Brandessa

My husband and I are booking a week's vacation in December and would like your input between the Frangipani or Cuisinart resorts.

We are interested in rooms with space, privacy, a balcony, and a nice view. The pool and beach are not as high a priority as one of us is fair skinned and cannot be in the sun long. We do walk and explore the different beaches, but don't spend the day at the beach.

We enjoy fine dining and will be driving to restaurants nightly.

If you have been to either place, we would appreciate your suggestions and recommendations

Carola22

I have only stayed at Frangipani (twice), but we did check out Cuisinart during our previous visits to Anguilla. Cuisinart is definitely a more 'upscale' luxury sort of place. Everyone who has stayed there (check into the Anguilla Guide Index and COL forum as well) says that service at Cuisinart is great, and the rooms spacious and luxurious.
To us it looked a bit more stiff than Frangipani, with a very planned (but beautiful!) layout.
Frangipani is right on the beach, on beautiful Meads Bay. The rooms and apartments are also very spacious and well-equipped, but are beginning to show some wear. The pool is great.
So it depends on what you want really: if you want real luxury and staff catering to your every wish, Cuisinart is probably the best choice. If you want more of an independent feel, with very unobtrusive staff, Frangipani may be better.
Hope this helps!

Brandessa

Hi Carola

Since you have stayed at Frangipani twice, I do have some addition questions for you.

Their website lists a daily breakfast included with price. Is it a continental, buffet, or menu choice?

Is the view from all the suites of the water and do you recommend any particular building or floor?

When you decided to return there, was it to take advantage of the return customer special rate?

Thanks for sharing your views

HowardC

Have stayed at Frangipani 16 times and we really like it. They have commenced redecorating/renovating all suites and will be complete by this november.

The breakfast that comes with the Sun Sea and Sand package is continental buffet with assorted fruits, cereal, juice, great pastries from Le Bon Pain, bagels, toast, coffee, tea. There is also a menu you can order from but not included in the room rate.

There is only one building at Frangipani. There are only 8 suites. 1-4 are on the ground floor. 5-7 on the second (7 is a junior suite) and the penthouse (8) is on the third floor. All have ocean/beach views.. If you go to the Frangipani web page and click on condo sales you can see floor plans of some of the suites

travelerjeff

Are the Super Deluxe rooms at the Frangipani nice? And, if so, can you recommend which are preferrential in location in the hotel?

Kristen1206

There are only 2 super deluxe rooms. They will put in a small fridge if you ask. 5C is the best of the 2 rooms asit has a larger balcony and better location I think (never saw the other super deluxe). It was nice...needed a few minor things repaired/updated but they are doing that in Aug/Sept while they are closed.

I'm sure Howard can tell you the difference between the 2 super deluxe rooms...

Kristen1206

Continental breakfast was great...I was poiled with the fresh squuzed juice every morning and the incredible view.

Brandessa

After reading the posts on this board and others, I have decided to go with Frangipani and am really looking forward to it.

Howard, since you have returned there so often, you obviously are the authority on the board. I appreciate your description of the layout and did go to their website to see the floor plans. I am booking the 1 bedroom suite. Having been there and given the option, which room would you request?


Who do you use for your car rental?

Kristen1206

There is a Carib car rental office right at Frangi. But we used Andy's car rentals (Connor's). Got a great deal and he gave a roide to our hotel then brought the car over. But he will meet you at the port. Great guy.

Some people will say his practices are questionable because he takes away from the taxi business, but there were several car rental agencies doing the same thing. We saved $75 for the week using him vs. Carib.

travelerjeff

My fiance and I are planning a honeymoon. The drawback (because of price) is, Dec. 20-28.

Is Anguilla a good place for a honeymoon? And/if so is Frangipani the place to stay? If Anguilla is the place, do you recommend renting a car or is it easy/ cost effective to get around by cab?

Any other recommended places or islands for a honeymoon?

Thanks, full of questions.

HowardC

Brandessa---You didn't say when in Dec but believe Frangipani goes to in season rates around 20 Dec. The sun sea and Sand package is the best deal but is only offered in off season. Frangipani does try and honor suite requests but cna't guarantee you will get the requested suite. Example--if you requested 1A which can either be one or two bedrooms and someone wanted it fir two bedrooms you wouldn't get it. There is only one true one bedroom suite 4A. That siad we have syaed in almost all of the suites and there isn't a lot of difference between them. All are very nice. If I was requesting a suite it would be 1A on the first floor or 5A on the second. I have a review of Frangipani on www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com Click on Anguilla and reviews.

Jeff--Frangipani and Anguilla is a really nice place to honeymoon. Frangipani is small quiet and intimate. Unfortunately you will be paying in season prices. As Kristen said 5C is a nice super deluxe suite with a balcony and good view. The deluxe and super deluxe suites are actually the second bedrooms of a two-three bedroom suite. 6B is super deluxe on the second floor Large suite with sitting area. no balcony and limited view. You might look into 7A which is a junior efficiency suite with kitchen. Another option is 6C which is a delue suite but does have a large balcony which looks inland. Other suggestions--Carimar Beach Club on Meads Bay--no pool or restaurant but several near by. Buildings 1 and 6 are oceanfront and preferable. Might also look into Turtles Nest next to
Frangipani. It's new. Small pool beachfront. All suites have kitchens. No restuarant but again several nearby. Check out www.news.ai and use the tool bar on the top for places to stay. Another good Anguilla site is www.festival.ai We use Carib Rent a Car at Frangipani. $245/week plus $20 for an Anguilla drivers license. You definitely want a car to go to the store, explore the island and go out to dinner. Cabs get pretty expensive.

travelerjeff

Howard - thank you for the insight...much appreciated.

I'm really having a tough time...if you do not mind helping I would appreciate.

Never been to the Caribbean. Are there places you might recommend? Clearly you really like Anguilla and Frang. If we were to go to Frang. what rooms would you recommend? Looking to spend $5000 or less for the trip, not including airfare. Do you know anything about the Arawak Beach Inn?

Is there some place other than Frang. that you would recommend? Or another island?

THANKS! YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Brandessa

Hi Howard,

After checking the website, I booked so that I will be leaving Anguilla December 18; the day before high season starts. Yes, I did book the 7 day sun sea and sand package. The rates are great for December and living in the northeast, I'm sure I will welcome the warm weather.

Jeff, you should also check out Grenada. Went there earlier this year and immediately booked again for next year. Don't know where you are flying from, but you can fly non stop from Philly on US Air.

travelerjeff

Brandessa,

Thanks for the Grenada tip. Looked at Spice Island Resort and LaLuna (which we love) but both seem to be a stretch on price limit. Any other suggestions for places in Grenada?

Do you know, is there ever bargaining room on the rates...i.e. we would do Spice Island or LaLuna in a heartbeat at a lower rate.

Thank you for the help!

HowardC

Brandessa--Think you will really like Frangipani. Will miss you by a couple of weeks. If you want restaurant recommendations etc feel free to e-mail me [email protected].

Jeff--would prefer to take this conversation off line so please e-mail me.

Brandessa

Hi Travelerjeff

Grenada has a great discussion board of their own. The members are a tremendous help and from what I have read provide honest and great help. The website is www.grenadaexplorer.com. For my view of our vacation there, check the discussion board under "Your Vacation" and look for the post Garden of Eden.

The website also has links to hotels. LaLuna is a draw for honeymooners, however we did not tour it when we were there. We stayed at Bel Air Plantation and were very happy there. We were also upgraded on arrival.

Although Spice Island is a very nice resort on Grand Anse beach it in an all inclusive. I do not choose all inclusive hotels when vacationing because I like to try the island restaurants. When you are in an all inclusive if you don't like the food you are stuck with it all week. Also, there is no inspiration for good service; it's already paid for in advance.

A hotel with the nicest pool in Grenada is www.grandbeach.net.

Have fun researching!