Hi everyone,
I am planning a rather last-minute honeymoon to Anguilla for 5 nights and Saba for 2 nights (leaving in a few weeks... end of June/early July 2011), and can't decide where to stay - there seem to be so many great choices.
ANGUILLA
We want to be ON the beach, and experience local culture, foods, etc. and not interested in an isolated resort stay. We are early 30's; by day want to just relax on the beach, snorkel a little, have some cocktails. At night we'll like to have good local foods, a few more cocktails at a local beachside bar, and listen to some local musicians...
I've read many threads and while Cap Jaluca seems to be a favorite, it is out of budget.
Viceroy is running a great special now, but from what I hear it is not ON the beach.
Frangiapani is a tad out of budget, but I hear it is great...
Therefore I am in between CuisinArt and Ku. Cuisinart is running a great special now with junior beachfront suites at $327/night. The reason we are considering Ku is more about location... we hear Shoal's East is gorgeous, relaxing, beach bar scene - maybe more our style. Of course Ku is much cheaper - they are also running a great special. I have seen Ku described on these forums as "loud" and "busy" - but is that REAL loud & busy, or Anguilla loud & busy - just BUSIER than beaches on the west side? I feel like I am leaning towards Ku due to location and matching our style, but I wonder if we will be "compromising" since this is our honeymoon afterall...
The other element is that we really don't want to stay at a place with a lot of kids, and I'm having trouble finding info on which places are the LEAST kid-friendly. ![]()
Any suggestions on car rentals?
SABA
This will be our more active part of the trip - we plan on hiking and diving. We were considering the Queen's Garden but I hear The Bottom is a little further away from restaurants, etc. and I'm wondering if we should stay Windwardside instead, and what is the best place for honeymooners in that location?
Thank you!!
Anguilla/Saba honeymoon - where to stay - last minute help needed!
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Shoal Bay East is beautiful....and I would stay Windwardside on Saba - Congratulations.....these are 2 of my all time favorite islands in the Caribbean......
I agree that Queen's Garden is a beautiful property to stay at for a honeymoon, but is a bit out of the way and you would have to rely on taxi's to go anywhere. We always prefer to stay in Windwardside for that reason, although there aren't really any hotels comparable to Queen's Garden within Windwardside. We usually rent a house or cottage, but not sure how many of them might rent for only 2 nights. Might be worth checking into with it being low season though. Two I can highly recommend are below. Good luck with your search!
http://www.vrbo.com/104974
http://www.irishousesaba.com/
I'm on Anguilla right now for my fifth visit. I'm not sure where you read that about Viceroy, but it is a large resort on one bluff and two beaches: Meads Bay and Barnes Bay. Most of the rooms themselves are not beachfront but the resort itself IS. It's very upscale and luxurious and if that floats your boat, you could do much worse than staying at Viceroy, especially with all of the specials they seem to be running in the off season.
In the offseason, Ku won't be especially busy, particularly not by US standards, but the rooms are in rather bad shape and the property is on the decline and the management is mostly indifferent. If location is most important to you, you should choose it. I did for one vacation, and while I was happy enough for the value, it turns out I need more than a good location to keep me going back. Your miles may vary on that score.
If you don't necessarily want a resort experience on Anguilla but you would still like to be on the beach, consider Carimar and Turtles Nest, both of which are on Meads Bay, a real beauty of a beach. Both would put you in good reach of several well-rated restaurants, and both are less expensive than Frangipani.
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I have been traveling to Anguilla for years. How exciting to have a honeymoon in Anguilla! Congratulations!!
If you are looking for a more local and down to earth experience, Ku seems like a great choice. The rooms are very nice. The main reason to stay here? Location... It is in the island's east end, which is a much more "genuine" part of Anguilla. The west end has many luxury resorts, five-star restaurants - it is more of a tourist zone. The east end is more local, with great beaches and restaurants. Also, Ku is right on Shoal Bay - one of the best beaches in the whole Caribbean. Ku can be busier because Shoal Bay is one of the island's busier beach - but that is relative. It is quiet compared to other beaches in the Caribbean. Also - you are traveling in the off season, so expect it to be quiet.
CuisinArt is a luxury resort experience. It is beautiful, right on a beautiful big beach facing St. Maarten, quiet, next door to the famous Bankie Banx (John Mayer played a set with him this year!). It's a breathtaking resort and will really deliver the picture-perfect honeymoon. Again though, this resort is located in the West End --- more of a tourist zone. Still, very lovely. To your last point, CuisinArt may have a lot of kids --- every time we are there (in December/January) the resort is packed with families. This may not be true now as it is the off season. Something to think about though. Of the big luxury hotels (Viceroy, CuisinArt, Cap J) - I always notice the kids here the most.
I can't find their website, but this is the car rental I use... Best one on the island...
http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-car-rentals.html
I have been to Saba three times. Like the others say - if you stay at The Bottom you will need to taxi to EVERYTHING. I think the best thing may be to rent a house or cottage in Windwardside with a view. There you will be close to bars, restaurants, and a few shops. There are hotels, but I'm not sure about the honeymoon standard... Not sure about this one ,but make sure you make a reservation at Brigadoon!!! Call ahead of time... They have special nights of chicken shwarma (he is Lebanese), and sushi nights too. You have to call ahead for these nights and reserve if you want those special dishes. Very tasty!!
Again, congratulations!!
Thank you everyone! We ended up booking the CuisinArt on Anguilla, the rate was just too good to pass up. We will definitely make our way over to Shoal East and check out Bankie Banx! Very excited.
For Saba we ended up booking the Shearwater, very close to Windwardside. We were planning on eating at Brigadoon but didn't know you needed to make the reservation, so we'll do that! I think we will also eat at that restaurant in the rainforest (I forget the name).
We are so excited for our trip, thank you!!!
I have never heard of Shearwater so I looked into it and see it's the former Willard's property. Very lovely place! Sounds like you have everything lined up for a perfect honeymoon. Enjoy!
Bankie Banx - AWESOME!!! have a great time!