Chief Minister Banks addressing the crowd with villas and beach in the background.
Ribbon cutting, from left: Louis Grace, Governor Foy, Chief Minister Banks, Tiago Sarmento and Kevin Carty.
Tiago Sarmento (on right with raised hand) praising the staff.
ANGUILLA--Described as an “historic day” by Chief Minister Victor Banks and a “strategic signal to the world” by Governor Tim Foy, the opening of Belmond Cap Juluca on Monday, December 10, was a glittering event. It was held in the newly built Events Pavilion and attended by a large number of persons from the public and private sectors.
Host Kevin Carty said the hotel is now a proud member of the Belmond family. He said Cap Juluca had always provided great service and phenomenal experiences for its guests and had staff that perform with sincerity and integrity.
The governor highlighted the importance of employment, with more than 400 Anguillians working at the property, as critical. He thanked the Belmond Group and in fact praised all the investors that had stayed with Anguilla since Hurricane Irma. He also thanked General Manager Tiago Sarmento and his team who worked “day and night” to complete the hotel and wished them well for the future. He went on to give praise to the chief minister who had sorted out the difficult legal issues with the property.
Banks said it was the first time in 30 years that there were no legal issues with Cap Juluca and solving the problems was one of the fulfilments of the government’s campaign. He recalled the various issues of the past and said this was a new beginning for the property. He praised the loyal, committed and dedicated staff who have kept it all together over the years, describing it as the “hallmark of Anguilla’s tourism.” He said the hotel had sold for US $75 million but since then the rehabilitation and rebuilding cost had exceeded US $130 million. He thanked Belmond, said he had confidence in them and wished everyone all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
Regional Director for Belmond, Louis Grace said Belmond was one of the best brands. He said Cap Juluca had an amazing staff that provides excellent service every day. He noted that the government had been incredibly helpful and supportive in all the negotiations and plans.
Sarmento said there was no better place on earth than Cap Juluca and he thanked all the staff, as well as the governor and chief minister, for making it all possible. He said they had re-created one of the best resorts in the world and praised the staff for being a family with soul, energy and perseverance among whom guests feel at home. He reported that the hotel is practically fully booked until Easter next year and invited everyone present to celebrate the occasion.
There are several changes to the property. In addition to the new Events Pavilion there are two new villas with six rooms each and two new casitas that are one-bedroom suites with an added bedroom. Also new is the Arawak Spa with five rooms. There have been changes to the lounge area now called Maundays Club, where there is a bar where tapas are also served. Two new pools have been built in this area, with one being a beach infinity pool. Pimms Restaurant is still there and a new one Chips by Cipriani serves Peruvian tapas. At the far end
of the property is a beach restaurant, Cap Shack that will specialise in fish. Altogether there are 108 rooms, with 44 being in suites.
