Overview

The Hermitage slumbers on several acres of stone terraces, with pastel guest cottages scattered among fruit trees fringed with tropical flowers. The individual cottages circle the 340-year old Great House, the social center of the plantation. The intimate Great Room (as with all the rooms and guest cottages) is furnished with antiques and period furnishings from old family collections. The bar, dining rooms and dining verandah offer service from early morning until late evening. There is a crystal clear freshwater pool and spacious sun terrace set in the landscaped gardens extending to more than eight acres. Dining is almost the social event of the day. The Hermitage cooks are unrivaled, particularly under the direction of Maureen Lupinacci and her 30 years of entertaining in the West Indies. One of their secrets is to use the best quality ingredients available. To be sure of the quality, most is produced on the plantation including home-reared pork and lamb. Much of the fruit comes from its own trees and the herbs from the kitchen garden. Fresh fish, conch and lobster are obtained from neighborly fishermen and all of the baking, ice cream, desserts, jellies and jams are homemade. On site there is a hard tennis court (with equipment), trail riding on horseback, carriage rides through historic Gingerland, nature walks and history hikes. For the child in everyone there is the farmyard with the plantation's pigs, sheep, ducks, peacocks, chickens and horses of all ages, shapes and sizes. Accommodations at The Hermitage are in cottages of historical and architectural interest. Every bedroom has an heirloom canopy bed, antique and period furnishing, and full bath with showers and tubs. All rooms have unique and charming views from their private porches. Amenities within each cottage include direct-dial telephones, in-room safes, ceiling fans, refrigerators, irons and ironing boards, tea and coffee making facilities. All prices include Afternoon Tea.