Which would you choose? Trying to make a decision....middle aged couple that likes privacy, relaxation, no fuss, good food, great beaches, pool. Thanks for any guidance!

Although we rented an amazing private home last year we did spend the afternoon at Cap Juluca and had dinner there one night. It is far nicer than Cove Castles which looked very run down and the new Cusinart Resort is right smack next door.

Cove Castles is not next door to Cuisinart and is not run down. The last posting may be confused about which resort is Cove Castles. Cap and Cove Castles are both upscale spots. Cove Castles is for people who want the greater independence of a villa as opposed to a resort. Both are special but for different reasons. Both have excellent restaurants.

Hi Gilda-NM stated the differences very well. We love Cap Juluca and have stayed there many times. It is a beautiful hotel-villas are spaced far apart, very private on a beautiful beach. CoveCastles is wonderful too! I do not think they have a pool,except in one of the larger villas. I will say that their beach always looks empty, not that CJs is busy. The island has many first class restaurants, and fun beach bars. Treat yourself to the new book "A Trip to the Beach", written by the Blanchards about opening their restaurant on the island. It really brings the island and its caring people to life. Bottom line, there is no wrong choice with these two fine places.

Just wanted to let you all know that authors/restaurateurs Bob and Melinda Blanchard (mentioned in above post) will be hosting a forum on fodors.com from February 12-26 2001. <BR> <BR>Starting Monday the 12th, click on the Hosted Forum on the home page to read their interview and ask them questions of your own! <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Dave Downing <BR>Forums Coordinator <BR>Fodors.com

Penny: I know from past posts that you're what I would consider an "expert" on the island of Anguilla. I will probably be asking for more of your advice as time goes on because I'm fairly sure that's the island we'll travel to. I only have one right now, however. Do you know if there are ever any "deals" offered on the high end hotels on Anguilla, especially Cap? i.e. have you been able to get a few $$ taken off your booking by asking, or waiting until your vacation time draws nearer? Or, if when you arrive, you can negotiate? We'll go in low season (fall)and I know that some resorts like to fill as many rooms as they can. Thanks for your assistance!!

Gilda -Cap Juluca is very popular. There were times in the past I could not get a room, so I have not asked for a discount. I have been upgraded twice as a repeat guest-but I do not expect it to happen. I know before Lenny in a friend of mine was able to get a good package through her travel agent. Another help is to join Andrew Harpers Q Club with a annual fee of I think $125.00. This will save you some money at Cap Juluca and other 5 star hotels around the world. I will post their 800 number later. I just love Anguilla and cannot wait to return. I appreciate you calling me an expert, I enjoy learning about the island, as we love good food and beaches. <BR>I am looking forward to the Blanchards forum!

Penny: <BR> <BR>Thanks for the reply! As time ticks away until our trip, I'll continue to check Fodors and probably request more "expert" advice. I'm aware of the many times you've been to Anguilla through this form and would definitely consider you an expert! Although Cap is first in the running, I still find myself checking out several other resorts as well. Thanks again! <BR>

Gilda, it is a tough choice on Anguilla. It is one of the few islands that has many nice hotels and villas. It is rare to have so many choices to stay!

Gilda what other islands have you enjoyed. We just got back from St. John it is one of our favorites too, but Anguilla is always number 1.

Gilda, <BR> We were on Anguilla in March and had a wonderful time. We stayed in a villa, but I would like to go back and stay in a resort. You might want to consider Frangipani Beach Resort on Meads Bay. Small, low-key,upscale on great beach with a nice pool. Not as luxurious as Cap but not as expensive, especially in the off season when they discount their rates 50% plus offer several nice packages. Penny, what is your impression of Frangipani?

I think Frangipani is an excellent choice. It is a beautiful Meads Bay, great sunsets. The hotel has quite a following with many repeat guests. Very nice.

Penny: <BR> <BR>It IS a tough choice to make a decision on a hotel on Anguilla. They all sound places we'd enjoy! Normally, we look for small but nice, and the Frangipani would fit that description, John. As a matter of fact, I have done a little research on that resort as well and it's "in the running". Keep going back to the Cap, tho. Penny, we sent to St. John two years ago and loved it. The hurricane came through the week we were suppose to leave, but we managed to postpone the trip for two weeks. Stayed at Cruz Bay in a small condo complex, Cruz Views which were very nice and casual. We've been to St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Grenada, St. Martin (3 times), Barbados, and St. John. Also went to Mexico, but didn't like it as much. It's tough to pick a favorite, but I guess I'd have to say St. Martin so far. We know our way around there pretty well and enjoy the food. I just have a feeling that Anguilla will become our "new favorite". Penny, what's your opinion of the Sonesta? Wasn't that called the Casablanca at one time? I remember looking into it a few years back. I'm looking forward to that Forum next week that Dave mentioned. Should be informative. Have you check out www.news.ai/ (Local Anguilla news?) It's really great. Thanks again for the suggestions and info. I'm always interested in learning more!!!!

Hi Gilda-Yes, the Sonesta was first called Casablanca. They have a very good restaurant called Ici on their site. Again, many people love the Sonesta and it looks very nice. It too gets good reports, the one bit of advice I have read is to get an ocean front room. It just has never appealed to me, and i cannot pinpoint why! I understand your difficult choices. I won't worry about it too much. When I first read about Anguilla I wanted something small like The Sufside Beach Club in Bermuda. Friends had stayed at Cap Juluca and told me not to miss it! That is how we ended up staying there. It is very special. If I had to select again I would do the same. I must say CoveCastles does tempt me-it does not have air conditioning so I ruled it out. <BR>Frangipani would also be a choice of mine. The only addvice I can add is there is no other hotel like Cap Juluca. It is special for many reasons, its design, its beach, and its caring staff. Now it feels like home!

Penny, <BR>We've been dreaming of Cap for some time now and think this will be the year. Since you've been several times, which room do you think has the best location? (You may have already answered this question) We are considering the Jr. suite, although I would love to have the one bedrom private pool suite. Did you ever stay in one with a pool? <BR>Also, have you been since their reopening this past year? I'd love to know what renovations they made to the resort and the rooms. <BR>Thanks for ALL your info. on Auguilla. <BR>

Hi Kate-On our first trip to Cap Juluca I booked a luxury ground floor room. We were at the west end of the beach I think villa 18. We loved this location, our room was in a pool villa, as the suite was above us. The woman who had the suite was very happy to show it to us. A beautiful area with living room, dining room full kitchen and 2-3 bedrooms. A WOW! The next year we again had a luxury room in villa 17. Our 3rd trip after hurricane Luis- the west end received the most damage and was closed. We were upgraded to a junior suite in villa 3 and were very happy. So we are now hooked on the junior suites. My husband likes the the east end villas 3 or 4 as you get more late sun and the beach is wider, I like the west end as you can view down the beach, I do like both ends. So we alternate! We like the lower rooms, as we like beach access, but the views are much better on the 2nd floor. The most popular junior suite is room #5 an upstairs room with a staircase to a roof top sunning area. This junior suite is available in villas 1 thru 10. And to answer your question a few years back we were upgraded to the pool suite-it was wonderful. Yet I am very very happy in my junior suite! <BR>We were just there in mid November. The hotel looks great-new paint, new dome over the main building,new patio furniture, new fabrics and the wonderful staff, who got a kick out of welcoming back repeat guests. I still get a thrill as we approach the hotel. It is stunning. <BR>I hope this helps. I just read on carribean on line that this Wed. Feb 7th at 10pm Anguilla will be on B. Smiths romance food holidays on cable on the Food network. On the promos it looked like the Sonesta-so Gilda that will give you an idea, it looks great.

We will be returning soon for our third stay at the Shoal Bay Beach Hotel...a most charming place right on the most beautiful beach on the island--Shoal Bay with white sand, clear water, and a great snorkling reef right off the hotel. Rooms all overlook the ocean, and ours has a patio right on the sand..great for running in for a swim before breakfast outdoors. Rooms are all large suites with kitchen, living room, bath and bedrm. Rates are very reasonable by Anguilla standards...and a brand new big pool has just been added.

Penny: <BR> <BR>Thanks for the heads up on the Food network show. I'll try and catch it. By the way, meant to ask you what other Caribbean islands you've visited, how often you make the trip and from what part of the US (East, West?) We have been lucky enough to take advantage of frequent flyer miles to get there the last few trips but always looking for great deals from the East coast. Thanks!

Stayed at Frangipani last summer(off season). Half empty, restaurant closed, pretty lonely place, with long perfect sand beach.Don't remember any pool! Good deal though. Visited Cap..much more to do...water sports, good eats, some snorkeling..a big resort. Cove castle is a condo type place, albeit out of Architectural Digest.

Everyone who has replied to this string sounds very knowledgeble about the island. I'm looking for a beautiful resort that has not only a gorgeous beach, but also a wonderful pool area / swim up bar. We're in our late 20s. Please give me your thoughts. <BR> <BR>Thank you! <BR> <BR>