With Buddha on the path to the Spa

For the past 12 years my family and I spend the December holidays at Curtain Bluff in Antigua. This is the only time of the year when we can be together for a little rest and relaxation. I must be honest… it’s not my most favorite vacation- merely because “relax” is not in my vocabulary. I’m better in the fast paced globe-trotting mind set. This self-contained oasis is a blessing for those who do not want to move from the premises. My family is in heaven as there are a myriad of water sports and great tennis if you want to be active, and finally for me, a beautiful spa if you just want to chill.

Discussing the various delicious treatments – Ask for Made

Relaxing at the Spa before a deep tissue massage

It is also a visual pleasure to spend time at a resort where the majority of the guests truly care about their appearance. Days begin with the perfect breakfast, a fluffy egg-white omelet to light pancakes with fresh fruit. If you are not an early riser, a simple breakfast can be had as late as 10:30 am. Morning activities include singles or doubles tennis at a serious yet fun level or scuba diving or snorkling or lap swimming in the pool or the bay. Intense yoga classes as well as a personal trainer are also available.

Every year all the guests enjoy the traditional New Year’ s Eve Sailing Race.

With Anjali Melwani before the sailing race

My daughter Elizabeth joined me for a private yoga session on the terrace of the Grace Bay Suite

After a “tough” morning of exercise many guests choose to relax or chat on the beach before proceeding to a sumptuous lunch presented at bayside. Fresh fish, salad and veggie wraps highlight a healthful menu with a plethora of choices. After lunch, those “in the know” tend to move to the oceanside of the hotel where the luscious Caribbean breezes highlight the pleasures of being alone with 3 unread copies of The New Yorker and a good book.

Afternoon tea is served at 4 o’clock on the veranda. This is a time where one can find the most interesting conversations ranging from politics to the latest book one is reading. If you are looking for more activity, a pick-up basketball game starts at 5 o’clock as well as evening tennis. Hors-d’oeuvres are offered at 6, although I must say I never made it for cocktail hour.

Unfortunately the most disappointing aspect of Curtain Bluff is the quality of the dinners. Stick to the simple choices and order plenty of steamed vegetables. The wine list, however is “world class”. The owners have built a wine cellar over the years that parallels some of the greatest wine cellars in the world. Where else in the Caribbean can one indulge in interesting Côte du Rhônes or see terrific verticals in first growths like that of Haut Brion?

The real pièce de résistance is the Grace Bay Suite. It is the most luxurious room in the hotel. I spend most of my day there either doing my yoga on my huge terrace or just “relaxing” on my chaise lounge listening to the sounds of the waves.

And last but not least, are the great friends I have made at this resort. It is a wonderful way to bring in the New Year.

Chic Couples

Anjali in Miu Miu and Prakash Melwani

Sylvia and Bob Rafford enjoying a coffee on the patio after dinner

Chic Chicks

Jemima Chadwick and Elizabeth Tabak in Brian Reyes

New Years Eve

With Prakash Melwani on New Year’s

With Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical

Chic Kids

With Alexis, Elizabeth and Philip

Chic Friends

With Andrew Liveris, Paula Liveris, my husband, Jeffrey Tabak, Anjali and Prakash Melwani