By Charmaine Hibbert

I just love the impact of the heat as you disembark from the plane after it's touched down somewhere hot, but enough about that. Our mini bus pulls up outside what can only be described as an old colonial home on steroids and that feeling is only enhanced as I make my way across the very spacious lobby area with its bright yellow paint and stairs that seem to disappear into the very high opened beamed ceiling.

After a speedy check in with staff who just radiate helpfulness with a welcoming smile I am on my way to my room, I always feel this is the moment of truth when you open the door to your room in any hotel, it sets the mood for any holiday or business trip.

And to my relief the room hits me with its cool air from the air conditioning – I have to say although I love the heat it was a welcoming feeling – the room is clean and large and the next thing I always check is the bathroom and with a nice big shower head and sparkling clean tiled floor, a smile comes across my face. The bed a nice king size that I can sleep sideways on if I decide to come back from a night out after too many rum punches!

Unfortunately there is no sea view but I do have a nice big balcony that has two loungers and a table and plenty of room to manoeuvre around.

The Marriott offers a range of different meal options, my breakfast was included and with the choice of a buffet style or menu options, there is also the eggs counter where you can get your eggs cooked to perfection to any style you enjoy. Like the rest of the hotel the staff here are attentative to your every need and as soon as I put down my empty juice glass the staff are there ready with a refill.

The hotel sits right on the beach and you can while away the day next to the pool or take advantage of the activities on the beach or just lounge away under the sun and an umbrella.

One of the highlights of my stay is the Emerald Mist Spa, after a day sunning next to the pool what better way to spend an hour after the sun goes down than in the relaxing hands of Gallio Gumbs who was my therapist. She used a product range called Éminence and the oil that Gallio used for my treatment was a combination of sunflower, jojoba oil, safflower and grape seed oil. Those oils and the deep back massage she gave me was without doubt one of the highlights of the week.

Other facilities available at the Marriott are three pools - one with a swim up bar - sauna, snorkeling, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and of course the gym which includes complementary classes, which I didn’t have time for as I was too busy by the pool!!

Along with the Calypso breakfast room, which also serves lunch, there are seven other eating establishments ranging from the Royal Grille Steakhouse, the Blu Seafood Restaurant and La Cucina Italian restaurant to the Bohemia Beach Pool Bar & Grille and the Pizza Shack.

For those who like to see if lady luck is on their side the Marriott at St Kitts also has its own casino, which is situated in the lobby, but staying here I have felt like a winner all week and lady luck was on my side without stepping a foot inside the casino.

St Kitts Marriott Resort
858 Frigate Bay Road
Frigate Bay
St Kitts

T: +1 869-466-1200
W: marriott.com