All About Anguilla

Every perfect island paradise you could envision for yourself comes to life on the tiny-but-tony island of Anguilla, a British territory in the Caribbean West Indies.  White beaches? Check.  Swaying palms? Check.  Stunning 5* resorts and villas? CHECK.  It is a flatter, arid island, so if you are looking for jungle-trekking and waterfalls, this is not your place.  If you are looking for amazing white powdery beaches, 100+ shades of blue, bright sunny days, 5* luxury resorts and villas, and excellent cuisine.. then yes, ANGUILLA is for you!!!  With 33 beaches and over 100 restaurants on this island, it is easy and safe to explore (you can even rent a car!) and perfect for trying out new cuisine.  Fun activities might include trips out to one of Anguilla’s nine cays for a day of swimming and lunch on the beach, diving (nine big wrecks are nearby), or a day out on a boat.

But before I can continue to wax poetic on Anguilla, we must stop in St. Martin!  Anguilla’s French neighbor to the south, St. Martin (or Sant Maarten, if you are on the Dutch side) is where the large international airport SXM is located, a main gateway for most guests visiting Anguilla.  From the ferry terminal just a few minutes from SXM, we enjoyed a quick 20 minute boat ride over (with rum punch!), but you may also take a quick puddlejumper over.  OR, Tradewinds services Anguilla directly from San Juan, Puerto Rico!  So is Anguilla hard to reach?  No- it may take one extra stop, but I promise it is worth it!!

BELMOND LA SAMANNA, ST MARTIN

But in my case, it took two days.  We decided to enjoy some R&R at the beautiful Belmond La Samanna on St. Martin before continuing on to Anguilla!  This historic resort is made up of 83 suites and rooms, and eight 3-4 bedroom villas, decorated in a breezy white island style.  Relaxing at the two pools, two restaurants, trying your hand at SUP in the calm bay, or dining in the town of Grand Case are great ways to relax and enjoy the islands before heading over to Anguilla!

My clients enjoy the following perks at Belmond La Samanna, St. Martin:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• A complimentary lunch for up to two people once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities
• Fruit basket in the room
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

ANGUILLA-BOUND…

So after the quick 20-minute ferry ride from St. Martin, you have arrived at the port of Anguilla!

FOUR SEASONS ANGUILLA

From the port, the ride to the Four Seasons Anguilla was maybe 15 minutes.  (The entire island is only 35 square miles, so nothing is really that far away!)  The Four Seasons was formerly a Viceroy resort and still maintains that cool vibe and sleek style.  Not overly trendy or traditional, but lots of clean lines and quirky touches make this a really special resort.  My favorite part, and one thing that differentiates this resort, is its appeal to so many different guests!  Honeymooners will love the private plunge pools on most of the balconies & cocktails at the Sunset Lounge, while families will appreciate the multi-bedroom accommodations & complimentary Kids For All Seasons kids club.  And everything is spaced adequately apart to give all guests plenty of room to vacay.

In between site inspections at the resort in which I see various room categories, villas, and residences (so for those who think I am just on vacation.. au contraire, mon ami!).. we decided to relax and have a cocktail at the Sunset Pool.  I happened to glance up when I saw a wait staff approach the pool with a drink.  But instead of waiting for the couple who ordered it to approach her from out of the water, the waitress MARCHED RIGHT INTO THE POOL to serve it, clothes and all!!  My mouth fell open and I realized that her uniform is dry-wick apparel designed just for that moment.  When I brought it up at dinner, the FS team shrugged.  “That’s our service,” they said matter-of-factly.  So, that in a nutshell is what you may expect from the Four Seasons Anguilla!  Not just delicious food, calm pools, stunning beaches, and myriad accommodation options.. but staff who will literally walk into the pool to serve your drink.  So.. who’s in?!

My clients enjoy the following perks at the Four Seasons Anguilla:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests, in restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

MALLIOUHANA, AN AUBERGE RESORT

If there was ever a resort designed for Instagram, it is the Malliouhana (pronounced Malley-oo-hana) on Anguilla.  I would not be surprised if the photo app somehow has stock in it.  So for the second time in just a few days on this small island, my mouth fell open.  The lobby is visually stunning and designed to make an impact upon arrival- whimsical patterns, pops of color, and quirky touches like a wall of old scuba helmets.  You cannot help but whip your phone out and start snapping away.

Malliouhana also has a storied history.  As the original luxury resort on the island, it was created in the 1980s by a Englishman who was inspired by the cliffside resorts of the south of France.  It remained THE place to stay until it fell off the radar and finally closed in 2011.  It was subsequently purchased by Auberge Resorts, renovated to the tune of $80 million with interiors by Todd-Avery Lenahan, and reopened in 2014.  The former dark mahogany was replaced with breezy, lighter fixtures.  Yellow ruffled umbrellas punctuate the two-tied pool with mosaic-tiled bottom, which is flanked on the sides by breezy palms, red flowers, and black & white striped cabanas at the back. #islandvibes indeed!

The entry-level rooms are large by most resort standards, starting at over 800 square feet.  They are light, bright, and also full of fun touches- Moroccan-style bedside tables, lamps with faux coral bases, British colonial style 4-poster beds, and Garden of Eden paintings adorning the walls.  The entire resort feels fun and chic, AND it is located on Mead’s Bay at the opposite end from the Four Seasons, with great restaurants in between to walk to!  Meads Bay is a fantastic beach- calm waters, white sand.. perfect for swimming or strolling.  The other side of Malliouhana sits over Turtle Cove, which is more private, and romantic dinners may be set up there as well.  Definitely a great resort for romantics.. while it IS family-friendly, there are no lifts to rooms on the upper floors, and Mead’s Bay requires a descent down uneven concrete steps to reach.  Still, it is very hard to find fault with this gorgeous resort.

My clients enjoy the following perks at Malliouhana:

• Complimentary continental breakfast
• $100 resort credit
• Upgrade if available upon arrival
• Welcome amenity
• Early check-in, late check-out based on availability

ZEMI BEACH HOUSE

Anguilla’s newest luxury property, Zemi Beach House, opened in November 2016 and is located about 30 minutes north of the Four Seasons and Malliouhana, on a pretty little stretch called Shoal Bay East.  It is definitely a very casual luxury, as the first thing I did upon arrival was sink down into my chair at 20 Knots, a casual beachfront restaurant, and stick my toes in the sand while dining on white gazpacho and grilled mahi skewers, washed down with a glass of crisp sav blanc.  The ocean breezes blew over us and I was instantly relaxed.

The diamond-shaped main infinity pool is right on the beach and has a fun glass wall for it’s beach-facing side.  Turquoise chairs and umbrellas surround the area, as if bring the sea right up into the resort since the colors of both match perfectly.  A nearby Rhum Room, complete with rummelier, guides guests through tastings of over 100 different rums.  The spa is a real standout- parts of it were imported from Thailand to create a very authentic Asian-zen vibe, and entryway sign lets you know you are entering the “Zemi Thai House.”  Next time, I will make time for a treatment, but even just a short stroll through the spa left me feeling calm!

Rooms are very well-appointed and bathrooms spacious.  Zemi caters well to both couples and families; there are two pools- one family-friendly, one quiet- as well as a complimentary kids club for ages 4-12!  Two or three bedroom penthouse suites, as well as beachfront villa suites with full kitchens will please larger family groups or friends traveling together.  I truly love this little resort and be sure to book with me to VIP your stay!!

CUISINART GOLF RESORT & SPA and THE REEF

Next we headed back down to the southern tip of Anguilla, to St. Martin-facing Rendezvous Bay where Cuisinart and its new sister property The Reef are located.  These are great resorts for golfers (the 18-hole Greg Norman-designed course is the only golf course on Anguilla) and families as there are many options for multi-bedroom accommodations.  Cuisinart, a well-known icon on Anguilla, is in fact owned by the same company as Cuisinart the kitchen appliances.. and I think for that reason, the food connection, cuisine is one of the standouts here!  Some of the best meals I had were here, from Tokyo Bay (Anguilla’s first Japanese restaurant) at Cuisinart to the Yacht Club at the Reef.  Cuisinart even has its own hydroponic organic garden, which is so prominent that guests may tour it.  Veggies from this garden are used predominantly in the cooking, and we enjoyed a cooking class with Chef Jasper to learn how to make gazpacho- yum!

The vibe upon entrance is old-school Caribbean.  You won’t find flashy chandeliers or marble floors here, instead, the decor evokes Greece, with blue domes and white-washed buildings that are even named after Greek islands.  Plop into an oversized royal-blue cushioned chair in the lobby and sip rose (“summer water”) while the white fan overhead stirs the island breezes.  Stare out onto the pool which seems to disappear into the horizon, beyond which is really Rendezvous Bay.  Most of the resort’s 91 suites and 7 villas are ocean-facing and very spacious, and a majority connect- which is great for families!  The beach is a gorgeous, long stretch of powdery sand, and the water is clear and calm.  Also, Cuisinart is the closest resort to Dune Preserve- home of the infamous reggae artist Bankie Banx!  He doesn’t play every evening, so be sure to ask first, and then don’t miss the chance to walk 2 minutes down the beach to sip a rum punch and hear the legend sing his soulful tunes.

The Reef by Cuisinart just opened in November 2016, and is the 4* sister property to Cuisinart.  Decor is more modern but comfortable.  The Junior Suites in the main building are a great value, but families will love the multi-bedroom beachfront suites, some with jacuzzis on the patio!  Guests here enjoy signing privileges at Cuisinart, which is a short car-ride away (the resorts provide transfers).

My clients enjoy the following perks at Cuisinart Resort:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Full Breakfast Breakfast for up to two in-room guests, in Café Mederraneo or Continental in Suite
• Choice of (1) 50-minute massage per room per stay, either an Exotic Essence Massage OR a Caribbean Sea Stone Massage, OR an Anguillan Coconut Pineapple Scrub
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

PRIVATE VILLAS

Private villas are an AMAZING way to travel together as an extended family, group of friends, etc.  We saw several this trip, ranging from more budget-friendly, to literally the very best villa on Anguilla (where my mouth fell open for the third time this week).

Elements Villas – Sea (5 bedrooms), Sand (4 bedrooms), and Sky (4 bedrooms) are decorated in old-school Caribbean style, perched on a little hill above the sparkling Long Bay.  They may be rented together or separately.  The villas are secured, air-conditioned throughout and also have beach service.

Kishti Villas – East (6 bedrooms) and West (5 bedrooms) have an enviable location on Meads Bay, right in between the Four Seasons and Malliouhana.  The beach is gorgeous here, and there are several great restaurants within walking distance.  Just a few years old, they are more modern in style than Elements. Rates include chef, butler, housekeeping.. these are gorgeous villas!

Cerulean Villa – this is honestly on a whole other level.  The original “super villa,” Cerulean opened in 1997 but was recently closed and renovated to the tune of $20 million over 3 years.  Designed by Scott Salvador of NY, every single nook awes you and is luxurious yet so homey at the same time.  Bright colors adorn all furnishings and reclaimed antique wood floors cover the surface.  It fits up to 25 guests and prices in two ways- as an a la carte package, or the “experience package” which would include everything you would ever want- from all staff services, food, drinks, activities.. beach picnics, spa treatments (yes, there is a small spa on property), you name it.  I about cried when they told me our visit was over and we had to leave.  It is that beautiful.  Please ask me for more details!!!

Four reasons to book a private villa on your next trip:

1. Price– if you work out the cost per person, many luxury villas come in less than a hotel stay.. especially if you take advantage of a low season stay!
2. Staff– if a villa doesn’t already come staffed, you can add them- chefs, housekeepers, concierges, etc.. being well-fed and tidied up after just like in a luxury hotel!
3. Privacy– sometimes you just don’t want to share the pool or facilities with other guests- and in your own villa, you don’t have to!!
4. Togetherness– when you want your group to be private from others, but together with each other.. villa!!!  Especially for those traveling with children.. so easy to put the kids to bed and then hang out together in the living room or pool

BELMOND CAP JULUCA

And finally… Cap Juluca, one of the older but very iconic properties on Anguilla, was just purchased by Belmond, with plans for a major 1+ year long renovation.  Cap Juluca sits on an amazing beach, and the Moorish structures are beautiful.  I really cannot wait to see what Belmond does with it!!!!  Per the Belmond press release:

Belmond Cap Juluca will be closing as of the 27 August 2017, in order to make upgrades to this stunning Caribbean resort. The hotel will be fully operational through to Saturday, 26 August 2017 ensuring the guest experience remains unchanged.  The planned project will include a complete renovation of all public space, the spa and guest rooms, plus the addition of several exclusive two-bedroom Beachfront Villas. The re-imagined Belmond Cap Juluca will reopen at the end of 2018.

HUGE thanks to Island Destinations, one of my best travel partners, for planning this amazing educational experience of Anguilla!!  And naturally, I would be THRILLED to help you plan a stay at any of the above properties (or others!) on this sunny little island!  Please fill out the form under “set sail” or email me at laura@hauteholidaystravel.com.  Cheers!

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