CuisinArt. The kitchen appliance brand has graced my cabinets and Christmas lists, so I was surprised to learn of its five-star resort in the Caribbean, a relatively easy hop from Charlotte. After a four-hour flight to St. Maarten, I connected with my resort companions on a private ferry to the British territory of Anguilla, one of the northernmost of the Leeward Islands. The captain greeted us with cold Caribbean beer, which became tricky to swig while bouncing across choppy waters. But after a lively twenty minutes, the boat slowed and cruised into port.
Hurricanes Irma and Maria nearly obliterated the Leeward Islands in 2017. The CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, which opened in 1999 in Anguilla’s Rendezvous Bay, underwent an extensive renovation in 2018, but in the devastation lost its beloved hydroponic garden and several greenhouses, staples that were integral to the resort’s culinary experience.
Still, CuisinArt’s focus remains on the art of eating well, dining well, and living well. The resort itself is like an appliance that aids in total self-care and ultimate relaxation. Though it doesn’t come with a user’s manual, I devised my own step-by-step guide for maximum pleasure.
STEP 1: Don’t be shy. It’s your experience and your beachfront junior king suite with a balcony patio facing the azure sea. It’s only you (and maybe your travel companion), so throw caution to the wind and sleep with the sliding doors open.
STEP 2: When describing the resort to friends, just say, “Like a Greek island,” and they’ll get the picture (though you’ll take many). CuisinArt’s Mediterranean architecture in blue and white mirrors its stunning environment. Rooms are extensions of sand and sea, with tile, spacious walk-in closets, and bathrooms fit for royalty. Conair is the parent corporation of CuisinArt, so Babyliss hair dryers and Rusk products are standard. Frette linens, bathrobes, and towels round out the special touches—enjoy a morning Nespresso on your balcony, as I did, or request complimentary coffee via room service.
STEP 3: With a name like CuisinArt, it stands to reason that the resort takes its gustatory offerings seriously. There is no wrong turn here. My advice is to try them all: Mosaic for breakfast in a semi-open outdoor space, with soft breezes, ocean views, and scenic flora; Beach Bar & Grill for fish tacos and a bottle of rosé; Santorini for a romantic, luxurious dinner; and elegant Tokyo Bay for that sushi fix. Begin or end your evening with a potent cocktail at the funky KazBar, next to Mosaic.
STEP 4: Though pool- or beachside-lounging might be your sun-up-to-sundown preference, there are plenty of activities for those less ’suit inclined. From its 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Design Championship golf course, to its Spa by CuisinArt, Technogym fitness center, and Splashpad water playground (okay, bathing suit highly advised here), CuisinArt aims to keep you entertained, in shape, and pampered. If keeping to the beach is your thing, paddle boards, glass-bottom kayaks, and snorkeling add the perfect seasoning.
Really, there is no formula for relaxation; it’s what you make of it. But it becomes a lot more accessible—and fun—when you find the right path. Let the experts at CuisinArt own the manual, and just push start.
CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla. cuisinartresort.com
