BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — There’s a new kid on the block in St. Kitts, one with 102 rooms, a sprawling pool terrace and the famed KOI Restaurant.

KOI Resort St. Kitts, Curio Collection by Hilton has officially opened its doors on prime beachfront property, just minutes from the Robert L Bradshaw International airport. This marks the brand’s debut on the island, as well as KOI Hospitality’s first entry into the hotel space after owning and operating restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and additional international locations.

Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, said the destination is thrilled to welcome the oceanfront property.

“As we continue to build and develop our stayover tourism, the addition of select upscale properties balances the strategic growth of our airlift service from key nonstop gateways and flow markets,” he said. “The opening of Koi Resort St. Kitts not only adds room stock to our current hotel inventory, it provides further diversity in the accommodations options we can offer visitors.”

Meaning ‘love’ in Japanese, the ‘KOI’ name served as inspiration behind the look and feel of the property. Situated along Half Moon Bay next to the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, KOI Resort St. Kitts features Asian-inspired design elements, locally-inspired programming, and global cuisine.

Guestrooms come equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows that lead out to terraces with panoramic views, as well as rain showers, bathtubs, lavish beds and other modern comforts.

Guests can make use of the hotel’s well-equipped gym and get pampered with luxury spa treatments at Kaya Spa. The resort’s pool is situated just steps from the ocean and includes a terrace complete with plush lounge beds.

As for dining, three culinary outlets offer haute cuisine: the KOI Restaurant brand’s signature KOI Restaurant, which offers modern Asian cuisine; Jaya Kitchen & Cocktails, the resort’s poolside bar and restaurant serving beach-inspired entrees and snacks; and Jaya Ultra Lounge, where guests can enjoy Caribbean-inspired libations and customized craft cocktails.

Other amenities include over 6,000 square feet of function space, meeting facilities for up to 300 guests and watersports. Guests can also explore off-site by chartering a day sail to Nevis, snorkelling, ziplining, hiking and visiting nearby cultural sites.

Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, added, “The opening of KOI Resort St. Kitts as a Curio Collection by Hilton brand that appeals to the experiential destination travelers who comprise our primary target market is a benefit to our tourism sector. As more lifestyle travelers are choosing St. Kitts as their destination of choice, it will help us to remain ‘on the rise’ in what is one of the most competitive regions in the world for tourism.”