CuisinArt Trip Review
 

My husband and I just returned from our one-week honeymoon at CUISINART, and we had a fabulous time.

Flew into St. Martin and took the ferry to Anguilla. The open air ferry was fine, but the closed ferry, which we took on the return, was less comfortable. Take the open air if you can.

The resort is just gorgeous. Activity centers around the infinity edge pool and main house, as well as the two restaurants (Cafe Mediterraneo and Santorini). The proximity of everything facilitated meeting people, and we both appreciated that. Daniel Orr, a well-known chef from NYC, is the new master chef at CuisinArt, and his food was fantastic: delicious seafood (the Tuesday night lobster barbeque with live music is well worth it even if you're staying elsewhere), the freshest veggies & fruit and beautiful presentation.

We had a junior suite on the second floor giving us a great view of the ocean from both the balcony and from the bed. It was a very spacious room with a walk-in closet, a giant marble bathroom with a tub for two and separate shower. Being a product junkie, I appreciated the Rusk hair and body freebies.

The beach, while beautiful (the softest, whitest sand imaginable!), was quite windy so we ended up hanging out by the pool most of the time, as did the majority of guests. The 3:00 p.m. sorbet by the pool (or ocean) was the icing on the cake for our lazy days.

When we were more active, we did take a day trip to SCILLY CAY for lobster and live music. My husband really enjoyed it, but I would've been happy to stay at the resort. It was fine (and included in our package) but not the greatest for either sunning or snorkeling.

We did go to CAP JULUCA to check out the scene and to eat at PIMM'S. The view was spectacular and the food very tasty; however, I prefered the layout of CuisinArt to Cap. Cap seems more spread out and more of a rustic, nature-y place, whereas CuisinArt had the prettier grounds, much better pool and a more community-oriented atmosphere. We also ate off-site at THE STRAW HAT, a more casual place with similar (read $) prices. All in all, we found the food on Anguilla to be excellent yet the same (local seafood and a token chicken dish), at least at the tourist spots.

At CuisinArt, my husband took the free cooking demonstration, which included tasting-sized portions of salad, soup, fish with okra and a lemon tart a la mode. We both took one of the stretching classes in the outdoor yoga pavilion, which I was really looking forward to. There were only 3 of us at the class, and it was fantastic to have such an intimate and relaxing workout. We also did a bit of cardio at the gym, which was sufficient for a week's stay (bikes, ellipticals, treadmills, free weights and machines). We squeezed in a couple's massage, which is done outdoors on the third floor of the spa. Outdoor speakers played some New Age-y music, which both of us found distracting. Who needs that crap when you have the sounds of the ocean and the birds? We also took the complimentary tour of the hydroponic garden, which was hotter than hot (a greenhouse in the Caribbean!) but unique and interesting.

Overall, we had a WONDERFUL time at CuisinArt and highly recommend it as a honeymoon or vacation spot. It was the perfect place for relaxation with just the right amount of activity.

Congratulations on your marriage and well planned honeymoon. Your report was excellent.
One thing I would point out to people who read this report as part of their travel research in the future (which may be obvious to most people) is that it seems that 80-90% of people who make a significant effort to research and carefully plan a trip, end up returning home with loads of fond memories, and a 'bond' to the place they just returned from. Like after an enjoyable first date---people want to focus on the positive. That's human nature, and all in all a good thing.

The reason I mention the above is that I always find it interesting that when people compare places like Cuisinart vs. Cap Juluca, or Four Seasons Maui vs. Kea Lani, or wherever, they naturally tend to favor the place where they stayed (not knowing how they would actually like the other place, they take a look at it and try to guess).
I love Anguilla. It has very few downsides for my vacation style. And I think both Cap Juluca and Cuisinart are excellent resorts.
I think it's important for most people who are planning to visit Anguilla (usually in large part because of its beaches) to keep in mind that Cap Juluca's beach is one of the 2 best resort beaches on the island, and Cuisinart's is not quite in the same league. Why go to a beach island only to be forced to stay by the pool?
Also, Cap Juluca is in no way "rustic". It has been rated the top resort in the entire Caribbean numerous times, and I really can't ever recall having seen Cuisinart rated above it in anyone's poll.
I'm not implying Cap is the perfect resort. There are several things I'd like to change about it. And Cuisinart definitely has the most attractive grounds and pool on the island.

People weighing CJ vs. CA will usually end up happy with either one. But they each have very distinct pros and cons.

Thanks for the trip report. My wife and I have never been to Anguilla, but we are going to CuisinArt in mid-November. RWilliams is correct that Cap Juluca is typically rated higher. However, unless your vacation is a special occasion (like a honeymoon) or you just have a very strong preference with dollars to spare, price comes into play. In November, a Jr. Suite at CuisinArt costs $275, while a room (which sounds beautiful) at Cap Juluca costs $445. For the 6 nights we will be staying, that is an enormous difference and I have seen little in reviews and on message boards that leads me to believe there is that kind of difference between the resorts. Also, the wind at the CuisinArt beach appears to vary by season. Reports from the period when I will be going almost uniformly report no window problem and very placid waters. I guess we will find out for ourselves.

Carrieongrove: I know that construction of a golf course has begun down the beach from CuisinArt. Did you see or hear it? Was it a distraction or problem at all?

I did not mean to imply that Cap is anything short of a top notch resort. After having read so many amazing reviews about it, knowing that it consistently receives awards and is more expensive, I suppose I was expecting gold-paved roads or something! Point taken about the "bonding" with your first resort, and I definitely agree that, like anything else, both have their pros and cons.

Europe: The only time we were aware of the construction was when we went off of the grounds, and even at that time we could only see the land, signs and so forth. There was no noise at all. You will have a great time!

Thanks. The construction was of some concern but the resort rep. in NY was just there and told my travel agent it was not a factor at the resort at all. Glad to hear you confirm this.