I’d already been in Anguilla for three days when I made my way to the southern side of the West End. Those three days had been filled with oceanfront breakfasts, swimming in the pool, and lounging on the beach, yet I hadn’t been able to fully shake thoughts of unanswered emails and the low-level anxiety that often comes along for the “out of office” ride.
But from the moment I stepped into the open-air lobby at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel — where muted tones, tastefully placed coffee table books, and large-scale ceramic planters filled with greenery play foil to the dazzling ombré waters that appear through the archways — the relief was tangible. The heaviness and distraction I had been carrying since leaving the U.S. stood no chance against this expertly curated guest experience in Maundays Bay. The complimentary rum punch upon arrival helped, too.
Samantha Derrick, the host desk and concierge manager, tells me that one of Anguilla’s differentiating factors is its “understated elegance and laid-back vibe.” Here, she says, “the emphasis is on relaxation and tranquility.” After visiting several hotels on the island, I can definitively say that nowhere is this more apparent than Cap Juluca, which was acquired by Belmond in 2017 and then renovated and redesigned following the damage from Hurricane Irma.
While there are multiple factors (detailed below) that produce this peaceful atmosphere, there are two facets of Cap Juluca I’ve since used as a comparison to all other Caribbean hotels I’ve stayed in: the location and the architecture. The mile-long, crescent-shaped cove of Maundays Bay creates an aura of privacy and exclusivity, one that feels inherently glamorous and extraordinary. Paired with the white, domed Greco-Moorish villas that encircle the shoreline, it sets the scene for a trip that gets you out of your day-to-day stresses and completely immerses you in the beauty of Anguilla.
Read on for my full review of Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel.
Edgardo Contreras/Courtesy of Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
The Rooms
Cap Juluca has several different accommodation categories, ranging from 677-square-foot rooms with private ocean-view terraces to its signature suites and five-bedroom villa (private freshwater plunge pool included). The decor is decidedly beachy — twisted abaca chairs, linen cushions and curtains, and arabesque tile floors that immediately cool your feet when coming inside from the nearby beach. The real highlight of my one-bedroom beachfront suite, however, was the spacious bathroom, where, pre- or post-shower, I could bask in the summer heat in the private solariums.
Depending on where your villa lies on the property map — some are not quite walking distance from the main building, restaurants, and fitness — you may want to use one of the hotel’s beach cruisers or golf carts. My travel companion and I went with the latter, using it almost exclusively at mealtimes. During the day, we camped out under our beach setup in front of the villa, not wanting to miss a second of the glorious views.
Edgardo Contreras/Courtesy of Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
Food & Drink
There are four different dining destinations at Cap Juluca. Cip’s by Cipriani is the main breakfast spot, with an expansive buffet (an egg station, pastries, local specialties, and fresh juices) as well as a la carte options. At night, the restaurant serves Italian dishes, which are elevated by the al fresco sitting and sunsets behind Maundays Bay. Order ceviche and a Pisco Sour from Uchu’s Peruvian-inspired menus at lunch and dinner; or, if you don’t want to leave your beach chair, your server will bring you conch salad, a poke bowl, and tacos from The Cap Shack. On your final night at Cap Juluca, ask for a table at Pimm’s; the “Anguillian Gastronomic farm-sea experience” celebrates the flavors of the island and is the perfect way to end your vacation.
Courtesy of Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
Activities & Experiences
In my opinion, one of the surefire signs of a true five-star property is its flexibility. At Cap Juluca, guests can be as busy or as unscheduled as they like, marking it as a luxury hotel through and through. If you need a break from the beach — or simply want a change of synergy for a few hours — ask the concierge to help you schedule a boat ride to the Prickly Pear Cays, a sunset horseback ride, snorkeling or scuba diving trip, or a fishing excursion with local fisherman Shawn Romney. Each day, the hotel brings guests together to transition from day to night with a Champagne sabering ritual, followed by cocktails and live music from a local artist.
Other on-property activities include the pool at the Main House, a rum-tasting class, complimentary yoga and pilates sessions, and non-motorized water sports.
Courtesy of Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
The Spa
My visit occurred prior to the opening of the new Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain. However, there’s no doubt the wellness oasis is every bit as thoughtful and serene as the rest of the property. The seven-treatment room spa is billed as a “sanctuary for holistic healing [that] provides a multisensory approach.” Open-air courtyards with lush tropical foliage and an infinity pool look out onto the ocean. Guests can take a dip in the hot and cold plunge pools, and the service menu goes far beyond a 50-minute massive and classic facial.
Choose a crystal bowl energy treatment, a restorative after-sun bodywrap and massage, or an Imperial Black Orchid Facial, which is said to leave your skin glowing. After the treatment concludes, make your way to the sundeck or to the “ceremonial soul of the spa,” the Calichi Garden. Here, there’s a sacred fountain inspired by the original Arawak fountain discovered in Anguilla over 1,500 years ago. For an extra private experience, inquire about the Imperial Suite; the VIP experience includes access to your own sauna, steam room, and relaxation area.
Family-friendly Offerings
While my travel companion brought along her then 6-month-old — and the team was incredibly accommodating — Cap Juluca is definitely more of an adults’ paradise. The clientele includes honeymooners and those celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions. That said, the hotel does have an Explorers Club for children ages 4 to 12, where younger travelers are privy to a toy library and gaming consoles and can participate in a range of interactive activities, from hiking and treasure hunts to water sports and sustainable arts and crafts.
Edgardo Contreras/Courtesy of Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
Accessibility & Sustainability
In 2023, Cap Juluca received the EarthCheck certification, marking it as a property where sustainability is paramount. When possible, the hotel uses locally sourced, seasonal produce, and the cleaning products and bath products are eco-friendly. There’s no single-use plastic used at the Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain; instead, guests drink from refillable aluminum amenity bottles.
Though the property is not ADA-compliant, it is relatively flat. The hotel recommends anyone with mobility concerns book a ground-floor room close to the Main House.
Lydia Mansel/Travel + Leisure
Location
Cap Juluca is located on the West End of Anguilla, about 8 miles from Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. American Airlines currently offers direct flights from Miami International Airport to AXA, but many visitors — myself included — opt to fly into Saint Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport and take a 20-minute boat or ferry transfer to Anguilla. If you choose the latter option, I’d suggest book-ending your trip with a night or two in Saint Martin. Cap Juluca’s sibling property, La Samanna, and its pastel-striped beach chairs, cliff views, and recently restyled private pool villas are just down the road from SXM.
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay
Cap Juluca is a member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, and card members receive daily breakfast for two, a $100 property credit to use during their day, space-available upgrades, early check-in (upon availability), and a 4 p.m. late check-out.
