In Anguilla, it's not bacon that makes everything better. It's lobster.
That's what greeted me on my late Thursday arrival at the Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club, which is when the resort hosts a weekly Lobster Beach BBQ. It features such island staples as blackened mahi-mahi, Anguillan crayfish and, of course, grilled lobster tail. With so many flavors to choose from, it was a delight to return to the spread for seconds and thirds, even if every step across the sand to my table felt more challenging with every serving.
In the morning light, the picturesque view of the white-sand beach at Rendezvous Bay from my spacious, oceanfront suite was nearly as invigorating as coffee. Stepping outside my room, the whitewashed villa architecture across the property, reminiscent of that in Mykonos, Greece, followed me on my way to breakfast. Chef's Table offers breakfast and lunch daily as well as dinner from Saturdays through Wednesdays. It was here where I started every day with a caffeine kick and omelets. The resort, in its hydroponics area, cultivates many of the greens and vegetables.
The resort, which opened in November, is located on the site of the former CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, once owned by Leandro Rizzuto, CEO of Conair and Cuisinart (hence the resort's previous name).
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Best Buy founder and former CEO Richard Schulze bought the property in 2020. Schulze spent unspecified millions on it, renovating all the units, reinvigorating and expanding the golf fairways and building the Aurora Entertainment Park. Slated to open this summer, the park will give resort guests access to such activities as tennis, pickleball, beach volleyball, basketball, and minigolf. A waterpark that includes a lazy river, slide tower and zero-entry pool is also part of the project.
The Aurora International Golf Club is Anguilla's only golf course. It opened in 2006 but was renovated by famed golfer Greg Norman in 2021. The course is open to nonguests.
On New Year's Eve, the resort opened an outdoor amphitheater with general admission seating and suites, which is hosting musical artists on Fridays and Saturdays. On the night I was there I was treated by a performance by a Hall & Oates tribute band. The entertainment park will sit alongside the amphitheater once it's completed.
The resort has six bars and restaurants, including the oceanfront Eventide, which hosts the Lobster Beach BBQ ($75).
The property sits on 380 acres and has 178 accommodations that include suites, villas and two 6,300-square-foot estate homes that include such amenities as a private pool and a dedicated butler. Villas and suites start at $899 per night. A budget-minded option is the Merrywing Bay Hotel at Aurora, located on the west side of the property; prices there start at $550 per night.
The resort offers a nonstop charter flight service from Fort Lauderdale as part of its Fly Direct Plane Package, with plans to reintroduce a Westchester, N.Y., service later this year.