Because the beloved and I live in California, our beach vacations usually take place in Mexico (Costa Alegre, Zihuatenejo or Cabo) and Hawaii. After our seven days on Anguilla, Hawaii is off our personal map forever; Mexico remains because it's easy and inexpensive to get to for short breaks. <BR> <BR>Anguilla takes the cake -- absolutely the best, assuming one wants a beach vacation and not much else other than fine (and often expensive) food. I've already booked our return in May. Simply cannot say how much I loved Anguilla. It was perfect for us. Activities (heh) comprised: lolling in the ocean, lolling on the beach, lolling on our ocean-front veranda, reading on the beach, reading on our ocean-front veranda, playing scrabble wherever we felt like it, snokling lazily, eating, drinking, sleeping and you don't need to know the other stuff. Perfection and then some. Oh my. <BR> <BR>The details: We stayed at Cap Juluca the entire seven days, leaving once to go to Scilly Cay which we adored. In answer to earlier questions: Cap was open through <BR> September 4th; Scilly Cay was open through August 31st. <BR> <BR>On Cap Jaluca -- there have been reports here and elsewhere of dissatisfaction with the renown resort so I was curious as to what we'd find. Thank goodness we found pure and unadulterated paradise. Others may have found the Cap wanting but we didn't. Yes, it's expensive; that's the way it is. Going in low season takes away much of the sting. I'll never go in high or shoulder season because I don't want to pay that much -- but May through November (keeping in mind they close for six weeks in Sept/Oct) is almost a bargain. Our junior suite was $450 (via Andrew Harper's Q-Club); in high season it would be $800. $450 is a bit cheaper than a comparable room at, say, Ventana in Big Sur or the Hotel Bel Air in LA, less expensive than Auberge du Soleil in Napa, etc. You get the idea. Service was impeccable and gracious; the food terribly over-prices but very good indeed; beach services (umbrellas, lounges, recreation equipment, water and beverage service, etc.) could not have been better. Amenities were many; spa services priced at U.S. urban levels and expertly rendered; the grounds gorgeous; the beach and ocean -- the best, simply the best. <BR> <BR>Restaurants at Cap: We loved Georges; Kemia was good; we'd never return to Pimms which was grotesquely overpriced for not very good food (although the service was exquisite as is the setting). Monday nights there's a West Indian Buffet at Georges and it's excellent! Do not miss. Cost is $50 per person. Friday nights there's the Beach BBQ and you don't want to miss this either although at $80 a pop it is tres pricey. Includes boiled shrimp, oysters on the half-shell, stone crab claws, smoked salmon, lamb chops, langostino (they call 'em crawfish but they're huge), seafood creole, an array of luscious desserts and much more. <BR> <BR>We were thrilled with our junior suite and would not want a smaller room. <BR> <BR>The weather in August was delightful -- not too hot nor too humid. Persistent breezes, delicious. A few sprinkles -- rain never lasts longer than 40 minutes then it's over. The water was lovely -- oh, I wish I could go back today! The beach and the water equal sheer perfection. <BR> <BR>Scilly Cay, as others have said, is a DO NOT MISS trip. About 35 minutes by taxi from Cap, it's a tiny island a few thousand feet off Anguilla's coast. The coral around the island is pretty beat up but that also makes it great snorkling for both beginners and the timid. Lots of colorful tropical fish. The food is terrific and plentiful. Rum punches <BR> are very fine indeed. The ride to and from the island is gratis (and, we got to see a huge sea turtle!). <BR> <BR>It's not an easy hop to Anguilla from California. We flew SFO to NYC/JFK to San Juan to Anguilla. Connections also can be had through Chicago. <BR> <BR>Sign me: utterly devoted to and enchanted byAnguilla/Cap Juluca

Next time your there do 2 things 1. Say hello to Doxie and Sandra for me and 2. Take a flight over to St Barth If you loved Anguilla you'll adore SBH.

I could not agree with Kat more. Although our stay was a bargin by comparison at Anguilla Great House (~ 2 miles from Cap). We went in May and had the entire grounds and staff to ourself, save for one or two other couples. The beaches are undeniably the best in the Caribbean, and possibly the world (Islands magazine 1997).

I hope you enjoyed the UGLY scenery on that HIDEOUS looking island compared to truly GORGEOUS Hawaii!!!

I highly agree with the comments on the Anguilla Great House. Best time to go is in May!!! Just like you said you practically have the place to yourself. The staff there is outstanding(hello Donie and Will). Also when you are not spending $450 a night for a hotel room, the food just really isn't that expensive. Lee in Austin,Tejas

Kat, <BR>Thanks so much for the report. I was hoping you would post. We also are in California & love the South Pacific & Mexico, not so much Hawaii though. We had decided on Cap for the spring & almost got it booked but with the world conditions changing don't know what to do. I'm not afraid to fly or go there but if you booked for next May, what kind of insurance did you purchase in case there are problems or did you book it to pay on arrival? I just don't want to put out thousands of dollars I cannot get back. Aldo did you get the jr. suite with the sunning roof?? Which villa were you in? Glad you had a great time!

I/ve been waiting for your report. So glad you loved it too. We were supposed to be in Zihua/Casa Q Canta the following week of the tragedy and living in NYC it was impossible. Anyway thinking about going back to CJ in November/December, a little nervous to fly now though. You mentioned Andrew Harper's Q club. Been thinking if joining, is it worth it. There is no place in the world like Anguilla and CJ is heaven , can't wait to go back. I am sure you feel the same now too!!

Just moving up so Kat may notice & answer our questions. Thanks.

Hi, Peggy. So far, I'm avoided insurance but I'm not sure that's smart. We didn't have it last August when there was hurricane risk. So far, not considering it for the May trip. <BR> <BR>We were in Villa 12 (Jonquil) which I loved. On the second floor but sans the sun roof. Next time I might want to be on the ground floor just to see what that's like. The second-floor jr suite gets lots of lovely breezes and has a clear view across the bay to St. Martins. <BR> <BR>The beach is narrow at that end of CJ which appealed to me. Folks with kids might prefer a wider expanse of beach but not me. The water was simply glorious. <BR> <BR>

Hello, Nicole -- <BR> <BR>I've been very happy with my Q Club membership through the Andrew Harper group. It costs only $100 per year and I use it four to six times in any given year, recouping my investment immediately with the first trip. <BR> <BR>It works so well for me because I frequent normally many of the hotels/resorts in the program (Ventana, Mandarin Oriental in SF, Casa Que Canta, CJ, Sherman House in SF, etc.

kat <BR>What are the actual benefits though of the membership? <BR>Question since you've been to CJ and Casa, which do you prefer or recommend. Having just cancelled out trip to Zihua(very disappointed, never been there) we might just go back to Cap. Casa looks incredible but CJ is our favorite. Any opinions...THANKS

Q-Club membership provides significant discounts on room rates at selected posh hotels and resorts. For example, my jr. suite at Cap Juluca was discounted by $50 a day; at SF's Mandarin Oriental, I've saved $90 a day; at the Sherman House, $150 on the daily rate and so. <BR> <BR>Other perks, too, such upgrades when available, etc., or gratis transportation to and from airports but these have never kicked in for me. <BR> <BR>I love Casa que Canta and will holiday there when I'm restricted by time. If I have at least a week off AND can finagle upgraded air travel (rewards or miles), then I'd likely choose Cap.

I enjoy the "reports" that Harper's has and you do save some on select properties. They now do offer travel services also but you still have to do your own flights. Most disappointing that Harper's recommended was Maroma but, otherwise, they are a good resource for comparing properties. It has changed tho over the years when the membership was limited but, I guess, change is good. Haven't found any rates to even come close to theirs!

THANKS for the info on Q-club. Was looking into Maroma myself. Might have to become a member, although I think the traveling for now is on hold.

Just wanted to add that Q club at Cap Juluca includes the sunset cruise-cost $90.00 -a nice saving as a perk. Just check your bill as the hotel sometimes makes a mistake and puts in on your tab. They have done this to me a few times. Also Q Club does not discount this hotel during high season, but does have a package.

Think that I have a Maroma report somewhere in the 'puter but we were disappointed. Was trying to decide between Maroma and Palmillo or Las Alamandas. Harper's really raved about Maroma and I was very disappointed. The owners were off-property and had been for awhile so that might have been part of the problem, our room (oceanview - 'cause that's all they had left at our late booking) had a great view of the pool, gardens and the septic system! The aroma at Maroma was ... well, you can imagine on those very hot days!! And if you sat just right and peeked thru the other two buildings from the end of the balcony, you could see a bit of the water over the trees! Do NOT stay in the Rosa building! They have changed chefs since our visit and suspect that bodes well for them! Rooms were lovely to look at but not very comfortable nor "livable." Our mistake was staying there the entire 10 days when we should have been off exploring. Suspect it would suit a shorter stay better! The area is wonderful - Playa was a delight with some great restaurants. We rented a car and explored. Loved the culture and the people! Great beach but some days a little windy and choppy. Took the charter plane to ChichenItza from Playa. Would love to go back and explore more and more. They were building a huge a/i next door so don't know the impact or status of that either.

Karen -- <BR> <BR>If you are faced with that decision again -- definitely without hesitation -- choose Las Alamandas. It is in it's own class; nothing else like it. Your expectations will be exceeded.

Anyone been to or heard anything anout Caya Espanto