Anguilla - An Undiscovered Treasure

Anguilla - October 27, 2009

Well, where shall I start … how about at the beginning.

Several months ago, I asked Lisa what she wanted for her birthday and much to my surprise (not really) she said all she wanted a “trip“. The “trip” was to a resort she had wanted to go to for years and had somehow never managed to get there. The resort is called Cap Juluca and is located on the small Caribbean island of Anguilla. Anguilla had somehow escaped my Caribbean travels over the years also, so it was a trip to a paradise where neither of us had ever been. When I say paradise, it truly is paradise. Let us tell you about it.

We arrived in late October and the entire island with a few exceptions was still closed for the “season” nonetheless our experiences for the most part were over the top.

First of all, paradise(s) are usually never easy to get to, and this one is no different, but three legs (from St. Louis, to Miami, to San Juan to Anguilla) and you arrive in “paradise”. As you make your final approach to Anguilla from San Juan, you realize from the airplane that this place is a bit different … a relatively small island (16 miles long and only 3 miles wide at the widest part of the island) with the bluest waters of the Caribbean rivaling Bermuda in the appeal of the color and clarity of the island.

Upon arrival we proceeded directly to Cap Juluca by private taxi $ 28 US for a 20 minute ride) to the resort. Everything that Lisa and I had ever read about Cap Juluca referred to the beach as “one of the most beautiful in the world” and I’ll have to say the reviews were on the mark. Cap Juluca is situated on the south side of Anguilla facing St. Martin (a mere 20 minute boat ride away and St. Bart‘s 10 minutes further) and receives a generous daily breeze from the south and east that makes the 85 to 88 degrees temperatures and high humidity actually quite pleasant most of the time. We spent a portion of every day on that beautiful beach and were never really uncomfortable despite the heat and humidity.

While we (me in particular) were somewhat disappointed in several ways by the resort itself, all in all, Cap Juluca and, in particular, Anguilla was a delightful adventure for us.

So please let us tell you of our adventures in paradise …

On the day after our arrival, we chartered the Funtime Three, a 37 foot boat, for the day and with Captain Chester and First Mate Checky at the controls, we set our for our day-at-sea adventure. First item of business was a “drive by” of some of the outer islands off Anguilla with names like Prickley Pear Cay, Sandy Island, Meads Bay, Little Bay, Shoal Bay, Sandy Ground and even Long Bay … we saw them all. It was as we approached Mead’s Bay, that we noticed this magnificent new resort, in the final phases of construction, called The Viceroy. The name, of course, is the branding of the Viceroy in other parts of the world … places like Santa Monica, Palm Springs, Miami and Snow Mass. We decided after the “drive by” that we had to see more and were able to arrange a visit for the next morning with Phillip Day (Sales Manager) and Denise Wilder (Meetings and Events) … more on this later.

Next it was off to St. Martin (the French side) for a quick lunch and a camera purchase. Having never been to the French side of the island, it was interesting to see but very familiar with other Caribbean islands where cruise ships make a stop and nothing like the preserved beauty and of yet-to-be-developed Anguilla.

After lunch we headed back to Anguilla where we made a stop at Shoal Bay East and visited with Carol the bartender at Uncle Ernie’s, a cute little “Caribbean like” bar with fantastic rum punch on a the beach just around the corner from the Viceroy. We met some nice folks there (both visitors and locals) and after a quick swim back to our boat and we were on our way again to Little Bay and to check out the CuisinArt Resort … we had to check it out from the waterfront as it had not yet opened for the season. After that it was back to our little piece of paradise for a quick swim then dinner at Pimm’s at Cap Juluca.

One of the highlights of our stay at Cap Juluca was our morning horseback ride on the beach along and in the ocean with our local rastafarian guide. Highly recommend that you do this at least once while in Anguilla.

Our cab driver from the airport told us that Anguilla was blessed with a variety of great restaurants and awesome food and we found out quickly that he was soooooo right.

A bit about our culinary experiences …

Blanchard’s … small, quaint and somewhat overrated by our best judgment, but nonetheless enjoyable.

Veya, on the other hand, was by far one of the best culinary experiences Lisa and I have had in quite some time, was one of our favorites for the week. Owners Carrie and Jerry Bogar provided us with an absolutely divine experience … Lisa with her tuna and me with the “five spice pork” found ourselves wondering how could such a fabulous restaurant be found on such a small Caribbean island. It was then that we met Carrie (the chef) and Jerry (her husband/wine sommelier) and began understand why this was such a fabulous place. Winner of numerous Wine Spectator awards, Veya would rival most big city restaurants.

Picante, the next night, quickly became another favorite of ours and strange as it may seem, yet another husband and wife team … this time is was Theron and Chloe Loizos. Who would ever expect a Mexican/southwest restaurant in the Caribbean much less an awesome one! We started with the ceranno pepper infused (very spicy) margaritas which were an unbelievable surprise and finished the evening with a great meal (enchiladas, local crawfish and steak fajitas) and then more margaritas … with Theron and Chloe who came to Anguilla several years ago from Marin County, California and now call Anguilla home.

Our favorite evening, by far, was our last night in Anguilla. I arranged for a romantic dinner for two on the beach complete with moonlight, tiki torches, the song of the ocean and great food from the hotel’s restaurant called Spice. It was such a perfect evening in so may ways that I decided this would be the time and place to ask Lisa to be marry me … and because of the perfectness of the moment, she said yes.

So, now that Lisa has said yes and I told you earlier that I would have more on the Viceroy later … we are returning to Anguilla in April to recite our marriage vows at this fabulous new resort which sits atop a high coral point separating crystalline Barnes Bay and Meads Bay. Along more than 3,200 feet of exclusive Caribbean beachfront, hotel guests bask in the innovative Kelly Wearstler design, intuitive Viceroy service and unexpected Anguilla resort privileges recognized as Viceroy signatures.

The Viceroy is definitely for discerning travelers who prize polished personal service and sought-after luxury Caribbean resort seclusion, Viceroy Anguilla embodies the sophisticated Anguilla resort experience. Within 35 secluded acres on Anguilla's exclusive west end, the resort's lush landscaping, two beaches, sophisticated architecture and Kelly Wearstler-designed interiors set the stage for an incredible island getaway.

Viceroy Anguilla transcends virtually all Caribbean resorts with its unrivaled accommodation selections, including guestrooms, studio- to three-bedroom suites, penthouses, and four and five-bedroom villas.

Lisa and I can’t wait to return and express our love for each other in true Caribbean Viceroy luxury.

So if you are looking or a Caribbean getaway, off the beaten bath, with some of the world’s most unbelievable beaches and yet untarnished by cruises ships and their passengers call us to arrange your next vacation in PARADISE!

If you would like additional on this fabulous resort, please feel free to give us a call at 877-313-9009 or email us at info@sunsandandseatravel.com.