Anguilla
- by Kevin Burton
The tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla is just a 30 minute hop, via a comfortable flight, from Antigua and offers some of the most stunning stretches of beach in the Caribbean, as well as truly luxurious hotels.
We stayed at the Viceroy, a sparkling, brand new hotel about 20 minutes from the airport. But the Viceroy isn't for anyone seeking traditional Caribbean. The architecture is contemporary, stylish and uber-cool. It wouldn't look out of place in Miami, but it does sit quite comfortably within its lush surroundings. There is accommodation to suit everyone, whether it be couples or large families. All rooms are custom-designed, spacious and luxurious. The two restaurants, ‘Kobe', on a lovely bluff-top setting and ‘Aleta', overlooking the Point House pool, offer a mouth watering array of Caribbean and international cuisine, with imaginatively created menus.
The Sunset Bar, again, follows the theme throughout the hotel of style and design and is chilled, informal and a perfect place for cocktails, drinks and light bites! I loved it here, it felt perfect, with gorgeous warm breezes complimenting the soft light and mellow atmosphere! Cuisinart, a lovely, spacious, Mediterranean style hotel, with its own ¾ acre Hydroponic farm and a huge spa - 27,000 square feet of pampering and indulgence, with a speciality being it's healing water room!
A great one for families is the Malliouhana Hotel & Spa. This hotel has been under the same family ownership for 26 years and is lovely. Colonial in style with its public rooms on different tiered levels, with gorgeous views from the Michel Rostang restaurant, perfect for stunning sunsets!
Cap Jaluca has to be situated on one of the loveliest beaches in the Caribbean, with all its rooms and suites no more than 40 feet away from the beach! All rooms are ocean front, with views across to St Maarten in the distance. This property is perfect for Honeymooners and couples, with a relaxed and chilled feel to it. Foodies will be well catered for here, with Pimms and Spice offering truly superb cuisine in fabulous surrounds. By day, Blue Beachfront Bistro offers al fresco dining for breakfast and lunch, with a beach buffet dinner twice a week. For keen Golfers, the Greg Norman designed Temenos course is Anguilla's only Golf Course and is managed by Cap Jaluca.
Anguilla is not a pretty island and it's capital, called The Valley, doesn't offer the visitor anything in the way of excitement. Indeed, our orientation tour of the island took in salt ponds and a short stop at the top of a viewing point, overlooking a non-descript harbour, with a rusting cargo ship off loading its goods! However, Anguilla is all about the fantastic beaches and wonderful hotels.