Sandy Point City Visitor’s Guide

Outside of the capital, Basseterre, Sandy Point is the most populous city on the Island. Located on the Northwest edge of the Island, Sandy Point Town has a rich tradition dating back to English exploration in the 17th century.

Originally founded by British explorer Sir Thomas Warner in the 1620s, Sandy Point emerged as a prominent trade and destination port for European exchange. The Dutch and British both developed extensive commercial properties on the Island. Although much of the Island’s commercial activity shifted to the capital Basseterre over the course of the following centuries, Sandy Point retains its manufacturing prowess, specializing in aeronautical products, and remains an active destination for business and leisure travelers.

The town is home to the Brimstone Hill Fortress, which guarded the Island as part of the British Empire, and today stands as a National Historical Park and monument. In fact, Brimstone Hill has been designated a World Heritage Landmark (UNESCO). Surrounding towns include a number of peaceful inns and cultural spots such as Newton Ground, which are ideal for visitors to take in local culture. The recently developed La Vallee Golf Course is among the region’s most impressive golf courses and resorts, as well. In the town, visitors can enjoy local cuisine and hear native music, making for a relaxing, entertaining night life.

Flights to Saint Kitts Airports

As the Islands have become more popular tourist destinations, there are a growing number of inbound and outbound flights to and from major airports. There are two major international airports on the islands:

Amory Airport

Located in Charleston, Nevis, the Amory Airport was restructured in 2002, and features region flights from American Airlines in San Juan, from Liat in Antigua and From Winair in Saint Maarten. With just one runway, the Airport also provides cargo services, and provides intra-island flights.

Bradshaw International Airport

The most prominent airport in the country, Bradshaw International is located in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, and features a number of international flights. Recently renovated to offer a full six runways, the Airport offers international flights from American, Delta and US Airways as well as European carrier British Airways. A number of charter and regional flights also come into Bradshaw, which is the primary international arrival point for visitors.

Luxury Hotels on Saint Kitts and Nevis Islands

Visitors to Saint Kitts and Nevis will find a number of modern, fully featured hotels ranging from resorts to local bed and breakfast. As the islands have developed over recent decades, the quality and quantity of local accommodations has vastly improved. We profile some of the finer hotels on the islands:

Marriott Royal Beach Resort
A luxury, four star Resort, Spa and Casino, Marriot on St. Kitts Island is among the finest accommodations in the region. Set along the beach, guest scan enjoy miles of private beach front, as well as several pools and spa amenities. There is even upscale dining right along the beach, as well as an upscale, full service casino. The room provide exquisite ocean views, as well as fine interiors.

Ottley’s Inn
A private, upscale hotel on a 35 acre hillside campus, Ottley’s has several rooms ranging from Royal Suite Cottages to standard rooms. Each room is well appointed with ocean views and luxurious interiors. The Inn also features a five star Royal Palm restaurant, as well as a natural pool and tropical gardens.

Rock Haven Bed and Breakfast
Situated on a Caribbean home, Rock Haven is a nice change of pace from larger resort hotels. Providing gourmet breakfast daily, along with complete guest services, the Bed and Breakfast is conveniently located near Port Zante for shopping and beach excursions.

Vacations in the The Capital of Basseterre

As the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre is a historic city with strong French influences. The city formally came into existence in 1627 as a French colony, and the city served as a hub for French governance throughout the West Indies. Over the centuries, the city has endured colonial conflict and natural disasters, yet retains a large number of original buildings from its colonial era. The historic nature of the city, along with its natural wonders, makes it an ideal vacation destination.

Located on the Basseterre Bay on St. Kitts, the city features lush mountains, such as the Olivee Mountains, as well as impressive vistas and natural life. The city’s name means “low lands” in French, and reflects the valley in which much of the city’s buildings are situated. Visitors to the city will find the city retains its historic layout, with major, narrow streets connecting the town centers of Circus and Independence Squares. At the center of the city are historic cathedrals and government buildings. Although limited in size, Basseterre has hosted Cricket Cup events, as well as several major ports and medical schools ranging from Windsor University to the Ross School of Veterinary Medicine.

Transportation in Basseterre

International visitors can fly into the city from the Robert Bradshaw International Airport, which features direct flights from major US and European cities, including Miami, Florida and London, England. During peak vacation seasons, a number of regional airports also fly directly into the city. For visitors who have arrived in the city, there are a number of bus routes and taxi cabs to help navigate the city, along with a Railway train which crosses the city.

City Landmarks

The main center of the city are Independence Square. As the commercial center of the city, Independence is home to a number of historic buildings, local merchants as well as tours of the city’s history. The city also has a rich religious, Anglican tradition as embodied in St. George’s Church, which dates back to 1710, and has been re-built several times to restore its structure, and serves as a prominent church in modern St. Kitts. The Warner Park Sporting Complex serves as the athletic center of the city, hosting tennis, volleyball and cricket matches, including the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

History of St. Kitts and Nevis

With a long standing native population, Saint Kitts and Nevis served as home to the Kalinago tribe for centuries. In the 17th century, the the advent of European colonization, the tribe subsequently came into conflict with the British and French, who aggressively colonized the Islands. As a result, St. Kitts and Nevis has a varied cultural history, infused with traditions from both native West Indian tribes as well as a legacy of European influence.

By 1625, the French and British had partitioned St. Kitts Island into colonies, and subsequently began to build settlements on the Island of Nevis by 1630. The Islands became a core West Indies anchor for the European tribes, who went on to further colonize Antigua, Anguilla, Martinique and Saint Barths. As a testament to the strong European and American influence on the Islands, President Hamilton was born on the Islands, and grew up in the region before rising to prominence in American politics.

For much of their history, Saint Kitts and Nevis were governed independently, until the British combined governance in the 19th century. Over the course of the 20th century, the Islands increasingly gained autonomy, and Anguilla became a separate governing entity. In the 1960s, the Islands remains part of the British empire, as political movements sought to grant the country independence; by the 1980s, the Islands gains sovereignty and self-rule. Led by the Labour and Nevis Reformation Parties, the country’s political movements shifted from seeking partition within the islands to autonomy from European control. Today, Saint Kitts and Nevis is evolving from an economy driven by sugar exports to a tourism destination for travelers throughout the world.