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Four Seasons comes to Anguilla next month, providing an extra talking point for an island that’s already attracting interest, not least from the BBC. Rob Gill reports.
Anguilla is set to benefit from the imminent arrival of the Four Seasons luxury hotel brand, as well as the opening of several new boutique properties.
The destination will also receive a major publicity coup when it stars in a new series of the BBC Two show An Island Parish, which is due to be broadcast in early 2017.
Four Seasons is taking over the management of the former Viceroy Anguilla from October. It is the eastern Caribbean island’s biggest hotel with 166 rooms, suites and villas.
The property, which is located in the West End Village area of Anguilla, is undergoing a two-month revamp in preparation for becoming a Four Seasons from late October.
Carolyn Brown, director for Anguilla Tourist Board in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, said: “It’s something that we’re quite excited about – it’s a good opportunity for Anguilla as Four Seasons is a strong brand and is known for being very service-orientated.”
The property is Four Seasons’ second in the Caribbean – it has been operating a hotel in nearby Nevis since 1990.
New boutique properties are also making the headlines this year, particularly in the “quieter” east end area of Anguilla with three hotels opening in Shoal Bay.
Zemi Beach House and Fountain Shoal Bay opened earlier this year, while November will see the unveiling of The Manoah, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), featuring 25 suites and a penthouse, plus a private beach club.
“The east of the island is predominantly small properties and it’s a beautiful stretch of coast,” said Brown. “Anguilla has never done big hotels – the Viceroy is the biggest property.”
On the western side of the island, another SLH member, The Reef by CuisinArt on Merrywing Bay, is also due to open in November with 80 suites.
The most popular way for UK visitors to travel to Anguilla is via Antigua, which is served by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick.
Liat runs a daily flight from Antigua to Anguilla, which is operated by Caribbean Helicopters using twin propeller aircraft. Private charters are also available. Other options include flying to nearby St Martin with Air France or KLM and then taking a 20-minute boat transfer, or using Norwegian’s winter flights from Gatwick to San Juan (Puerto Rico) combined with a Seaborne flight to Anguilla.
Anguilla is promoting its water-based activities, which have been enhanced by the opening of Aqua Park earlier this year. The attraction is billed as the “largest inflatable water park” in the Caribbean and consists of a series of interconnected trampolines, slides, and climbing structures.
“We are known for our great beaches, restaurants and food,” said Brown. “But we need to have more activities to offer to visitors. Aqua Park is great for both adults and children.”
Other activities include boat trips, sailing, paddleboarding, kitesurfing and scuba diving, as well as visiting deserted islands for a “Robinson Crusoe experience”. Anguilla is also known for its birdwatching and has an 18-hole golf course.
The island hosts around 4,000 UK visitors a year who stay on the island. It also attracts day-trippers from other islands. “Tourist numbers are up slightly from the UK this year, although day visitor numbers are slightly down,” said Brown. Traditionally, the busiest times are Christmas and New Year and then from Easter to the end of August.
“Hotels normally close between September and the end of October, but we would really like to focus on being a 12-month destination. Some hotels are reopening much earlier in October and Zumi Beach is staying open all year,” she said. Next year, the island is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution and to mark the occasion the tourist board is planning to send 50 UK agents on fam trips in 2017.
Operators are also excited about what’s going on in Anguilla. Carrier’s head of marketing Maxine Roberts called the island “one to watch” this winter.
“Airlift to the island is relatively poor, although a new partnership with Caribbean Helicopters could help to provide an improved, more reliable service from Antigua,” she added.
“It will be interesting to see what effect this, combined with a Four Seasons on Anguilla, will have. Will their loyal clientele follow? We also have our eyes on Zemi Beach House.”
