Description / Location

This international destination resort offers attractions for families, couples, groups, and conventions. An atrium with massive wood beams soars four stories above marble floors and mosaic-tile inlays in the lobby and shopping arcade. Past granite waterfall walls, stairs lead past a scaled-down replica of Columbus' Santa Maria and to an enormous plaza lit by wrought iron street lamps. Lodging buildings cluster around two large freeform pools, and a third freeform activity pool with swim-up bar is in the center of the resort. Each pool includes a shallow children's section and is paired with a round, 20-person spa tub. Though the Atlantic Ocean often is too rough for safe swimming, the ochre-colored, four-mile beach is long and deep and features 84 permanent blue and white gazebo-like shades. Accessible by rented bicycle, a 10-minute walk, or complimentary shuttle, a quintessential beach shack serves grilled foods and tropical drinks alongside the Caribbean Sea. The spot is one mile from the resort across a flat, narrow strip of land that connects the central section of St. Kitts with its rugged, hilly peninsula.

Accommodations

This St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino offers 648 air-conditioned guestrooms in the five-story Frigate Bay House (with elevators) and in 19 three-story buildings (without elevators) arrayed amid tropical gardens between the Atlantic Ocean and Frigate Bay House. Balconies and patios offer views of the resort grounds, pool, golf course, and mountains. Room decor features pale-salmon walls with crown molding, tile floors with area rugs, and antiqued caramel-colored furniture. Beds have triple sheeting, down blankets, and down comforters in brightly colored floral covers.

Restaurants & Bars

Blu Seafood Restaurant - Oceanfront location with open-air terrace seating and air-conditioned dining room featuring massive wood beams, "floating" wood-slat ovals hanging from ceiling. Blue and white linens; white sheer curtains. Days and hours of opening vary by season. American/Caribbean breakfast buffet only; breakfast will be served through June 30, 2006. Dinner is served nightly; dinner resortwear dress code applies.
La Cucina - Air-conditioned dinner restaurant with wood-beam ceiling, high-back booths, window drapes, candles, open kitchen. Northern Italian choices such as Risotto Milanese, Rigatoni with Eggplant and Salted Ricotta, Roasted Game Hen with Cabbage Pappardelle, Beef Tenderloin Medallions, Veal Chops. Late-night menu featuring pizza, pasta, sandwiches. Resortwear required for dinner. Open daily, all year.
Royal Grille Steakhouse - Marble floor, white linens, tables, and counter seating. Tableside Caesar Salad preparation. Menu features lobster bisque, roasted goat cheese salad, steaks, lobster, lamb chops, pork chops, prawns, and salmon. Dinner only. Resortwear dress code. Days and hours of opening vary by season.
Café Calypso - Casual, air-conditioned restaurant featuring fieldstone columns, oversized upholstered booths, and ocean-view, open-air terrace. Buffet and à la carte breakfast. Lunch featuring burgers, salads, sandwiches, lobster roti. Theme dinner buffets and à la carte menu.
Café and coffee bar in front with comfortable seating, serving sandwiches, pastries, and desserts. Restaurant days and hours may vary by season. The café area is open 24 hours.

Activities

The resort includes four illuminated, artificial-turf tennis courts, two shuffleboard courts, beach and pool volleyball nets, and a swimming pool with basketball hoops and a football-toss target. Tennis racquets are available for rent, and tennis lessons are available (fee charged). An 18-hole championship golf course and clubhouse are scheduled for completion in 2004. The Atlantic Ocean along the beach fronting the resort is normally too rough for safe swimming. The resort provides complimentary shuttle service to a calm Caribbean Sea beach 1 mile away, where a water sports center rents snorkeling gear, small sailboats, windsurfers, boogie boards, and kayaks. The resort's recreational center also rents snorkeling gear and boogie boards, as well as bicycles.