Just returned from Cap Juluca
 

Thanks to everyone who helped with this trip. We had another lovely Caribbean vacation. This year, we chose Anguilla because we had never been, and heard great things about it. We spent most of our time at Cap Juluca and left for a couple of dinners. Our favorite meal on the island (by FAR) was at Michel Rostang's at Malliouhana. Please let me know if anyone has any specific questions.

no questions, but thanks for sharing your trip experience

Hi, we are planning a trip to Anguilla in Feb. We are looking at a villa on Rendezvous Bay. Can you tell me anything about the area? Did you rent a car while you were there, did you snorkel? Thanks for any info you can give me.

I'm not Shari but I have also recently returned from Anguilla so perhaps I can help a little. I think this was our 4th trip to Anguilla.

I'm not sure exactly where your villa is located but Rendezvous Bay is a nice beach pretty close to the one of the main tourist areas. Cuisinart Resort is located on Rendezvous as is my favorite spot for live music, the Dune Preserve, owned by Bankie Banx. You'll really miss out if you don't rent a car. There are lots of great beaches and restaurants on the island that you'll want to take advantage of.

Anguilla has so-so snorkeling off of Shoal Bay East. We've snorkeled there before but for this trip we didn't bother taking our snorkel gear.

I don't know exactly what you're looking for but as I said Anguilla has great beaches and restaurants and not much else. It's pretty quiet and laid back with virtually no shopping. The Meads Bay area has some great restaurants and a gorgeous beach, Sandy Ground has some good, moderately priced restaurants and a few night spots, and Shoal Bay East is generally considered to be the nicest beach on the island. It's easy to take a ferry over to St. Martin for the day if you're interested in shopping.

What else would you like to know?

I agree with what Sharona said. The snorkeling was ok, but we mainly relaxed and ate. It was that kind of trip--much different from St. Lucia or an island like that.

Can you please share your thoughts on Cap Juluca? We are staying there at the end of the summer and I have heard mixed reviews about the rooms and staying there during the current rennovation. Thank you so much.

Cap Juluca or CuisinArt for my honeymoon? What do you recommend? Or maybe somewhere else?

I would also love your take on Cap Juluca. I'm thinking of staying either there or at CuisinArt with my daughhter. Which would you recommend? Or is Maliouhana better than either of those? Also -- how much of a pain is the boat ride or ferry from St. Martin? Or is the flight easier?

Thanks so much for your help!
Teresa

We didn't have any rennovation/noise issues. Compared to similarily priced resorts in the Caribbean, I was let down by certain things. If this is your first trip to the Caribbean, then you will have a lovely time. If you have been to other top resorts, then you will be disappointed. (Not in the sense that it will ruin your trip, though!) The general staff (waiters, beach staff) are all lovely people and they really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. I think the resort has MILES to go in terms of reception, concierge, etc. The beach is beautiful, so you tend to forget other issues.

I did not tour CuisinArt's rooms, but Cap Juluca has more of a secluded feel. If you want more "entertainment" (big resort/Disney) then maybe CuisinArt is for you.

My favorite was Maliouhana. The staff is exceptional. If you do not want to think about your trip and want to be pampered, then this is the place to go. They have a lovely spa (Cap Juluca performs treatments in your room--different feel), a fantastic restaurant with a great wine cellar. With all of this, it still maintains a very relaxed atmosphere.

I am not one to argue, but Cuisinart does not have a big/resort Disney feel. It's very intimate as well just like Cap. We've stayed at the big Disney high rises and it's just nothing like that. We feel like we are walking around our home when we are there. This of course is only my opinion, but I'm sure other Cuisi fans feels the same. The staff is lovely and takes wonderful care of you-even knowing you by name. I can't say that you get that at any Disney resort.