Anguilla? yes, please!! (Day 2 of 2010 Faves)

Oh, Cap Jaluca, how you stole our hearts! Anguilla literally had the most gorgeous beaches we have EVER seen (and we've seen a few)....the water feels like bath water, and you can see your toes when you are walking around in the water! You can see the little fishies swimming by, and it is the BEST part of Anguilla!
I literally could pack up and live in the lobby, look at this place! Just simply gorgeous with a moroccan feel....

These are the on site restaurants Spice and Pimms, both amazing. But I must admit, we mostly do room service on our vacays. We always ate out and entertained a lot with our careers and so getting dressed up everynight for dinner felt like 'work' for us. So, we do private dining on our balcony A LOT. It's just our thing.
....the suites have been renovated (2009 and 2010) and are INSANE!! I mean, look at the private pool! Hello heaven....

THE FYI:

-we tend to go to the Caribbean during hurricane season because it is cheaper, so therefore, this trip was in September (prime hurricane season). The good news is we got a great rate on our room. The down side is that because it is the off season, most of the good eats in town, live music, shopping, etc. was literally closed down for the season. We are used to it, so it doesn't bother us.

-Cap Jaluca has an AMAZING library on site, and you can borrow as many books as you would like! There were literally thousands of books that people have donated from their stay, and if I would have known, I could have saved myself a TON of room in my suitcase!

-the hotel has free kayaks that you can take out for as long as you would like, great for really seeing the sting rays and all of the sea life, as the water is CRYSTAL CLEAR.

-if you call the concierge, you can have a dvd player delivered to your room, so we brought a few movies to watch (much cheaper than the 'on demand' rental at the hotel).

-I have to throw this in here for the fun of it, but this is where Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston broke up! They were staying here when the last shot of them together was taken...remember they were walking down the beach, he had his arm around her.....ironically, his tee shirt said TRASH...ha ha. Just a random tidbit. =)

When life gets hectic, head back to Mexico! (Azulik-Tulum, Mexico)

So after a year long 'stay'cation here in the States, we finally were able to get back to our 'happy place' for a little much needed R&R...the little honeymoon villa #12 at Azulik in Tulum, Mexico (90 min south of Cancun). It was HEAVEN on earth!

NO ELECTRICITY = no distractions!! Arsenio brings your meals to you (and pitchers of margaritas) while you bask in the sun on your private deck overlooking the ocean. When the sun sets, your palapa is filled with candlelight and the sound of the ocean, as you fall asleep with the hug doors to the ocean open to the sea air and cool breeze. Watch the sunrise with a morning hot soak in the HUGE tree stump carved into a soaking tub on the deck! The little town is quite charming, boutiques, scuba diving adventures, etc.

The FYI:

-In my frequent travels, I have found that Dec, Jan, and Feb are the best months in Mexico: 70 ish during the day, 60 ish during the night (this obviously varies some)

-Honeymoon Villa only: High Season Rates $355/night, Holiday Season $395/night, Low Season $290/night

-High and Holiday Seasons are best since the hotel is open air concept

-www.azulik.com

Hotel tips:

-Book a massage on your private deck

-Order hot tea and breakfast to be delivered every morning at 7AM right as the sun is rising

-Bring a quilt, flashlight, booklight, and a cute 'mini' coleman lantern (batteries)

-Have your driver stop at Walmart in Cancun and pick up sunscreen and beach chairs (no getting up early to reserve if you have your own)

-Tip Arsenio (your server) and your housekeeper well and you will have the best service in town

-Ignore the naked people at Copal Resort next door if you head over for lunch- that's right people, this resort and the resort next door are clothing optional (although you can't see any of it from cabana #12, the private beach in view of this cabana is bathing suit required so it works out perfectly)

-Look for the 4th night free deal (it happens quite frequently)