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Whitewashed villas inspired by the Greek island Mykonos line the white sand beaches of Rendezvous Bay in Anguilla, their Mediterranean-style minimalist architecture a perfect complement to the ombre azure waters of the Caribbean. Built in the late 1990s as the Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt, the property has been reimagined and recently made its debut as the Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club. It’s an idyllic spot for this 178-suite resort, spanning over 300 acres with lush tropical gardens, multiple eateries, the 27,000-square-foot Sorana spa, and the only golf course on the island, a Greg Norman Design.
The resort’s redesign was masterminded by Leo A. Daly, a firm that also oversaw the reinvention of the historic Hotel del Coronado in California, with a decidedly light touch that yielded exceedingly elegant results in all public spaces, rooms, suites, and villas. Guests enter through a breezy lobby with the island version of an enfilade experience, which draws the eye toward the main pool and cascading reflecting pools set with fountains that lead down to the beach below. Color palettes and materials take their cues from the surrounding nature, with local stones arranged in a tonal design behind the reception desk; the use of textures in neutral tones creates sophisticated patterns for all surfaces, resulting in interiors that are layered and feel luxurious without screaming for attention. The environment is, after all, the star here.
But the culinary offerings are a close second. They’re helmed by a team formerly of 11 Madison Park in New York City. Here, they have an on-site hydroponic farm at their disposal for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as access to locally grown, caught, and raised delicacies including spiny (or rock) lobster, conch, and crayfish, which they incorporate into the menus at Kitchen Table (all-day dining), Eventide (barefoot luxury on the beach), Breezes (another beach-front casual dining option whose fish tacos have become a fast favorite), Marella (the resort’s fine dining option), and D. Richard’s which, when it opens this spring, will be the island’s only proper steak house.
While many come here for the golf, it’s worth noting that the resort’s tennis pro, Ryan Williams added America’s fastest growing sport—pickleball—privates and clinics to the athletic menu. These offerings also include daily beach volleyball and soccer games that allow guests to meet, compete, and mingle with locals, as well as a variety of yoga and weight training classes, indoors (the gym is huge, with great views from the treadmills) and out.
Aurora Anguilla is easily accessible via a 30-minute ferry ride from Saint Martin, or private flights into Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport; a fleet of Aurora Anguilla jets is available for guests to book to travel to the island. For most of 2021 the island did not record a single case of COVID-19, thanks to a strict “bubble” policy of testing and quarantine imposed by the government for all visitors. (The testing requirements are still in place, while the quarantine has been drastically shortened—visitors must remain at their resort until receiving a negative result from the covid test that will be administered upon entering island).
Most of Anguilla’s luxury properties are located on the same side of the island, allowing for easy exploration of several hotels during a visit.
Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection
Entering this boutique property which, when it opened almost 40 years ago, put Anguilla on the map as a luxury travel destination is like walking into the home of a fabulous eccentric: There’s a collection of diving helmets displayed at the entrance, an extensive collection of regional art hung throughout public and private spaces, and glamorous interiors recently refreshed by Todd-Avery Lenahan in shades of celadon, mango, and saffron. The cliff-side, terraced pools offer spectacular views of Meads Bay, while Turtle Cove provides ultimate privacy for canoodling. AubergeResorts.com, Expedia
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel
Ever since it first opened in 1988, Cap Juluca (the “Rainbow God”) has developed a cult following amongst those who value discretion, who return year after year to the dome-topped Moorish style villas originally designed by architect Oscar Farmer (perhaps best known for the Los Angeles Coliseum). It’s a downright sexy property in a prime location on Maundays Bay, where every room is beachfront, and seemingly every surface is clad with a texture that begs to be touched. Uchu is the property’s new, Peruvian-themed restaurant with ceviche galore and a selection of Pisco cocktails, while Cip’s by Cipriani, an homage to their legendary sister hotel in Venice, remains a guest favorite for sundowners. Belmond.com, Expedia, Tablet
Four Seasons Resort and Residences
Set on 35 acres with 3,200 feet of beach front and what many describe as a “million dollar sunset view,” the Four Seasons debuted several years ago in what had been the Viceroy’s first international property, designed by Kelly Wearstler. It has aged exceedingly well, remains a top wedding destination, and continues to attract an international jetset drawn in by the luxe accommodations (80% have water views), the resort’s high profile partnerships with the likes of Questlove, who DJ’d on New Year’s Eve, and two-time Golden Gloves champ Ngo Okafor on property for a fitness residency. https://www.fourseasons.com/anguilla/, Expedia
