August04

Penny, just wondering if you have made your Cap J/Jumby Bay trip since the Rosewood renovations?

My husband and I are considering a return trip, but I fear the magic may be lost with all the high tech renovations. We liked the lack of TV/Internet previously and felt like we had really gotten away from it all. Your advice was spot-on for our trip in '04 so I thought I'd see if you had any thoughts/recommendations?

penny

Just saw this post! In fact its a great question. I too
worry about the magic at Jumby, but the "new" Jumby interests
me so we are off next week. The renovations should be interesting,and I do love that outdoor shower! Jumby is
a speical place and I hope it remains that way.

We also love Anguilla, in fact we are once again combining
our trip. We went in eary December and combined Cap
Juluca and Covecastles. This time we are going to Covecastles.

So I will be happy to post about Jumby when we return.
BTW Cap was wonderful!

Also there is a new resort on Barbuda,

penny

called The Lighthouse. I read some interesting posts
about this place!

August04

I hope you have a wonderful trip! I look forward to hearing about your experiences.

We are thinking about combining Antigua/Anguilla when we go since reading your previous posts. Thanks too for the Barbuda info - I'll have to check that out too.

Safe travels!

jas0212

Penny, how was Jumby Bay post-renovation? My husband and I are planning a trip and can't decide between Cap and Jumby. We are looking for upscale, quiet-but-not-boring, great spa, great beach and lovely rooms. oh yes and great food. snorkeling and a good yoga/fitness option to work off some of the wonderful food. Any thoughts from those who have gone before??

penny

Jumby is still wonderful. I thought why would the knock
down the court yard suites--I could understand knocking down
the Pond House. The new rooms are stunning, a/c is now
up to par, great lighting and comfy comfy bedding and
furniture--reading lamps at the bed--the rooms are well
appointed and thought out! Of couse my favorite outdoor
shower is back. I even loved the Nepresso coffee maker.
The new infinite pool and pool dining is a plus. They
also have more activities--even a fitness boot camp!

Love the calm beach and walking-biking paths. Food was
very good---the new spa is nice, although pricey. Not sure
about yoga but check out the Sense spa menu on their site.

August 04--Please ask away!

Jas0212--Cap and Jumby are 2 different experiences. Jumby
is like a very private upscale club----its a perfect
private island. Cap Juluca is on Anguilla --love the island-
love the hotel--and enjoy all the close by dining options
on the island. I do know Cap has yoga--and a wonderful trainer
Cardogan with morning fittness programs.

katiekate

Penny- Did you happen to see any of the guest rooms with private pool?

penny

Yes, I did, they are very nice--large bedroom suites---with
a plunge waterfall pool.

August04

Thanks so much for all the info, Penny! They knocked down the old Courtyard Suites? That is where we stayed last time in #22. I'm glad to hear you had a wonderful visit. Since the prices have gone up considerably for the dates we are considering, I think we've settled on a trip to Anguilla instead of splitting our time between the two.

I've been reading a lot on the TA forum (especially posts by you and Pepper). Now we just have to decide between CapJ and CoveCastles, I might be posting some questions for you once I go through all the notes I've been copying down from old threads.

Thanks again!

penny

August04---just send me a PM on the TA forum and I will
be happy to answer.

Yes all the coutyard suites were knocked down, and they
put them back and added a few in the same area--actually
there are more pool suites in that #22 area.

Cap Juluca and Covecastles are 2 very different places.
Cap has full amenities, and CC is like having your own
villa on the beach.

August04

Thanks, Penny - I am so surprised they tore down the suites, our unit did not seem old or out of date at all. I checked their main website for pictures, but most appear to be the same as when we booked in 2004, I guess it just takes time for everything to get transitioned over. It certainly sounds beautiful from your descriptions.

katiekate

Penny- thanks for answering my question regarding the pool suites. I am looking at the JB property map (kind of hard to read) Where, do you feel like is the best area to stay if seeking more of a private feeling? Also, how is the beach? Last time we were there, we stayed in the brand new Jumby Bay Suite which was lovely. (except for the darn tree frog who wanted to sing me to sleep every night!!! lol) Rosewood informed me those rooms have been torn down. Can't imagine why, they were beautiful.
Can't remember? Does Jumby have a pool?

We stayed in Barbuda at the Beach House in '04. Talk about remote. Guess it has since closed. Is this where the Lighthouse you mentioned might be?

This might be a tough question to answer, but if you could only pick one resort, which would you choose. Cap or Jumby? We've been to both, and trying to decide which to return to. With renovations at both properties, it makes it a tough decision. If only Cap would upgrade their guest rooms i.e. beds, linens, amenities, etc. I would vote for Cap, hand down, mainly because of the outstanding beach and for the island, itself. What are your thoughts?

penny

Katiekate--LOL about the tree frog! They sometimes drive
me nuts in Bermuda so I know what you mean!

The Jumby Bay suites were not knocked down---they were not
occupied as they were working on them---not sure what catagory
they will be in, but I can tell you the plunge pools are bigger in the new suites. The new rooms are beautiful! I would say most of the pool suites are in the area from where
you stayed towards the veranda---and also along the old
foundation of the pond house. As far as privacy--once
they improve the landscaping it will be fine. The Rosewood
suites looked bare at the beginning.

Jumby has a huge pool, right by the tennis courts---and
a new small infinite pool and pool grill restaurant where
the pond house sitting area use to be. Lounge chairs,
steps to the beach---lovely.

Yes, it is a tough question if I could pick only one--
as they are truly different. Anguilla has won my heart
for the variety of dining---and Cap has done a lovely
job upgrading the facility--they do have new linens,
mosquito netting, ipod station, flat screen tv, new glass
doors, and louvre doors. Love the new lounge chairs,
Maundays Bar---and all my favorite Anguilla dining spots.


Jumby is still magical, even though Maundays Bay is a better
beach---I love Jumby beach, with its palm trees, and very
calm water, plus the sunset is at your doorstep. The new
rooms at Jumby are outstanding---love love the outdoor shower!

Honestly its a toss and no wrong choice!

katiekate

Thanks Penny for your candid answers. It really is a tough decision for us, as we only have one shot for a vaca this yr.

If I could have it all, I'd want Jumby's fabulous new room and Cap's beach and island dining spots. Nice to hear Cap has at least upgraded the rooms somewhat. (they definitely needed to step it up a notch or two!)


What's a girl to do??? )