbet. You can walk about a mile and a half and see very few people. If your in the mood to see folks, head next door to the Nisbet beach club for some fun. We run our credit card there at the beginning of the week and just charge to our account. No carrying wallets or money that way. Venturing out is very easy if you rent a car from Marlon, about $340/week. The island is small and very simple to navigate. Oualie Beach has lots of activities including bike and boat rentals, dive shop, etc. We did a two tank dive for about $125 including BC/regulator rental. Nevis is very laid back and quiet. Not a big night life scene so if you're looking to party go some place else. We did do Karaoke at Chevy's one night and had a lot of fun with the locals. Other great nights included eating at Gallipot and a fantastic 5-course meal at Montpelier plantation. Lunches included the wonderful conch chowder and lobster sandwich at Golden Rock, and laid back lobster and drinks at beach bars including Sunshine's and Double Deuce. I'll avoid eating at Coconut grove next time. Great wine list but overpriced and the quality of the cooking was amateurish. A nice atmosphere but not worth the money. One good tip. Stores only sell beer by the singles for about $2 apiece. Avoid that. Go to the beverage depot and buy it by the case and it comes to around 80 cents. Overall, our stay at Coral Reef was just what we wanted. A very private and relaxing get away without the distractions and noise of a resort. Your own tropical beach with things to do or doing nothing at all.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best Vacation Ever!

Guest: Joyce (York, PA)
Date of Stay: 01/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/04/11

From the time we were met at St. Kitts by the water taxi until the return voyage every single aspect of the vacation was everything one could wish for! This was truly the vacation of a life time! Jane and Ron are the best hosts and the accomodations are the best. Visits to all the historic sites were beyond expectations. The sugar plantations are a must on your trip. You will never experience such history as this island has to offer. The natives are so welcoming and you find yourself yearning to know them better. I find myself yearning to return to an opportunity to connect with them even more. You just can't imagine the beauty of waking up in the morning to having coffee on the screened in porch overlooking the ocean! A walk on the beach is also an enlightening experience! This is a lesson in ecology 101 and Jane is the best teacher!! She is truly a steward of this earth! If you are looking for a vacation away from it all and relaxation in the lap of luxury, this is the place. Not the commercialism of a big resort but a very private place where you can experience the true beauty of this island and it's wonderful history. Don't miss the vacation of a lifetime! I am longing to return.

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

A Perfect Vacation!!

Guest: Tiffany (US)
Date of Stay: 01/02/11 Review Submitted: 01/15/11

The Coral Reef Villa was everything described and MORE! Starting from our arrival in St.Kitts to the immaculate home and grounds, it was beautiful and perfect! Jane and Ron did everything to ensure that we had a great time and had everything we needed. The view of the ocean from the screened in porch is breathtaking and the pool only steps away. Everyone we came in contact with was polite and helpful. The best part was Jane showed us where to snorkel and we had so much fun exploring around the rocks and reefs! We also took a long beach walk and learned even more about the island's fascinating history (this was nothing like Maryland's commercialized beaches). I should also mention we loved all the ruins, historic churches and learning about Nevis and its people. Every restaurant provided excellent food and service and best of all no chain restaurants or waiting in lines. It was refreshing to be somewhere where the pace was slower and not full of tourists. The Pauls took great care of us and provided everything we needed at the Coral Reef Villa. It's obvious they care about their guests. Again, it was spotless and the grounds extremely well kept. I can't think of anything that wasn't perfect and I would definitely recommend this gorgeous property to everyone! Thank you again for a wonderful vacation!!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

two weeks in paradise/zwei Wochen im Paradies

Guest: gaby (Vienna, Austria)
Date of Stay: 10/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/23/10

We spent two unforgettable wonderful weeks in Coral Reef Villa! Everything was perfect in this beautiful house situated in the midst of a lovely tropical garden! We enjoyed listening to the sounds of nature, watching the birds and monkeys, the great view to the sea and the pleasant tropical breezes while relaxing on the terrace or at the pool! Jane was taking care of us all the time and we really felt like in paradise! We are sure that we found the best place for our holidays in Nevis! Thanks, Gaby & Hugo

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Great for R & R

Guest: Doreen & Andy (Massachusetts) (U.S.A)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/30/10

This is a great place to get away from it all! We went for our honeymoon. Having the pool right outside the BEAUTIFUL screened in porch was a plus! The villa was very clean. It looks like the photos online. The walk to the beach is minimal. We had breakfast and lunch at the Nisbet next door and it was great!! Staff was very pleasant and helpful. When we arrived, it was right after 4 days of rain on the island. The roads had a lot of damage and trees were down. They were being fixed the week we were there. A lot of restaurants were just opening up for the season when we got there. The Golden Rock Inn was awesome...excellent conch chowder. The Gallipot was a great meal. Food was fresh everywhere we went and the people were great! Definitely need a car. Marlon Brando was excellent! He met us when we came in at the beach, drove us to the villa, got us the rental car and answered all of our concerns and questions. It helped having Jeanette come in every day. We didn't get to see much of her because we were out most of the times she cleaned the place. Jane, the owner, was wonderful to deal with and supplied us with great information about the islands and resources. She didn't leave a stone unturned! Everything fell into place, as she said, and our vacation was absolutely wonderful! We hope to go back, again, some day.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Great porch and pool

Guest: Morten (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Date of Stay: 07/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/29/10

The Coral Reef Villa is a very nice place if you want to stay in a quiet place. Nevis is not an island with a lot happening. Everything is done in a slow pace, so if you want to relax, this a great place to go. The villa itself is very nice and with a personal touch. Here is everything you need. But the greatest asset is the porch and the pool area. We spent most of the time here. The porch is covered with mosquito net, so you can sit outside in the evening without getting bit by those nasty insects. The wind and the fans make it very pleasant. The private pool is huge (not just a plunge pool) and very clean. There are deck chairs as well. From here you can enjoy the garden and the view of the ocean. The owner is very nice and she really doing everything to make your stay as good as possible. She has even provided us with a baby cot and a high chair for our daughter. There is a small supermarket nearby (in walking distance), but if you need more than the basics, you have to go to Charlestown. You can either rent a car or use the local bus. We did the last, and it was very easy. The Coral Reef Villa is very recommendable.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

What a stay in Nevis! First time but will be back!

Guest: Steve H. (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida USA)
Date of Stay: 07/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/20/10

My wife and kids (ages 12 & 11) spent a week in Nevis staying at Coral Reef. We preceded this stay with 5 nights on sister island St. Kitts. In a nutshell, the trip was awesome and Nevis is the kind of place we could visit for the rest of our lives. Coral Reef made the visit special. The villa is perfectly located next to Nisbet Beach Plantation Resort and close to ample dining options and activities (get a car). It is extremely well furnished and appointed and is as clean as any vactions property could be. We felt right at home from the very first day. While on-island we did many things. This includes: Scuba diving (twice) with Scuba Safaris Self guided hike from Golden Rock up to the "source" (several hours) Horseback riding on the beach Golf at 4 seasons Beach time My daughter took sailing lessons with the "Yacht Club" Spa Time at Compassionate Touch (up the hill from the police station) Touring the island and shopping in Charlestown We had great food at: Double Deuce Pizza Beach Nisbet (date night at the great house and bbq on the beach) Golden Rock Gallipot Oualie Beach Lime Sunshine's The villa is cleaned daily and offers everything you need to cook (we made breakfast almost every day). Best of all, the front porch and pool, where we would "hang out" and listen to music. We loved it! We look forward to future visits to Nevis and Coral Reef.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Little Slice of Paradise

Guest: Jim and Beth (Atlanta, GA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/22/10 Review Submitted: 06/19/10

We highly recommend Nevis and Coral Reef Villa to anyone who is looking for a bit of peaceful paradise away from the hustle and bustle of the bars and casinos that dominate so many other locations. We miss Nevis and since our departure we have replayed special memories from our week there over and over. Re-entry into the "real world" has definitely been met with resistance as we linger a bit longer in Nevis in our minds. We have rented a number of private residences in the states and in the Caribbean islands over the years but have never experienced the kind of personal touch that has been the hallmark of our trip to Coral Reef Villa. We read every entry in the villa’s guest book and the theme is consistently positive and reiterates our observation of the detail that is so reflective of the care and dedication Jane and Ron Paul have given the villa, the guests, and to the welfare of the island. We found that Nevis offered many natural "nuggets" of diversity to guests that exceed many of the other islands we have visited. We love the remote, peaceful, natural beauty that Nevis and Coral Reef offer and we hope that all Nevisians will continue to overcome the temptation to increase tourism with the Sandals-type resorts, condos, strips of beach bars and karaoke bars, cruise ship shopping, "booze cruises", etc. We hope they will resist the lure of becoming a "one-size-fits-all" vacation destination and set themselves apart and promote themselves as a very natural, unspoiled spot for those who love to do nothing other than relax and enjoy nature’s beauty. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for sharing your generous hospitality, lovely villa, and tips to enjoy this little slice of paradise.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Best of Nevis

Guest: bystox7 (Bethalto, Il. USA)
Date of Stay: 04/02/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

Nevis and the Paul's hospitality make Coral Reef one of the best carribean destinations we have experienced. The island is a tropical paradise, unspoiled and underdeveloped (by design, nothing over 2 stories allowed) with the blue water, beautiful beaches and a rainforest and mountain peak to tackle. The Paul's spare little providing their guests with a memorable travel experience from the airport, transfers, and assistance getting to know Nevis and her pleasures. We will certainly return to Nevis and to Coral Reef!

Recommended for:

Our Favorite Caribbean Island & Villa

Guest: Dana C. (Huntington, MA USA)
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 05/09/10

This was our second trip to Nevis having visited in 2008. We came back for many reasons. This island is beautiful, lush, laid back, friendly and the weather simply perfect. Coral Reef Villa was perfect for us (two couples in their 40's) because of the set up with two large bedrooms with their own baths and the huge screened in porch with lots of comfortable seating. The pool, just steps outside the porch door was a popular spot all week. The location next to the Nisbet Plantation was private, yet we were able to enjoy dinner and breakfast just steps away without driving. We brought our beach chairs down to the water to 'wallow' in the ocean each early evening with some great local beer. The men enjoyed snorkeling off our beach and saw a good variety of fish off the man-made reefs off Nisbet. This is the place for you if you want a really relaxing vacation. It is not touristy and there is not a lot going on. If you are big into night life, go to Aruba instead. You can find amazing dining, but it does not come cheap. Some of the restaurants we love are Lime (new place next to Sunshines), Nisbet (we went to the seafood barbecue, formal dinner and breakfast - all were great), and the Galleypot. We bought some liquor at the duty free in the airport to bring with us. We shopped locally at Best Buy in Gingerland for breakfast and lunch items. The selection here was very good. We rented our car from Marlon 'Brando' for the second time and he is the best! Jane and Ron were gracious hosts. They arranged and paid for our pick up, taxi and water taxi both to/from the St. Kitts airport. This was easy and went off without a hitch. They made sure we had everything we needed for our stay and even gave each couple a beautiful book to take home to remember our stay in Nevis. We can't wait to come back and only wish we could never leave!

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Susan193 (Ottawa, Ontario)
Date of Stay: 01/31/10 Review Submitted: 01/31/10

Coral Reef is the perfect spot for a relaxed vacation. It is close to the beach; the pool was much better than we imagined and we spent many hours in it; the beach is long and sandy; the kitchen well-equipped for the times you feel like eating in; and the very good restaurants of the Nisbet Plantation Inn a very short walk away when you want to eat out. We have stayed in many places throughout the Caribbean, and Coral Reef had a very big advantage for us – the huge screened porch. Bugs of all sorts usually devour my husband, so in most other villas we have had to shut up all the doors and windows at sundown, which meant we could never fully enjoy the evenings. The flying creatures of the biting variety were not bad in Nevis to begin with, at least not in early (and very windy) December when we visited, but the large screened porch of Coral Reef meant we could sit out at all times of day and night. It made the place for us. Given that we usually pack work with us, the reliability of the WIFI was a bonus. Jane and Ron were wonderful hosts, helpful in every way but mindful of privacy as well. A car is highly recommended. We especially enjoyed the Golden Rock for lunches (and the monkeys) and since the Four Seasons was still closed, we could swim at Pinney’s beach with no one else in sight. Our pleasant surprise was the spa next door at the Nisbet Plantation which is not large (and thankfully not fussy) but the treatments and service were excellent, and it is literally a two minute walk from Coral Reef. A great vacation and we will certainly return.

Recommended for:

Guest: Karin Patriquin (-)
Date of Stay: 12/09/09 Review Submitted: 12/09/09

This little piece of paradise is located on a beautiful beach, near the excellent beach restaurant at Nisbet and on a particularly peaceful part of the island. The property is expertly landscaped, with giant flowers welcoming you back from your leisurely walk along the beach, or your ride to a local restaurant. The villa is beautifully laid out with a bedroom suite on each side of the living spaces – well equipped kitchen, living & dining room and large screened porch. The owner has extensive information about the island, is extremely helpful with recommendations for restaurants and activities. Highlights for us were a morning hike in the virgin rainforest, lunches at Nisbet restaurants right next door, long walks along the beach. Our favorite restaurants are: Gallipot, Bananas, Sunshines, Nisbet’s Great House.These have been very relaxing vacations in a beautiful locale, run by very organized and very helpful owners. We will be back!

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Everything We Wanted

Guest: SteveOR (St. Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 09/29/09 Review Submitted: 10/07/09

My wife and I recently took our first trip to Nevis, our Honeymoon! We couldn't have found a better place to stay on the island than Coral Reef Villa and not a better host than Jane Paul and friends to help us be as welcome as possible. Everything provided for us was just what we needed to fully relax after the 'rigors' of wedding day. The house was huge and more than enough room for two people. My favorite activity (or lack thereof) was my afternoon naps in the hammocks...fantastic Caribbean breezes gently blowing into the front porch were perfect. The house is private and very quiet, but close enough to area restaurants and conveniences. I do recommend renting a car to get around, but with Jane's connections that is done with the greatest of ease. My wife and I both felt that we lucked out in finding this villa as we strongly believe that it has got to be one of the best accommodations on the island!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Reflections of Coral Reef Villa

Guest: Prince Charles (Norwich UK)
Date of Stay: 04/25/09 Review Submitted: 05/15/09

Our stay (2 couples) at this Villa was for 7 nights during late April 2009 and exceeded our expectations. We were picked up on arrival at the Airport for our short journey to the Villa where we were met by the owners representative. This is a beautifully maintained Villa in a glorious location. It is a large spacious open planned property with great views down to the Ocean which is no more than 200 yards away. The large gardens were delightful and contained colourful flowers that attracted more Hummingbirds than I have seen on any previous trip to the Caribbean. The Maid service was excellent. Prior to the trip, the owner had provided me with details of recommended restaurants, beaches and various tips and contacts for an enjoyable stay. These proved to be very useful particularly as we dined out every evening I am a fussy traveller and it is not often that I find somewhere that ticks all of the boxes. This is it. A terrific Villa close to a beautiful beach on a truly unspoilt island with a wonderful culture and charming people. I fully intend to return to Nevis in the future and would not consider looking elsewhere for accommodation. Next time however, I think it will have to be for 2 weeks!! Tony (Norwich UK)

Owner response:We appreciate another wonderful review but did want to say that our family owns four acres directly on the ocean so the short walk from Coral Reef Villa to our white coral sand beach is over our private property and on the way you will see magnificent flowering shrubs and bushes, many varieties of palms with their fronds swaying with the trade wind breezes and the mesmerizing view of the waves breaking over the nearby reefs. Each time the white curl on top of the waves is slightly different, so it's easy to want to just sit in a beach chair near the ocean and watch waves, sea birds such as pelicans, frigate birds and sand pipers and the magnificent view of St Kitts in the distance.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Guest: rhondoph
Date of Stay: 02/04/09 Review Submitted: 02/03/09

Excellent accomdation, wonderful vacation Date of Stay: April 2008 WOW, what a fantastic time we had at Coral Reef. From the pool, to the screened in veranda, to the well set up kitchen, we had the best of everything. What really made our vacation memorable was the people on Nevis. Warm, kind, and trusting come to mind. Everywhere we went people were so kind. We loved driving around waiting for goats to walk across the road. Nobody in a big hurry. The beach front was very private, quiet and you can walk along the shoreline for miles, and the snorkelling was amazing. We will come back, hopefully for many years to come. My wife and myself have found a very special place and would not change a thing. Thanks Jane and Ron for sharing the Coral Reef with us. Also Jeannette the daily maid service and Henry the groundskeeper what wonderful people. Recommended for: Romantic Getaway Owners Response: Thanks so much for the wonderful review. When you return again in April you will be able to enjoy two new snorkeling areas nearby and some fabulous ruins that we hadn't explored before. I found quite a few 300 or more year old broken clay pipes, with some pipe bowls in good shape with the makers initials on them, at one of the many very old forts on the island. We explored early indian sites with an archeologist from the USA and a Clemson trained biologist and found pottery shards dating back to the time of Christ. Probably the indians came from the Orinoco River in Venezuela and were descended from stone age people. Their polishing stones are lovely.

Recommended for:

Guest: Sneeze
Date of Stay: 01/02/09 Review Submitted: 01/01/09

GUEST COMMENTS: Honeymoon bliss! Date Submitted: January 02, 2009 Date of Stay: December 2008 We used the one bedroom option of this luxurious home for our honeymoon. We felt like royalty. The screened front room is enormous and spent many hours in the hammocks. You are a few minutes walk from the beach; the pool is a perfect alternative. The well-appointed kitchen serves all your needs, and the neighbouring Nisbet Plantation is steps away if you don't feel like cooking. We had a great week at Coral Reef and couldn't have asked for anything more. Recommended for: Adventure Seekers, Romantic Getaway

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Honeymoon bliss!

Guest: Sneeze (Montreal)
Date of Stay: 12/14/08 Review Submitted: 01/02/09

We used the one bedroom option of this luxurious home for our honeymoon. We felt like royalty. The screened front room is enormous and spent many hours in the hammocks. You are a few minutes walk from the beach; the pool is a perfect alternative. The well-appointed kitchen serves all your needs, and the neighbouring Nisbet Plantation is steps away if you don't feel like cooking. We had a great week at Coral Reef and couldn't have asked for anything more.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Perfect Honeymoon Spot

Guest: AKCM (Baltimore, MD)
Date of Stay: 11/15/08 Review Submitted: 12/08/08

The description of the Coral Reef Villa did not do it justice. The place is huge, and it was so great to have the room to spread out and have such a comfortable home base - a place we actually enjoyed being so you don't feel like it's just a place to sleep and you want to be out and about all the time. The location was, in my opinion, the best on the island. There are not many places you can stay that are walking distance to anything, and you have Nisbet Plantation Resort right next door. We ate lunch there several times, as well as dinner once. You definitely need to rent a car. The owner hooks you up with everything you could need - a ride from the airport or ferry, and he will also arrange a rental car for you; the property is cleaned every day and she will come at a time you select; there are amentities such as beach towels, bath towels, clean and comfortable bedding, beach chairs, lounge chairs at the pool, dishes and glassware, DVDs, cable TV, board games, etc. I would 110% recommend this property to anyone. You aren't directly on the beach, but you do have a beach and water view from the front porch. The beach is a short walk down the lane. We enjoyed many fabulous restaurants - some favorites: Miss June's, Sunshine's, Gallipot, Pizza Beach. If you are a wine lover, bring your own from home. There aren't too many really good wines on the island, and what's there is EXPENSIVE as it is all imported. Wine that is $6 a bottle in the US was $30 a bottle in the store; wine on the menu was even more jacked up. Anyway, the villa was perfect if you like to chill out at your place and not be on the go all the time. My husband and I loved drinking coffee in the mornings on the porch. It was the perfect honeymoon spot, away from it all but close enough to other spots if you needed to eat or drink something!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We'll be back!

Guest: LAMR (Eastern Townships, Quebec, Canada)
Date of Stay: 06/12/08 Review Submitted: 12/24/08

Our stay at Coral Reef Villa certainly exceeded all expectations. The house is certainly ample in size, but the majestic and spacious enclosed though open front verandah took our breath away with its grandeur and its immediate access to the pool. The grounds are indeed beautifully kept, and the view of the ocean with tall swaying palms in the foreground helped us recover from the all too busy world we left behind for a while. We agree totally with the other review currently on this site (AKCM Baltimore) though we should point out that, generally speaking, wine prices, like everything else, are in local funds. I’ll bet that price quoted for a $30 bottle of wine should have been divided by 2.7! For those who do not like to drive on the left side of the road I should point out that having the steering wheel on the right helps with the transition. We spent our first week ‘on foot’ and were able to walk to a local, though not terribly well stocked ‘super market’ and took a very occasional taxi – a much safer and more reliable means of transport after certain local drinks! Car access is certainly desirable, whether rented or taxi, for unhurried exploration of all this island with it's colourful history has to offer. And of course, the Nisbit Plantation Inn resort just next door, though not at all “in your face”, offers everything from dinners to daiquiris and deckchairs. Our favorite excursion? A walk through the unspoiled rain-forest expertly guided by local botanist Jim Johnson. A big thank you to our hosts!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Gem of a Villa

Guest: Andrea T. (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Date of Stay: 06/07/08 Review Submitted: 12/28/08

We came for our 40th wedding anniversary and had a fabulous time. Sunbathing on floats in the pool was usually the big activity of the day. The pool is warm, so it's great for swimming at night too when the sky is full of stars. We enjoyed mangos every morning for breakfast from the trees on the property. They were wonderfully juicy and delicious -- not like the unripe ones you buy in the store. We did stir ourselves a few times to leave for lunch. I'd recommend Montpelier Plantation, lobster salad sandwiches at Golden Rock, and jerk chicken sandwiches at Chevy's. We often grilled fish on the BBQ on the back patio for dinner and then ate on the spacious screen porch at the front of the villa. Jane, we really loved the house and lovely flower gardens and certainly plan to return to your special place.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway.

Quiet and Private

Guest: Andrea T. (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Date of Stay: 06/07/08 Review Submitted: 06/17/08

This is the best home we have ever rented. Very clean and full of comfortable furniture. The kitchen has all the appliances you need, except a large knife for some reason. It is well-located for exploring the island, for which you will need a car. The private swimming pool is warm, which means you can enjoy it at any hour. The beach is about 100 yards distant and is nothing special; snorkeling is poor. Stick to the pool. We'll be back!

Owner response: Thank you so much for your outstanding review of CORAL REEF VILLA. However, we are puzzled by the comments on the snorkeling since we have had so many excellent reports for a number of years from renters.We aren't surprised when beginners are excited about their new adventures but even experienced snorkelers have told us about seeing new fish or squid or turtles etc. for the first time. A college biology professor, who is an expert on sea life of the Caribbean, said that our beach and nearby reefs are unique since they are free from pollution. Most guests feel that our beach is very special because they can enjoy a feeling of privacy there, perhaps while sitting in a beach chair on the white coral sand watching the waves break on the reefs,or maybe a distant sailboat or frigate birds and pelicans, and always the magnificent view of the island of St Kitts in the distance.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Excellent accomdation, wonderful vacation

Guest: rhondoph (Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/26/08 Review Submitted: 02/04/09

WOW, what a fantastic time we had at Coral Reef. From the pool, to the screened in veranda, to the well set up kitchen, we had the best of everything. What really made our vacation memorable was the people on Nevis. Warm, kind, and trusting come to mind. Everywhere we went people were so kind. We loved driving around waiting for goats to walk across the road. Nobody in a big hurry. The beachfront was very private, quiet and you can walk along the shoreline for miles, and the snorkelling was amazing. We will come back, hopefully for many years to come. My wife and myself have found a very special place and would not change a thing. Thanks Jane and Ron for sharing the Coral Reef with us. Also Jeannette the daily maid service and Henry the groundskeeper what wonderful people.

Owner response:Thanks so much for the wonderful review. When you return again in April you will be able to enjoy two new snorkeling areas nearby and some fabulous ruins that we hadn't explored before. I found quite a few 300 or more year old broken clay pipes, with some pipe bowls in good shape with the makers initials on them, at one of the many very old forts on the island. We explored early indian sites with an archeologist from the USA and a Clemson trained biologist and found pottery shards dating back to the time of Christ. Probably the indians came from the Orinoco River in Venezuela and were descended from stone age people. Their polishing stones are lovely.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Our Vacation / Honeymoon

Guest: PA7607 (Lewisburg, PA/USA)
Date of Stay: 07/01/07 Review Submitted: 12/19/07

Coral Reef Villa is the ideal property to rent for all and everything. It is located in a safe, picturesque" area of Nevis. The property is all you could imagine. Clean, comfortably furnished and with all amenities you could want or need. The beach is very close (short walking distance) to the property and is breath taking. Having a pool in the front yard is perfect with children and very relaxing. The actual property of Coral Reef Villa and surrounding property is beautiful, what else can you say. Being located so close to Nisbet plantation and being able to dine on the beach is just an added bonus. The information / tips about the island, attractions and shopping you receive from the owners makes your stay easy and stress free. When we return to Nevis, and we will return, we will definitely rent this Villa again if available.

Owner response:Thank you so much, We greatly appreciate your comments.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Nevesian Paradise

Guest: bentley6 (Baltimore)
Date of Stay: 10/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/05/06

One often expects less than the photos on a website but in the case of Coral Reef Villa, they don't begin to do it justice. We could never again imagine staying in a claustrophic hotel room when we enjoyed a spacious, well appointed home in the perfect location. Imagine sitting on an immense screened lanai with the only thing between you and the ocean being a private pool and lush landscaping. It took willpower to pull one's self away form the sound of the waves and the ocean breezes to enjoy the many things this little island has to offer. The gourmet kitchen offers you the opportunity to cook if you desire and the convenient, yet secluded location, allows you easy access to many of the islands most popular destinations. Perhaps the best thing about Coral Reef was the attention of it's owner and her staff. From offering creative tips on how to best enjoy Nevis to helping us locate lost luggage, we could not have asked for a better host. When our travel plans bring us back to Nevis, there is not question to where we plan to stay.

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