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Covecastles stand like a line of abstract sculptures, stark white against the extraordinary blues of Anguilla’s sea and sky. Set on the leisurely curve of a pretty, quiet beach, the sixteen villas are almost a study in geometry, each an assembly of quadrants, cubes, cylinders and columns. They were built by Myron Goldfinger, the modernist architect from New York, and vary in size from one to five bedrooms, but for all the extravagance in their design, they are still a place to retreat to in calm and seclusion. Covecastles is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
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KEY FEATURES
| Covecastles, a leading Anguilla resort, are ideal for stylish, private villa living on the beach. Excellent restaurant, personal housekeeper, cable TV, DVD/CD player and VCR with libraries, internet access, non-motorised watersports and beach furniture, floodlit tennis court, boutique and bicycles. Spa treatments available. |
STYLE
| Ultra modern, almost abstract architecture, stark white and geometrical in form. Interiors lean and white but very liveable |
CLIENT PROFILE
| Small groups and couples in search of privacy. Families are also welcome |
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Covecastles are Anguilla’s original departure into ultra-modern architecture. Designed and built by Myron Goldfinger, a modernist architect from New York, they were opened in 1985, and although they have since given rise to a series of other building in similar form in Anguilla, Covecastles are still among the most striking buildings on the island. They are set on Shoal Bay (West) near the island’s western tip, and they are almost an exercise in abstract architecture, an assembly of geometrical, near diagrammatic, forms fitted together to create almost sculptural pieces. Their secret lies in their name. The Cove is their location, a very attractive half-mile curve of blinding white sand, and the Castles are the dreaming space-age towers that have been dropped in the Caribbean.
While arrival is actually from the rear, across a lagoon and then through a sandy garden, with the villas looming above you like massive silos in white concrete, to get the full effect of Covecastles you need to see them from in front. But this is no hardship. You can take a walk along Shoal Bay, a very pretty, usually deserted stretch of sand about half a mile in length. They stand in a line, all unexpected angles on the leisurely curve of the beach, looking to all intents like ghostly geometrical faces staring out to sea, the banks of louvred windows their blank brown eyes, and brows swept back in bald white curves.
The interiors of the villas also reflect the same theme of stark white structure and geometrical form, but shapes come more into play inside, with curved walls and triangular and barrel vaulted ceilings. There are other strong angular features too, cantilevered stairways and circular columns, but any overpowering impression is broken by the colour of the terra cotta tiled floor and banks of mid-brown louvred doors. Designed by June Goldfinger, the interiors have signature, outsize rattan furniture covered in beige. The muted tones are cut by flashes of colour in the beach-towels, napkins and the flowers of the indoor trees.
Each villa has a fully-equipped kitchen. Only the newest (3 bedroom) villa is air-conditioned, but they generally don’t need it because they are designed to encourage a through-flow of air. All the villas have shaded space at their front, accessed through the louvred doors (and in some cases by full-length plate glass windows), where there are hammocks and tables and chairs. Breakfast can be served here. Some of the villas also have pools (others do not). From here you step straight down onto the sand.
The bedrooms are upstairs in most cases and they have the same woven cane furniture at the foot and head of the beds and a full-wall view through glass or open louvres. They look out onto the hazy outline or the evening lights of St Martin, which look attractive in the distance.
From outside, looking at the hard lines of the villas, you might just wonder how comfortable Covecastles are to live in. For all the statement behind the architecture, and it is striking, particularly as it is now nearly 20 years old, inside they quickly develop a sense of familiarity and liveability. They are lean, but they are comfortable, and of course they use the best of the fantastic beach on which they are situated, encouraging indoor/outdoor Caribbean living. Some of the bedrooms upstairs can feel a little box-like (albeit it with very high ceilings), but in compensation you get a superb view as your fourth wall.
Covecastles stand on a thin peninsular between the beach and a lagoon, whose fringe of mangroves attracts some birdlife, as does the beach, where you will see small flocks of sandpipers twittering along the shorefront together, dodging the incoming waves. Despite the sandy ground, the coral underbed allows some growth and Covecastles is unexpectedly green, surrounded tropical plants.
There are some central facilities to the villa resort. There is a small but very good restaurant set at the heart of the villas, see Dining below. There is a tennis court and at the reception you will find a small boutique, with beachwear and other clothing. Some watersports equipment is available including snorkelling gear and kayaks as well as loungers and parasols for the beach. Despite these central facilities, Covecastles does not give a feeling of staying in a hotel. It is very much a series of villas, in which you can be as private as you want. Each villa comes with a housekeeper (there from 9am to 4pm).
The architect of Covecastles, New Yorker Myron Goldfinger, is an award-winning member of the American Institute of Architects and has been in practise since the 1960s. His work, which is to be found mainly along the eastern seaboard of the United States and in Anguilla, has an extremely distinctive, geometric style with a very modern feel. He usually uses simple shapes to create buildings that have an air almost of abstract sculpture. He has published two books, including Villages in the Sun about vernacular Mediterranean architecture, which has provided some of the inspirational themes of his own work. Many of his creations have been written up in Architectural Digest, including Covecastles and the nearby Altamer, a villa resort and restaurant at the other end of Shoal Bay. For more information, see his website at www.myrongoldfinger.com.
Covecastles have existed now for 20 years, first appearing on Anguilla when there was really very little on the island. Since then the island has developed considerably and Covecastles has been imitated, even outdone in the extremes of its geometrical fantasy, but Covecastles is the original and has much presence as it ever did. It has successfully stood the test of time |
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Beach & Swimming
Covecastles are set right on the sand in Shoal Bay West near the western tip of Anguilla, overlooking St Martin in the distance. The beach has excellent white sand that dips into classic Anguillan water, jade in the shallows, graduating to turquoise and eventually azure. The beach is hemmed in at the western end by a rocky point, on which the last of the villas is situated.
The bay is often referred to as Shoal Bay West, which distinguishes it from the other, busier beach by the same name, which is on the north shore farther east. The other Shoal Bay is better known and people are usually referring to that if they say just Shoal Bay.
There is no central pool at Covecastles and only a couple of the villas have their own pools. |
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Sports & Recreation
Covecastles have some simple watersports equipment, including kayaks and small sailboats. There is a tennis court which can be lit for night play. Racquets and balls are available at the Reception. |
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Staff
Each villa has a housekeeper, who is in the house from 9am each day until 4pm. Their duties are to clean the house and although they will prepare a cold meal for you arrival, they do not generally prepare meals
The General Manager of Covecastles is Mrs Sylvene Petty, a redoubtable Nevisian lady who has lived in Anguilla since the 1970s. |
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Dining
There is an excellent restaurant at Covecastles. It is small, but it is part of the best tradition of Anguilla and offers high grade French cuisine prepared by French chef Dominique Thevenet, who has lived on the island for many years. The dining room has the same abstract architectural setting as the rest of the resort, with views of St Martin in the distance, or the moon reflecting on the sea. There are just seven tables at Covecastles’ restaurant, so it is important to reserve well in advance.
The cuisine is French and uses the best of the (excellent, almost all imported) ingredients available on the island, as well as local Anguillan lobster and freshly caught fish. |
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Useful Hints
It may be important to know that most of the villas do not have their own pools and that there is no central pool. |
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Practical Facts
Annual Closure: 21 August – 15 October (subject to change)
Dress Code: Elegantly casual
Facilities: Reception, beach, restaurant, boutique, tennis
Complimentary: Personal housekeeper, concierge, snorkel equipment, kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, hammock, bicycles
Other Services: Scuba diving, windsurfing, para sailing, deep sea fishing, sailing trips, car rental, spa treatments, and tennis instruction can be organised at extra cost.
Accommodation: 16 villas providing a mix of 1-5 bedroom accommodation
Room Types: All rooms have a hair dryer, cable television, telephone, iron & ironing board. And in the living room: DVD/CD player with library, cable TV, VCR with library, internet connection (at a daily charge). All rooms / villas also have a full kitchen with refrigerator, stove, toaster, blender, coffee maker and juicer. All bedrooms are air-conditioned. There are eight 2-bedroom villas, five 3-bedroom villas, two 4-bedroom villas and one with five bedrooms. Beach Houses have two storeys, a living room, dining area, custom kitchen and private veranda at beach level. A curved staircase leads upstairs to a Master bedroom with king size bed and en suite bathroom as well as a guest bedroom with twin beds and bathroom en suite. Large sliding glass doors and windows open to the cooling trade winds and offer sea views from every room. Villas are 3-bedroom homes directly on the beach. At ground level is a split-level living room, dining area, fully-equipped kitchen, and 50’ private veranda giving onto the beach. Upstairs are the Master bedroom has a king size bed, large dressing room and bathroom en suite as well as two guest bedrooms with twin beds that share a bathroom. Brazilian walnut louvered doors and windows open to views of the sea and the island of St. Martin in the distance. Grand Villas have over 5,000 sq ft of living space and one has an 18’ diameter private plunge pool with spa jets. An atrium opens into the living and dining areas and a fully equipped modern kitchen. Curving staircases lead to two upper level wings, each having a Master suite and guest bedroom each bedroom having its own bathroom. The Pavilion is a single storey villa with four en suite bedrooms including one master, and is fully air-conditioned. It has a spacious living and dining area, and a fully equipped professional kitchen. It features 42” Plasma TVs, a 75ft lap pool plus a hot tub for six, and a children’s paddling pool. It also comes with a private, flood-lit, tennis court. The Point Villa has 5-bedrooms giving excellent views to St Martin and great sunsets. There is a private swimming pool on a 90’ terrace and an outdoor hot tub. The Master bedroom (26 sq ft) has a 20ft high ceiling and twin decks, bathroom en suite with Jacuzzi. Two of the ground floor bedrooms open to a terrace and the other two upstairs have decks.
Children: Covecastles have a fairly adult feel to them, but they do accept children and can provide cots, high chairs and buckets and spades for the beach.
Weddings: Covecastles have a good wedding package which goes out at US$5,350 per couple for 5 nights between 16 Apr–14 Nov. Each extra night costs US$595. If you wish to get married during the winter season, please contact Covecastles for a quote. The package includes licence, minister, flowers (arch, bouquet and groom’s buttonhole), reception with champagne and cake with 1 hour of musical entertainment, photographer (includes pictures and wedding album), accommodation in a 1-bedroom Beach House, daily continental breakfast, a dinner for two, welcome bottle of champagne and hors d’oeuvres, tropical fruit basket, and round trip airport transfers.
Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. |
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Rates
| | 16 Oct- 14 Nov 2007 | 15 Nov- 15 Dec 2007 | 16 Dec- 04 Jan 2007-08 | 05 Jan- 15 Apr 2008 | 16 Apr- 25 Aug 2008 | | The Point, 4-5 bed 7-10 guests | 2,895 | 3,595 | 6,395 | 4,500 | 3,100 | | The Point, 2-3 bed 4-6 guests | 2,195 | 3,595 | 6,395 | 3,700 | 2,395 | | The Pavilion, 4 bed 8 guests | 2,195 | 2,595 | 4,795 | 3,700 | 2,395 | | Grand Villa, 3-4 bed 5-8 guests | 1,495 | 1,895 | 4,295 | 3,200 | 1,595 | | Grand Villa, 1-2 bed 2-4 guests | 1,195 | 1,895 | 4,295 | 2,695 | 1,195 | | Villa, 2-3 bed 3-6 guests | 1,095 | 1,495 | 2,500 | 1,895 | 1,195 | | Villa, 1 bed 2 guests | 895 | 1,495 | 2,500 | 1,395 | 895 | | Beach House, 2 bed 3-4 persons | 695 | 895 | 1,800 | 1,195 | 795 | | Beach House, 1 bed 2 persons | 595 | 895 | 1,800 | 895 | 595 | All rates are quoted in US$/night. Extra bed in room is US$75.00 per day. Please add service charge 10% and government room tax 10%. A three night deposit is required to secure a reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to arrival in Winter, 30 days in Summer. The deposit is refundable less $100 cancellation fee, provided cancellation is received 61 days prior to arrival in winter, 31 days in Summer, and 91 days at Christmas. After the cancellation date payment is non-refundable, therefore travel insurance is recommended. Rates and conditions are subject to change without notice. |
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Special Packages
SUMMER DREAM PACKAGE – includes daily continental breakfast, 3 dinners, welcome bottle of champagne and hors d’oeuvres, tropical fruit basket, round trip airport transfer, 2 day car rental, sunset cruise or one massage per person, service charge and government tax. Cost per couple in a 1-bedroom beach house: US$3,800 for 5 nights or US$4,500 for 7 nights during 16 Apr-25 Aug or 16 Oct-14 Nov and US$4,800 for 5 nights or US$5,500 for 7 nights from 15 Nov-15 Dec. Extra night US$595.
7 NIGHT HONEYMOON PACKAGE - this includes daily continental breakfast, 2 dinners for two, welcome bottle of champagne and hors d’oeuvres, tropical fruit basket, round trip airport transfer, a picnic basket, 2 days car rental, Sunset Cruise or 1 massage per person, service charge and government tax. Cost per couple in a 1-bedroom beach house: US$4,500 for 7 nights. Extra night US$595. Valid 16 April – 25 August.
Payment: 50% of the package price must be received within 7 days of reservation. The final payment is required 30 days prior to arrival. Reservations made with less than 30 days prior to arrival require full payment within 4 days of reservation. Deposits will be refunded, less US$100 cancellation fee, if cancellation is received 30 days or more prior to arrival, After the cancellation date payment is non-refundable, therefore travel insurance is recommended. Rates and conditions are subject to change without notice. |
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How to Book
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with Covecastles Resort Anguilla, or if you wish to telephone them, their telephone number will be revealed if you click on the CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER link. |
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UK Tour Operators
If you wish to book through a tour operator or travel organiser, please follow the link below.
See List of UK Tour Operators
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Locality
Covecastles is located on the southern side of the island near the western tip. Although it is tucked away in its own bay, it is very much a part of the ‘West End’, where many of the big hotels are situated, and some of the top restaurants such as Blanchards. Don’t forget the other hotels when it comes to eating out because many of the best dining rooms in Anguilla are actually in the hotels. Try Malliouhana and Cap Juluca. Right on Shoal Bay itself you will find Altamer and a beach bar, which has simple food by day and good Italian fare in the evenings.
There is not much to do inland in Anguilla, but of course there are plenty of beaches if you want some variety from Shoal Bay (West). The busiest beach on the island is the other Shoal Bay, where you will find several classic beach bars and simple restaurants as well as watersports outlets. It can be lively on Sundays and holidays. Sandy Ground has less of a beach scene, but it can be fun at lunchtime and has a good mix of locals and visitors, and then it can also be very active in the evenings. |
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Meet & Greet
You will probably arrive at the airport outside the Valley, but if you are travelling via St Maarten it is often just as quick and generally more pleasant to travel by ferry. The ferry leaves from Marigot on the French side and puts in at Blowing Point.
Alternatively you can also arrange to be transferred from St Maarten by private motorboat (on Gotcha, price US$285 one way). You will be picked up from the marina opposite the airport, transferred to Blowing Point to clear Customs and then taken straight to Covecastles. Be prepared to get wet up to your knees on arrival.
If you do arrive at the airport or independently at Blowing Point, Covecastles generally suggest that you find a cab on arrival (all of the drivers are fine). If you would prefer, Covecastles would be happy to arrange one for you to bring you to the resort. Fares should settled locally and cost US$20 for one or two people, more for more people from Blowing Point and US$22 from the airport. |
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Getting Around
A hire car is always recommended with a holiday in a villa resort like Covecastles. It is useful for visiting beaches by day and then (particularly in Anguilla) the restaurants in the evenings. It is a good idea to book in advance via your travel organiser or we can recommend Avis/Apex Car Rental. They 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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All the information on this page comes to you free of charge. Please remember to mention DefinitiveCaribbean when you contact Covecastles or make a reservation for one of their 5 star Anguilla villas at this Anguilla resort. |
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