A Few of My Favorite Caribbean Things, Part I: Anguilla
I love the Caribbean, but there are a few islands that I have a particular bias toward, one of them being Anguilla, a very small, 35 square mile coral island about 15 miles northeast of St. Martin. It takes some work to get to this idyllic paradise, but direct and non-stop flights to St. Martin and a short 7-minute flight or 30-minute ferry can get you on the beach shortly after lunchtime from most places on the East Coast of the U.S. The draw is so powerful you will want to return time and time again: crystal-clear waters, beautiful powder-soft white sand beaches, great dining and super-friendly people. Anguilla has over 30 gorgeous beaches that, if you wanted to, you could visit a different one every day of the month.
- Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla
Anguilla has so many wonderful qualities I could go on waxing prosaic about them, but I will hit the highlights and hope that it is enough to pique your interest. A tiny, easily navigable island that is 16 miles long and 3 ½ miles at its widest, Anguilla has an extraordinary number of luxury resorts, no all-inclusives, and a large selection of villas that span the spectrum from super-high-end to bungalow-like cottages.
- Map of Anguilla
Equally as impressive is the number of high-quality dining options that abound, everything from exquisite to just great local fare. Some of the best food comes from roadside stands, some of which are stationed in the center of the capital, The Valley, and some spread throughout the rest of the island. However, you could also experience fine dining every night of the week throughout the island.
Here in Part I of A Few of My Favorite Caribbean Things, is a list of my favorite Anguillan hotels. Next up, in Part II is a list of my favorite restaurants and Part III runs down my favorite beaches and beach bars.
Luxury Hotels with a Specific Ambience for All Preferences
There are 3 luxury hotels in the Virutuoso network, all of which are lovely and on spectacular beaches, but which have their own specific identity and character, and visitors should keep this in mind when planning a vacation. All Virtuoso hotels enjoy special amenities, such as accommodation upgrades, when available, resort and/or spa credits, a welcome amenity and flexible check-in and check-out times, subject to availability.
Cap Juluca combines beautiful architecture, a sublime beach and impeccable service, with its Moorish-style brilliant-white buildings set against the blindingly white sand and Maundays Bay’s azure Caribbean Sea with views of St. Martin in the distance. It is a quiet resort where those seeking a refuge from their busy every-day lives can completely unwind, relax, and destress while lazing on plush lounge chairs and enjoying refreshing sorbets, fruit kebobs and cocktails directly in front of your room. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed, many with a separate seating area, luxurious bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower, and a private terrace or balcony. The resort also has three dining options, but with so many terrific options close by, there are reasons to leave this paradise if one so chooses, but I’ve spent a week there and only ventured out once as I found it difficult to snap out of the state of bliss I so quickly found upon arriving at Cap Juluca.
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Cap Juluca
Junior Suite, Cap Juluca
Nearby in location, but miles away in ambience is the sleek and sharply designed Viceroy Anguilla, poised above the intersection of Barnes and Meads Bays. Chic design and furnishings from Kelly Wearstler are in contrast to standard Caribbean style and, at cocktail hour, the center of activity is the central Sunset Lounge where guests and visitors alike gather for the blazing beauty of an Anguillan sunset. It really is one of the best vantage points to watch the sun sink into the Atlantic ocean with nothing between you and that mesmerizing sight. Accommodations reflect the public spaces, slick but warm with a neutral palette, with even the smallest of units (483 sq. ft.) feeling large and airy. All rooms feature deep soaking tubs and spacious walk-in showers, suites have plunge pools and villas are equipped with chef’s kitchens and private pools. This is where the movers and shakers reside, as the Viceroy is popular with financial moguls and plenty of celebrities. The beach is a bit more of a scene than other hotels, with a lot of beach action, beach-side food and bar service, tons of activities for kids and the occasional pop-up designer retail shop. Viceroy has a number of dining options on-site, as well, providing plenty of diversity for those hunkering down and staying put on their holiday.
Viceroy Anguilla from Barnes Bay
Viceroy Anguilla's Sunset Lounge
Viceroy Anguilla 1 BR Suite
A few miles away and on another glorious beach, Rendezvous Bay, with fantastic views of St. Martin, St. Eustacious and, on a clear day, Saba, sits CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa. The largest of the 3 Virtuoso properties and a magnet for east coast families on school breaks, the location can’t be beat, with over two miles of bright white sand on a crescent-shaped beach halfway between the eastern and western zones of the island. CuisinArt boasts its own hydroplonic garden, which serves its three restaurants with organic produce, and guests can take a tour of the massive greenhouse to see how its bounty is harvested. But Cuisinart’s central location allows guests easy access to everything Anguilla dining has to offer, from local favorites to popular newcomers alike, and staying at this resort allows for the most convenient access to the island’s broad array of restaurants, a consideration for foodies everywhere. CuisinArt’s accommodations range from spacious garden view, ocean view and ocean front guest rooms to 3 bedroom villas with direct beach access. CuisinArt manages the only golf course offered on the island, which is a draw to the resort in and of itself. Only a short distance down the beach is Dune Preserve, a beach bar with live entertainment on certain days and nights of the week, the pinnacle of which is its annual Moonsplash event, with a full week of live acts spanning from local reggae to world-renowned recording artists. It is not a rare occasion that guests staying at CuisinArt sneak away from the hustle and bustle of the resort to enjoy a few beers and some local music, led by Anguilla’s own local reggae sensation, Bankie Banks or his daughter’s band, often joined by vacationing celebrity musicians.
CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa
In addition to these fine hotels, a number of other options are surely appealing. Malliouhana, now an Auberge-managed property perched on a cliff at the opposite end of Mead’s Bay from the Viceroy, reopened late last year after a major renovation. One of the original luxury hotels on the island, Malliouhana appeals to those looking for spectacular accommodations, privacy, superior service and on premise fine dining. Close to the Viceroy is Frangipani Hotel & Resort, a lovely family-owned mainstay that offers gracious service in a wonderful location with one of the island’s best restaurants, Straw Hat, on property.
For those who long to spread out in their own private space, a villa is an excellent option and I’ve stayed in a number over the years, all warm and inviting and incorporating their owners’ particular beach style. Anguilla has plenty of options, with everything from 10-bedroom ultra-luxury estates to one-bedroom cottages set into the coral rocks of the eastern coast. Villas of Distinction offers a number of options that come with Virtuoso amenities, a great option for families, multi-generational gatherings, and groups of couples traveling together.
