We have just returned from a dream vacation in S.t Cristopher (S.t Kitts) and on Nevis Island. We have sampled 5 days of pure bliss att Rawlins plantation. This is an old sugar plantation at the northernmost tip of S.t Kitts. It is quite a long drive from the airport but the present owner, miss Zai, continues to follow the tradition of the former owners, Paul and Claire Rawson, in that Your package rate includes an automobile! And a gorgeous breakfast and dinner, making this the best-priced package deal of the island! Good snorkeling beaches are a good drive away, but You can find the most beautiful and totally deserted beach north of Fig tree bay, a couple of miles to the south, and the famous lava sand beach of Dieppe bay, where the caribbean and the atlantic meet, a 15 minute drive to the north. There is a price to pay for solitude...Clearly, if You are looking for an all-activity beach hotel like the four seasons or any other 1000+ room complex Rawlins is not for You.Rawlins is a trip back in time, to the days of courteous service and relaxed living. It is most suitable for lovers, overworked doctors or people that just need to relax and unwind in the loveliest old-style surroundings. And chances are low that You will meet Your horrid cousin and her ten screaming children.

With just 10 rooms, Rawlins is able to retain the tangible air of exclusivity, without jacuzzis, CD-roms and DVD players. Actually, the rooms do not have TV, radio or phones. Daily magazines are NOT delivered either, so I missed the release of Michael Jackson with a few days. Big deal! I have not felt so relaxed in years!

The road up to the plantation through the fields of high sugarcane immediately puts You in the mood . There are no lights, a dirt track, and, after a few winding kilometres, the friendly lights of the mansion and the aroma of what must be the island´s best cooking greets You! And a lovely welcome from your courteous and refined host, miss Zai, owner of the establishment. Her caribbean style buffet lunch is also known across the island and not to miss. Generally, cooking here is more carib influenced than the other plantations, and delightfully so. Local produce is used whenever possible. Breakfast is gorgeous as well, with freshly made passion fruit juice as a delightful choice.Accommodation is in charming little cottages furnished in old english style. The landscaped garden is huge, there are hammocks and easychairs everywhere at inviting spots and miss Zai even grows most of the vegetables and spices used in the kitchen. There is a small but refreshing pool and a well-stocked library for rainy days and utter relaxation in the hammock as well as tennis courts and a croquet lawn. Air condition is being introduced into some of the cottages but the northern trade winds cool the cottages at night anyway.
The night is an experience by itself, alone with the stars and the sea. Since no other habitations are near the feeling is of utmost serenity. You may even wish to sleep out under a mosquito net!The view from the cottage (or the pool-or the restaurant )towards Statia and Saba as well as S.t Maarten is magical and the only neighbours You will ever meet are the first owners of the plantation who live "next door". One is a very accomplished artist and her collection is very well worth visiting. Her husband actually built the cottages himself some 40 years ago and his family has been on the island for 330 years! We found everyone we met here to be a joy to be near and share experiences with and left with nothing but new friends and happy memories. And with a wallet with less holes in it than at other plantations. I will not hesitate to warmly recommend Rawlins to people that appreciate what Rawlins stands for: charm, culture, comfort, compassion and- blessed peace and relaxation. If You get restless, Your car takes You all around the island in three hours. It was actually rather sad to meet at least three honeymoon couples staying in other unnamed large hotels who came out to Rawlins to visit and have lunch, and see the sadness in their eyes and hear-If only we had known...But do not spread the word to anyone. We do not want to spoil the magic of Rawlin´s.
Dr Stefan Rustscheff, SWEDEN

We stayed at Rawlins for a week in December 2004. This is a small property with cottages scattered around the grounds of an old sugar plantation. The cottages are each unique and each interesting; we stayed in Mountainside, which was perfect for us. The grounds are lovely--well maintained and beautifully planted without the ChemLawn feel one often gets at larger resorts. The food at Rawlins is a real treat and, since breakfast, tea, and dinner are included in the rates, this is important. Dinners are four courses plus an appetizer served at the bar before the main meal. Fresh vegetables and fruit are important ingredients in each meal. Service is continental, with lots of silverware and freshly ironed linen; both the dining room and dining veranda are incredibly beautiful and relaxing. Claire and Paul both go out of their way to be helpful but they are never intrusive. It wasn't until about two days after we arrived that I realized we had never "checked in." We were simply shown to our cottage and offered afternoon tea. How civilized. Our package included a rainforest walk and a three-day car rental. Both were a good idea, and our guide for the rainforest walk was both lovely and knowledgable. If you want people hovering over you, and if you want resident night life, this is not the place for you. If you want quiet, quality, and charm, Rawlins can't be beat. (By the way, we stopped by the Golden Lemon--it's in a dingy location and seemed poorly maintained; we also checked out Ottley's--it's lovely but the guests seemed a bit old and the staff seemed a bit disinterested.)

What do you get when you combine one of the most beautiful and peaceful places anywhere, well appointed rooms, excellent service, gracious hosts, and amazing food? You get Rawlins, the perfect antidote to the "real world." My wife and I just returned from our second week-long visit to Rawlins, and it was a good as our first visit last year. Indeed, we accompanied friends who have returned to Rawlins almost annually for a decade, so strong is the loyalty that Rawlins induces in its guests. And why not? The beautiful West Indian style rooms are perfectly suited to the climate (no AC, but who cares?), and reinforce owners Paul and Claire Rawson's emphasis on privacy and serenity--no TV, no phones, no interruptions. You can play tennis on the perfectly rolled grass tennis court, swim in the refreshing spring-fed pool, stroll the gardens, have a drink on the veranda while gazing out over the Caribbean, or do what most guest do: just relax. Best yet, Claire Rawson's nightly four-course dinner, with her strong emphasis on local produce and seafood, is the stuff of memories.

Rawlins isn't for those who want the typical and predictable all-inclusive resort (no TV, remember?), or for those who want to go on the cheap. Paradise isn't inexpensive, but you won't regret it. We're already counting the days until our next stay.