Hermitage Plantation Inn
A Nevis inn built around what is claimed to be the oldest wooden house in the Caribbean.
Updated 3 September 2026
The great house at the Hermitage is a timber building generally dated to around 1740 and often described as the oldest surviving wooden house in the Caribbean, built of lignum vitae which is dense enough to have resisted three centuries of hurricanes and termites. It stands on the slope of Nevis Peak with gardens around it and cottages spread through the grounds, run as a small inn.
What's there
- The timber great house - a building of around 1740, claimed as the region's oldest.
- The lignum vitae - the dense wood that let it survive three centuries.
- The gardens - the planting around the house on the mountain slope.
- The cottages - the accommodation spread through the grounds.
When to go
December to April is the main season. The inn operates year round with some closures. Visits and meals should be arranged in advance.
What to expect
It is a working hotel and access without booking is limited. Rates are high. The claim to be the oldest wooden house in the Caribbean is contested by other buildings in the region.
Nearby
Montpelier is west, and Fig Tree Church is northwest.
What to pack for Hermitage Plantation Inn
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.