Planning your honeymoon is nearly as stressful as planning your wedding itself! With an endless variety of options around the world and experiences, it can be challenging to pinpoint the ideal destination for you and your soon-to-be spouse and the pressure was on with me being in the travel business!
After a quick trip this past January to Belmond Cap Juluca Anguilla, I planned to discuss with my fiancé about returning to Anguilla for our honeymoon in June. We had originally planned to visit California, but upon revisiting our options over the next few weeks, and sharing a variety of information and photos, it was not hard to convince my now-husband that Cap Juluca on Anguilla was the place we needed to go.
There are a few things that set the Caribbean, and Anguilla in particular, apart from the rest of the continental U.S., Mexico, Italy, and other well-known destinations that engaged couples consider. And these are the reasons I felt it was the perfect place to go for our honeymoon.
Ease of Access
With major U.S. airports offering various ways to travel to the Caribbean – it has never been more convenient to visit. We recommend flying into San Juan (SJU)and taking a connecting flight via Tradewind Aviation directly into Anguilla. You may also fly directly to Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) in Saint Martin and take a short 15-minute private plane ride to Anguilla to Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport and clear customs. This option is slightly more expensive than a boat transfer; it is the quickest and easiest way to arrive on the island. Regardless of your preference, Frontiers can help you best assess which option will fit your travel needs.
The Beauty of Properties and Friendly Caribbean Service
The stunning Greco-Moorish white villas spread across the property provide the backdrop to the horseshoe-shaped white sand beach of Maundays Bay, which surrounds Cap Juluca. After enjoying traditional rum punch (the Caribbean drink of choice), our host, Kennedy, showed us to our premium beachfront room, 1701, in Villa 17. Modern and contemporary in design, the villas and rooms feature gold fixtures, a private mini-bar, and everything one would need to make a comfortable home-away-from-home.
One of the most stunning aspects of this property is that every level of accommodation has beach view and access. We enjoyed using our patio nearly every evening of our stay and listening to the ocean waves breaking on the shore.
Another highlight of our accommodation for honeymooners is the spacious double wardrobes and double tub within the room.
In my opinion, one of the most distinctive characteristics of Anguilla is the exceptional hospitality of their people, from the moment we arrived the staff welcomed us like old friends. More outstanding than the luxury accommodations themselves is the personalized, professional service you receive during your stay at Cap Juluca. Each time we left our room and headed to the main area, every staff member acknowledged and greeted us. Our host, Kennedy, checked in on us by either stopping by our chairs on the beach or by text and made sure we were taken care of throughout our entire stay. One evening, we left the property and enjoyed a local favorite, Blanchard’s Beach Shack, for dinner. During our dinner, Kennedy had stopped by to make reservations for guests and pick up some food for himself. We waved to him in the distance as we waited for our food, and he came over and talked to us about life on the island for 15 minutes. Our last evening in town, we decided to stop at the local grocery store to pick up some of the local hot sauce we’d enjoyed during breakfast at Cips in the mornings. Upon getting in line, Kennedy was in front of us personally shopping, and we enjoyed a nice conversation. As we walked out of the store, he was waiting and handed my husband and I each a small gift he purchased for us as a memory of our trip—we were both touched by the thoughtfulness of his gesture. It was certainly a level of personalized service neither of us ever expected to receive and something we will never forget!
Our host, Kennedy.
Quality of Beaches
The beauty of Anguilla’s soft, white sand beaches cannot be accurately photographed or put into words. The sand has the feeling of velvet beneath your feet, and I know both my husband and I can confidentially say that neither of us had ever felt softer sand in our lives. The ocean itself is extremely gentle, so it is perfect for swimming, and the water is crystal clear. The color is stunning, as it ranges from the lightest to the darkest of blue. With the beautiful background of the mountains of Saint Martin in the distance, we couldn’t dream of a more beautiful beach to enjoy for our honeymoon.
Tranquil and Romantic Ambience and Atmosphere
Surrounded by the beauty of the island, it’s not hard to understand why Belmond Cap Juluca is one of Brides magazine’s “Best Honeymoon Beach Resorts” for 2019. The resort hosts 108 guestrooms and villas, and the ambiance and atmosphere could not be more relaxing. With comfortable guestrooms complete with thoughtful amenities, impeccable beach and poolside service, endless panoramic views, and a variety of tasteful cuisine, it’s impossible not to feel cocooned in luxury.
Although the resort was at 70 percent capacity during our July visit, there were countless mornings and afternoons we felt like we had the entire beach to ourselves. Regardless of where we went on the property, we enjoyed the privacy and felt like we were in our own private oasis.
Activities
Although relaxing in the sun is fun, the additional option to explore the ocean with included water sports as a part of your rate is a stand out amenity. During our honeymoon, we enjoyed snorkeling the entire mile-long beach and spotting fish and another marine life. One of the things we found most fascinating was the ability to find entire whole seashells or pieces of coral in the ocean in perfect condition! Cap Juluca also offers two-person kayaks, paddle boarding, Hobie Cat sailing, and more to keep you entertained on the days you feel like taking an adventure instead of lounging beachside. If you are looking to venture off the island, consider taking a snorkeling excursion off the island, taking a scenic tour to popular areas like Sandy Island, jumping off a rock at Rosewood Little Dix Bay, or taking a day trip to Saint Martin. Whatever you are interested in doing, if you’re looking for a day off the beach to adventure, there are plenty of options, and Frontiers can help you arrange them!
By the end of our trip, we both could not have enjoyed our time in Anguilla more. In nearly eight years, I have never heard my husband say that he was sad to leave a place and wished our trip wasn’t over – until the conclusion of our trip with Belmond. Every detail of our stay was thoughtfully curated and nothing short of perfect. From the service to the beach and accommodations, there was nothing to not be impressed by. We are so grateful to hold this special place in our hearts and are already planning on returning for a future milestone anniversary!
