Country report: Review – Ku

By Anna Head

The word Ku means ‘sacred place’ in the Arawak Indian language. Conjure up a hotel in a secluded corner of Anguilla, on a two-mile stretch of powdered, white Caribbean sand. Unpretentious, minimalist, chic but informal and great fun, Ku has just celebrated its first anniversary.

Ku is the brainchild of the same team that guided Cap Juluca to its current standing as one of the top hotels in the Caribbean. But Ku is not trying to imitate it. Instead, Ku has found a niche in the market. It is like a breath of fresh air to find a hotel that is affordable, but which has not scrimped on the quality of the service provided. While so many Caribbean hotels are eye-wateringly expensive, this is a welcome alternative.

Ku is not suitable for guests who hanker after the luxurious. Its appeal is its barefoot simplicity. There is an impressive 75-foot bar, which is double-sided and ingeniously positioned between the pool and the beach. This comes alive at night when all the guests congregate, swap stories and party. All the rooms are suites – and with only 27 the hotel has a genuinely personal feel. Each suite also has its own kitchen, fully equipped with everything to meet the requirements of even the most fastidious of chefs. Suites are large, an impressive 775 square feet, painted white with soothing pale aqua walls, comfy sofas and installed with DVD and CD players. Bathrooms are basic with showers only, but are of a reasonable size.

The option of self catering also makes this a good hotel for families. An onsite delicatessen is well stocked and provides enough of a selection to knock up a tasty meal. I noticed quite a few of the guests buying up freshly baked bread and delicious looking cold meats for lunch, retiring back to their suites and then eating in the restaurant in the evening.

The alternative is a small and cosy restaurant beside the pool, which is attractively lit with tee lights. The menu is not overly imaginative or extensive, but the quality of the food and the presentation is second to none and more than makes up for it. Quite a few guests choose to eat breakfast on their suite patio, but the hotel offers a good buffet selection.

The staff at Ku are young and helpful, with an excellent repertoire of suggestions about what to visit locally. An onsite dive shop – with a dive master – helps to make the most of the exciting snorkelling and diving opportunities around the reefs and wrecks that surround the island. For those with a more sedate approach I recommend The Petit Spa, where guests can relax with a sublime massage.

Only 20 minutes by ferry from St Maarten, Anguilla is a glorious island that should be on your ‘to do’ list. Ku is a special hotel, which will doubtless be hugely successful as it has been savvy enough to corner a slice of the market that is not as well met elsewhere.

Contact: Reservations: +1 800 869 5827; www.ku-anguilla.com