doc04

Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on what is the best hotel on Anguilla?
Cap Juluca, Mallihouana or Cuisinart? We are a young couple (early 30s) planning to go for a week in June?

caribfan

Hi There,
I've stayed at all three and am also in my early 30's. Hands down I would say Cap Juluca. Keep in mind this is the Caribbean. I LOVE the Caribbean, but the service isn't like a Ritz or Four Seasons.
Mali is perched up above the beach and it is the oldest of all three hotels. I found it stuffy and you go to Anguilla for the beautiful beaches, so why not stay on the beach. Out of all 3, Mali caters the most to children. It has an Old World Feel.
CuisinArt is the newest. It has a very American feel. It has the nicest pool of all three. I found the beach windy and the service so, so. They have a nice Spa. New World Feel.
Cap Juluca- My FAVORITE. Accomodations steps from the sand. The Luxury Rooms and Junior Suites have incredible terraces where they serve continental breakfasts at no extra charge. Pimms is the most spectacular waterfront Restaurant, the waves literally lap at your feet. So romantic. You can have a privat candlelit dinner on the beach...I could go on and on. Other Wordly feeling. The only downside is the pool, but with a beach and water like that you won't miss it. It is on a secluded baby, so no wind and calm waters...okay this is turning into a very long novel.

Barbara1

I agree.
I think Cap Juluca is the best resort on the island

doc04

Thanks for your replies, but on TripAdvisor I have read many negative reviews about Cap Juluca. I am concerned that it is not what it once was. Cuisinart seems to get the best overall reviews. Would others agree that these resorts are not in the same league as Four Seasons-types?

jlillberto

I haven't stayed at the Cap but did stay at Cuisinart in January. I found the service to be right up there with the very best..definitely NOT just so-so. I'm a former travel agent and airline employee, have traveled extensively and stay in some of the very best. Cuisinart is a beautiful property and the service is as good or better than a Ritz.

penny

You really cannot go wrong with any of the 3 hotels. Its more about personal taste
and expectations. I have stayed at all 3.
I have been to the island 18 times. Cap
is my choice.

caribfan

I was at all three hotels less than a year ago.
In fairness, everyone's experience will be different with service. The poster with the extensive travel experience said service at Cuisi was like the Ritz. The service I got there was less than fabulous, while at Cap Juluca it was exceptional.
If you are American, perhaps you would like Cuisi the best.
I agree with the other posters, you can't go wrong at any of them. But do keep in mind that Cuisi and Mali cater more to famillies. Cap more to couples, if this makes a difference.
You should dine or at least visit all three resorts while on the island. I'd be curious to see which one you like best. Let us know!

caribfan

Oops, on my first post I wrote "baby". I meant bay in regards to Caps location.
One last thought. Everyone forms on an opinion based on their experiences. I think one of the posters was a travel agent. I work in the television industry and have travelled to luxury hotels to decide whether or not to feature them on various programs. That being said, most of the staff are aware of this and are on their best behaviour. Cuisi was the only exception.

almesq

We were at Cap last year in April and absolutely loved it. We enjoy the top resorts, like Four Seasons, etc. (and are actually going to FS Nevis next month). Service was not as over the top like a FS, but nothing can compare to FS for service. Hotel was beautiful, rooms were great. Breakfast brought to your room so you can eat on the terrace was a great way to start the day. And the beach is like no other we've ever seen. Huge beach, and virtually deserted, even with the hotel at full capacity. Since you come right out of your villa onto the beach, it seems like you are on a private beach. No fighting for chairs, etc. Cap is one of our favorite resorts and would put it up against any other we've been to.

Laby

If Cap Juluca, Mallihouana and Cuisinart aren't sufficiently luxurious, you may want to consider the Altamer Resort (http://www.altamer.com/), Covecastles (http://www.covecastles.com/) or the St. Regis Temenos Villas (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregi...ropertyID=1519). More expensive than Cap Juluca, Mallihouana and Cuisinart but the extra cost will buy you the greater luxury you seek.

ccb213

We just got back from a 5 day stay at Cuisinart in mid. Feb. for my 40th b-day trip and we visited all three of the resorts you mentioned. We loved Cuisinart and thought the service was wonderful (and we have stayed at Ritzs and Four Seasons and still thought the service was excellent at Cuisinart). My husband planned some very lovely and romantic things for my birthday all of which were taken care of by the concierge, who couldn't have been more helpful. If you think you will lie by the pool, I recommend Cuisinart. The only reason we were at the pool rather than the beach was because one day the beach at Cuisinart was too windy and we went to the pool, although on all other days the beach was great. We visited Cap Julaca and the beach and atmosphere there really are magnificent and feel very romantic. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the property at Cap Jaluca is spread out much more than the property at Cuisinart. If you stay at one of the far villas at Cap Jaluca and forget something in your room, it can be a walk back to get it whereas Cuisinart is much more compact. Even though it's compact, it didn't feel crowded at any time we were there. I don't know about the food at Cap Jaluca, but I wasn't that impressed with the food at Cuisinart. The breakfasts were standard continental breakfast and the casual dining was, in my opinion, better than the more formal Santorini restaurant. We went to Malli for sunets drinks one night. In my opinion, it felt the oldest and the stuffiest of the three -- and you have to walk down lots of steps to get to the beach. Hope this helps.

katiekate

caribfan- What a dream job; do you need an assistant??
When we stayed at Cap we had one of the villas with private pool. It was divine!! But, I remember thinking they needed to upgrade their beds/linens/pillows; you know... comfy beds and high thread count linens. Now most high end properties claim offer these expected amenities. I filled out their comment card, stating this and a couple other small things, but never heard a response.
Someday I'd love to stay at Altamer or Temenos...talk about luxurious!!

Kyra

Cap Juluca.....

jlillberto

caribfan, have you actually stayed at all three properties?

FYI, I am no longer a travel agent. My husband and I own a very successful company, travel extensively and always stay in upscale properties.

Like I've said, I haven't stayed at the Cap and we only drove into it. From what I've heard, it is wonderful. I'd like to try it but liked the staff so much at Cuisinart that I'd like to go back.

caribfan

KatieKate- I love what I do, but it's my own company, so the expensing are still my own, but worth it! I have a young child now, so I'm only working part time. I'm out of Canada and I'm trying to find a US partner to work with on a Travel TV project, I'll let you know! About the rooms at Cap. I was there last Spring and they told me the rooms had just had an interior Design Co. re-do them. My room was minimalist, exotic, a Morrocan feel, as were the suites and villas they showed me. There may be others in need of refurbishment. We stayed at the centre of the resort, near Georges. I liked the location.
Jilliberto- I did stay at all three properties, it was a bit of a whirlwind, but each property is completely different, so it gave me a really good contrast. Hopefully, my experience with the service at CuisinArt was unique. I should state that their NY sales office was fabulous to deal with, the service just fell apart once on the property. I have to say the Wedding Coordinator was really a disservice to the resort. No follow-through etc. My partner and I got food poisoning and no one cared. I could go on and on. But that pool is spectacular.

caribfan

Jlillberto- Congratulations on your successful business.

If you think back to your travel agency days or your recent upscale trips, any thoughts on St. Lucia?

Do you think you can find the luxury of Anguilla, T&C, Harbour Island etc. I'm surprised, it seems such a popular island. Ladera is the closest I can imagine but no beach. I haven't been. We'd like to film there because of the scenery, but I can't find a suitable property. Sorry, I've digressed from the original topic of this thread.

doc04

What about the risk of hurricaines in late-June?

almesq

June is hurrican season, so it is possible, but the height of hurricane season is August/September. Again, it is possible in June, but less likely than later in the season. There's no way to predict.

Carola22

Good point made by Laby about Altamer, CoveCastles, and Temenos - while Cap Juluca, Mallihouana and Cuisinart are quite luxurious, these three are REALLY luxurious (and newer), with a price tag to match!