It was about a year ago that Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announced that it had taken over management of Anguilla’s hottest hotel for affluent Millennials, the Viceroy. And now you can add the island’s popular Cap Juluca to the list of Anguilla hotels with new management as Travel Agent can confirm that the property has, in fact, been sold to Belmond, Ltd.
Charles and Linda Hickox recently announced the sale of the popular and longstanding Greco-Moorish-styled Anguilla luxury resort they developed and have owned for nearly 30 years. Known for its architecture and beachfront setting overlooking Maundays Bay, the 95-room luxury property is set on 179 acres on Anguilla’s southwestern end. The Hickox family initially acquired the property in 1984, tapping noted Los Angeles architect Oscar Farmer to design their resort.
In July of 2016, the owners of Cap Juluca, however, issued a written statement informing travel media that they were exploring the idea of selling the resort. Now, nearly one year later, that sale has come to fruition.
Upon completing the acquisition toward the end of May, Belmond, a luxury hotel and leisure company based in London, immediately began operating Cap Juluca and is ready to welcome guests, according to a news release issued by the hotel company.
Belmond expects to carry out a top-to-bottom renovation at the end of the 2017-18 festive season, including the development of 25 new beachfront villas or suites, bringing the resort’s total inventory to 121 rooms.
The renovation, which will be respectful of the authentic charm of the iconic resort, will also include new interior furnishings of all suites and villas; the introduction of new culinary concepts that celebrate the local food culture; enhancements to the spa; and new and renovated public areas. It is not the resort’s first renovation. From November of 2012, through July of 2016, the Hickox family invested $12 million in Cap Juluca.
After the latest refurbishment, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, Belmond will have invested a total of approximately $121 million in the acquisition and subsequent renovation and expansion of the resort.
Complimentary water sports are available on the beach, including scuba diving excursions, water skiing on Maundays Bay, wake boarding, sea kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding, Sunfish and Hobie Cat catamaran sailing.
Belmond was established 40 years ago with the acquisition of Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice and now owns and operates 48 hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most popular luxury destinations.
Belmond is now firmly on the path to doubling the size of its portfolio — from beach and mountain resorts, to city hotels, safaris, luxury trains and cruises in some of the world’s most inspiring locations.
The news of Belmond Cap Juluca follows the most recent launches of Belmond Andean Explorer, South America’s first luxury sleeper train, and the addition of the Belmond Las Casitas hotel in Colca Canyon, Peru. Belmond Cap Juluca becomes Belmond’s second Caribbean resort, joining Belmond La Samanna on the neighboring island of St. Martin.
Other Island Hotel News
Cap Juluca isn’t the only iconic property on the island that recently changed management. The island’s popular Viceroy Anguilla was recently taken over by Four Seasons Hotels & Resort. The popular luxury hotel brand was welcomed to the island with the October 2016 debut of The Four Seasons Resort & Residences Anguilla. The Four Seasons made additional improvements and brought their reputation for solid service to what was already one of the Caribbean’s finest beachfront resorts.
The Reef By CuisinArt made its debut in November 2016, a contemporary beachfront oasis on Merrywing Bay, northeast of Cap Juluca. Geared toward a Millennial audience, the resort has 80 accommodations, ranging from Golfview and Seaview Junior Suites in the main building, to Junior Suites in the four beachfront buildings, and offers competitive price points and unique activities. Guests at The Reef can also take advantage of all the amenities, restaurants and services offered at neighboring CuisinArt Golf & Spa Resort, including preferred tee times at the championship Greg Norman Signature Design 18-hole golf course.
The Manoah Boutique Hotel opened in December 2016, the latest addition to Shoal Bay East, on the north end of the island, which is attracting quite a buzz as the new “in-spot.” The Manoah is an Art Deco-style property, with 29 elegantly furnished rooms, set along one of Anguilla’s best beaches.
Amenities here include The Manoah Spa, offering a combination of ancient and modern therapies; the Ocean Beach Club restaurant, with two tropical beach bars; a fitness center, outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool with a sunbathing deck and an innovative water sports program.
Opening in November, Quintessence Boutique Hotel is a nine-suite luxury property in Long Bay near Anguilla’s southern tip. Amenities will include a gym, a spa, a restaurant, a polo lounge, a breakfast gazebo, a wine cellar and an art gallery. Built over a 10-year period, unique artifacts and treasures from around the world, collected by the owner, grace this establishment.
Flights News
Seaborne Airlines expanded its flight schedule late last year to five days a week from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Anguilla, and added morning and evening flights on the weekend to facilitate connections from Europe and the West Coast; plus they now have code share arrangements with Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and American Airlines.
This was preceded by a move by Tradewind Aviation, which also introduced twice daily, scheduled service from San Juan to Anguilla; with the additional option of private charter services operating on request.
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