ESCAPE SWEET Leave the hustle of the city for blue water and white sand beaches.
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$3.95
APRIL 2019
SWEET
ESCAPE
Leave the hustle of the
city for blue water and
white sand beaches.
BEACH CHIC: FASHIONS
PERFECT FOR FUN IN THE SUN
www.southparkmagazine.com
TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN
IN CHARLOTTE
DESIGNER FINDS ABROAD
April 2019
[ cover feature ]
CARIBBEAN
CALLING
Who says you can only visit the tropics to escape the winter
weather? Off-season pricing and availability make the
Caribbean an easy choice for a spring or summer retreat.
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Stay
To soak up peak season on Anguilla, relax is near the brilliant grand entrance:
visitors arrive January until April. The the pool deck, dotted with teak loungers
busiest arrival time is Christmas through and private cabanas by SMANIA of Italy
SAIL
the New Year. that overlook the infinity pool, not to
CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, opened mention the beach. Just beyond, check
by the late Conair founder Leandro out a new splash pad for kids, complete
Rizzuto, sprawls like a sparkling white with slides.
AWAY
Grecian village on the island. The hotel Nearby, a freshly built, 5,000-square-
just reopened in November 2018 foot meeting space and ballroom with
following a reconstruction—and lighting by Swarovski offers a venue for
redesign—post-Hurricane Irma, which weddings and other events. There’s
hit the island as a Category 5 hurricane enough space for 300 people to be
in September 2017. served a sit-down dinner. Pricing is based
TAKE A SOJOURN TO ANGUILLA
Upon arrival, guests are swept into on the event cost—the reception price
FOR THE ULTIMATE LOW-KEY
the open-air lounge and long hallway with food and beverage includes the use
RETREAT WITH LUXURY AMENITIES.
overlooking the infinity pool and of the ballroom.
beachfront view, with the grand moun- Throughout, the resort exudes casual
BY KATIE TOUSSAINT tains of St. Martin topping off the luxury. Most hours, guests stroll about in
scenery. Sip a welcome drink in the light beach cover-ups. Wine and cocktails
lounge before making your way to your can be relished in the lobby bar, Kazbar,
A
accommodations. Don’t overlook the a bright, open-air, Moroccan-influenced
short ferry ride across the water
custom chandelier by London-based space that overlooks the pool area. Meze
from St. Martin, it’s easy to see
Sharon Marston. menus inspired by North African cuisine
why Anguilla, a British Overseas
Across the property, CuisinArt are available for sharing and pairing. But
Territory in the Caribbean,
features richly modernized interiors really, you’re here to settle onto a plush
maintains its status as the island where
throughout its 91 suites and seven villas. seat and take in the views.
celebrities come to fly under the radar
Room pricing starts at $550 based on To expand the adventure, CuisinArt’s
(nearby St. Barths is considered the place to
double occupancy. For those in suites: adjacent, more laid-back sister property,
be seen in the spotlight). Celebrities like
luxuriate in king-sized beds, immaculate The Reef by CuisinArt, is a short bike or
Liam Neeson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and
living areas, walk-in closets, and vast tubs shuttle ride away. CuisinArt hotel guests
Beyonce fall on the list of famous faces
and showers, then relish beachfront have full access to The Reef’s offerings,
subtly spotted in Anguilla. But with more
views from the balconies. Don’t forget to poolside yoga included. For those who
than 33 white-sand beaches to hide away
get up early to catch the spectacular wish to stay a few nights at The Reef,
while overlooking vast expanses of turquoise
sunrise. there are 80 suites available. Pricing
waves, it’s hard to not feel like a celebrity
Beyond the rooms, a quiet place to starts at $475.
yourself—arrived just in time to escape
reality.
After moving through customs at the
ferry landing, cruise along the winding roads
to your resort. Anguilla is about 16 miles
long, and three miles at its widest point, with
a single main road. The sea seems to drift
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ENVISIONWORKS, INC.
back into view at every curve.
Make your first activity (beyond a hit of rum
punch) a stroll along the sand. To the south,
the mountains of St. Martin rise in the
distance—don’t miss the sunset against this
dramatic backdrop.
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Play
Grab a drink at Elvis’ Beach Bar: Just look apple-red Tradition. Adventure options
for the laid-back wooden structure along the include a full day sail to Prickly Pear Cays
strip of Sandy Ground beach and you’ve and back ($250 per person); a half day sail
arrived. Start with a rum punch before and snorkel experience ($235 per person);
switching to beer and sit within view of the and a sundown cruise ($175 per person).
bay or a big screen TV for sports games.
Golf in paradise: Keep one eye on the
Get a seat at SunShine Shack: This local Caribbean Sea and another on the golf ball
beach bar overlooks Rendezvous Bay and is as you make your way along CuisinArt’s
known for serving up BBQ, live reggae gorgeous Greg Norman Signature Design
music, and, of course, icy drinks like pineap- 18-Hole Championship Course, the only
ple margaritas and pina coladas. Look for golf course on the island. In honor of the
the little shack lined with license plates and
a surfboard sign.
resort’s reopening, CuisinArt guests can play
18 holes for $100, and non-guests can play
for $299, with gear and clubs included.
Eat & Drink
Day trip to Prickly Pear Cays: This tiny,
A vacationer could spend an entire week aioli ($21), followed by a selection of
quiet island about six miles from Anguilla Relax at the Spa by CuisinArt: Get a little
at the culinary-focused CuisinArt bright sashimi, plus signature rolls like
(nearly an hour and a half by sailboat) is a help relaxing in one of the 16 treatment
properties and never get tired of the the spicy yellowtail with jalapeno and
popular spot for dropping anchor and rooms within the 27,000-square-foot spa in
dining options. For guests coming salsa verde ($20).
swimming to the beach for a day in the sun. sight of the beach. Among the spa treat-
straight from the beach, Mosaic’s Walk down the curved staircase
A small reef is a short swim away—bring ments are organic facials and body treat-
outdoor seating provides an easygoing, leading to the beach for access to the
snorkel gear and keep an eye out for bright ments with cutting-edge skincare technolo-
all-day dining experience in sight of the Beach Bar & Grill, an intimate structure
fish. While at the Cays, be sure to stop by gy, as well as massages like custom-style and
pool and the beachfront waves. Order offering a new menu focused on tradi-
Johnno’s bar for a mango margarita or even bamboo. A must: take time after your
cuisine from around the world, with tional Caribbean dishes. Try light bites,
a meal of stewed conch. treatment to lounge in the Relaxation Room
comfort-food items like lobster mac and salads, and sandwiches with local flavors
with soothing music and a sweeping view of
cheese ($18), wood-oven specialties like like calamari and shrimp fritti with spicy
Take a sailing trip: Explore the seas with the sea. Rates vary, and are the same for
eggplant parmesan ($24), and main tomato sauce ($18), the Bajan flying fish
Tradition Sailing aboard the bright, guests and non-guests.
courses like blue swimmer crab cakes cutter with guava pepper jelly ($20), and
with grapefruit and coconut shavings traditionally baked Anguillan snapper
($36). fillets ($28).
For a city feel, head up the stairs of Caught on that shoreline spectacle?
the nearby spa building into Tokyo Bay, a Scoot over to Breezes at The Reef and
sleek, New-York-style sushi restaurant. It’s see blue water for miles while you sip on
a destination for guests from across the a frozen margarita. Vibrant seafood is
island and emphasizes Japanese dishes, served here—try the Peruvian fish
private dinners, cooking classes, and ceviche with fried plantains ($20) and
Chef’s Table experiences. Start with the the popular Porcini mushroom flatbread
rock shrimp tempura with spicy ponzo ($20).
GETTING THERE
Anguilla has twice been voted the No. 1 island in the Caribbean
by Travel & Leisure. Lucky for us that this gorgeous island is just a
four-hour direct flight away from Charlotte.
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