Cap Juluca, an ultra-posh, secluded resort in the heart of Anguilla, is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Confession: I had never really heard of Anguilla until recently, when I had the opportunity to visit Cap Juluca, an award-winning luxury resort that’s like a well-kept secret. It’s easy to understand why it seems like that for many reasons.
Year-round, the temperature in Anguilla is approximately 80°F, making it the perfect escape during the winter months or the harsh, humid Houston summers. The white sand haven (or heaven—visit, and you can decide for yourself) famously—but discretely—hosts celebrities, athletes and Fortune 500 CEOs.
Add to this Cap Juluca, and it's exceptional staff—they make your stay feel seamless and have you feeling ultra-pampered. Many of the employees have worked there for years or have other family members who were employed by the resort when it first opened more than 20 years ago.
Anguilla is an English-speaking island in the Caribbean, a short boat ride from St. Martin’s. To get there, it’s common to fly into St. Martin’s first and take a ferry to the island, where a taxi will take you to your final destination. The British territory is 16 miles long and only 3 miles wide at its widest point; Cap Juluca was founded in 1988 on the southwestern side of the island, on the crescent-shaped Maundays Bay. Since then, it has been continuously recognized as one of the top resorts and hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, U.S. News & World Report and Brides magazines to name a few; while I was there, it certainly seemed to be the spot for weddings, vow renewals and honeymoons.
In the midst of holiday stress and end-of-the-year deadlines, the timing seemed right for an escape. I decided to pack my bags and jet off to Cap Juluca, which quickly proved to be just the place where I could unplug for a short while.
Luxury Lodging
All of the 15 villas that house the guestrooms and suites are picture-perfect. The buildings, stark-white against the perpetual blue skies and flanked by lush palms, are rendered in the Moorish style of architecture that lends a hand in creating an exotic atmosphere throughout the resort.
There are 70 rooms, comprised of guestrooms and suites, some with private pools. My beachfront room was outfitted with a king-size bed, a well-stocked minibar, a private terrace and best of all, direct access to the beach from the terrace. The room had a certain chic, island-take on Moroccan accents in its furniture and textiles. The friendly and informative staff told me that Linda Hickox,
one of the owners, handpicks all of the linens and décor in the rooms. For those of us who can’t completely disconnect or are traveling with young ones, each guestroom is also equipped with a flat screen TV, a DVD player and Wi-Fi (that even extends all the way to the beach).
Columns and rounded arches create a spectacular frame of the bay and beyond from the terrace. I spent most of my mornings lounging there in a spa robe with a good book after devouring a room service breakfast.
Soaking it Up
The allure of complete R&R at Cap Juluca is the stuff of dreams. From basking under the sun and dipping into the teal waters of Maundays Bay to being lulled into deep sleep by the sounds of the gentle ocean waves right outside your bedroom doors, it would be completely understandable if you wanted to pack up your life and somehow move to the resort. Relaxing on the quiet, secluded beach was a tranquil experience made sweeter by the complimentary sorbet delivered to all guests along the bay every afternoon.
If simply soaking up the breezes isn’t enough for you, the in-room massages or one of the many spa services—including aromatherapy treatments, body polishes, manicures, facials and waxing—at Cap Juluca Spa Services can’t be beat. I opted for an in-room massage, which was a wonderful way to begin my trip.
Speaking of the spa experience, one thing I wanted to take back with me from my room was the ultra-zen bathroom—but just imagine carrying that through customs. The bathroom was large and spacious, with a great soaking tub and a well-kept, private solarium that let in plenty of natural light and color. If being at Cap Juluca transported me to another world, then the bathroom was a whole other realm—trust me, it’s an experience. If you happen to book the Jonquil Suite, which I had the fortune of touring, prepare to be mind-blown by the luxe tubs, marble surfaces and shower.
Sea and Do
Personally, I couldn’t get tired of lounging by the pristine beach, but Cap Juluca does offer a variety of activities for the more adventurous type. To see more of Anguilla’s natural beauty, chartering a boat ride is a must—I had the pleasure of going on two excursions, one at sunset and one in the afternoon. Aside from lying out on the sand, having a picnic with champagne and rum punch on a gently rocking boat is a pretty awesome experience; fresh air and misty, salty water included. Anguilla is a pretty flat island, but certain parts rise above the water, the craggy cliffs revealing stone streaked with bands of yellow and red. Ask the captain to show you Sandy Island and Prickly Pear Island.
Back at the bay, snorkeling is a fun option; it’s not an uncommon sight to see families by the side of Pimms (one of Cap Juluca’s fine-dining establishments off the water; more on that later) playing in the waves. Scuba, kayaking, windsurfing and waterskiing are other aquatic sports that can be enjoyed in the protected cove, which are all complimentary, by the way. On land, try horseback riding for a small fee, which is a fun couple’s activity. Stay fit at the tennis courts, or get a game of volleyball and basketball going. The fitness center offers a weight room, cardio, Caribbean dance lessons and private training sessions. I couldn’t break away from my lounge chair to try one, but the resort also offers Pilates or yoga sessions on the beach.
Island Eats
Venturing out to Blue is well-worth getting up “early” for. The restaurant is on the beach, looking right out into the Caribbean. I had delicious French toast off the menu, but there is also Continental breakfast, buffet-style dining there. For lunch, I tried the tasty Mahi Mahi wrap; FYI, lunch and drinks can be ordered from any of the staff members at the cabanas that dot the beach.
Maundays Club is a café by day and a lounge by night, just off to the side of the lobby under the great dome. It offers coffee, tea, smoothies and other non-alcoholic beverages when the sun is out, but as it sets, you can enjoy fine wines, cognac and cigars until midnight. One of my favorite moments was teatime in the afternoons, when guests were presented with homemade treats like the crispy biscuits.
Down the stairs from the lobby that lead toward the coast are Spice and Pimms, open-air restaurants right on the water’s edge. Both places have expansive wine lists with extremely knowledgeable staff to back it up. Spice offers tapas-style bites with great cocktails and live entertainment nightly. True to its name, it’s decorated with red- and golden-toned pillows and exquisitely colored glass sconces.
At Pimms, I had a squid ink pasta topped with clams, mussels and a large crayfish, one of the most memorable entrées I’ve had, ever. Houston foodies will love the fresh seafood offerings and farm-to-table concept, using seasonal ingredients. As with many things about Cap Juluca, the environment makes the experience! The table was pretty close to the edge of the restaurant, and it didn’t bother me one bit to be lightly sprayed by crashing waves on occasion. Where else can you dine with the ocean just a few feet away?
If you are celebrating a special occasion, ask about dining on the beach itself, which is a romantic affair lit by torches. My last meal was with toes buried in the sand, more fresh seafood and amazing company.
Swept Away
Months later, I’m still dreaming of the fantastic terrace, unforgettable views and the feeling of the Caribbean breeze on boat rides around Anguilla. Cap Juluca made me feel special with their upscale hospitality from the perceptive staff who paid attention to the little details like cool towels and cold sorbet to help you stay refreshed under the brilliant sky. Maundays Bay is a serene place to escape to, but by no means are you isolated from great food and fun activities, which will stay with you long after you’ve boarded that flight home. It’s safe to say that the secret’s out.
Originally published in the Summer 2015 issue of H Texas.
Edited by Amanda Altman. Photo by Nicholas D. Nguyen.