The Villas at Porto Maho

The Villas at Porto Maho, St. Maarten

St. Maarten’s newest luxury real estate venture, The Villas at Porto Maho, is an exclusive residential waterfront community overlooking Simpson Bay. Designed with sustainable practices, the 10 contemporary units offer four-, five-, and six-bedroom villas with a minimum 18,000 square feet of living space. Each of the residences will overlook the ocean at Simpson Bay Lagoon. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels offer views of the lagoon, the Caribbean Sea, and distant Anguilla. The Villas at Porto Maho project anchors what will be known as Porto Maho, already home to the island’s largest casino, exhilarating nightclubs, duty-free shopping, and an array of international restaurants. Available for purchase now, prices start from $4.2 million. portomaho.com.

Anguilla’s Ani Villas

Minimalist splendor combines with Anguilla’s rugged natural beauty at the luxurious Ani Villas. By Paul Rubio

Ani Villas is a spectacular contemporary estate perched on the cliffs of Anguilla’s north shore. Separated as the North and South Villas, the two Anguilla's Ani Villasfive-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot luxury homes commingle tropical elegance with Scandinavian design prowess. The fundamentals of earth, air, and water are represented by walls of textured raw woods, hardwood furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows, glass balconies, a five-story open floor plan, and tranquil water gardens.

Arranged within desert, tropical, and indigenous landscaping, the seductive infinity pools, expansive lounge areas, and elevated hot tubs positioned near the cliffs’ edge capture the island’s beauty at panoramic vantage points.

Directly below the villas, accessible by a short walking trail, the island’s top snorkeling spot teems with marine life. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the tennis court, mountain biking trails, the neighboring Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, and kayaks for exploring Little Bay. When privacy becomes too confining and the house staff all too familiar, Anguilla awaits new explorers. Hop in the complimentary house car and experience the island’s burgeoning restaurant scene, its laid-back nightlife, or yet more of its renowned waters.

The two villas can be rented separately or together as an estate; a five-night minimum is required in either case. $30,000-$40,000 (villa), $51,000-$68,000 (full estate) per week. 264-497-7888, anivillas.com.

Open for Business: Caribbean Resorts After Earl

Worried about any damage that Hurricane Earl wreaked on your favorite Caribbean resort — or on the one you just happen to have a reservation for this fall?

As they say, No worries, mon. I surveyed representatives from resorts all across the Caribbean on Tuesday, and here are their reports:

*Biras Creek Resort, BVI: General Manager Rik Blyth says the resort “experienced 60-75 mph winds as a result of Hurricane Earl. We experienced moderate damage to foliage and landscaping, a few cedar shingles were blown from roofs, and some docks are in need of minor repair. Luckily, the resort shuts down each year for about two months to refurbish and freshen things up, so we don’t have guests onsite until we reopen October 20th. We had crews onsite to begin repairs at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, and will be better than new in plenty of time prior to reopening.”

*The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, St. Thomas: The clean-up effort began Tuesday, and the pool and beach reopened on Wednesday, but the resort is not accepting new arrival reservations until Thursday, September 2nd.

*CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla: “While CuisinArt — pictured above — was scheduled to close for the season on August 30th, since guest safety was the top priority, all hotel guests were were safely evacuated from the property one day early, on August 29th,” said a spokeswoman. “Other than some minimal landscape damage, we withstood Hurricane Earl without any substantial property damage, and we’re currently taking reservations for when we reopen on October 30th.”

*St. Kitts Marriott Resort: From a spokesperson: “Other than rain and a few fallen branches, the St. Kitts Marriott withstood the storm and there has been no significant damage whatsoever to the property. It’s business as usual at the resort, the sun is shining and all amenities and facilities are available to guests.”

*The Peter Island Resort & Spa, BVI: The resort sustained some wind damage due to Hurricane Earl. “To maintain the highest level of services our guests have come to expect, the resort will be closed for a week to spruce up the property,” says a spokeswoman.

*San Juan Marriott Resort, Puerto Rico: According to a spokeswoman, “I’m happy to report that the storm did not significantly impact operations. There was some heavy rain and light winds, but no damage was sustained and no cleanup efforts needed. The resort remains open and fully operational for guests to enjoy.”

*Finally, from Cindy Clearwater, a wedding and event planner in St. Croix: “Crucians — folks living on St. Croix — are pretty well-versed in hurricane preparation and take warnings very seriously. This weekend, we spent much of our time stocking up on dry and canned goods, bottled water, ice, gassing up vehicles and shuttering or boarding up windows. On Monday, all schools were closed and non-essential government workers were sent home by noon. Most businesses and restaurants closed as well, allowing their employees the opportunity to stay safe off the roads and at home with loved ones. Local radio personalities stayed on-air all day taking calls from local residents and helping to keep everyone informed about the storm. The best part about living in the islands there is always a strong sense of community whenever a storm affects St. Croix.

“We only experienced tropical storm force winds, and thus damage was minimal. There are tree limbs down and electricity is still out in a few areas, but most the cleanup should be completed in a few days. Resorts, restaurants and other businesses are, for the most part, up and running again today.”

And she reports, after Hurricane Earl bypassed St. Croix, residents cranked up The Dixie Chicks’ song “Goodbye Earl.”

Le Bleu, Anguilla

With its private seaside setting, Le Bleu is poised to become Anguilla’s best-loved villa. By Lauren Michaels Continue reading Le Bleu, Anguilla

Anguilla: CuisinArt’s Hydroponic Farm

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I covered Anguilla as a Destination in the current print issue of Ocean Home, but I wanted to call your attention to the CuisinArt Resort & Spa, more specifically, the hydroponic farm right on the premises that supplies the resort with virtually all of the fresh produce served at its three restaurants.

I’d wanted to visit CuisinArt for years, and finally got my chance this past March. Though the resort has been around since 1999, they’re especially proud of their six new villas, each with a spacious dining and living room, fully equipped kitchen, and solarium. I stayed in one of the oceanfront villas, and the floor plan makes for all sorts of different combinations, making them perfect for extended families, couples vacationing together, or just a couple who desires a little bit more privacy while still being a short walk away from all resort amenities…

…including the hydroponic farm. Director Howard Resh, Ph.D., is a long-time pioneer in hydroponic farming, and launched CuisinArt’s operation — the first resort in the Caribbean to launch a large-scale hydroponic farm — when the resort first opened.

“Hydroponic farming is all about increasing the quality of the food you eat,” Resh told me during an interview and tour. Basically, hydroponics is a way to cultivate plants without soil. Instead of planting in dirt, hydroponic farmers set seedlings in water or a gravel-like material and then enrich the plants with a mixture of minerals and nutrients diluted in water.

It’s not unusual for guests to book a stay at the resort just because of the farm; Resh gives tours several times a week, and it’s on these tours where the scale and scope of the project is clear. Wandering down the aisles of the greenhouse, Resh points out arugula, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and herbs. Each day, the farm provides the restaurants with 60 to 80 pounds of tomatoes, 30 pounds of peppers, 128 heads of lettuce, and varying amounts of herbs, cucumbers, and other produce.

We’re not talking iceberg here: Resh grows European Bibb and oak leaf lettuce, and beefsteak, Roma and cherry tomatoes, along with Zebrinos, a darker-striped variety that stands up to grilling. Off in a corner, towers of pots hold herbs like oregano, chive, sage, rosemary and parsley, some of which are passed along to the Venus Spa for use in facial and body treatments.

While eating lunch at the resort, I can definitely attest to the intrinsic value of knowing that the greens, tomatoes, and peppers in my salad were grown nearby, and in fact, that I probably saw them hanging on the vine during my tour of the farm the previous day.

Of course, they tasted a lot fresher than even the produce I get from my local farmer’s market.

Anguilla Lures Jet Setters

ohmj10_destinations21Deserted beaches and modern amenities lure jet setters to Anguilla’s welcoming shores. Continue reading Anguilla Lures Jet Setters

Spas by the Sea

With all of the turmoil in the world, what better way to soothe the soul than with time at a spa? Make that an oceanfront spa if you truly want to relax. Continue reading Spas by the Sea

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