Nisbet Plantation Beach Club Celebrates 25 Anniversary by Famed

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Nisbet Plantation Beach Club Celebrates 25th Anniversary
by Famed Hotelier, Owner David Dodwell
Historic hotel goes from storied past to international bestseller
NEVIS, West Indies — Sometimes the greatest stories come from accidental discoveries. Such was the
case in 1988 when hotelier, David Dodwell, drove up a little dusty driveway on Nevis to come upon a tired
oceanfront inn for sale. What he saw left him awe-struck and 25 years later it continues to do so for him
and for guests from around the world. Dodwell’s steadfast commitment since taking ownership has
resulted in a resort of international stature, lifelong staff, loyal guests and many a great story. And, in
celebrating this milestone year, every guest to Nisbet Plantation in 2015 is invited to join in the daily Silver
Jubilee celebration.
Once Upon a Time
Dodwell’s original intention was to purchase a property on the sister island of St. Kitts. That didn’t
materialize, but a day of exploring the all-but-undiscovered island of Nevis did. Upon arriving at Nisbet
Plantation, the widow of one of the deceased owners toured him about the property. “When she took me
around the corner of the Great House, and I saw the view down the avenue (now the Avenue of the
Palms), it took my breath away,” says Dodwell. “I had never seen anything like that and instantly fell in
love with it.”
Dodwell took ownership of Nisbet Plantation in June 1989. He purchased it from the last of three owners,
George Barnum of the Barnum & Bailey Circus family. Having instantly grasped its storied past of more
than 200 years, he began a meticulous restoration along with an expansion that stayed true to the
property’s identity. Not even devastation from Hurricane Hugo in September 1989 during this construction
phase kept Dodwell from giving the resort a new chapter.
Nisbet Plantation reopened in May 1990 and remains the Caribbean's only historic plantation inn on the
beach. The existing structures of the Great House and 24 cottage-style units were completely restored
and refurbished. Additions included 12 junior suites, Sea Breeze and Coconuts restaurants and the pool.
Dodwell’s other investment was the staff. Like all great travelers, he knew the secret to success was
providing highly-personal service resulting from constant training and development. Nevisians offer
genuine hospitality, truly love sharing their island with visitors and welcome guests like family. Today, 15
staff members have been there these past 25 years. The staff is affectionately referred to as the “Ladies
and Gentlemen of Nisbet Plantation.”
Coming Into Its Own
Under Dodwell’s ownership, the 36-room resort has gained tremendous international recognition as one
of the finest resorts in the Caribbean and the world. Nisbet Plantation simultaneously held the top spot as
the No. 1 resort in the Caribbean in 2011 in both Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and the Condé
Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. One of Dodwell’s most pride-filled moments was when Roslyn
Jeffers, a member of the wait staff, was named “Caribbean Employee of the Year” in 1999 by the
Caribbean Hotel Association and received the honor in front of 1,000 conference attendees. Dodwell,
himself, has received such awards, including being named the 2010 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.
Over the past 25 years, many guests have added to the story of Nisbet Plantation. “There are two things
that give me real satisfaction – seeing and feeling the improvements from a guest perspective and
ensuring a high level of guest satisfaction with guests who continue to return year after year.” Guests
have celebrated significant moments and milestones at the resort. They’ve developed close ties with the
staff to include a staff versus guests cricket match over the Easter holiday, asking particular staff
members to witness their wedding ceremonies and even adding to Dining Room Maitre'D Patterson
Fleming’s famed necktie collection, which now exceeds 6,000.
Guests have returned over the years to experience what’s new while enjoying what’s traditional to Nisbet.
Dodwell has constantly reinvested in the property to continue to meet discerning travelers’ evolving needs
while carefully holding true to Nisbet Plantation’s values. Updates of such started many years ago with
the addition of air-conditioning, making it one of the first on Nevis. The fitness center, spa and tennis
court followed. More recently, WiFi was added to the entire property.
“I wanted to find a diamond that needed to be polished and that’s exactly what I discovered at Nisbet
Plantation,” says Dodwell. The story of Nisbet promises to continue being written thanks to Dodwell’s
commitment to ongoing improvements to enhance the resort and the guest experience.
A lifelong hotelier and graduate of the prestigious Cornell University School of Hotel Administration,
Dodwell also owns The Reefs Hotel & Club in Bermuda. Dodwell has owned the widely-acclaimed Reefs
for more than 40 years and is a former Minister of Tourism in Bermuda. He is heavily involved in serving
his local communities including eco-initiatives, helping local elementary schools with needed supplies and
new library books, and mentoring high school students who want to enter the hospitality industry.
25 Years Later, A Silver Jubilee
Every guest of Nisbet Plantation is a part of this rich saga. Guests to Nisbet Plantation in 2015 will share
in the Silver Jubilee. Each day at 12:25 p.m. at Nisbet’s Sea Breeze Beach Bar, guests will receive a
complimentary rum punch made from the same signature recipe used on opening day 25 years ago.
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Additional gifts include commemorative 25 anniversary posters and random giveaways of resort goods
and services. And, in keeping with Nisbet’s commitment to its island home of Nevis, guests will continue
to be encouraged to help the resort’s pledge to local schools of needed supplies and library books
through Nisbet’s program.
The 36-square-mile island of Nevis is just a short water taxi ride away from sister-island St. Kitts. Direct
flights into St. Kitts (SKB) are available from many gateway cities in the US, Canada and UK. Connecting
flights into Nevis (NEV) are available from San Juan (SJU), St. Maarten (SXM) and Antigua (ANU).
For reservations, call toll-free at 1-800-742-6008 or speak to a travel advisor. For more information, visit
www.NisbetPlantation.com.
Images available via Dropbox:
Resort – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4xtc0duwtr8yi2n/AAAP1_E7L3pkLX76H5ZNSfPaa?dl=0
David Dodwell – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vr8gsibo7hiqigs/AAAjSkZEf3tAuNH0BN_1Hel6a?dl=0
Rum Punch – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/963t92eubsde4hb/AAC_X-ZZNAmQWj88LlyA0nv0a?dl=0
Beach and Sea Breeze Beach Bar –
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0htzycgdgft6urj/AABfkEFjZnTPbC0Vs_04cJ4pa?dl=0
25 Years Ago (courtesy of Hal Shevers) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uaheakxiz183jk5/AACozUwAoXwyl01o0Sa0RYo4a?dl=0
About Nisbet Plantation
Intimate and relaxing, Nisbet Plantation is the Caribbean’s only historic plantation inn located on the
beach. The 36 cottage-style accommodations set across 30 tropical acres on Nevis invite romance and
privacy. Old-world charm blends with modern-day conveniences, including Wi-Fi, hiker GPS, Flip video
cameras and Vespa scooters. Nisbet Plantation’s idyllic setting, personal service and fine dining at the
Great House, c. 1778, has made it one of the world’s best resorts according to Travel + Leisure, Condé
Nast Traveler, Expedia® and TripAdvisor.com.
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