Anguilla - SONESTA BEACH RESORT & VILLAS - If you or your clients are looking for a place to truly relax without all the hustle and bustle of tourists, the Sonesta Beach Resort (formerly the Casablanca Resort) is a perfect property to consider. By plane, it is a 1-hour plane ride from Puerto Rico. The AAA-4-Diamond resort is situated on Rendezvous Bay West on the south shore 8 miles from Wallblake Airport. 50 acres of tropical beachfront makes for good walking and I enthusiastically enjoyed getting my daily walk every day. The entrance of the resort has very unique handcrafted Mediterranean mosaic arches and fountains.

Most of the 92 elegant guest rooms, including spacious suites, have ocean views and are decorated in Mediterranean style. Fabulous views of hilly St. Martin and the Caribbean Sea can be enjoyed from individual balconies. All guestrooms have a separate seating area, large marble bathrooms (with an oversized tub) mini-bar, robes, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, make-up mirror and safe.

Just recently opened, the "Oleander Villa" offers 4 individual accommodations which can be occupied separately or as one large home. One unit is a grand suite with living/dining area, kitchen bath and pool with terrace overlooking the ocean. It is perfect for two couples or a family of 4! The other three offer a spacious bedroom and bath.

Watersports are readily available. I particular enjoyed the kayaking and found the snorkeling much better at the resort than on other parts of the island. Windsurfing is superb because there is always a prevailing wind. Catamaran trips can be booked through the concierge -- I would recommend the one chartered with "Roland." Two plexiplane tennis courts (lit at night) are available for complimentary court times. The resort boasts a fitness center which is complimentary.

There are two restaurants for dining. The Casablanca Grill serves New World cuisine while diners overlook the sea. Restaurant ICI is also located beachfront and serves contemporary cuisine daily for lunch and dinner. Anguillian seafood, pastas, beef, chicken and lamb are their dinner specialty. Complimentary afternoon tea is served seasonally. If you care to dine somewhere else on the island, let me recommend lunch at Hibernia Restaurant (French) on the east end of the island, dinner at either Straw Hat Restaurant or at the historic Koal Keel Restaurant. The food is superb!

One day I decided to take the ferry, which leaves several times daily, to visit St. Martin. The ride is approximately 30 minutes and the cost is $24 round-trip. This gives clients a chance to get away to shop if they choose and the shopping is excellent!

It will be worth your trip to plan a stay at the Sonesta Beach Resort and find that you have clients who may want this kind of quiet atmosphere. Presently, the resort offers a Sonesta Travel Agent FAMily Rate Program with a rate of $69, single or double, on designated dates good through the end of 1999. For your clients, special priced packages, including wedding packages, are available through December 20, 1999.

For more information, call the resort at (800) SONESTA. Happy traveling to Anguilla

Anne