Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Hamilton Beach Villas and Spa

Luxury Living on the Beach

Nevis, West Indies

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Our personal history with the island of Nevis goes back to the 1980s when we used to make a cruise stop here from our trips on the Windjammer Barefoot Cruises. 

Nevis doesn't have a deep water harbor, but this 256foot, triple-masted sailing vessel was able to anchor off the coast, and a launch would take us to the dock. 

This island is very sweet, chill and unlike many of the other Caribbean Islands in the West Indies.

We lived here for 6 months beginning in January of 1991, when we helped the Four Seasons Resort open their restaurant and lodging establishment. 

The times we stayed on Nevis in 2023 and 2024, we chose the Hamilton Beach Villas and Spa.

Wait 'til you see this place!

Map showing the location of St. Kitts & Nevis

We have sailed all through the lower islands shown on this Google map.

In many respects, visiting these islands is like coming home for us.

These days, we flew into the two Island Federation on WinAir, and Ozzie, our taxi driver, took us straight to our villa.

The location of Hamilton Villas on Nevis

If you are traveling from from major cities like Miami, New York, Toronto, Atlanta, Charlotte, and London, you can fly non-stop into Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) on St. Kitts.

Regional flights and private jet services land directly at Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV) in Nevis - which is what we did, flying in from Sint Maarten.  

 From the Nevis airport, The Hamilton is just a short, 15-minute taxi ride away.

Welcome sign at the entrance

This welcome sign at the entrance to the Hamilton Beach property features the ubiquitous roselle hibiscus.

Believed to have originated in Africa, this flower was likely brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans in the 1700s.

The flower itself represents hospitality, and it is also used to produce a popular beverage called sorrel drink. This is a tart, cranberry-like infusion served especially during the Christmas season, often flavored with ginger, spices, and sometimes rum.

Path to our Villa with Mt. Nevis in the background

This is a slightly winding path down the entrance road to our Villa, which is in the middle of this photo, first floor.

Mount Nevis, the volcano in the center of the island, is seen clearly in the background of this photo on the left hand side.

While the last eruption occurred approximately 100,000 years ago, there are no recorded eruptions since human settlement here.

However, in 1953 a hot spring formed and there are fumaroles and other hot springs all suggesting that Nevis Peak is a potentially active volcano that could erupt again in the future.

Steps leading up to our unit

These steps lead directly to our front door in the alcove.

The sliding glass doors open from the veranda to the dining room and living room areas.

Looking from the veranda to the manicured gardens

There are several outdoor areas to sit and enjoy a coffee, a chat with some friends or to read a book.

The gardens are delightful and well-maintained.

Gardeners are working every day.

View into the Villa from the front door

This shot shows you how open and spacious these 1500 sq ft. villas are.

Living room with two couches and a coffee table, a large dining table, full kitchen, the door to our bedroom, and a stacked washer and dryer behind louvered doors.

When we arrived, our friends had already filled our refrigerator with beer, wine, fresh fruit, home made muffins, peanut butter, jams, lasagna and all sorts of things.

Not only was it a wonder-filled welcome, but it made easing into the next couple of days effortless.

That being said, our dear friends picked us up the next morning and took us to one of the several grocery stores in town so we could fill up our refrigerator and freezer. After all, we were staying a full month plus!

View from the couch

You can see how airy and open this vacation home was.

The sliding glass doors have screens on them to keep bugs (and monkeys and cats!) out.

Large TV and the WiFi system is on the left.

We paid $3,660USD for the month, or $122USD per night.

This included daily maid service, regular changing of sheets and towels, plus shampoo, cream rinse, lotion and dish soap for the kitchen.

Our bedroom

Our bedroom was a little sparsely furnished, but it had everything we needed.

Extra blankets, beach towels, an iron with a board, and a dresser.

The side sliding glass doors open out to another veranda overlooking a garden and one of two swimming pools.

Looking back towards the bed

Our bedroom was large, with two sets of sliding glass doors out onto a veranda that overlooked the gardens and a swimming pool.

Beautiful natural light flooded the room during the day.

We each had our own bathrooms which was lovely.

From the veranda looking towards the pool

There are several wading pools around the grounds.

The beach is to the right, and the spa and workout room is to the left.

At the beach you will find the Yachtsman's Grill which gets a good rating from TripAdvisor.

Across the pool to another section of villas

We are looking across the swimming pool at another section of rental villas from our bedroom veranda.

You are able to rent beach front apartments also which have you look straight out to sea.

Following the sidewalk here to the left, you will come across a lovely patio with tables and chairs for sitting, and then up a few steps into the gym and Spa.

We each had our own bathroom

This was especially nice, as - being a woman - I tend to have creams, soaps, makeup bags, Q tips, a hairbrush and so on, and  I can definitely "spread out" and take over a bathroom counter.

Billy, poor guy, has an electric razor and his toothbrush.

This way he had his "own space" and I could take over mine, without feeling selfish or cramped.

Large kitchen

Our kitchen was decently equipped with pots, pans, silverware, plates, glasses, coffee pot, toaster and more. The double-wide refrigerator and large freezer were plenty big and we did our best to fill it!

The maid came in daily to do our dishes, which was quite a luxury. Since Billy is a French Chef the dishes would easily pile up beyond your imagination.

Pans for sauces and searing, the oven for broiling, plates for the sauces, for presentation, and plates for salads... all for just one meal!

Sometimes Billy would boil bones or seafood shells to make stock and then we'd freeze it to use for another meal later.

This Foodie thing we have going on is definitely a lifestyle!

The stovetop and oven were a conundrum.

Seriously.

As you can see, it's completely flat, and it's electric with digital controls.

We had to have housekeeping come - twice - to show us how to use the dang thing.

Our preference is a gas stove where things are FAST AND HOT and off very obviously. There is no waiting for something to heat up, no waiting for something to cool down. No putting an item on a burner that is still cooling down and having that item melt or burn unintentionally.

The grocery marts were a 4EC ride per person from our villa to get into town. Then we'd walk to the grocery store from there or take another Combi to one of the marts. Taxis were available at some markets, but usually we would simply take a Combi back home to the entrance of Hamilton Villas and walk to our unit.

Looking out into the dining/living room

Our villa was plenty big and we utilized our large dining room table as our office area also.

Looking out onto the manicured jungle that surrounded us was very refreshing.

Floor was marble tile, and easy to clean.

Stack washer and dryer

Having these machines readily available for my use was a true delight. And believe me, I used them!

When we are on the road traveling or even when we rent an apartment or apart-hotel, the ease of having washers and dryers is a comfort that isn't always at one's disposal.

In Japan, the laundries were amazing. Completely digitized, it would utilize ionized water to rinse out the machine between uses. You never had to worry about what the previous person washed before you got there - be it a rug, a pet's blanket, dark clothes with lint or if there was a fine coating of "dark gnarf" in the washer bin.

Billy on the veranda

Enjoying an iced Aloe Vera juice, Billy is hanging out on the veranda.

We are either on the way to the beach or just got back. Billy in his bathing trunks and tropical shirt.

The full view of the veranda

The sliding glass doors open up into the Living/Dining area.

To the right is a walking path that leads straight to the ocean and to a restaurant called Yachtsman Grill.

The Grill is very convenient, with a delicious meal, happy hour or enjoying some beach time all within a few minutes' walk from our door.

Maurice, our morning visitor on our veranda

It is very common to see these green monkeys, otherwise known as velvet monkeys, all over the Caribbean islands. Maurice visited often. We were afraid to open the screen doors... Monkeys can cause all sorts of mischief, and Maurice would sit there, watching us eat breakfast.

He probably wanted some!

These monkeys came from West Africa to the West Indies in the in the late 17th century. European settlers, particularly the French, transported these monkeys as exotic pets or items of trade on slave ships.

As an invasive species, they impact agriculture by raiding crops such as mangoes, sugar cane, and vegetables, leading to economic losses as high as 50% for farmers in affected areas.

We were told that the aggravating characteristic of these green monkeys, is that they would take a piece of fruit or vegetable, and take only one bite out of them, then throw it on the ground. Then they would take one bite out of another fruit or vegetable and do the same thing.

Piles of "one-bite-fruits" would be all over the ground below.

"If they would take an area and ravage it, would be one thing. But they destroy large areas with hundreds of one-bites and we can't sell or use that merchandise."

Never knew that before...

We have heard stories of those playing golf on the Four Seasons Golf Course where monkeys would wait in the trees until you hit your ball. Then they would discover your ball, pick it up, and run away with it!

How do you mark THAT on your scorecard?

These monkeys also compete with native species for resources and can disrupt local ecosystems. With their adaptability and high reproductive rates population control is very challenging. There are more monkeys than people on the island.

This beach is just steps away with St Kitts in the distance

Our own "private beach."

We swam here every day.

Billy was here easily 2-3 times a day. I mean it was just minutes from our place, so how easy is THAT?

He'd set up "his office" and work at a table overlooking the sea and have his cappuccino and croissant.

We had a beer most nights at this same table and watched spectacular sunsets.

Live Caribbean concerts were given on this beach, and we ate in Yachtsman Grill for lunch or dinner.

With all the cooking Billy did in our place, he would take photos of the complex dishes, and share them with the chef of Yachtsman. Sometimes he would borrow a couple of their plates for presentation, and bring them back the next day.

He would share "chef talk" with the chefs and tease the waitresses.

He was definitely in his element!

Would we recommend that you visit the Hamilton Beach Villas and Spa?

Absolutely!

__________

Hamilton Beach Villas and Spa

Website:  https://www.thehamiltonnevis.com/

email: ​Info@thehamiltonnevis.com

Tele:  1 (869) 469-5320

For more stories, photos and videos of Nevis, click here

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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