Clinging to the south face of Mt. Nevis Golden Rock Inn is a heritage property with a modern input courtesy for art couple Marsden of Hotel Tivoli, New York. The Caribbean hotel is a historic former sugar plantation dating back to the early 1800s. Purchased by New York artists Helen and Brice Marden, the property underwent a thoughtful and artistic redesign, workman with landscape architect Raymond Jungles to create a lush. The result is a lush, untamed landscape of tropical gardens that complements the historic stone buildings, with contemporary art further reviving.

The hotel features 11 unique guest rooms and cottages, each individually decorated. A notable accommodation is the two-bedroom suite located within the historic sugar mill tower. The property also includes a spring-fed freshwater pool, repurposed from the mill’s old cistern, which adds to the tranquil and natural ambiance of the grounds.

For dining, the Golden Rock Inn has one primary restaurant, The Rocks. This al fresco dining venue is renowned for its modern Caribbean cuisine, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients like fresh seafood and produce. The hotel’s bar, set within a stone-vaulted space, offers a selection of cocktails, including its signature drinks, making it a popular location for guest and locals prepared to navigate the steep driveway to access the property.

Training Notes

Nevis’ quieter lanes can be used for road running but be careful on the main roads – passing places are narrow at the speed limit is rarely below 30mph. Instead, make the most of trails and use the athletics track south of Charlestown. Making the most of lanes that go into the upper neighbourhoods also opens up plenty of hill interval opportunities ranging from long and steady to short and sharp.

Nevis’ 40km circumference can navigated by road on a bike, with hilly and quieter segments on the eastern side. There is no premium bike rental in Nevis. Off-road trails aren’t abundant – the high ground is largely jungle and broken by hiking trails such as the route the summit from the east.

Swimmers won’t find a swimming pool aside from lengths at hotel resorts, but are able to make the most of open water swimming and timing with the Nevis to St. Kitts Swim which crosses the 2.5-mile gap at the end of March each yer.

More information, visit goldenrocknevis.com