Thank you...

Hi Will. We were in Anguilla in October and while walking along the beach passed Frangipani. While it was closed for the season, it looked lovely. Very Mediterranean. It is located on Meads Bay, which I think is one of the loveliest large beaches on the island. We ate lunch at the Sonesta and it was nice, but not as intimate as Frangipani appeared to be. Also, the water at the Sonesta was rougher, not as smooth as glass like Meads Bay. Food for thought, we stayed at the Carimar Beach Club which is just down the road from Frangipani. On the same beach, but less expensive. No restaurant on the premises, but it is easy to get to and from the restaurants if you have a rental. Enjoy your trip. Susan.

Just got back from the Sonesta. It was a very nice property. Small and uncrowded, although not as small as Frangipani. The water was rough in places, but you could find some cove like areas off of Sonesta where you could swim. FYI - Sonesta is supposedly closing from June - November. Whether they are renovating or selling the property seems to be up in the air....according to Sonesta staff members. This fact may help you make your choice. <BR><BR>Ate a very delicious and luxurious dinner at Frangipani. The odd thing was, we were the only one's there! <BR><BR>Good luck!

I notice that some sites are mentioning the sonesta closing or being sold. Does anyone have more information on this? We are booked there for a honeymoon in April 2003. Should we change our venue just to be on the safe side? I felt after doing my homework that the Sonesta was just what we wanted.

Susan2,<BR><BR>The Sonesta has been sold, and will soon be torn down to make room for a new resort with a 18 hole golf course.<BR><BR>Go to Caribbean-On-Line.com Anguilla Forum, a person has recently posted a trip report from the Sonesta.<BR>Apparently, the staff is now only 50% of what used to be the normal and the dining facilities does seem to be reduced as well.<BR><BR>You have all reasons to be concerned about this. If it was me, I would switch. Even if the Sonesta is still open, who will guarantee there will not be construction work ongoing?

Have stayed at Frangipani 12 times and love it. Going again this Nov. Go to www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com and click opn Anguilla and reviews. I have a review of Frangipani on that site

O.T.<BR>Just curious where you may have heard this about the Sonesta?<BR>We stayed there in Oct. 2 yrs ago and thought it was great (gorgeous views!)<BR>We got a postcard earlier this year saying there would be construction to upgrade some of the rooms this summer (and the resort would be closed until November), and they offered us very good rates as return guests to come in November when it reopened.<BR>Who bought it and is there a website where I can read about it? Sonesta's perhaps? (Other than an online forum.)<BR>Thanks!

Nancy,<BR><BR>This sale of Sonesta happened early June this year. It sold to Mr. Robert Sillerman of Flag Luxury Properties.<BR><BR>www.anguillalife.com is a website with weekly news updates from Anguilla, you can read about it there. Under News click on the article "Billionair buys Sonesta/Golf Club Plans ..<BR><BR>You can also read a trip report from a person who have recently been to Sonesta, you can find this on www.Caribbean-On-Line.com Anguilla Forum.<BR><BR>Sandals tried to buy the Sonesta, but the Anguillian Government was against it.

My sister and her husband spent their 10 year anniversary at the Frangipani a few years ago. They LOVED it and it looked wonderful from the pictures.

Thank you, OT. I guess I will have to pick one of the other places for our next trip to Anguilla. (Decisions, decisions.)

According to Sonesta they are still accepting reservations for this Winter. Although approved by the government the sale is not a done deal yet. There is no immediate plans to close or tear down the Sonesta and they are accepting reservations for the Winter season.

If any one is interested...I read in the paper that Sonesta is offering a summer rate of $99. La Sirena Hotel also has great rates, not sure exactly what they are though.<BR>

We just returned from Anguilla, stayed at Frangipani. Our stay there was wonderful. We checked out various other beaches and hotels on Anguilla, and felt that our beach (Meads Bay) was certainly the best: Totally quiet and private, and no weeds, rocks or sharp stones whatsoever. Frangipani has beautiful spacious condos with a full kitchen, washer-dryer, etc.<BR>We also checked out the Sonesta, and it looked to us like a standard large resort. Nothing special. We didn't like the location of the pool very much (not very private). From the manager of another hotel whom we spoke to we heard that Sonesta has been sold to the Ritz Carlton. It will remain open as Sonesta, until April. Then workpeople will move in to build a golf course. They will be staying in the old Sonesta units. After the golf course is ready the whole hotel will be torn down and rebuilt by Ritz Carlton. Hope this helps.