Photo Courtesy of Cap Juluca
Anguilla is a part of the British West Indies, measuring only 16 miles long and three miles wide, with only 15,000 inhabitants who have built their lives around the travel and leisure industry. Anguilla is within close proximity to larger islands including Puerto Rico, St. Martin and Antigua, which are served by regular international commercial flights.
Cap Juluca offers laid-back luxury in a secluded spot on Maundays Bay with its glorious white sand beach and tranquil, turquoise sea. With its dramatic white domes and arched doorways, the hotel's architecture is Moorish in style, which blends seamlessly with Caribbean design touches.
There are 97 rooms and suites, all of which are spacious and pleasantly appointed, with large, luxurious beds, and, in the case of the junior suite at least, enormous bathrooms with double bathtubs and a shower that opens up to the elements. There are also six villas of varying sizes with private plunge pools and access to a butler to serve your every need.
Our suite had colonial-style patio doors that opened onto a sheltered terrace and an exquisite direct view of one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, where much of our time at Cap Juluca was spent. Service is an area in which Cap Juluca excels with friendly, warm and attentive staff at every turn. This was particularly evident at the beach where there were several people on hand to replenish depleted supplies of free bottled water (available all day, for free) and the daily afternoon arrival of a fruit sorbet to help with the cooling process.
Guests visit Cap Juluca for its secluded location, and with several different dining options, there's no need to leave your island hideaway. Pimms, the hotel's main restaurant, offers a blend of European and Caribbean flavors. Spice features Pan-Asian cuisine and Flights is a relaxed wine bar with a selection of tapas plates to enjoy whilst making your way through the selection of wines by the glass.
Guests can enjoy lunch at Blue, a beachfront restaurant yards from the glistening sea and Maundays Club is a popular spot for cocktails and live music entertainment in the evenings. The hotel is a haven for honeymooners reveling in the romance and serenity of their environs, and if in need of further solitude, the hotel will arrange a private dinner on the beach, sure to melt even the hardest of hearts. Cap Juluca has a clientele that returns year after year, and it's easy to see why.
Viceroy Anguilla
The Viceroy appeared on Anguilla's shores in 2009 and instantly made its mark with its striking design and signature Viceroy service. Designed by the renowned Kelly Wearstler, the Viceroy Anguilla is an architectural marvel, with every inch carefully planned to make full use of the space and its delightful setting.
Lightly colored stonework and marble blend with driftwood light fixtures, striking objects d'art, and, more importantly, the surrounding landscape, to create a contemporary and comfortable atmosphere. The 166 guest rooms continue with the hotel's theme, ideal for a design conscious international crowd, and most rooms have their own sun deck and plunge pool. The bathrooms feature powerful rainfall showers and the Nespressomachine in each room is a nice touch.
The hotel has three swimming pools, including one child-friendly pool and the delightful infinity pool positioned next to the Sunset Lounge. It offers an ideal position to move from cocktails by the pool to cocktails watching the sunset.
The main structure of the hotel straddles two beaches, one of which features the gem that is Half Shell, an intimate beach bar serving excellent food in a wonderfully relaxed setting. Sitting at the bar with the sea breeze enjoying a Greek salad and a glass of wine was one of the highlights of the trip.
The hotel's signature restaurant, Coba, offers an excellent seafood selection with exquisite views of Barnes Bay and Meads Bay; while Aleta, adjacent to the child-friendly pool, specializes in Caribbean flavors and the Bamboo Bar & Grill offers a relaxed alternative by the beach. The hotel also offers a wide selection of amenities, including a fully equipped gym, group exercise classes and a host of activities for children. The Viceroy Anguilla is beautifully designed with long lines and picture frame images making the utmost of its wonderful location.
