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Vacationing in Anguilla’s West End
Created with Augustinus Bader
Just back from Anguilla, New York designer and DJ Harley Viera-Newton cannot say enough about the new Belmond Cap Juluca, set in the deep green trees along the white-sand beaches of Maundays Bay. “I’m not exaggerating when I say the beaches are the most breathtaking I’ve ever seen,” she says. “I spent my afternoons swimming, reading, and resting—it felt like a dream. I’m so grateful for the ultimate reset.” Here, Viera-Newton’s guide to her favorite vacation in recent history and the essentials she packed that helped make the trip.
STAY:
Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, Anguilla
Maundays Bay, Anguilla
+1.264.497.6666
ULTIMATE SWIMMING SPOT:
“Meads Bay beach is a spectacular stretch of white sand and dazzling water.”
MOST ROMANTIC BEACH:
“Little Bay beach is accessible only by boat, so it’s not easy to get to but definitely worth the trip. It’s a perfect tiny beach in a secluded cove. If you go at the right time, you could luck out and be the only one there.”
BEST SNORKELING:
“On the way to Prickly Pear Cay—where you’ll also find Anguilla’s best seafood at the Prickly Pear Bar + Restaurant.”
Prickly Pear Cay, Anguilla
+1.264.235.1906
GET THE CARROT CAKE:
“The tacos are amazing, too.”
Blanchards Restaurant
Meads Bay, Anguilla
+1.264.497.6100
YES, THERE IS LOBSTER STIR-FRY:
Sharky’s
West End, Anguilla
+1.264.729.0059
DELICIOUS RIBS,
BARBEQUED ON THE BEACH:
SunShine Shack
Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla
+1.264.476.0649
FOR ENCHILADAS AND MARGARITAS:
“I love the colorful décor here, too.”
Picante
West End, Anguilla
+1.264.498.1616
Even the trip there is beautiful.
“It’s a 20-minute boat ride from St. Maarten, and it’s absolutely spectacular. The locals say Cap Juluca is known as the jewel of Anguilla—all it took was a first glimpse from the lobby of the sweeping white sand of Maundays Bay to understand why.”
Bike to breakfast.
“One of my favorite feelings is the buzz of waking up on the first day of vacation as the morning light reveals your new surroundings. And wow—Cap Juluca does not disappoint.”
“On the first day, my husband, Ross, and I grabbed a pair of pastel bikes and rode over to breakfast, with fresh mango juice, at an oceanfront table at Cip’s by Cipriani. (When I say oceanfront, I mean we were directly in front of that turquoise water.) Note: I also recommend treating yourself to room-service breakfast at least once—also overlooking the beach, set to the sound of the waves.”
“We made a habit of taking a beachside stroll from breakfast back to the room—the views are just stunning. We were surprised when a horse accompanied us one morning, splashing through the shallow water.”
Spend serious time in your bathroom.
“The rooms are gorgeous, but I gasped when I saw this bathroom—I could definitely get used to showering under Cap Juluca’s swaying palm trees. I really spread out on the bathroom counters.”
The beaches are next-level; dress accordingly.
“Most of our time at the hotel was spent on the beach, so items that were easy to throw over bikinis, like this perfect A-line denim skirt, became a holiday uniform.”
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Medina Mercantile Simple Open Weave Basket goop, $65
“This cute basket bag fits the holiday essentials: sunscreen and a book (I read Agatha of Little Neon, by Claire Luchette, on the trip—so good).”
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Unsun Hydrating Full Coverage Body Lotion SPF 30 goop, $32
“Even in the mornings, full-body sunscreen—I love this one—is essential in Anguilla.”
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Claire Luchette Agatha of Little Neon Bookshop, $24
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Lack of Color The Vista Hat goop, $139
“This simple handwoven hat completes every beach look.”
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CasaCarta The Eye Backgammon Set goop, $330
“I’ll challenge anyone to a game of beach backgammon, especially when my set looks like this.”
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Ray-Ban Round Metal Sunglasses goop, $153
“Ray-Ban sunglasses are
timeless, and I love this shape.”
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goop Beauty GOOPGENES Clean Nourishing Lip Balm Trio goop, $42
“I make sure to have one of these balms in my purse at all times, perfect for a quick touch-up.”
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Make lunch a full-on voyage.
“Take a boat excursion to the gorgeous island of Prickly Pear; on the way, you can stop off at a reef for snorkeling, swimming alongside rainbow parrotfish and bright coral. Though the island looks deserted, the small, colorful restaurant above the beach, Prickly Pear Bar + Restaurant, serves some of the best seafood in Anguilla—we recommend the crayfish and shrimp.”
“Another amazing lunch spot: SunShine Shack, for delicious ribs barbequed in front of you on the beach. The walls inside are adorned with paintings and messages from past guests—it’s super charming. Get the killer piña colada.”
Dress for dinner.
“For cocktails and early dinner, I love Cip’s at the hotel—sit in the open-air bar, watch the sun set over the ocean, and get the tequila-infused Smoky Dove.”
The carrot cake is worth the trip.
“Everything’s good at Blanchards, but I seriously cannot stop thinking about the carrot cake.”
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Olio E Osso Lab Balm goop, $28
“These cheek balms are so sheer and so natural.”
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HVN Label Laura Cotton Dress HVN Label, $495
“I love a printed dress, and the apple-print Laura is at the top of my list.”
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The spa is amazing.
“I treated myself to a deep-tissue massage at the Arawak Spa. The entrance leads you past a gorgeous, sun-drenched pool into a grand room with large arched windows framing the ocean. The treatment was incredible, and the room had a panoramic view of the sea with other islands in the distance.”
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EleVen Unrivaled Sun Sun Serum SPF 35 goop, $50
“The translucent finish of this sun balm makes it a great, purse-friendly SPF.”
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goop Beauty GOOPGLOW 15%
Glycolic Acid
Overnight Glow Peel goop, $125/$112 with subscription
“If my skin starts to feel dry or dull from traveling, I use one of these pads in the evening—I wake up glowing.”
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My Vacation Suitcase Essentials:
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RE/DONE Tee goop, $115
“A classic white tee is always the first thing I pack.”
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Birkenstock sandals goop, $125
“I live in Birkenstocks whether I’m on vacation or not.”
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KULE Tank goop, $68
“I adore Kule’s easy, breezy tanks.”
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RE/DONE Shorts goop, $185
“I love the length of these denim cutoffs.”
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Olivia von Halle Pajama Set goop, $340
“This little silk set is perfect for sleeping in warmer temperatures.”
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HVN Label Triangle Bikini Top HVN Label, $95
“This bikini top glitters in the sun, which makes it a beach showstopper!”
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For different vacation ideas (and packing strategies), read this story on Deplar Farm in northern Iceland and this one on The Maker in Hudson, New York.
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