Trip Report--Anguilla, Cap Juluca
May 8th, 2005, 08:20 AM
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Trip Report--Anguilla, Cap Juluca
Just returned from our first trip to Anguilla. Thanks to all of you that helped provide great information, and I hope some of you find this report helpful in planning your trip.
Arrived in St. Maarten, and used the executive arrival service and the private boat. It was great, and IMO, worth the money. They met us when we got off the plane, before we even went inside. They took us through immigration (didn't have to wait on the long line, just went to a separate line and straight through. They asked us what the bags looked like, then took us over to the lagoon for our boat. We filled out our Anguilla immigration forms, and in just a few minutes, they arrived with our bags and off we were on the private boat. About 20 minutes to Blowing Point to clear immigration and customs in Anguilla (they took our bags for us), then back on the boat for about 10 minutes to arrive right on the beach at Cap Juluca. (they gave us our choice of taking a cab from Blowing Point, or staying on the boat right to the beach; we chose the latter and it was really the way to go). Stepped onto the beach, right to check in and then on to the room, which was ready when we arrived at about 1:30. Check in process was a breeze, sat on the sofa, had a cold drink and cold towel, signed the form and off we were.
I had read so many great things, I was almost waiting for it to be not quite up to the hype. Well, it was, and then some! We had a luxury room, and it was beautiful. We were in Villa 5, and were upstairs. What a view! We had asked for Villa 8 based on a comment we read here, but we really liked our location, better than Villa 8 when we checked it out. We liked the beach outside Villas 1-6 better than outside Villas 7 and up. Not much difference really, but it was quite a bit wider and more room before the water. Doesn't really matter where you are though, can't go wrong. Room was great, bathroom was amazing, especially the solarium that you accessed through the shower. We had requested a TV in room, and it was there waiting for us.
To be continued...
Arrived in St. Maarten, and used the executive arrival service and the private boat. It was great, and IMO, worth the money. They met us when we got off the plane, before we even went inside. They took us through immigration (didn't have to wait on the long line, just went to a separate line and straight through. They asked us what the bags looked like, then took us over to the lagoon for our boat. We filled out our Anguilla immigration forms, and in just a few minutes, they arrived with our bags and off we were on the private boat. About 20 minutes to Blowing Point to clear immigration and customs in Anguilla (they took our bags for us), then back on the boat for about 10 minutes to arrive right on the beach at Cap Juluca. (they gave us our choice of taking a cab from Blowing Point, or staying on the boat right to the beach; we chose the latter and it was really the way to go). Stepped onto the beach, right to check in and then on to the room, which was ready when we arrived at about 1:30. Check in process was a breeze, sat on the sofa, had a cold drink and cold towel, signed the form and off we were.
I had read so many great things, I was almost waiting for it to be not quite up to the hype. Well, it was, and then some! We had a luxury room, and it was beautiful. We were in Villa 5, and were upstairs. What a view! We had asked for Villa 8 based on a comment we read here, but we really liked our location, better than Villa 8 when we checked it out. We liked the beach outside Villas 1-6 better than outside Villas 7 and up. Not much difference really, but it was quite a bit wider and more room before the water. Doesn't really matter where you are though, can't go wrong. Room was great, bathroom was amazing, especially the solarium that you accessed through the shower. We had requested a TV in room, and it was there waiting for us.
To be continued...
May 8th, 2005, 08:35 AM
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Part 2
Got settled in a bit in the room, then went to George's for lunch. We thought the food at George's was excellent, big menu, great selection. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but you just have to expect that when you stay at a place like CJ. We ate at George's every day, and found it to be one of the best beach side lunch place at any hotel we've been to. After lunch, got set up on the beach and right into that crystal clear water. I must say that even with all the great things I've read about that beach, and the pictures I've seen, it really is even better than I could have imagined. Soft white sand, crystal clear water, and silky smooth bottom as far as you could walk. It was almost like being in a swimming pool it was so clear.
We spent the rest of the week enjoying the beach at CJ and the water sports there, and didn't get around the island except for dinners. Of course, at 3:30 every day, everything stopped while we waited for them to come around with the ice cream/sorbet--great little treat.
Service on the beach was great, came around with bottles of water, cold towels, and to take bar/food orders if you wanted anything. It was never a problem getting a chair, no matter what time people came down. Even though the hotel was full, it always amazed us how empty the beach and water seemed to be, almost looked deserted. The beach is so big, it just never looks crowded. Very quiet and relaxing.
Dinner at Picante's the first night. Food was very good (especially the brick lime chicken) and very reasonably priced. We didn't rent a car, and took taxis to dinner. All the places we went for dinner were on the west end of the island, and taxi fare was $10 each way to each of them. Maybe a bit steep but not too bad.
Other nights ate at Altamer (just ok, not great, not sure if I'd return); Blanchards (excellent); Trattoria Tremonto (also very good); Olivers (excellent); and Pimms (excellent). All the places were actually very good, Altamer not as good as the others but not bad.
Met some very nice people there, went out to dinner with them a couple of nights. Also met a nice couple that had been to CJ six years in a row.
We really loved our week at CJ and hated to leave. We used the executive service and private boat for departure also (ended up sharing the boat with the couple we had met there, so split the cost with them). Executive service was great again--right the front of all the lines, well worth the money even if you don't go for the private boat. Executive service was only $35 I believe, and that really is a bargain for the service you get.
I'd be happy to answer any questions about CJ or Anguilla anyone might have, and I hope this report helps.
Got settled in a bit in the room, then went to George's for lunch. We thought the food at George's was excellent, big menu, great selection. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but you just have to expect that when you stay at a place like CJ. We ate at George's every day, and found it to be one of the best beach side lunch place at any hotel we've been to. After lunch, got set up on the beach and right into that crystal clear water. I must say that even with all the great things I've read about that beach, and the pictures I've seen, it really is even better than I could have imagined. Soft white sand, crystal clear water, and silky smooth bottom as far as you could walk. It was almost like being in a swimming pool it was so clear.
We spent the rest of the week enjoying the beach at CJ and the water sports there, and didn't get around the island except for dinners. Of course, at 3:30 every day, everything stopped while we waited for them to come around with the ice cream/sorbet--great little treat.
Service on the beach was great, came around with bottles of water, cold towels, and to take bar/food orders if you wanted anything. It was never a problem getting a chair, no matter what time people came down. Even though the hotel was full, it always amazed us how empty the beach and water seemed to be, almost looked deserted. The beach is so big, it just never looks crowded. Very quiet and relaxing.
Dinner at Picante's the first night. Food was very good (especially the brick lime chicken) and very reasonably priced. We didn't rent a car, and took taxis to dinner. All the places we went for dinner were on the west end of the island, and taxi fare was $10 each way to each of them. Maybe a bit steep but not too bad.
Other nights ate at Altamer (just ok, not great, not sure if I'd return); Blanchards (excellent); Trattoria Tremonto (also very good); Olivers (excellent); and Pimms (excellent). All the places were actually very good, Altamer not as good as the others but not bad.
Met some very nice people there, went out to dinner with them a couple of nights. Also met a nice couple that had been to CJ six years in a row.
We really loved our week at CJ and hated to leave. We used the executive service and private boat for departure also (ended up sharing the boat with the couple we had met there, so split the cost with them). Executive service was great again--right the front of all the lines, well worth the money even if you don't go for the private boat. Executive service was only $35 I believe, and that really is a bargain for the service you get.
I'd be happy to answer any questions about CJ or Anguilla anyone might have, and I hope this report helps.
May 8th, 2005, 08:50 AM
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It sounds like you had a nice time but you did miss out by not enjoying some of the other 30+ exquisite beaches on the island. It's a wonderful place to explore; you should go back & see the rest of it -- I think you'd really enjoy all of Anguilla!
May 8th, 2005, 08:57 AM
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We had planned on doing that, but we were both so exhausted from a very busy year so far, that we just enjoyed staying where we were at CJ. We plan on going back and seeing more of the island next time!
May 8th, 2005, 09:47 AM
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I've always been interested in going to Anguilla, but haven't so far because we love snorkeling so much. Am I correct that the snorkeling isn't especially good on Anguilla-- and that it's virtually non-existent on the CJ beach? Are there any places to stay on that island that are upscale, but that have very good snorkeling? Is it the kind of place where one rents villas-- or is it mainly hotels? On St John and Virgin Gorda we do both.
May 8th, 2005, 01:23 PM
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Snorkeling is good, not great. There are some nice reefs not too far out from the Shoal Bay East beach & some nice snorkeling around Crocus Bay. None of the 3 top resorts (CJ, CuisinArt & Malli) has good snorkeling directly off their beaches. There are a number of local guys with boats who will take you to the reefs & islands around Anguilla for very decent snorkeling. Also, there are a number of nice villas (mycaribbean.com or http://villas.ai) but I think most people stay at resorts (we do both).
May 9th, 2005, 06:12 AM
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CJ does offer both half day and full day snorkel trips, but we did not take one. A couple we met did go on the full day trip, which went to 2 different locations and they said the snorkeling was ok, but not great. There are also other snorkeling outings you can take that are not set up by CJ, but again we did not do any of those. They do have snorkel equipment at CJ you can use at the resort, but there really is not much to see right there, and one of the trips would be much better if you wanted to do any real snorkeling.
May 9th, 2005, 11:18 AM
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last year when we used the exec service and private boat transfer it was $35 each for the service(well worth it) and $285 each way for the boat. In other words in excess of $600 total, but I am in agreement, very well worth it- both services. To be able to split the boat is a great savings
May 9th, 2005, 11:50 AM
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The executive service was $35, and you can use that regardless of how you get from SXM to AXA--private boat, ferry or plane. We then opted to go with the private boat, as I had heard some negative things about the ferry. The private boat was $300 each way ($285 plus a 5% service charge). We found the private boat to be well worth the money (especially on the way back when we split it with another couple) but it is pricey and I realize not everyone will do that. But, the executive service at $35 (for 2 people) was a steal and should not be skipped--we got through immigration in literally less than a minute while everyone else waited on line. (There was also some extra costs with each of these for tips to the various people who carried the luggage, boat captain, etc., but again worth it to us).
May 9th, 2005, 04:03 PM
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Hi again,
Sorry if my prices were not exact, this was last year. The exec service was for 2, but I thought it was each way, therefore coming to a total of $70 for 2 round trip. Whether it was $35 or $70 total I am unsure, but to pass up the lines and have someone escort you is wonderful! At some point CJ will have its own water taxi, and that will probably be less expensive. There is info on the CJ site, and Vivian is so helpful to talk to at the 800#. Have yourself a fantastic time at CJ Peggy, it seems impossible not to, to me!!
Sorry if my prices were not exact, this was last year. The exec service was for 2, but I thought it was each way, therefore coming to a total of $70 for 2 round trip. Whether it was $35 or $70 total I am unsure, but to pass up the lines and have someone escort you is wonderful! At some point CJ will have its own water taxi, and that will probably be less expensive. There is info on the CJ site, and Vivian is so helpful to talk to at the 800#. Have yourself a fantastic time at CJ Peggy, it seems impossible not to, to me!!
May 9th, 2005, 06:02 PM
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Beach, the prices you mentioned were correct. The executive service is $35 for 2 people each way. Also, the private boat is $285, but they add a 5% "service charge" for a total of $300. As you say, we thought both were well worth it, but if someone wanted to save money and not go with the private boat, the executive service is still not to be missed.
May 10th, 2005, 06:07 AM
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Thank you for all the good information. We are booked with Classic and they said they will perform the same service, luggage pickup, taxi to ferry, immigration, etc. I'll let you know how it went. I'm just ready to "be there". We have traveled to many exotic locations in the South Pacific, Samoa etc..but I saved Cap for my retirement celebration since it boasts good food, wine & beaches!
