SSinUS

Would appreciate feedback on Anguilla for a winter vacation. I am thinking of the following for a quiet get-a-way and sheer relaxation:

Malliouhana Hotel & Spa
Cap Juluca
Cuisinart Resort

All are LHW properties. Again, would enjoy detailed feedback from all you Flyertalkers.

Thanks.

Pauldublin

What are you looking for from your vacation ? Is it relaxtion, tranquility and good food or do you need good nightlife (perhaps combined with everything else) . Are there children in your party? This and any other information will help people here advise you.

Personally I prefer Maliouhana as do most of my friends.

JNelson113

I have only stayed at the Cuisinart, but enjoyed it very much.

dukeman

I have stayed at both Malliouhana and CuisinArt. Personally, I prefer CuisinArt. The restaurant at Malliouhana is better if you are looking for fine dining. I find Malliouhana to be a bit "dated." The staff at both properties are excellent, with CuisinArt being a bit more informal. That said, I prefer informal to formal (stuffy) when on vacation. Anguilla is a great island if you are looking for beach and good dining. There is very little nightlife on Anguilla. Feel free to post or PM for more details. I've been to Anguilla many times and know the island quite well.

1AAFlyer

I have stayed at all 3 many times. Cap Juluca has been sold and the property is going downhill. I don't know what the status will be this winter. There is a new manager (1 year) at Cuisinart and the property is quite nice and staff wonderful. You will find that to be the case at any property in Anguilla. Malliouhana hasn't been refurbished in years, nor has Cap Juluca. Cap Juluca has the best beach. PM me if you want more specific details. I have been to the island over 50 times.

grumbler

I actually have the same question - except we will have an 18 month old with us. Anyone with views as to which is most appropriate ?

1AAFlyer

Malliouhana has a great children's program and area with a pirate ship, complete with water slide, game area and little children's playground. It is located adjacent to the beach and there is a pool there also.

My kids have grown up going to Anguilla and the islanders love children. I always hired a woman or young adult, through the hotel (any of the 3), to help with my kids and to supervise them at the children's area.

I don't think you can go wrong at any of the hotels.

W2B Globetrotter

I too am contemplating a visit to Anguilla with a 3.5yr and 6mo old in tow.

WARNING: the following are conjectures since I haven't personally visited Anguilla yet.

Cap Juluca, being more of a honeymoon/anniversary destination, would be the least child-friendly. Not that children aren't allowed and they do have menu items for kids, but the general lack of other kids to play around with and possible intolerance/raised eyebrows from other guests would dissuade me from making CJ my top choice. Without kids, it would definitely be tops ^; even though there are many recent reports of dwindling service due to ownership issues.

Malliouhana over at Meads Bay definitely looks inviting, especially with the small pirates-theme water play area. But the general thoughts on the resort is that it tends to have an older "stuffy" crowd, which is understandable in that it is the oldest high-end resort on Anguilla with a long history of repeat customers.

Cuisinart is generally regarded as the most family-friendly and has a decent pool for toddlers to frolic in. Surprisingly, this resort has fewer recent service and upkeep complaints than the other two. It is the most modern of the 3. I think I'm going to end up there and make a trip or two to Malliouhana's pirate play area for the kids.

grumbler

Follow up - if I want kitchen facilities, which one has the best villas (like a smallish 2 bedroom one - we don't need a mansion) ?

1AAFlyer

Cap Juluca has he only villas of those hotels.

Kagehitokiri

http://www.caribbeanway.com/villa-page/ind/106278.asp nice 2BR villa from $600

http://www.covecastles.com/ villa resort from $600 not including specials, also supposedly the only good snorkeling on Anguilla

1AAFlyer

There is no A/C there. I have stayed there also. I wouldn't really call it child friendly there. As far as snorkleing...there is good snorkeling all around the island. Don't miss Little Bay, which can only be accessed by boat or a rope down the cliff.

Kagehitokiri

cap juluca questions

what units have kitchens?
how kid friendly is it?

1AAFlyer

The villas have kitchens. I have never had a problem with feeling kids are unwelcome there. The staff is very friendly, the concierge Carol is wonderful. My kids have always been welcome there. There have been other kids for them to play with also. When they were toddlers, I hired someone the hotel recommended to play with them off the beach etc. They do not have a "baby" pool per se, but the pool is barely used. The beach is quite large too.

Kagehitokiri

if just looking at kitchen >

cap juluca from $2270 (pool)

cove castles from $600, 6 nt special from $500, 8 nt special from $450 (with pool from $1200)

villa rental from $600 (pool)