Anguilla
Hurricane Omar gave islanders a scare when it struck Anguilla in October 2008. Fortunately, although significant beach erosion and the loss of vegetation were reported in spots, structural damage was minimal and resorts were up and ready for the winter 2008-09 season.In other news, personal-banking options grew with the opening of the West End branch of the National Bank of Anguilla (NBA); it has an ATM and drive-through windows.
Under new ownership, the luxe resort Cap Juluca (www.capjuluca.com) is undergoing an $80-million renovation to upgrade the resort, villas, and beach services (and upping its prices to match the enhancements). A new restaurant, Spice, replaces Kemia, and Blue is the new beach bar/restaurant replacing George's on the Beach.
Anguilla is also feeling the effects of the global fiscal crisis. At press time, construction on the massive Temenos resort/villa project had stalled -- a result, it was rumored, of funds gone dry. Management teams had been replaced, Chinese workers stranded, and many islanders left scratching their heads over the mysterious shutdown of one of the island's most significant developments. It appears that one unfortunate casualty of the Temenos shutdown is Zurra, Bob and Melinda Blanchard's lovely new restaurant overlooking the golf course; hopefully it will find a home somewhere on the island in the near future. Still in operation, however (for the time being), is Temenos' on-site Greg Norman golf course.
The CuisinArt Resort (www.cuisinartresort.com) debuted its newly expanded Venus Spa & Fitness Center; the $10-million expansion includes 16 new treatment rooms (some with ocean views) and an aqua-therapy pool.
One of the island's top restaurants, Straw Hat, has moved to the Frangipani Beach Resort (www.frangipaniresort.com) overlooking Meads Bay.
St. Barthélemy
The Category 3 winds of Hurricane Omar brought turbulent seas to the island in October 2008, leaving an estimated €2 million of damage to wooden walkways, the ferry terminal, and the fish market in Gustavia, as waves crashed onto the capital city's streets.
The island's two legendary big-time hotels, Eden Rock (www.edenrockhotel.com) and Carl Gustaf (www.hotelcarlgustaf.com), were back for the winter 2008-09 season with updated offerings for guests. After major renovations and enhancements, Carl Gustaf has a new restaurant, Victoria's, and a renovated lounge. The Eden Rock is designing mega-luxe units for its Eden Rock Estates, such as the new Villa Nina, a 6,000-square-foot beachfront cottage with two outdoor pools and private plunge pools for each of its two bedrooms.
Another luxury resort, Hôtel Le Toiny (www.letoiny.com), has also made some significant enhancements under new ownership and new management, including a new ocean-view spa and direct beach access.
The Hotel Le Christophe reopened in late 2008 as the Hotel Christopher under new management (the former manager of Le Toiny).
St Maarten/St. Martin
Hurricane Omar brought Category 3 winds and rain to the island in October 2008, eroding beaches and doing major damage to a number of beach bars in the Simpson Bay/Maho area. Among them, the infamous Sunset Beach Bar has reportedly reopened under new management, but sister nightclub Bliss has yet to be rebuilt.
Nonstop service from Boston to St. Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport was introduced in fall 2008 by JetBlue (www.jetblue.com); flights operate on Saturdays.
High winds and rough seas whipped up by Hurricane Omar also caused beach erosion and some loss of vegetation on the French side of the island in October 2008 -- but all in all the island was spared major damage.
The ever-popular Sunset Café (www.grandcasebeachclub.com) at the Grand Case Beach Club has a new chef/operator. Brittany-born Chef Alexandre has a résumé that includes cooking stints at the Savoy in London and La Samanna on French St. Martin.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers in our Caribbean and the Atlantic Forum today.