After going back and forth on several destinations (and reading many of your messages) - I have finally booked our honeymoon in Anguilla at Frangipani beginning Jan 17th. We are very excited!! Naturally, I have a couple of questions:

1) I booked our flights to St. Maarten, Neth Antilles (SXM) - what is the quickest way to get to Frangipani (plane, ferry, swim, etc.)?? We arrive at 1pm on the 17th

2) Aside from doing nothing - are there any "must-do's" that I should be aware of on the island ??

3) Is it worth renting a car while staying at Frangipani?? (is it necessary to rent a car for that matter?)

4) For those who have stayed at Frangipani (or Anguilla in general) - is there anything you wish you had known before traveling/staying there - or anything you wish you had done differently while there??

I appreciate any info you can give. Thanks!!

Quickest way from SXM to AXA is by air - 10 minute flight. Ferry take about 30 minutes no including waiting time (they run about every hour). Your other alternative to to charter a water taxi - 30 minutes but it will leave when you are ready.

Anguilla is all about beaches & restaurants - definitely rent a car so you can get out and visit as many different beaches and dine at as many places as possible. There's no public transportation and if you take two round trips in a taxi each day you'll spend more in cab fares than you would have for a rental car.

Check with the Activities desk at Fragipani and sign up for a day sail to Prickly Pear island for snorkeling and lunch. If you don't mind spending big bucks for lunch go to Silly Cay for a day of swimming and lobster of chicken. Discover a different beach every day.

Tried to post this already yesterday but apparently this forum is havings some problems (see above). Anyway, I saved my response and here is another try:
For lots of information about Frangipani and about Anguilla in general, I advise you check the Caribbean On line forum as well.
We have stayed at Frangipani twice, and it is a beautiful place - very large suites right on a lovely beach. Some construction does seem going on right now next to Frangipani, from what I've read - but (also from what I've read) this should not detract from your holiday! Anyway, I recommend you wait for replies from people who've actually been there recently, such as 'HowardC' and 'Mary' - they can tell you more about the way things are now at Frangipani (the last time we were ther was in July of 2003). Have a great honeymoon!
Oh yes - as regards your question how to get there: we always go by ferry from St. Maarten/St. Martin - just take a taxi from the airport to Marigot harbor, the ferry to Anguilla leaves from there every half hour. You have to fill in a form, pay $20 (I think) for the 2 of you, and you're all set! Just be prepared for a bumpy ride over - takes about 20 minutes. (For some reason, the ride back to St. Martin always much smoother.)
Hopes this helps - more details just ask!

Frangipani is a lovely place for a Honeymoon. Small quiet and intimate. Wish it were around when I got married in 1902. Leave tomorrow for our 18 stay at Frang. Assume you are getting a suite. They are very large and all have been redecorated within the past year. You can see the layouts if you go to the frang web site and click on Condo sales and plans. Flying from SXM to Anguilla is normally quicker than the ferry depending on the Winair schedule. you can check it out on www.fly-winair.com. If you take the ferry it is about a $20 cab ride to Marigot including tip. You pay a $2.75 departure tax and the ferry is now $12 each. Great restaurants on Anguilla in all price ranges. Altamer is a lovely setting and has piano music each night except Tuesday when Dumpa and the Vibes play. Balnchards is in a lovely garden setting on Meads Bay Beach. Trattoria Tratmonto is on Shoal bay Wesy and very good--try the lobster ravioli. Boss and Friends paly Monday at Mangos. Hibernia in Island Harbour is excellent (Asian). Koal Keel has just reopened so will report on it in early Dec. Cove castles is also excellent. Less expensive places are Tastys, E's Oven, Picante (Mexican--great margaritas) Johnnons in Sandy Ground, Bistro Phils. The restaurant at Frangipani is also very good and a lovely Terrace/beach setting. So many restaurants so litle time. Consider a day sail/snorkel trip with Capt Rollins on Chocolat. Goes to Prickly Pear and Sandi Island --Lunch is included. He can be contacted at [email protected] or thru Jackie at Ripples. Go to Roys in Crocus Hill and have Calvin take you to Little Bay to snorkel--$10/person round trip. Snorkleing off the beach at Shoal Bay Beach East is good. Find JR out there and go on a snorkeling trip with him. Gwens is a fun place for lunch and after you can nap in the hammocks. Scilly Cay in Island Harbour on Sunday is also fun. The Happy hits play. Split a lobster/crayfish platter for lunch and have a few rum punches which are lethal. Expensive but a should do at least once. Yes a car is a must--Carib Rent a car is located at Frangipani--$240/week and $20 for an anguilla drivers license. Nothing I wish I had known. Frangipani is exactly what i expected. What would I have done differently--STAY LONGER !!!!

You will be thrilled with Anguilla. Frangipani is lovely but I muts warn you that the windward side of the island can be rough that time of the year. There are many beaches on the Leeward side as well. There are some things you MUST DO: Yes, rent a car. MUST dine a Blanchards (very close to you) and MUST spend the day on Paradise Cove with lunch at Smokeys. Buy liquor at grocery 95 on the way back from Paradise or Cap Juluca.

Wow Howard, you got married in 1902?! It looks like you've still got a sharp memory based on all your insights into Anguilla! 8-)

Yes Howard, I'm also amazed at your capacities given your extreme age!!!