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Carimar Beach Club sits just behind the superb, sumptuous sand of Meads Bay. At just over a mile long, forty or fifty metres wide in places, and with startlingly white sand, it is a fantastic beach and exactly what Anguilla is famous for. Carimar Beach Club, set right on the sand, has the best of it. Its 24 one- and two-bedroom apartments are set in a U shape, their stark white stucco arches frilled with sprays of incredibly colourful bougainvillea. Inside, the apartments are modern and well equipped, and comfortable enough to become a home away from home. Many visitors return year after year. Close to many of the island’s good restaurants, Carimar Beach Club is a trusty shoreside retreat on one of Anguilla’s top beaches.
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Style: Unpretentious, spacious, well appointed apartments with hospitable and unobtrusive service, set in attractive grounds
The Beach: Meads Bay, a mile of excellent, very white sand, limited watersports
The Rooms: One and two bedroom apartments with cheerful Caribbean décor with white tiles and bright tropical colours, each with a view through a rounded arch and flying bougainvillea to the beach
Key features: A cracking location, 24 one- and two-bedroom Anguilla condominiums, Reception, laundromat, two tennis courts, tv and games room, snorkelling, some beach equipment
Children: Welcome, some equipment, baby-sitting can be arranged, adventure playground at Malliouhana hotel next door
Staff: Daily maid service, with full concierge services at friendly and helpful reception. |
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Review
The surprise is really how undeveloped Meads Bay is. You might expect such a superb stretch of sand to be built up with hotels standing shoulder to shoulder, but the beach is barely developed. The few hotels are marked by a little activity in front of them in the sand. You spot Carimar by two neat lines of parasols and a slightly higher density of people (there are virtually none elsewhere on the beach).
Carimar Beach Club is a series of apartments, but it is run along the lines of a small hotel. As you arrive you come to the central Reception where you can get information and assistance. The staff there are happy to provide advice about the island, to make restaurant reservations for you or book you a massage in your room. Although there is no restaurant on the premises (there are many good restaurants on the island, some not far away), there are some central features, including a recreation room with cable tv and some games and books, a Laundromat for guests’ use and two tennis courts (across the road). Down on the beach they offer beach furniture and snorkelling gear. There is no commissary at Carimar, but there is a walkable grocery and nearest supermarket is just five minutes’ drive away. There is daily maid service to the rooms and baby-sitting is easily arranged.
From Reception you walk on paved paths through the sandy garden into the horseshoe of the apartments. The buildings, with stark white walls and terra cotta roof tiles, stand two stories high and they are staggered to face the sea, so that each apartment looks down to the beach. The upper balconies have rounded arches through which to take in the view, but the strongest feature of Carimar is its bougainvillea, which is trained up all the buildings and comes out in a permanent and extremely colourful display of red, purple and pink. It makes an attractive enclave in what is generally a fairly barren island.
Inside, the apartments are nicely laid out and comfortable, decorated in typically bright Caribbean style with bright fabrics on the white walls and tiles. The furniture is rattan. Each apartment has an open-plan living area with a kitchen on one side and a balcony or patio. The beachfront apartments overlook the glorious white sand beach from the front and straight out to sea.
Situated towards the west end of the island, Carimar is pretty close to the action, such as it is in Anguilla, because it is all pretty low key. Many of the good restaurants are in this area (Blanchards, possibly the best, is right next door) and there are beach bars just a short drive away. Carimar is less expensive than many of the large and better known hotels and villas on the island, so if you are happy to look after yourself a bit then you can get the best of the beach-based, easy life at less of a price. You will be surrounded by charming people on an island that many people come to love. And they return year after year. |
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Beach & Swimming
Carimar is located directly on the mile long strip of Meads Bay, which has blazing white sand and is one of the nicest beaches on the island. It is very quiet despite having three or four hotels and one of the island’s top restaurants on its broad sands. Ideal for morning or evening strolls, and good for swimming and snorkelling. The waves do get up in the winter and can be quite large and strong. On a dark night the sand sometimes sparkles with fluorescence.
It might be important to know that there is no pool at Carimar. |
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Sports & Recreation
There is a Club House with cable TV, table tennis and mini library and there are two hard surface tennis courts for day play across the road. Rackets are available. Behind the tennis courts there is a salt pond (which was farmed until relatively recently, in the 1980s), which attracts some interesting birdlife. |
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Accommodation
The apartments at Carimar Beach are located in a cluster of six, two storey houses which are set in a horseshoe arrangement overlooking a lawn and the ocean at the open end, so that all apartments have a view (some partial) of the ocean. The rooms are bright and cheerful with white tiled floors and walls, and have been individually furnished in a comfortable, tropical style with rattan furnishings and colourful fabrics. Each has a spacious open-plan living/dining room which opens onto a balcony or patio where tables and chairs have been provided. The kitchens are open to the living area, tucked into one corner. They are of a reasonable size and fully equipped with large fridge freezers, microwave, and full ovens. The two bedroom units have the master bedroom off the living room with an en suite bathroom. The second bedroom is located to the rear of the living room, with a separate bathroom across the hall. |
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Useful Hints
Rooms all have ceiling fans with air-conditioning in the bedrooms available at a charge of US$8 per day. |
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Weddings
Carimar Beach offers a wedding package. The legal requirements for getting married in Anguilla are as follow. Two witnesses are required and both parties are on Anguilla for three working days prior to getting married to acquire the Special Marriage License, which takes 48 hrs to process. The following original documents are also required from both parties: passports, and in the case of a divorcee, an original or notarised copy of Decree Absolute. If a partner is widowed, an original Death Certificate of deceased spouse is required. |
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Children
Carimar Beach Club welcomes children and offers babysitting arrangements. If your children are desperate to run around with other children and love adventure playgrounds, for a fee (US$25 per person) you can use Malliouhana Hotel’s dedicated ‘Children’s Place’. The adventure playground has a life size, wooden pirate ship with a 60ft water slide and a warren of climbing frames. It is located next door to Carimar. |
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Locality
Carimar is located directly on one of Anguilla’s best beaches, in Meads Bay, which stretches for over a mile of superb, sumptuous sand. Just a few hotels and restaurants are strung along the sand. The nearest restaurants are Blanchards, one of the best on the island, and Malliouhana. It has two restaurants, a spa and children’s playground. Other restaurants in the area include Mango’s in Barnes Bay and several good dining rooms in the hotels. Perhaps try Cap Juluca, CoveCastles and Altamer. Simpler local places to eat include nearby Emeralds and B & D’s Barbecue.
There is a grocery store, ‘Fleming Supermarket’, within walking distance (about 5 minutes), which opens as early as 6am and stays open until 11pm seven days a week, irrespective of holidays including Christmas and New Year. Another grocery store, Foods Ninety Five, is a five minute drive away. This opens at 7.30 am and closes at 10pm, on holidays and Sundays 8am until 2.30 pm. At Christmas and New Year they are generally open for a couple of hours depending on demand. |
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Practical Facts
Annual Closure Dates: 16 August to 31 October 2009
Dress Code: Informal
Facilities: Two tennis courts. Club House which is used as a recreation room with cable TV, mini library and table tennis, plus a self service Laundromat, whereby guests just provide their own detergent. Free internet kiosk in Club House
Complimentary: Beach umbrellas, sunloungers, tennis and snorkelling equipment.
Other Services: Full concierge service, in room internet access available, babysitting from US$6-8 per hour, outdoor grills on request for use on rear entrance patio of apartments
Accommodation: 24 apartments
Apartments: The one and two bedroom apartments are located in six accommodation blocks, two of which are beachfront. Each has a fully equipped open-plan kitchen, living/dining room opening on to a furnished covered patio or balcony. Master bedrooms have king size beds and en suite bathrooms and second bedrooms have twin beds and separate bathroom – all bathrooms have hair dryers and have showers only. All bedrooms have clock radios. All rooms have ceiling fans with air-conditioning in the bedrooms.
Weddings: The Carimar wedding plan costs US$1060 and includes a photographer, a minister, the marriage licence, a bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere.
Children: Welcome. Babysitting is available and costs approximately US$6-8 per hour for one child with additional children US$3 per hour. |
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Rates
| | 16 Nov- 18 Dec 2008 | 19 Dec- 31 Mar 2008-09 | 01 Apr- 30 Apr 2009 | 01 May- 15 Nov 2009 | 2009 7 Night Summer Special | | 1-bed Beach View 1-2 persons | 225 | 390 | 225 | 200 | 1,247 | | 1-bed Beach Front 1-2 persons | 295 | 470 | 295 | 240 | 1,495 | | 2-bed Beach View 1-4 persons | 335 | 515 | 335 | 295 | 1,843 | | 2-bed Beach Front 1-4 persons | 395 | 600 | 395 | 345 | 2,153 | | Extra person In 2-bed apt | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | All rates are quoted in US$ per apartment, per night , room only and are subject to 10% Government Tax and 10% Service Charge (except Summer Special, see below), plus US$1 Government Marketing Levy per bedroom, per day,. There is a (10) night minimum stay over the Christmas period and all units are sold as two bedrooms. Rates subject to change without notice. Payment and cancellation policy: a three night deposit is required to secure a reservation. Your deposit will be credited to your account at check-in. The deposit will be refundable less a US$100 cancellation fee, if cancelled 60 days prior to arrival for bookings made for stays during 16 Nov to 30 Apr, or if cancelled 21 days prior to arrival for bookings made for stays between 1 May April to 15 Nov, otherwise deposits will be forfeited to cover any altered or cancelled nights of your stay, even after travel has commenced. We recommend that travel insurance be purchased to cover any unforeseen circumstances and protect against loss of this deposit. |
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Special Offers
SUMMER SPECIAL: Book for 7 nights and receive special weekly rate including tax and service charge, based on 2 persons in a 1-bedroom apartment/4 persons in a 2-bed apartment. Valid for stays 01 May to 15 Nov. See price panel for rates.
HONEYMOON SPECIAL: 7 nights in a beach view apartment, starter breakfast basket, complimentary chilled Champagne, 2 massages, car rental for 2 days, dinner for two with cocktails, a Carimar gift and fresh flowers daily. Cost US$1660 per couple, including tax and service for stays from 01 May-15 Nov 2009. A 50% deposit is required to confirm a reservation, with full payment due 60 days prior to arrival.
Special offers subject to change without notice. |
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How To Book
To make further enquiries or reservations for Carimar Beach Club Anguilla, please use the WEB LINK, TELEPHONE OR DIRECT E-MAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this review. |
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UK Tour Operators
If you wish to book through a tour operator or travel organiser, please follow the TOUR OPERATOR link below.
See List of UK Tour Operators
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Airport Meet & Greet
If you are travelling independently, taxis are readily available at the airport (US$16) or from the ferry dock (US$14), however if you have concerns the resort can arrange transfers on request. The ride from the airport is around 15 minutes. Rates are for two persons with an additional charge of US$4 per person.
If you are booking through a travel organiser, it is likely that their representative will be at the airport to meet you. This service and your return airport transfers should be included in the cost of your holiday. Please check at the time of booking. |
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Getting Around
If you would like to explore Anguilla, to visit other beaches and beach bars by day and then the restaurants in the evenings, then you may want to hire a car, which is easily arranged. We recommend you book in advance via your travel organiser or direct with Avis/Apex Car Rental, who will deliver to the property and issue your Anguillian driving licence, price US$20. Vehicles can be left at the airport or be collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day.
Be aware that around Christmas there can be a shortage of cars in Anguilla, so you are advised to book well in advance. Also book early if you want one for a week or more because the pre-booked rates can be better. Taxis are readily available through the reception at the hotel, through drivers who remain on property. No regular public bus service runs in Anguilla. |
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