Anguilla's Latest Luxury Resort Updates

 

Rooms at the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa
One of the newly renovated rooms at the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa

 

Got affluent travelers trekking to the Caribbean? Travel Agent breaks down the latest selling points from some of the most notable resorts on the luxurious island of Anguilla.

CuisinArt’s Major Makeover: CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa recently unveiled a $15 million renovation to the resort’s accommodations, resort entrance, pools, and restaurants, completed in continuous stages toward the end of last year. The renovations can be seen before you even set foot in the resort with a newly constructed entrance and road making CuisinArt’s Greg Norman Signature Design golf course and its ocean views part of the new, grander arrival experience. Upon check-in, guests will find a refurbished lobby with updated furniture and carpets, keeping it modern and in line with the remodeling of the resort’s accommodations.

The 275-acre beachfront property’s 93 rooms and suites feature an entirely new bold and colorful look complete with new furnishings, including beds, sofas, rugs, bedding, new LCD TVs and more. A full resurfacing and retiling of the iconic main pool and the reflecting pools leading to the beach was completed just weeks before reopening.

Improvements to the recently obtained 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course were followed by an upgrade of the course’s onsite Mediterranean-styled clubhouse, which has over 11,000 square feet of flexible event space. The expansive white marble terrace overlooks jaw-dropping views of the resort’s golf course, Caribbean Sea and St. Maarten.

Finally, CuisinArt Resort continues to keep its world-class culinary offerings fresh and timely. This year, the property opened Anguilla’s first Japanese restaurant, Tokyo Bay, which serves sushi and teppanyaki specialties along with 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea and golf course. A second new restaurant, Italia, is situated in the golf clubhouse and offers a gourmet selection of artisanal pastas, meat dishes and local seafood specialties. Additionally, new menus at Café Mediterraneo, Beach Grill and Anguilla’s first AAA Four Diamond restaurant, Le Bistro at Santorini, have been updated in line with seasonal products.

Agents should direct any questions to David Lyon ([email protected], 212-972-0880), director of sales and marketing.

Cap Juluca Still Facing Obstacles: Travel Agent recently chatted with Candis Niles, Anguilla’s director of tourism. Niles said that longstanding luxury resort, Cap Juluca, still has some work to do before a financial mess that clouded the famed Caribbean resort’s image in late 2011 is erased for good. But as far as the legendary resort’s aesthetics go, Cap Juluca has never looked better.

Jonquil Suite at Cap Juluca
Jonquil Suite at Cap Juluca

 

Cap Juluca reopened under the original ownership of Charles and Linda Hickox on November 15, 2012. Niles told Travel Agent during a telephone interview that there “are still some legal matters that need to be taken care but the property is open and they have been receiving guests.” Until the legal issues are resolved, one of the shareholders has removed his 30 villas from the total 97, Niles said. This means that more than a third of Cap Juluca’s total inventory is still unavailable to book for clients. 

However, resort representatives told us that the 67 villas that are available have been upgraded. Each of the resort’s repainted guest rooms are clean and has vibrant hints of color, outfitted with new room amenities, furniture, linens and other decorative accents.

The highlight of the redo is the new Jonquil Suite—a 3,290-square-foot villa with two master bedrooms; a sitting room; full-service kitchen; an oceanfront dining terrace; a Jacuzzi; and a private, freshwater infinity pool. Spice Lounge is a new exotic Arabesque-style waterfront bar featuring live music, dancing, and a global tapas menu. Maundays Bar has been updated with distinctive rattan furniture, dark woods and dramatic lighting. Blue is an open-air beachfront restaurant that has been refreshed in an elegant yet casual style against a bright white and pale azure backdrop—accented with pale blue chairs and tables; and bright raspberry, lime and orange pillows.

Meanwhile, Cap Juluca is still searching for a new general manager to replace Gary Thulander, Niles said. Resort representatives told us that an ownership representative is onsite to oversee the day-to-day activities of the resort until a new GM takes charge. That representative is currently interviewing potential candidates and is working on naming a new GM in the near future. 

Agents should contact Eva Chan ([email protected]), director of sales and marketing, for more information.

Celebrate Carnival at a Boutique Hotel: If it’s a little something off-the-beaten path your clients are looking for when heading to Anguilla, tell them about the Frangipani Beach Resort. Spanish-Mediterranean in style, the 19-room resort is friendly and packed with extras. 

Each of the rooms and suites has a unique design, yet all are distinguished by cool limestone flooring, mahogany cabinets and custom furnishings. The bathrooms have glass mosaic tile and cave showers equipped with luxurious massaging shower columns. Each room has central air conditioning, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs, and free wireless Internet service. 

Perhaps the best time to check out this luxury boutique is during Anguilla’s annual Carnival celebration. In fact, Frangipani Beach Resort is offering an enticing package for clients who want to join in on the fun. It includes accommodations for seven nights; on-and-off privileges aboard the Relentless; a bottle of Mount Gay Rum upon arrival; a Sunset Beach barbecue and more. Valid check-in dates are from August. Rates start at $3,750 for a one-bedroom suite or $2,000 for a luxury room with no view.

Beyond accommodations, clients are treated to continental breakfast at the renowned Straw Hat Restaurant, which serves three meals a day. An infinity pool sits right on the beach and there is a larger pool for laps. Massages and facials are available on the beach in a private waterfront cabana. 

Agents should reach out to Kenicia Richardson ([email protected], 264-497-6442), reservations manager, with any queries.