Trip report Anguilla April 23rd thru 29th

Trip report Anguilla April 23rd thru 29th

6th or 8th trip to our favorite Island, we have lost count!

We flew US Airways from SYR to PHL to SXM, in St. Martin we flew with Anguilla Air Services to Anguilla. Their local representative met us on our US Airways flight and brought us to the transfer area. They took great care of transferring our bags to the Anguilla Airplane and getting us through the transfer point.

On the return we went AXA to SXM again with Anguilla Air Service, but we had to go through customs in SXM, claim our bags and transfer them ourselves to the US Airways counter. However the Anguilla Air representative made that very easy for us. NO Custom Fees in SXM.

It was a great experience and I would recommend them. They also fly day trips to St. Barts from Anguilla.

Hotels:

We arrived via our Ronnie Bryan’s Car Rental – see review under Car Rental to Cap Juluca and was greeted and brought to the check in area, brought some enjoyable/relaxing drinks and got our Villa assigned 16-4. They claimed they were 100% full and therefore no upgrades available. They told this to other guests that we met regarding room upgrades. However found out they were 65% to 75% FULL.

The room consisted of a King Bed, OLD DRESSER with a couple draws that didn’t open,
Floor rug that should have been changed out long time ago, Large Flat Screen TV that covered the mirror behind it. Nice Bathroom single sink, Large Tub and separate shower – very nice. Off the bathroom is a private layout au natural chaise lounge area.
Then we had a very large open balcony with the most beautiful view of the Maundays Bay beach. The only bad thing I will say about this hotel is they should have saved the TV & Bose Radio/CD player dollars, didn’t use the TV much and didn’t use the radio at all and bought new dressers & scatter rugs when they did their $80M renovation.

The room was nice don’t get me wrong. We have been to Cap Juluca before 4th times we think so that has to tell you something.

Now their beach- Maundays Bay and what set’s Cap Juluca ahead of the rest of the hotels – One of the nicest spots on Anguilla. Their beach service and chairs were great. Special thanks to Monica & Carol (guy) for the great service. Wet cold towels, constant ice water delivery, fruit –frozen and sorbets. We spent a lot of our time on their beach.

Monday – stayed at Cap Juluca for the day, ate BEACH LUNCH but it wasn’t that great. order was screwed up and was $ 56.00 for two sandwiches. I suggest you walk or drive off property to Smokey’s – see review or to one of the other places for lunch.

Maid service – twice a day (turn down in the evening) and delivery of our continental breakfast was always within the requested time-frame. Fruits, baked goods and coffee or tea.. Juice etc.

Had a drink at Spice and the drinks were great service was excellent. Pimms looked nice and had a large group there. Very popular place for dinner, prices didn’t look bad.
However we ate our meals off property.

Their fully equipped fitness center is really nice, the machines are new with TV’s, and they have clean headsets available, water, juice and towels. Very nice workout area with weights etc…

Golf Carts – they have electric carts to get you around the property which is a nice feature, however remember to drive on the left and if you need to go backwards – it is the switch to the left of the key, push it down – beeping will start you are now in reverse.

Viceroy – we made a trip to check out this new property – very modern. Beautiful. Their one bedroom suite is huge with a large Modern bathroom, plunge pool on the deck. However it doesn’t belong on Anguilla… Cap Juluca has Caribbean charm.

Also their beach service is a shuttle ride or beach walk away on Meads Bay – another beautiful beach on Anguilla. The hotel is not fully functional yet; spa not open, one pool by the bar is open. However the property is beautiful. Feel free to check trip reports from guests before deciding. If you are into Modern & New then consider Viceroy or maybe not consider Anguilla – head to Miami!
Frangipani Beach Resort on Meads Bay – we did not stay here but would consider this hotel on our next trip out to Anguilla. We ate at Straw Hat – see review below – so was able to check out the property and their beach area is very nice. They have two pools. We were going to stay here when they first opened but they didn’t have pools open at the time. Feel free to check trip reports from guests before decided.

Restaurants:

Veya – we read the reviews on this and other forums and knew we had to visit Jerry’s & Carrie’s place and we are glad we did. So much so we wanted to go back Sunday for a repeat but they were closed…

Since it was our first night (Friday) on the Island I e-mailed them to make our reservations and Carrie responded promptly.

Food and service was fantastic – our choice of food for the night:

Started with Moroccan Spiced Shrimp Cigars and Skirt steak lettuce wrap, thought we get PF Chang style wraps I was bummed my wife ordered this to start but we were glad she did. The shrimp cigars were great but her skirt steak lettuce wraps were prepared perfectly.

Our main entrée for me Grilled Jerk Spiced Tuna and it was spiced but very tasty. My wife had the Grilled Crayfish and it was cooked perfect. The reason I wanted to go back Sunday was to try their Five Spiced Roast Pork Tenderloin. Next trip!

We are watching what we eat so we didn’t have their Warm Chocolate Cake, which sounded delicious another reason we were heading back Sunday. We even were going to go there just for desert as our other evening meals were pre-booked but we were so full after our other meals we never made it back there. Total for meal with tip & drinks $164.00. This is a must place to eat at least once if not twice while visiting Anguilla. Highly recommend nice setting.

A lot of restaurants were closed Monday lunch time so we hit the Café at Veya downstairs. Try their Anguilla Panini – chicken, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers in a nice garden style setting. $12. for the Panini and worth it.

Ripples – Saturday dinner – Jacquie is a hoot. Mixed reviews but the food was good service was ok. I had lobster 2 lbs at $60. was warned a head of time by waitress on the price and it was good.

Ku – Deon’s – Sunday. Shoal Bay for Breakfast & Lunch – they also serve dinner.
Drove to Shoal Bay another beautiful beach – you can rent chairs and umbrella for $10.00. DO NOT USE THE KU White I think chairs the rentals are Green I think . Deon’s place doesn’t control the chairs – Shoal Bay Scuba next door does – rental – and they are strict. Deon’s breakfast is about $8. and worth it for two eggs, meat, potatoes etc. Coffee at most restaurants $3.00. Lunch was also good. Nice place to spend a day or two when you are on the Island.

Straw Hat – Sunday dinner – and lots of breakfasts – No reservations lucky to get their last available table. We had planned to eat at another restaurant Sunday return visit but they were closed. We have eaten at Straw Hat on previous trips old location so we went by there new location and got their last available table and we are so happy things worked out for us. First off they moved to Frangipani Beach Resort. A beautiful open air setting. Great view of Meads Bay.

For Appetizer specials they had Shrimp in a rum sauce and Fish & Chips – Great fries.- worth going off my strict diet (LOL) Both appetizers were fantastic. We moved onto Entrees – Specials were Wahoo & a Jerked Spiced Pork Chop. I had the Pork Chop, my wife had the Wahoo.

The Pork chop was cooked perfectly for Pork and was very spicy-hot but had great flavor. Was also very large- I was full – The owner Peter came to check on us and inquired if the Pork Chop was too spicy for me and I told him it was great. My wife really enjoyed the Wahoo. Total for dinner No desert – pork chop filled me up, drinks (bottle of wine) $ 146.00

Since we were staying at Cap Juluca and enjoyed dinner, we inquired about Breakfast and Renee provided us with their Breakfast menus compared to Cap Juluca the prices were reasonable and an easy drive. We went back for breakfast the following morning. Once again Renee and the Straw Hat team served us some great food. Sausage Fritta $15.00 and worth it I was stuffed. Cooked to perfection. Eggs & Omelets at $11. We went there 3 or 4 times for breakfast – I even had Kevin the cook, make me a Salmon omelet $15.00. And well worth it. My wife had eggs, bacon etc more food then you could eat at onetime.

One morning, our last day on the Island, I was in the mood for their French Toast but only wanted a slice. The waiter mis-understood me, so I ordered the Sausage Fritta instead again – Surprise he had them add a piece of French toast on my plate – it was fantastic..

We understand from other people that Straw Hat also has some great lunches as well.
This is among our Top five for dinner but one of our top two for Breakfast. The Valley Bistro offers some great breakfasts at very reasonable prices. Thanks Peter, Renee, Kevin and the rest of the team for taking care of us most mornings, & our dinner while we were on the Island of Anguilla. Great food and service 3 meals a day!

As a side note checkout their Straw Hat Facebook Wall page for great and amazing pictures and video of a A HUGE leatherback turtle nested on Meads Bay… after laying her eggs on (Sunday, April 25, 2010), this 1000 pound, 50+ year old leatherback turtle returned to the sea..

Barrel Stay – Monday evening dinner

We have been to Barrel Stay several times during our many trips to Anguilla. Jill and Graham have always been great and offered fantastic meals/ service etc.

Jill is a wonderful Hostess and I have written previous reports on this restaurant. They have all been positive. When I travel I write on the restaurant’s business card what we ate – enjoyed etc. This helps with my review write up but also for the next time I visit Anguilla or other Island.

So I checked my Barrel Stay business card and noticed we enjoyed Tempura Shrimp appetizer and Lobster Ravioli on our last visit and for entrée we enjoyed Blackened Wahoo. The shrimp & Wahoo were specials.

When I e-mailed Jill to make our reservations for Monday evening I mentioned that we enjoyed the Blackened Wahoo & Tempura Shrimp on our last visit and she mentioned that she would check with Graham to see if we can enjoy them again on this visit.

I wasn’t disappointed – the special that night was the Tempura Shrimp appetizer (could have been a great entrée) well worth the $22. and my entrée was Blackened Wahoo. Both were prepared perfectly. My wife had Tempura Escargot in a basil sauce for her appetizer and Lobster 1.5 lbs. She still talks about the Escargot and her Lobster was perfect. No desert to full – total bill with drinks $ 168.00

The restaurant was busy – couple of wedding parties – but we enjoyed great food and fantastic service. One couple next to us was from New Hampshire – they have also been to Anguilla on previous trips but this was their first time to Barrel Stay, they could not say enough about how great their meal and service was to us.
Valley Bistro – Breakfast – Tuesday. This is the spot to go for a great and reasonable priced breakfast. Pancakes $3.50 for 3 nice size cakes. Service was good. You are in the Valley – Easy to get to and find. Complete menu and this is where the locals go. Lunches were also being served and they looked good…
Roys – Tuesday lunch – Had a nice lunch at Roys – service was great – food was good.
My wife had the Lobster Wrap and really enjoyed it and I decided on a hamburger cooked perfect tasted good. With Beers & Ice Tea $ 51.00.

Jacala – Tuesday dinner – again made reservations via e-mail. Jacques and Alain’s team provided great service and fantastic food. Jacques was a great host. Alain appreciated my e-mail reservation that he came out of the kitchen and thanked us for coming. My wife had the chicken with a Crayfish stuffing on the outside – think it was a special. It was great. I had Whole snapper “meunière, worth picking the bones vs. filet.
The food was excellent along with the service – Total bill $116. no desert one salad ap.
Some drinks.

Smokey’s at the Cove – Wednesday lunch. We have been many, many years ago to Smokey’s so we wanted to give it another try and are we glad we did. We also checked out the reviews and saw they were positive.

My wife had the Lobster Salad – one of the best on the Island with their highly rated straw sweet potato fries. Worth jumping off my diet along with the highly rated Onion Rings…

I had their Smoked chicken sandwich which was great. Heard their Mahi-Mahi fish sandwich is also great. Good place for dinner as well. Food was great and service was excellent very friendly staff. Price for lunch with beer & ice tea/lemonade – home made fresh squeezed $ 55.00 Great view of Cove Bay – Complimentary chairs available if you eat lunch or dinner.
Oliver’s Seaside Grill – Wednesday dinner our final evening.
On our many trips to Anguilla we have enjoyed great meals and service at Oliver’s Seaside Grill so when we planned our recent trip we e-mailed Oliver and made a reservation for our last evening – Wednesday on the Island.
I mentioned to Oliver that I was looking forward to enjoying his Cinnamon Basil Shrimp (which was available as an entrée). He wrote back that he even though his website reflects this dish it is no longer available but he will make it for me. I am so happy he did.
It is so tasty and enjoyable- shrimp served in a cinnamon basil spice sauce with angel hair pasta – the waitress mentioned that if I write it up and they get requests from my review, Oliver will make it. My wife had the Poached Filet of Snapper, (I had this last time) and I enjoyed the Grilled Fillet of Grouper both were excellent. The service was very good, friendly staff. Great view of Long Bay and I understand some nice snorkeling but not great swimming area. Dinner for 2 with drinks no desert $ 124.00
Car Rental

Rented a car during my recent trip to Anguilla from Ronnie Bryan’s Car Rental and had a great experience.

I contacted Ronnie via e-mail prior to my trip and he acknowledged the e-mail with his rate for the week including insurance. I wrote him back that would work and he sent a confirmation that I will hear back from him 1 to 2 days prior to the rental with the car details.

About a day before my arrival Ronnie had an e-mail in my box reflecting the make, color and license plate number. Upon arrival at the airport the car was easy to locate and off we drove. Ronnie is very, very low key. No trouble Man attitude!

Ronnie did not chase me around Cap Juluca demanding or wanting his paperwork completed. About 2 to 3 days later he left me a cell number to call him at, we connected and reviewed the paperwork/MasterCard – note $20.00 cash for drivers license and we were all set. I would highly recommend Ronnie for your Anguillan Car Rental needs. He is a local guy trying to make a living. The car was not a brand new Toyota Corolla but it got us around the Island, A/C worked great, for the week without any problems.

Renting vs. Taxi – If you like to have too many drinks at dinner or lunch then don’t rent a car, if you can handle a drink or two over dinner then I suggest you rent a car. One couple ate most of their meals at the hotel and didn’t get a great feel of the Island. They felt they should have rented a car.

Suggestion rent a car for some or all of your time on the Island – do like we did stay at the hotel – Cap Juluca for us – use the hotel facilities and go out for breakfast – lunch – dinner. We got plenty of beach – sun time in and got to eat at some great restaurants – reviews posted.

Villas:

While walking on Meads Bay Beach from Straw Hat we came across the Beach House villa and what a Villa it is. MEGA $ or Powerball $ would make my dream come true . We walked up the path to look in the window and the workers waved us in… The place is beautiful and if you have some extra millions this is the Villa to purchase – rent out or re-sell it as a time share. It turns out that Ian- “Sugar George” Edwards of Sunset Homes is the architectural designer and the builder of the Villa and he was on property that is how we found out more details. Janine & Ian Edwards have Villas for rent on the Island and we have rented from them previously. We were unaware at the time they were building or involved with this Villa. It is Modern and Beautiful… It does fit into the Caribbean Charm. Have you always dreamed of owning your very own Anguilla residence? They are also in the process of developing three contemporary and moderately priced, luxury two bedroom stand alone homes for under $US 1M.

Feel free to contact me with your questions or complaints about this report. I will answer all positive and negative messages. andycdiver@yahoo.com