Viceroy Anguilla

Carol Richardson recently invited me to her studio Estate Hope Art Studio located on Crocus Hill in sunny Anguilla. Carol  previously enjoying oils and pastels has now turned most of her artistic attention to quilting. Originally from Baltimore, Carol came to the Caribbean 23 years ago and later married her husband Walter. She was a nurse for many years but left healthcare to open a gallery in St. Thomas. Opportunity brought them back to the island of Walter’s heritage, Anguilla in 2001. They lived on Roaches Hill in Walter’s Mom’s home with Miss Jimmy.  Miss Jimmy’s house then had no water and occasional electricity but a recent 17 month refurbishment accomplished by Carol and Walter  has transformed this traditional home into an artist retreat.

Carol rents out the house to artists who seek to immerse themselves in the solace and sounds of this tranquil Caribbean island.  There is a studio inside and the house is situated on 2 acres with lovely gardens and outdoor art. Crocus Bay is a short distance for painting, swimming and dining.

Carol’s home studio is where she lovingly crafts some of the most colourful and intricate quilts. She hand sews her quilts using specialized folding and sewing techniques on a variety of lovely fabrics. Many of her fabrics are donated each with a special story.  Carol spent time revealing her quilts explaining the story behind each design. She even writes a brief anecdote on the back of each.

Carol and Ann Phelan are teaming up to create a week-long artist retreat in June 2011.  They will welcome  multi media artists to meet for planned workshops as well as ample  time for creative exploration. The combination of a beautiful tranquil island setting, spectacular local cuisine, amazing beaches and scenic vistas will provide a week-long unforgettable experience.   Carol and Ann will present their program on this later this fall.  Ann will organize air, land and workshops details as well as her full Concierge services.

To rent Miss Jimmy’s or to inquire of the Artist’s Retreat in June contact Ann at 800-219-0118 or email ann@bonairecaribbean.com. You may also contact Carol direct at  264-497-8733. Carol’s gallery is open for business week days but she welcomes unexpected drop-ins. Just toot your car horn and you are most welcome.

My favorite dining spot in Sandy Ground is easily, Barrel Stay. Graham and Jill have created a dining oasis seaside. My family and I had a lovely meal from apps to dessert. We were pampered and spoiled. The al fresco setting is magical.  I highly recommend the local fish, pumpkin soup and any dessert Graham has concocted that day.

Dessert Bliss

To book your Anguilla vacation and for Concierge Service including reservations at Barrel stay contact Ann the Anguilla specialist at ann@bonairecaribbean.com or call Jill  at Barrel Stay direct at 264 497 2831.

My favorite beach stop is Shoal Bay West. There are never crowds, one of the island’s best restaurants, Trattoria Tramonto is on site and the views of the white power sand beach and glistening water is spectacular.

When we arrive,  we secure  our chairs and request a bucket of icy cold San Pelegrino Water. Our favorite pastime is to read, swim, snooze, all in that order. Around 1, we brush off the sand and head in to the dining area for a lovely lunch. My favorite lunch is the crayfish and pasta. Alan Piazzi, the owner has lovely wines to enhance the culinary experience. Of course the views are incredible.

Panini

To book your escape to Anguilla, call the island expert, Ann Phelan at 001 508 737 5245 or email ann@bonairecaribbean.com today.

Viceroy Bliss

Anacaona Boutique Hotel is their new name for the Sirena Resort, which is about to undergo a refurbishment that will add some of the famed Ricketts touches in style and service. The hotel with its 27 rooms and suites sits in 3 1/2-acres of frangipani and coco palms a few paces along a garden path from mile-long Meads Bay, one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the island.

Anacaona (pronounced the way it looks, by the way, an-nah-ky-oh-nah, without stresses – just like vacations on Anguilla) features stylish décor, new menus in the garden-poolside restaurant, not one but two swimming pools (for 27 rooms!), full beach service, boutique, massage center – and, above all, a reinvention of island nightlife.

“We’ve given the hotel this evocative Amerindian name, Anacaona, because we see it as Anguilla’s unofficial cultural entertainment center,” say co-owner Sue Ricketts. “The focus of our tropical evenings will be local musicians, local dance groups, dinner theater, maybe carnival nights, maybe even poolside chats with engaging local historians. We want our guests to leave Anguilla with a much richer understanding of what this special island is all about.”

Affordable Chic

Room rates at the new Anacaona will come as a welcome eye-opener to vacationers who thought they could never afford this celebrity-studded island. That includes perks often found only in luxury hotels – like cold towels and rum punch on arrival, free Wi-Fi and Internet, even drinks and lunch service on the beach.

Anacaona's Beach at Meade's Bay

Anacaona Boutique Hotel is located in that trendy corner of Anguilla known as West End, a low-profile district with most of the island’s luxury resorts and high-end villas, a variety of restaurants and beach bars, the Greg Norman golf course and other attractions – but no more than 20 minutes by car from the airport or 10 from the ferryboat dock.

Contact ann@antiguacaribbean.com to book your stay at Anacaona.

I love hopping over to Anguilla from Bonaire. With easy air service from Bonaire and Curacao to Sint Maarten, a long weekend is doable and fun. Now, I am offering the reverse to my friends in Anguilla and Sint Maarten. I just spent an overnight at Sorobon Beach Resort and am thrilled to market this amazing bungalow property. The setting is on pristine Lac Bay, famous for world class windsurfing events and one of the island’s most popular snorkel spots.

Fall is the perfect time to escape to Sorobon. Enjoy a long weekend on the Dutch Caribbean island best known as Divers Paradise. We are safely outside the hurricane belt and can offer a rest that will reveal lasting memories.

The special includes:

2 nights stay inclusive: 2 breakfast (buffet) and 2 lunches.

Price per person is USD 171 (based on 2 persons in one bungalow or USD 342 for two persons in one bungalow)

This is perfect for those wanting to experience two islands such as Bonaire and Curacao or for residents in Aruba, Curacao, Saba, Statia, Sint Maarten or Anguilla who need a short getaway. Email ann@bonairecaribbean.com to book your getaway. I just returned from my weekend at Sorobon and will handpick your bungalow.

Grilled Watermelon Salad

My friend Lisanne and I headed over to Mead’s Bay to dine at Jacala. What is bettter  than oceanfront dining with your feet in the sand? We arrived 11:30 but were asked to wait until 12 for the restaurant to open. We sat near the sand staring into ocean blue. The setting is simple and divine. The owner Jacques was having a pre lunch swim. It is always great to see the owner enjoying life..that good vibe gets passed on to his guests. At 12 he seated us and took our drink order. We shared two bottles of Pelegrino during the meal. Lisanne and I shared the grilled watermelon and goat cheese salad. WOW…who knew you could grill watermelon. It was sublime. I had the lobster club sans bacon and the tarter sauce on the side. Lisanne had a simple burger. Everything was amazing. My sandwich was simple and fresh. We shared a pot au chocolate for dessert, a small thimble size concoction. Pure ambrosia.

Lobster Club at Jacala

Caribbean Wind & Sun offers complimentary Concierge Service including reservations to Jacala. Please contact ann@antiguacaribbean.com to book your escape to Anguilla.

There is potential for development and further strengthening. If I were in Anguilla today, I would be preparing by securing outdoor items and buying water, non perishable goods and batteries. Please help your neighbors secure their animals. They seem to be thought of last and can suffer the most.
Good luck my friends in Anguilla.