The tiny Caribbean island is buzzing with the rebirth of the legendary Malliouhana, new restaurants adding to the culinary capital’s repertoire and more
Anguilla, B.W.I. – Anguilla anticipates a robust 2015 winter season by enticing travelers to experience not only its 33 pristine, powder-white beaches, but also a range of new additions for the season. The re-opening of the famed Malliouhana Resort & Spa has placed Anguilla in the forefront of the global conversation, while 2015 will bring more exciting tourism development news. Special offers by various hotels, resorts, villas and restaurants on island, as well as intriguing, authentic events all create great reasons to choose Anguilla for that special winter getaway.
Upcoming Events
Moonsplash Music Festival, Festival del Mar and The Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification offer three great reason for visitors to come to the island and experience “Tranquility Wrapped in Blue.”
The 25th Annual Moonsplash Music Festival will take place March 27-29 under the full moon on gorgeous Rendezvous Bay. Hosted by local musical legend Bankie Banx at The Dune Preserve, it is the longest running independent music festival in the Eastern Caribbean and highlights some of the biggest names in reggae and popular emerging talent.
The following weekend, Easter weekend, April 4-5, is the 7th Annual Festival del Mar. An epicurean celebration of all things from the sea, it is hosted in the picturesque fishing village of Island Harbour and features a multiplicity of seaside activities, including fishing competitions, culinary competitions, swimming races, crab races, and of course, Anguilla’s National Sport and beloved pastime, boatracing.
Now is also a great time to plan to be a part of the Caribbean’s smartest festival – the 2015 Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification. Set against the backdrop of Anguilla’s tranquil ambience and stunning beaches, join readers, writers and thinkers for three invigorating days of inspiring workshops, illuminating seminars, dynamic presentations and invaluable networking opportunities with award-winning authors and poets, celebrity writers and noted publishers. The festival takes place May 21-24 on the grounds of the Paradise Cove Resort.
For more information on these and other upcoming events, please visit www.iVisitAnguilla.com.
Accommodations News
The renowned Malliouhana Hotel & Spa re-opened its doors in November 2014 after a three year closure and restoration by Auberge Resorts. Malliouhana has been considered one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean since its original opening in 1984. The resort features 55 rooms, two beaches, two restaurants and bars, an extensive array of sports and fitness facilities as well as a 15,000 square-foot spa all on 20 acres of elevated beachfront land. Nightly rates start at $525 for a garden view deluxe room, inclusive of a continental breakfast buffet for two. For further information, please visit http://malliouhana.aubergeresorts.com/ or www.aubergeresorts.com.
Altamer resort in Shoal Bay West recently renovated and transformed one of its three beachside villas, the Russian Amethyst, into an art villa. Curated by Jennie Lamensdorf, the villa boasts a variety of contemporary paintings from the personal collection of Francis Greenburger, Chairman and CEO of the resort’s New City-based developer, Time Equities Inc. (TEI). For more information on Altamer, please visit http://www.altamer.com.
Ce Blue Beach Resort & Villas, Anguilla’s first and only luxury private residence club, has introduced a new concept for Caribbean vacations: the hybrid villa-resort. CéBlue encompasses just eight private villas, all with lush native landscaping, dramatic oceanfront vistas and configurations up to six bedrooms for a maximum of 75 pampered guests. Outside, each villa has a spacious 2,000 square foot covered deck plus 3,000 square feet of open terrace with a private pool, outdoor rain shower & bath. While privacy is paramount at CéBlue, guests who seek out a more traditional resort experience can take advantage of a clubhouse with luxury resort amenities and a variety of beachfront activities and entertainment options.
Beaches Edge has recently enhanced their two five-bedroom West End Villas with all new soft furnishings. Travelers will enjoy brand new luxury bedding and bath linens, updated accessories and expanded pool-side seating and umbrellas. To book a vacation or destination wedding in one or both oceanfront villas, please visit www.beachesedge.com or email [email protected].
Frangipani Beach Resort acquired the villa formerly known as Seychelles in January 2015. The five-bedroom/four-bathroom villa, scheduled to open in November 2015, is the only one of its kind directly on Meads Bay and features a private infinity pool, butler service and access to the amenities at Frangipani Beach Resort including the fitness facilities and complimentary water sports. Nightly rates will start at $3000. For more information, please visit www.frangipaniresort.com.
Zemi Beach Resort and Spa is on track for completion in October 2015. The 116-key boutique hotel will be managed by Trust Hospitality, and will feature an adjacent 4,000 square foot Thai house that will house the resort’s spa. Zemi Beach is located along over 1,000 feet of beachfront at Shoal Bay East. For more information, please visit www.zemibeach.com.
Sunset Homes has launched Tranquility Beach, a new property ownership opportunity on Meads Bay offering two-, three- and six-bedroom villas and residences. Other villa, residential and commercial property developments that Sunset Homes has completed during its 18-year tenure in Anguilla include: The Beach House, Le Bleu, Spyglass Hill Villa, Tequila Sunrise, BeachCourt Villa and Meads Bay Beach Villas. For more information about Tranquility Beach, please visit http://www.tranquilitybeachanguilla.com/.
Kishti Villa Collection will introduce not one but two new six-bedroom retreats to Anguilla’s amazing Meads Bay on March 18, 2015. Known as Kishti on Meads, the twin villas launch the brand-new Kishti Villa Collection, which also includes the five-room Kishti at Black Garden, a few miles east on Anguilla’s north shore. Each villa highlights capacious interiors featuring dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea (“kishti” is Urdu for canoe), with Cecconi Simone-designed interiors highlighting Eastern objets d’arts and Western artworks that create a distinctive environment of unusual refinement. The new six-bedroom villas offer: two kitchens per villa; patio and rooftop gardens; a home theater and home office; personal gym; and a staff of 11, including a butler and chef. The Kishti Villa Collection is exclusively represented by Ricketts Luxury Properties. Rates and special introductory offers at www.rickettsluxury.com.
Properties in Paradise, one of Anguilla’s premier real estate and consulting firms, has added to the team Katie Hearn as Training and Operations Manager for an expanding portfolio of exclusive luxury rental villas. In addition, the firm has introduced the seven-bedroom estate Santosha Villa available for weekly rentals, and added the newly re-launched Elements Villas (Sea, Sand and Sky), formerly Temenos, to the firm’s portfolio. Lastly, Zenaida Beach & Tennis Estate is offering their summer rates for the whole winter season, a savings of nearly 50 percent. For information about current opportunities or to book, please email Elaine at [email protected] or visit http://www.propertiesinparadiseaxa.com/.
Viceroy Anguilla has announced two new team members, Arron Gwinnett, Director of Food & Beverage and Ryan Witcher, Executive Pastry Chef. Gwinnett comes to Viceroy Anguilla from other leading resorts in food & beverage management positions including Hilton (China), Raffles Hotels & Resorts (China), Conrad Pezula (South Africa), InterContinental Hotels (India and Abu Dhabi). Prior to joining Viceroy, Witcher worked at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C., The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch and The Pierre Hotel in New York. Viceroy Anguilla’s five restaurants and lounges feature locally caught seafood and fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables. The seasonally tailored menus feature both gourmet and casual Anguilla dining selections. For more information on Viceroy Anguilla, please visit www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/anguilla.
Accommodation Packages and Value Offers
Allamanda Beach Club is offering a Couples Spring Break Getaway. The four-day package includes daily continental breakfast, car rental for the four days, a one-hour glass bottom boat ride, a 40-minute massage for two and dinner for two on the final evening. The package is $1,640 and is valid April 15 through December 15, 2015.
Ani Villas has partnered with Private Jet Services Group and Anguilla Watersports Ltd. to launch The Ultimate Kitesurfing Escape. The weeklong package, combining a luxury vacation with an action-packed itinerary, includes exclusive round trip private airfare from anywhere in North America by Private Jet Services, more than 16 hours of kitesurfing instruction from the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO) certified Anguilla Watersports team, stand-up paddleboard lessons and adventures, massage sessions on off days to recover and recharge and daily yoga sessions to maximize performance. Full board is also included, with meals prepared by Ani Villas’ Chef “Sweets” Connor as well as dining experiences at a selection of Anguilla restaurants. The package also includes cocktails, dinner and an awards ceremony with the Anguilla Watersports team on the Ani Villas patio at sunset, plus an after-party with a reggae band. The Ultimate Kitesurfing Escape is priced at $175,000 and kitesurfing packages are also available without airfare, as well as for larger or smaller groups. For more information, please visit www.anivillas.com.
Bird of Paradise features a “Spring Break Getaway” in its villa for up to eight guests. The package includes a welcome cocktail party with Caribbean punch, private chef services for a Caribbean barbecue and daily breakfast and gifts for the children. The package is available February 1 through March 31, 2015, and weekly rates are $14,695 per family in February and March and $10,075 per family in April. The family rates are based on a family of four, and the weekly rate can be reduced accordingly for parties of fewer than eight guests. For more information, please visit www.anguillabird.com or email [email protected].
The Viceroy Anguilla is offering two packages this winter and spring: Families Stay Together Play Together and 50 Shades of Blue. Families Stay Together Play Together includes a daily $100 resort credit, daily activities for kids at the Generation V kids’ club and kids ages 12 and under eat free with every paying adult. The package starts at $1,100 and is valid through March 11, 2015. The 50 Shades of Blue package includes: round-trip private charter air by Tradewind Aviation for two from San Juan, one five-bedroom Beachfront Villa for five nights with a private golf cart for use during stay, a “Blue Tranquility” couples massage, a “Blue Martini” welcome cocktail, a private five-course dinner for two on the beach and a decadent dessert bar in the villa. The package starts at $40,000 per couple for a five-night stay exclusive of taxes and gratuity. For more information, please visit www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/anguilla.
Restaurant News
Artisan is a new pizza restaurant in Anguilla, featuring a traditional Stefano Ferrara wood fired brick oven imported from Naples, Italy. Artisan is open daily for dinner and is located in Island Harbour. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artisan/311207119078094.
Blanchard’s Restaurant is now offering a gluten-free menu. In addition to dozens of options, sandwiches and burgers are available on gluten-free bread and as well as gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and cookie sandwiches filled with frozen yogurt. For more information, please visit http://www.blanchardsrestaurant.com/.
Café de Paris offers a blend of French and Anguillian specialties. Led by the team that operated Big Spring restaurant in Island Harbour, Café de Paris is set among a lush garden in the West End of Anguilla. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-de-Paris/274341452725952.
Dad’s Restaurant on Sandy Ground is offering “You Catch It – We Cook It” for fresh seafood at its best. Patrons can bring in their freshly caught fish for the chef to prepare it to their liking with three side dishes. Dad’s also features live music and dancing in the evening. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DadsAnguilla.
Daisy’s is another restaurant new to the Anguilla scene. Located in a traditional Anguillian home in George Hill, the restaurant serves Caribbean food as well as thin- and thick-crust pizzas. Daisy’s is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DaisysAXA.
De Cuisine, created by Executive Chef Denise Carr and business partner/husband Joash Proctor, is a new restaurant in South Hill Plaza featuring “modern eclectic” cuisine. Carr has worked in the Middle East, Las Vegas and California before working at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and creating the tapas and cocktail restaurant SandBar in Anguilla. De Cuisine is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 1 264-476-3273. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/decuisineaxa.
Ruthy’s Yum Yum is a new locally-owned restaurant featuring fusion-style menu options and international flair. Located in Little Dix, near Shoal Bay East, the restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For more information, please visit their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/ruthysyumyum.
Sarjai’s Restaurant opened in December 2014 by Chef Darren Connor, a member of the Anguilla National Culinary Team. Named for his daughter, the restaurant is located on Meads Bay and features a menu of local and regional dishes with an international flair. Sarjai is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarjais-Restaurant/359863227519292.
Romney’s is Anguilla’s newest restaurant, located in Lower South Hill. Serving tasty local cuisine and favorites such as oven-fresh pizza, succulent burgers, mouthwatering quesadillas and more, Romney’s is the place to dine this winter and is under the capable direction of Chef Kevin Paul. For reservations or take-out orders please call 1-264-497-6810 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/romneys.
