THE INSIDER: WHAT ARE MY FOUR SEASON HOTEL OPTIONS FOR DECEMBER?

It is no secret we LOVE Four Seasons Hotels and are so proud to be a Preferred Partner of the brand. Last week, we sat down for lunch with Merygrei Montilla and Iain Robertson, members of the incredible Four Seasons Hotel Global Sales Team to discuss the success they have had over the past year with their Lead With Care Program ( see link below ) and their upcoming holiday availability for December. While inventory is quite low, there are a sprinkle of rooms and suites still left at some of our favorite Four Seasons beachfront properties. Below we showcase the hotels that make the case for packing your bags and heading to the beach to ring in 2022 a no brainer. xx — E

https://www.fourseasons.com/leadwithcare/

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FOUR SEASONS ANGUILLA

GETTING HERE: Fly to SXM and board a 25 minute boat ride to the island of Anguilla or fly directly into Anguilla. Starting this fall, there will be direct options to Anguilla from Miami.

MAPPS X FS: VIP priority upgrade status, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

https://www.fourseasons.com/anguilla/landing-pages/property/festive/

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FOUR SEASONS HUALALAI

GETTING HERE: 10 minutes by car from Kona International Airport. ( KOA )

MAPPS X FS: VIP priority upgrade status, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

https://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai/experiences/

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FOUR SEASONS COSTA RICA

GETTING HERE: 35 minutes by car from Liberia International Airport. ( LIR )

MAPPS X FS: VIP priority upgrade status, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

https://www.fourseasons.com/costarica/landing-pages/property/activities/

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FOUR SEASONS MAUI

GETTING HERE: 30 minutes by car from Kapalua Airport. ( OGG )

MAPPS X FS: VIP priority upgrade status, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

https://www.fourseasons.com/maui/experiences/

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FOUR SEASONS PUNTA MITA

GETTING HERE: A one hour car ride from Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport. ( PVR )

MAPPS X FS: VIP priority upgrade status, complimentary daily breakfast and resort credits.

https://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/services-and-amenities/activities/

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BEHIND THE SCENES: A COVID FREE ISLAND GETAWAY

The laid back island of Anguilla has always been a crowd favorite due to it’s gorgeous beaches, endless land and sea activities, warm hospitality, farm to sea dining and a location that combines convenience with seclusion. While all of these attributes are still the main draw… these days the islands Covid free status has boosted their bragging rights and placed them at the top of the winter travel charts.

When Covid-19 entered the United States and surrounding islands this past March, Anguilla sprung into action quickly and locked down for months which proved to be quite successful. During the height of the pandemic, they only recorded 2 positive cases and after re-opening this past month with strict protocols in place, they are happy to report the island is still Covid free since this past May.

We are thrilled that Anguilla is now welcoming back visitors and are incredibly impressed with the conditions that they have put in place. Pre-entry requirements includes travelers submitting a negative PCR test taken within three to five days prior to arrival and upon arrival, another PCR test will be administered and a second test will be given on day 10 or 14. Guests based upon their assigned bubble will be given access to a variety of approved amenities and activities on each day, including select restaurants, golfing, scuba diving, kayaking, excursions to Prickly Pear, Sandy Island, and Scilly Cay, and more but advanced reservations are required, and transportation from an approved operator only will be provided.

*Mapps will handle all of this legwork to make the planning process seamless.

“We are pleased to announce that Anguilla’s hospitality product can now reopen in a safe though unprecedented way, subject to inspections and safety protocols designed to protect the health of our visitors and our nation,” said Anguilla Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure Haydn Hughes.  “We want everyone to enjoy the Anguilla experience – we invite you to lose the crowd and find yourself.”

The idea is to “allow visitors to interact with Anguilla’s exceptional tourism product while limiting their interaction with Anguilla’s population,” according to the Anguilla Tourist Board.

Added bonus: Anguilla has been deemed a level 1 by the CDC, meaning there is little to no risk so there is no quarantine required upon return. Cheers to stress-free vacations. Below, we take you behind the scenes on where to stay, eat and drink on island —

xx Elisa

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STAY

AUBERGE MALLIOUHANA: Set on 25 acres of verdant gardens, the hotel consists of 46 rooms and suites with a bright, contemporary aesthetic defined by robin’s egg blues and bright yellows with expansive private terraces. There are three restaurants, a bi-level pool deck, non-motorized and motorized water sports, boating, sailing, fishing, tennis courts, golf, movie nights on the beach and a full service spa.

BEST FOR: Adults only preferred until they open their new family villas and kids club in spring 2021.

MAPPS X AUBERGE: MAPPS is a preferred partner with Auberge Resorts and receives special nightly rates, daily breakfast and a $100 food and beverage credit per room.

BELMOND CAP JULUCA: Located on the coveted Maunday Beach, the 108 rooms, suites and villas are free standing, beachfront units decorated in natural and light blue hues with elegant antiques. There are four restaurants, one pool, a kids club, non-motorized and motorized water sports, boating, golf, sailing, fishing, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts and a full service spa and fitness studio.

BEST FOR: Adults and/or families with kids of all ages as there are activities for everyone.

MAPPS X BELMOND: MAPPS is a member of Belmond’s Bellini Club and receives special nightly rates, daily breakfast and a $100 food and beverage credit per room.

FOUR SEASONS RESORT: Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the majority of the 66 villas and resort accommodations overlook the breaking surf and blue horizons of two of Anguilla's 33 spectacular beaches. There are four restaurants, two pools, non-motorized and motorized water sports, golf, tennis and basketball courts, boating, sailing, fishing, kids club, a rock climbing wall and a full service spa and fitness studio.

BEST FOR: Adults and/or families with kids of all ages as there are activities for everyone.

MAPPS X FS: MAPPS is a preferred partner with Four Seasons Hotels and receives special nightly rates, daily breakfast and a $100 food and beverage credit per room.

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EAT & DRINK

BLANCHARDS: Blanchards Restaurant has been hailed as one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean with innovative cuisine by Chef Melinda Blanchard. Their Beach Shack, located next door, offers a casual alternative of picnic tables on the beach and toes in the sand dining.

JACALA: Even Martha Stewart declared Jacala her "favorite" in all of the Caribbean. One bite into Chef Alain's wakame-marinated tuna carpaccio, with a view of Meads Bay blue, and the hype makes sense.

PICANTE: A casual Caribbean Taqueria serving up the best fish tacos and margaritas on island.

THE STRAW HAT: Straw Hat has been enchanting visitors to the island since 1996! Their menu features something for everyone, and their team will make you feel at home in a relaxed, unpretentious and fun beachfront atmosphere.

VEYA: If you're a major foodie, or if you just want a romantic dinner night, Veya delivers on every level.

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WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

GETTING HERE: Commercial planes land in St. Martin ( SXM ) where travelers will clear customs, take a five minute car ride to the marina, followed by a 25 minute boat ride over to the island of Anguilla or can opt for a ten minute connecting flight to Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. (AXA ) The hotels are located 10-15 minutes by car from the dock. Private flights land in Anguilla at Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA ) and must land before 7pm each day.

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