Steeped in history and perched at a cool, comfortable elevation of 240 meters (787 ft.) east of Charlestown and north of Gingerland, this property is an extraordinary slice of Nevisian heritage. Constructed around the ruins of an abandoned sugar mill, this plantation-style boutique hotel exudes the aura of a bygone era, offering both old-world grace with endless potential. The hotel sits on a forested plot first granted in 1690 by the King of England – a strategic incentive to encourage settlement in the Caribbean while securing revenue for the crown. By 1900, the Gillespie brothers legally transferred title of Old Manor Estate to Mr. Croney, who ran it as a thriving sugar cane and cotton plantation until 1936, when the steam mill ceased operation.
The estate’s transformation into a hotel created a new icon and landmark. Long before boutique hotels were fashionable, the property offered 13 generously sized suites featuring wide plank wooden floors, four-poster beds, antique-style furniture, and an array of curiosities. Ceiling fans whispered above as guests soaked in the tranquil evenings, gazing at the Atlantic Ocean from every corner.
The hotel quickly became a social hub for travelers from across the Caribbean and beyond. Weekends were alive with music, laughter, dancing under the stars, and unforgettable meals. Guests sometimes even cooked for one another in the first-floor dining room and bar, while the stone courtyard hosted pizza and BBQ nights under the open sky. A live string band often played in the bandstand beside the circular freshwater pool, adding to the festive, free-spirited atmosphere.
The hotel’s first-floor restaurant and bar, is complemented by a terrace offering breathtaking sea views. The commercial-sized kitchen is equipped with ample prep areas, walk-in larders, and food storage facilities—ready for full-scale operations. Supporting spaces include reception, office areas, commercial laundry, and multiple storage rooms, all built in the traditional Caribbean “Blouse and Skirt” style with stone on the first floor and wood above.
At the heart of the property lie stunning sugar plantation ruins, a historic chimney, and other undeveloped ruins – each offering incredible potential for restoration or expansion. The Great House, completed in 1832 and rebuilt in 1906 after the devastating 1898 hurricane using horse-racing winnings and crop profits, was celebrated in a 1967 National Geographic feature as the “Longest continually lived-in Great House.”
Today, the hotel presents an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary owner to revive this faded gem. Renovation options are practically limitless, and two adjacent land packages – 11.17 acres and 20.88 acres – can increase the total estate to over 42 acres, ideal for a villa development or expanded hotel complex. Equally this could be a chance for one family to indulge in a legacy property and simply convert it into a private estate – Imagine having all this space and heritage to design the perfect family home to be appreciated for generations.
This is more than a property; it’s a chance to own a piece of Nevisian history, to bring back the charm, culture, and elegance of a plantation estate that has captivated generations. The hotel is ready for its next chapter – will you be the one to write it?