Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

The people at Cap Juluca and across Anguilla are what made this trip so special. Priscilla, Barbie, St. Clair, and Manuella were wonderful, and the genuine hugs when we left meant a lot. Damien and Koreen worked hard on the beach so our days in the sun stayed relaxing. Ngozi handled reservations and getting around the island, along with pretty much everything else, always with a kind word and blessing. The property, beach, and accommodations were beautiful too. We are already looking forward to coming back.

The beach setup at this resort is fantastic. Each room has its own chairs and umbrella, plus a cooler with ice and water, and complimentary drinks are passed around. The beach itself is one of the best in Anguilla, and every room looks out toward it. Our room and the service were top-notch, with a helpful host assigned to us. My only small complaints are that the shower water pressure could be stronger, and perhaps it's time for Japanese washing toilets.

The beach is nice, but there isn't much of a pool area. During my February stay, the hotel treated ordinary windy weather as a reason to cancel dinner reservations because of the waves. I pushed back and eventually managed to get something to eat. A boat tour scheduled for the next day was cancelled for the same reason, even though the weather seemed fine and there were plenty of boats offshore. This didn't feel like a can-do kind of place. I would skip it.

Pimms at Cap Juluca was a genuinely special experience. The staff were incredibly friendly, and when we arrived they gave us a salt scrub made from the Anguilla salt pond. It felt amazing on my hands, and I couldn't stop touching them. I only wish I'd asked where I could buy some to take home. Such a lovely touch.