Today’s testimonial is brought to you by our trusted industry colleague Susan Carvahlo from Air Canada Vacations. She reviews 6 Anguilla hotels that might be the perfect spot for your destination wedding.
Tucked away in the northern Caribbean lies a small wonder, Anguilla.
Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory, 16 miles long, and 3 miles at the widest point that has 33 white sand beaches with crystal clear waters. The island is a retreat for couples, families and singles offering a wide range of accommodations that are among the finest in the world.
Cuisine is a central feature of the Anguillian experience, there is over 85 restaurants that offer some of the best Caribbean dishes. It is the warmth and friendliness of the Anguilla people that will make your experience truly incomparable!
One of the world’s most tranquil eco-tourism getaways, Anguilla’s coral and limestone flatlands and salt ponds offer the ideal setting for shooting spectacular photographs or simply watching the sun as it melts into the sea. Carefully maintained and preserved by the gracious and proud population, Anguilla is a nature lover’s dream.
It’s a sailor’s dream, too. An honoured tradition of locally built and designed boats is shown off at regattas on national holidays, particularly during the annual Carnival celebrations.
Anguilla is a diverse mix of experiences that will make you slow down, relax and unwind! Escape to this place off the beaten path, that will offer you ultimate bliss, no-worry weather, warm smiles, stunning sunrises, shimmering sunsets, blissful beaches, gourmet cuisine and total seclusion!
HOW TO GET THERE
Air Canada Vacations is offering a direct non-stop flight from Toronto to St. Martin/Maarten beginning December 18, 2010 until April 9, 2011. Plus, we offer convenient connectors from 65 Canadian Cities.
- Fly into St. Martin/St. Maarten and enjoy a 30-minute ferry ride to Anguilla followed by a 15-minute bus transfer to your hotel.
- USD$1 daily government tourism levied tax, paid by guest on departure.
- Please note a USD$20 per person departure tax is to be paid in cash upon departure from Anguilla.
- Children under 12 are free.
- Entry Requirements – Passport
Note: The Anguilla Air Services (AAS) offers daily charters for approximately USD$80 one way/per person from St. Martin/Maarten to Anguilla. For full details, go to to www.anguillaairservices.com.
HOTELS & RESORTS CAP JULUCA (5 star)
Cap Juluca has 72 Rooms and Suites, 6 Pool Villas. Moorish-style architecture, two miles of pristine white sand beach on Maundays Bay. The hotel has 3 restaurants: Spice (pan-Asian cuisine) in a Moroccan setting; Pimms (Eurobbean fusion) and Blue (casual dinner on the beach).
A full menu of spa services allows guests to indulge in the privacy of their room or on the beach. The must-play Temenos Golf Club with its Greg Norman designed course is only 10 minutes away.
Optional Meal Plans:
Continental Breakfast Plan (daily).
Full breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Cap Juluca Hotel Review
Cap Juluca is a gorgeus property! The name is derived from the rainbow god of Anguilla.
The hotel has recently invested over $29 million dollars in new renovations. The front lobby opens up to a spectacular view of the beach area. They have a sunset terrace which overlooks the beach where you can enjoy your morning coffee or evening cocktails. The white sand beach is definitely one of the main selling features of this hotel.
Guests can enjoy loungers that have thick pillows and cushions plus, complimentary non-motorized water activites. There is 18 villas that are spread out across
Maundays Bay which is approximately 1 mile long. For every 3 villas, they have set up a private beach cabana which is managed by 2 staff members who offer clients free snacks, drinks and spritzers.
Please note the hotel is planning to expand their wellness centre into a full spa with an infinity pool in the next 2 years. The villa accommodations are stunning – a perfect choice for couples or honeymooners. The hotel nightly entertainment takes place in the main lobby which features “The Boss” – a very popular band.
CUISINART RESORT & SPA (5 star)
Cuisinart is located on Rendezvous Bay. The hotel has 93 rooms including oceanfront villas, each with spectacular views of the Caribbean.
Choose casual or fine dining at the award-winning property’s two restaurants or learn the secrets of the Executive Chef’s Caribbean Cuisine at the exclusive Chef’s table. Fresh produce is provided by the resorts’ very own hydroponic farm complimented by a wine cellar that holds over 3,600 bottles.
The Venus Spa has tripled in size with a 19,000 square-foot addition which includes 16 treatment rooms including hydrotherapy, a Thalasso pool and a fully equipped fitness center that has a yoga and pilates studio.
Optional Meal Plans:
Continental Breakfast Plan (daily).
Full Breakfast Plan (daily).
Half Board Plan includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Important Note: Beverages are not included. A 15% service charge on food is additional and is payable locally.
Cuisinart Hotel Review
Cuisinart opened in December 1999. They have a hydroponic farm where they grow their own herbs and produce. Clients can enjoy free Culinary classes that are offered 2 to 3 times per week in the Culinary theatre.
Venus Spa – is a beautiful facility where clients can sit back, relax and enjoy getting pampered.
The property consists of 3 storey villas; 3 junior suites on the ground floor, 3 junior suites on the 2nd floor and a combination of 1, 2 bedrooms plus, luxury suites on the 3rd floor. Please note the main building offers elevator access for guests.
Cuisinart is a member of “The Leading Small Hotels of the World” it truly offers clients a very unique experience!
KU (3 star)
KU offers “Affordable Chic” South Beach meets St. Barts in an informal setting on an exquisite two mile beach on Shoal Bay East. It has 27 Suites including 1 and 2 bedroom suites featuring A/C and ceiling fans. All have balconies, oceanfront or oceanview with sitting/dining room, full kitchen, separate bedroom and bath.
There is a new restaurant called “Kuyah” serves Mediterranean/Caribbean cruise. A Petit Spa, gym and dive shop complete the well rounded facilites.
Optional Meal Plans:
European Plan (no meals).
Continental Breakfast Plan (daily).
Half Board Plan includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Important note: Beverages are not included. A 15% service charge on food is additional and is payable locally.
KU Hotel Review
This is a solid 3 star property that offers good value for your money. The suites are very spacious and accommodate up to 4 passengers.
The Petit Spa offers a variety of treatments by appointment only. They have a very nice gym facility that is fully equipped with cardio machines and weights. There is a mini market store right on the property where you can purchase food, juice and liquor.
PARADISE COVE RESORT (3 star)
Paradise Cove is located at the south western end of Anguilla just a short walk from two beautiful beaches – Cove Bay and Rendezvous Bay West. This hotel is a perfect hideaway for familes, couples or business travelers.
It offers a choice of 29 spacious 1 and 2 bedroom, luxurious penthouse and junior studio suites, each with a living and dining area, a fully equipped kitchenette (kitchenette in studio suites), a private balcony or patio, laundry facilities, telephone, internet access, cable TV, in room safety deposit boxes and clock/radios. All the bedrooms have their own bathroom with tub and shower, plus an extra half bath in each of the full suites.
The hotel also offers a full range of facilities that includes (1) large swimming pool, 2 outdoor jacuzzis, a fully equipped fitness center and a 1200 square feet meeting/conference room that provides a great setting for a corporate retreat or weddings.
Paradise Cove Hotel Review
This is a solid 3 star property that offers great value for money. The hotel lobby offers a first great impression – there is one restaurant that is open for all meals.
Paradise Cove is not located on the beach however, the nearest one is only a 5 to 10 minute walk away. Please note the hotel does offer complimentary beach shuttle services for guests.
There is 12 studios, 6 one bedroom units, 8 two bedrooms and 3 luxurious penthouse rooms. The studios offer a pool or garden view. Guests can request adjoining rooms prior to arrival.
One special service that the hotel offers is that they will do the grocery shopping for their clients. Paradise Cove is part of “The Charming Escape Collection” – a perfect choice for families!
SIRENA RESORT & VILLAS (3 star)
Sirena Resort is on Meads Bay, a quick 4 minute walk to a white-sand beach. The property offers a selection of Mediterranean-style accommodations; 20 rooms, 4 Junior Suites and 3 Villas.
It features two freshwater swimming pools, a PADI Dive Center and a massage facility. Mahi Mahi restaurant focuses on fresh seafood influenced by Caribbean flavours.
Optional Meal Plans:
Half Board Plan includes continental breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Important Note: Beverages are not included. A 15% service charge on food is additional and is payable locally.
Sirena Hotel Review
Sirena Resort & Villas opened in 1989. It is a basic hotel that offers clean accommodations. All of the rooms have AC, flat screen TV’s, coffee maker and new renovated bathrooms.
Please note this hotel is going to be closing down and reopening in Oct 2010 under a new name “Anacayona Boutique Hotel.” The upgrades are going to include a new open concept lobby, more suites and the lower beach pool area will be re-tiled and will feature a new jacuzzi.
CARIMAR BEACH CLUB (3 star)
Carimar Beach Club is located on Meads Bay Beach, within walking distance of some of the island’s best restaurants.
It has 24 comfortably furnished villa style units includes a fully equipped kitchen within the comfort of over 1,100 square feet of living and patio space with views of the tropical gardens and the ocean. The hotel will arrange various activities, such as: fishing, windsurfing, diving, and sunset cruises for their guests.
This hotel will be closed for annual maintenance from September 1 to October 31 2010.
Carimar Beach Club Hotel Review
Carimar Beach Club is a great hotel that is located on an amazing beach in Meads Bay. The villa units are individually owned therefore, each room is decorated differently. The spacious accommodations have internet access plus, beach towels are stocked daily. The hotel’s club house offers washer/dryer services.
Please note there is no restaurant on the property however, there are many dining options in the surrounding area.
Anguilla Beaches
“Anguilla is ranked number one world’s best all around beaches.” There is over 33 white sand beaches for strolling, snorkelling, sun bathing, scuba diving!
- Meads Bay: Very scenic. Becoming a real estate Mecca. Relax and watch a boat race.
- Road Bay: For sunsets, beach bars, restaurants and night life.
- Maundays Bay: Home to Anguilla’s newly renovated flagship resort – Cap Juluca.
- Crocus Bay: Home to Anguilla’s new local restaurant that has burst on the scent with great food & entertainment.
- Shoal Bay East: Truly spectacular. #1 beach in the Caribbean!
- Shoal Bay West: Dazzling beach with great restaurants, resorts, striking villas and more!Rendezvous Bay: 2km of pearl-white sand.
- Cove Bay: Shallow and clear and great for the kids.
Anguilla Golf
Temenos Golf Course is managed by Cap Juluca. It offers a Caribbean golf experience with Anguilla’s natural environment to present a golfer’s paradise. Designed by golf legend Greg Norman, this 7,063 yard, $50 million championship golf course serves as Anguilla’s only golf course.
Green fees during peak times for the 2010 season are available for $225 per person. Play after 2pm costs $125 per person. For more information, visit www.capjuluca.com/golf.php.
Anguilla Water Activities
There’s paddle boating, para-sailing, para/water-skiing, small catamaran/sunfish sailing; tuba deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. A “must do” is glass-bottom boating, see many colourful fish and coral!
Anguilla Weddings & Honeymoons
You can choose to be married by Magistrate at the Court House or a Minister of religion at:
- a church
- off-shore cay
- beach
- catamaran/sailboat
- resort/villa
Most hotels offer their own wedding and honeymoon packages!
Anguilla Marriage Requirements
You need 2 working days to obtain a licence valued at $241.80US - both parties must present proof of citizenship of resident country (passport, original birth certificate with photo ID) - if divorced, an original or certified divorce decree- an Anguilla stamp duty valued at $37.20US, from the General Post Office in the Valley- 2 witnesses must be available for wedding ceremony.
A special thank you to Susan for contributing this thorough Anguilla review to the Beachside Brides Blog!
Have you been to Anguilla for a vacation or destination wedding? If so, did you love Anguilla as much as Susan did?
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