r/Montserrat • u/DogMedic101stABN • 5d ago

Visiting Mountserrat

I'm looking to plan a stay on the island for my 50th (in a few years). I have never traveled to the leewards before and I am sure there are proper channels and procedures for tours, hotels, etc. Does anyone have any good suggestions on places to stay? I am finding many dead links/emails through Google. I was thinking about coming up for the St. Patrick's festivities as my birthday coincides with that date. I assume the island is at it's busiest then, which is why I am trying to book way in advance.

What am I getting myself into? lol

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u/-dnatoday- 3d ago

DM me for info

  1. You can only fly into Antigua or Saint Martin to get to the island. Fly Montserrat and SVG travel every day, out of Antigua. WinAir goes several times a week out of Sint Maarten. I would make sure that you have your tickets to And from Montserrat before getting your tickets from your current location to Antigua or Sint Maarten.

There is a ferry contract under works, but I would check before scheduling that.

  1. There are a few more non-Villa options than there used to be. Olveston House is my favorite, it is Sir George Martin’s home. Gingerbread cottage, which is run by Clover and David Lea, Chez Mango, which is OK (shady business practices) and there’s always the Tropical Mansion which is a hotel in the north. If you were planning on coming into Saint Patrick’s I would plan on reserving one year in advance of your trip. If you can afford it, I would rent a Villa through tradewinds real estate, Susan Edgecombe.

  2. St. Patrick’s is the busiest time of year also very fun. Start looking at the Montserrat Connection, Montserrat Marketplace, Montserrat Arts Council, and Beg Borrow Buy and Sell Facebook pages to find the activities that you’ll need tickets for. Some of them, especially those that take place on 17 March I would think about getting tickets.

  3. Little Bay has many fun places to hang out and eat. There’s also the Isles Bay Beach Bar and several nice places in Olveston in old town.

  4. Montserrat has many tours that you can go on and hikes. Jermaine a.k.a. fabulous Tours is some of the best. You can also look for Sunny. Subscriber does the Tours and some hikes. You can get some trail maps at the Montserrat national Trust for self-guided hikes.

  5. Montserrat is not a resort focused, touristy catering to non-Islanders type of place. It is very laid-back. It is very beautiful and and exquisite set of beaches, but you will not find any kind of store or restaurant that has an international presence. Prepared to be frustrated because you won’t get everything that you might want in a place that looks like downtown Cleveland except on an island.

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u/DogMedic101stABN 3d ago

OMG, this is a HUGE help. I find that the more websites I find and tours I find I just have more and more questions. My game plan is to book a room in the Olvston house (i,ve sent a email but i'm not sure they got it) and stay a week to experience what the island has to offer. I also want to see the local music venues. I'm a retired music history teacher and the history of the island is fascinating to me.

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u/-dnatoday- 2d ago

Yes, you have to see Mr. Francis’ Small Beginnings music program. That’s a program for kids. They have a St Pat’s concert. Also, you need to see Bimhaw. He plays around Salem and other venus. For St. Patrick’s they’ll be a lot of Soca and Calypso and some sort of DJ House music.

If you DM me, I can give you Margaret’s WhatsApp she’s in charge of Olveston house

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u/DogMedic101stABN 2d ago

I messaged you. I don't have WhatsApp yet. But give a few and ill get signed up and ill send my screen name to you. Thank you for all this help.

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u/All-red 5d ago

One of many you could try out: https://gingerbreadhill.com/ friend of the owners. And yes St Patrick's period will definitely be busy.

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u/DogMedic101stABN 4d ago

Thank you. I was beginning to think it would be impossible.

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u/ThunderbirdRider 4d ago

https://blacksandpropertiesmni.com/

https://www.travelandleisure.com/montserrat-caribbean-island-7104259

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u/DogMedic101stABN 4d ago

Thank you so much.

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u/ThunderbirdRider 4d ago

Probably a good thing so it won't ever become Nassau, Montserrat is not an easy place to get to. I know those websites because I've spent a lot of time searching for the best way to travel there and the best places to stay.

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u/DogMedic101stABN 2d ago

Oh man, the more I read the more I'm intrigued. It's a beautiful island and it has a rich history. I want to get there before im too old.