The tiny West Indian island of Anguilla has all of the ingredients for a dreamy romantic getaway: miles of secluded, white-sand beaches perfect for riding horseback at sunset or simply relaxing with a refreshing cocktail; countless romantic dining possibilities for an intimate meal à deux; and the option to spend an afternoon on a private island for a Robinson Crusoe-like experience. This February, the island completes the romantic package with alluring offers from 14 luxurious hotels and resorts as well as opulent villas, inviting couples to celebrate Love on Valentine’s Day and all month long.
Anacaona Boutique Hotel invites honeymooners to celebrate with the Amorous Anacaona Honeymoon Package. The package includes seven nights of accommodations for two; champagne and a welcome rum beverage upon arrival; daily continental breakfast; three dinners for two in the hotel’s Firefly Restaurant, including one of their cultural evenings such as Thursdays with the Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre; a day trip to Sandy Island; a 60-minute massage for two; and a tropical tree planted by the couple with a commemorative plaque. The package starts at US$2,185 and includes tax and service charge.
Beaches Edge Villas announces their new “Vows, Villas and Value” offer for their two villas, featuring an additional night free in one villa following four nights in both villas. The free night can be used before a couple’s friends and family members arrive for a wedding to satisfy Anguilla’s two-day marriage license requirement or after the rest of the party leaves for some honeymoon time together. The offer is eligible for stays between January 10 and November 20, 2015, and is open to any villa guests, not exclusive to weddings. Nightly rates start at US$1,250 for one villa.
Carimar Beach Club’s Honeymoon Package includes seven nights in a beach view one- or two-bedroom villa suite, two massages, a romantic dinner for two with cocktails, a two-day car rental, a complimentary gift upon arrival, a starter breakfast basket, fresh flowers replenished daily and use of the snorkel equipment and tennis courts. The package is available May 1 through November 15, 2015, excluding the property’s annual closure from September 1 to October 31, 2015, and is US$1,870 per couple, including service charge, government tax and marketing levy.
CeBlue Beach Resort & Villas’ “Tropical Nuptials” Destination Wedding Package includes early check-in and late checkout (subject to availability); a justice of the peace; the costs of the marriage license and registration fees; a tropical bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere; a West Indian wedding cake; a chilled bottle of champagne for toasting; and local transportation to and from the local authorities for completing required documentation. This package starts from US$1,500, excluding accommodations, requires a minimum four-night stay and is subject to applicable taxes and service charges. Other wedding planning services such as a photographer, videographer or entertainment are available for an additional fee.
Cap Juluca Resort offers couples two new packages for 2015: “Just the Two of Us” for intimate weddings and “I Still Do” for vow renewals. Both packages include use of a beach or lawn venue, officiate services, a photographer, a three-course dinner for two on the beach, champagne, a wedding cake and more. The price for “Just the Two of Us” starts at $6,852 and includes a three-night stay, excluding tax and gratuities. The price for “I Still Do” starts at $4,245 and includes a three-night stay, excluding tax and gratuities.
CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa invites couples to treat each other with various packages from Venus Spa. Gentlemen can treat their ladies with the “Ladies Pampering Package” and ladies can treat their gentlemen with the “Gentlemen’s Rendezvous.” Both 80-minute packages include a hydrating facial, a conditioning scalp massage and a classic body massage, and are $185. The spa is also offering the “Couples Rendezvous Package,” a 105-minute romantic journey in the Couples Suite that includes a Pineapple Coconut Body Scrub, a rinse in the Couples Duet Rain Shower, a relaxing Classic Couples Massage, a Floral Escape Soothing Bath Soak and strawberries and champagne. The package is $480.
Fletch’s Cove, a one-bedroom Mexican-inspired villa, is offering a weeklong Romance Special Package. The package includes seven nights of accommodations for two, a bottle of champagne and welcome basket upon arrival, breakfast provisions of the couple’s choice for the first day, use of beach chairs and snorkel masks, a romantic dinner for two at the restaurant of the couple’s choice (value of US$150) and a choice of a sunset cruise with hors d’oeuvres and open bar or two 60-minute massages at the villa. The price per couple is US$4,545 and includes service charge and government tax.
Frangipani Beach Resort’s Honeymooners’ Paradise Package features six nights in a one-bedroom suite, a bottle of champagne, a sunset cruise and a beachside couple’s massage to help couples celebrate their first married getaway. The package starts at US$3,600 and includes daily continental breakfast at the on-site Straw Hat Restaurant. As a boutique 19-room resort, Frangipani also offers couples getting married or renewing their vows the option to buy out the resort and have the property to themselves. Buyouts are available from April 15 to August 31 and require a three-night minimum booking.
Little Butterfly Villa offers couples a relaxing weeklong vacation with their Romance Getaway Package. The package includes seven nights of accommodations in a private suite, two 60-minute massages in the villa, romantic bedroom décor with flower petals and champagne, a welcome fruit and wine basket and the first day’s breakfast and beverage stock for a rate of US$1,999.
Malliouhana Hotel & Spa invites couples to “Retreat to Romance” and enjoy six nights of romantic luxury at the newly re-opened resort. Guests can stay in an Ocean View Premium room or Junior Suite and enjoy a bottle of champagne in-room upon arrival, complimentary continental breakfast daily, one 90-minute couple’s massage at the Auberge Spa, sunset cocktails and canapés on a night of the couple’s choice and a private dinner featuring freshly caught Anguilla lobster. The package rates start at US$4,490.
Sheriva Luxury Villas & Suites has launched the Luxuriance Package, offering couples five nights for the price of four or eight nights for the price of seven. The package includes a daily extended continental breakfast; exclusive signing privileges at Cap Juluca Resort’s restaurants, boutiques and watersports; one complimentary private chef-prepared lunch for stays of up to five nights; and one complimentary private chef dinner and one complimentary spa treatment for stays of seven nights or longer. The Luxuriance Package is bookable now for five-night-minimum stays from January 15 through December 15, 2015. The nightly rate starts at US$2,900 for a four-bedroom villa and does not include government tax, service charge or marketing levy.
Spyglass Hill Villa features a weeklong Romance Package in a private villa, featuring seven nights of accommodations, romantic bedroom décor with flower petals and champagne, two 60-minute massages in the villa, access to an open bar, a personal concierge to assist throughout the stay, a hammock for two with a stunning view, a welcome fruit and wine basket and the first day’s breakfast and beverage stock. The package starts at US$4,500 and includes all taxes and service charges.
Topaz Oceanview Residences invites travelers to experience the honeymoon of a lifetime in their own private, gated villa atop Sandy Ground Village. The Signature Bridal Welcome Package features a complimentary rental vehicle and a welcome gift featuring food, beverages, wine, champagne and flowers to start off their vacation the moment each couple walks in the door to Pinnacle Villa. Couples also receive a special discount of 15 percent off standard rates, for a starting nightly rate of US$628.
The Viceroy Anguilla offers packages for couples having large destination weddings or small, intimate gatherings to tie the knot. The Love & Legacy Package applies to groups of at least 100 adults staying for three nights and starts at US$500 per person, while Love in the Sky rewards couples who book six roundtrip seats on a Tradewind Aviation flight from San Juan to Anguilla with complimentary seats on the same flight. For those who prefer a couples-only ceremony, Love is Simple and The Elegance of a Vow include the wedding ceremony, a dedicated wedding specialist, a three-course dinner for two at the resort’s signature restaurant Coba and more. The packages are US$4,200 and $4,800 respectively, and also include personal assistance with the marriage license and certificate service. Of course, the fun doesn’t stop after the ceremony, as couples who host a wedding with more than 100 rooms will receive a complimentary five-night stay in a suite, a romantic dinner for two and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne for their first anniversary.
Anguilla Tourist Board, www.viisitanguilla.com