Golf Travel

Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club

BY: JACOB TREMBLAY

A freshly caught lobster produces a satisfying sizzle as it hits the grill in a charming, open-air beach shack. Nearby, a family of four splashes into the warm waters of the Caribbean, scuba gear in tow, as colorful seabirds add their own high notes to the bass of the gently rolling waves. Joining this tropical symphony is the satisfying “Thwack!” of a 9-iron making perfect contact with a little white ball, sending it into the cerulean horizon over a meticulously maintained fairway. Unexpected, perhaps, but certainly not out of place, the sport of golf has come to Anguilla in a big way, given a home on an island reputed for its quiet and luxurious character by the recently reinvigorated Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club. Formerly Cuisinart Resort, this completely reimagined 300-acre property on gorgeous Rendezvous Bay stuns with 178 lavishly appointed suites, a 27,000 sq. ft spa, and a rich assortment of world-class amenities. Now owned by renowned businessman Richard M. Schulze and managed by luxury operator Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Aurora is undeniably impressive – even in dreamy Anguilla, long beloved by travelers for the unerring excellence of its accommodations.

Vacationers typically drawn to Anguilla for its quiet vibe, innovative cuisine, white-sand beaches, and inspiring accommodations can now add Aurora’s recently renovated championship golf course to their itinerary, as well as a new short course offering called Avalon Links. That’s not to say that the Aurora is lacking in any of the former elements - quite the contrary, in fact. As we discovered, Aurora Anguilla”s efforts to refine and evolve the core appeal of its former identity has created what just might be the most complete and compelling vacation experience on the island.

Not Your Average Country Club

For as much time as you are planning to spend on the green, you’ll inevitably have to spend some time off of it. Of course, downtime at the Aurora can scarcely be called downtime - it’s hard to daydream about making a tough putt when you’re in the lap of luxury. Aurora’s selection of suites is truly sublime: each offers a near-panoramic view of either Rendezvous Bay or Merrywing Bay and incorporates flourishes like wraparound terraces, fine wood paneling, and ensuite Jacuzzis. Much of the tasteful decor pays homage to Anguilla’s nautical history, with room configurations and bed sizes variable to suit the needs of both small and large parties. Expect the works when it comes to convenience and comfort: massive flat-screen TVs, spacious walk-in closets, and floor-toceiling windows are just par for the course at the Aurora. For truly large groups, the resort offers stunning three and five-bedroom villas and 6,000 sq. ft estate homes. Staying in the latter, you’ll quickly realize why so many celebrities choose to vacation in Anguilla: the appeal of looking out at the shimmering sunset over the bay from the balcony of your butlerserviced tropical manse is hard to overstate.

Outside the comfortable confines of your room, you’ll find an almost dizzying array of exciting activities. Why not limber up before playing 18 holes with a round of aqua aerobics? If you prefer to sweat on dry land, opt to join the spin class or get in a game of tennis. For excursions, you can look forward to self-guided cycling, kitesurfing, snorkeling, and diving – all helpfully facilitated by the professional concierge. Amazingly, the list of what’s available at Aurora is due to get even longer. A sprawling entertainment complex is set to open in 2023, the highlights of which include a 500-seat amphitheater, a family-friendly waterpark, a climbing wall, a pickle ball court, and more. We could go on, but you probably get the idea at this point: Aurora has just about everything under the (Caribbean) sun.

A Little “Me Time” before Tee Time

With so much to see and do, a time will come when you find yourself craving the restorative rest and relaxation that served as your vacation’s original motivation. After napping in one of the cozy poolside cabanas, heed the call to do nothing at all and head to the Sorana Spa for potentially life-changing treatment. At a glance, it’s easy to see why the Sorana Spa enjoys such a glowing international reputation. Its 12 treatment rooms feature comfortable beds, and specialty pieces like tables made from sand quartz to get you in that Zen state of mind. You’ll find just about every kind of treatment you can think of here and many you didn’t even know existed. In the former camp, expect steam rooms, saunas, and hydrotherapy rounded out by facials, nail services, and yoga. The spa’s novel treatments include its signature 24k Gold Age-Defying Facial (which uses jasmine, or ‘mogra’) to rejuvenate skin cells and the Rasayana Detox Body Buff, a full-body scrub using walnut shells and aromatics like turmeric to awaken tired skin and shake off any remaining jet lag. With your body fully restored, complete your wellness itinerary with some guided meditation in the resort’s beautifully green outdoor areas.

On the topic of wellness, equally important to even the best spa service menu, is an exceptional food menu. In the realm of cuisine, the Aurora certainly has a lot to live up to, inheriting both the gourmet legacy of the Cuisinart and Anguilla’s broader reputation for five-star fusion fare. Again, Aurora doesn’t fail to disappoint, serving up delicious dishes at its seven restaurants and lounges. Adhering to a philosophy that embraces organic, locally sourced ingredients, Aurora manages to serve up international flavors with a decidedly Anguillian twist. Breezes (on the coast of Merrywing Bay) is the place to be for classic East Caribbean comfort food and Anguillian takes on dishes like clambakes and fish tacos. Marella brings a taste of Italy to the Caribbean with hand-made seafood pasta and excellent aperitifs. Looking to the future, Aurora’s culinary offering will only continue to diversify with D Richards steakhouse beginning dinner service and the storied Tokyo Bay Japanese restaurant targeting a November 2022 return.

Legendary Links

We’ve come at last to our deep-dive into the breathtaking Aurora International Golf Club and we promise that - like a reservation at any of the world’s most exclusive courses - it was worth the wait. First conceptualized in 2006 under the design guidance of PGA legend Greg Norman, this 18-hole wonder is a coastal course beyond compare, quintessentially Caribbean with its swaying palms and omnipresent ocean views. While the course has been admired by enthusiasts for its pristine groundskeeping, purists find its dramatic and challenging holes even more irresistible. A 384-yard starting hole sets the stage for a dynamic course that makes ample use of elevation, bunkers, and sand traps before culminating in a thrilling 18th hole tee shot over the salt pond.

In the absence of any local competition and seemingly unwilling to settle only for excellence, the Aurora International Golf Club has recently completed an audacious remastering of this signature course. With Greg Norman and designer Jason McCoy once again at the helm, The Aurora team set out to find a way to improve on perfection and empower the character of the course. With top-to-bottom changes that enhance both playability and sustainability, it feels like they certainly succeeded. Comprehensive re-grassing, re-surfaced and reconstructed greens, and a total renovation of the irrigation system are only a few of the headline changes. Golfers will also enjoy the addition of a new forward tee location and the strategic removal of some of the larger exotics, opening up that deeply blue view the course is so famous for.

The excitement doesn’t stop there. Recreational golfers and families will be well served by the November 2022 debut of Avalon Links; a 9-hole signature course that retains the panoramic views and rich shot variety of the 18-hole champion course, but is carefully designed to enable accessibility and fun for novice golfers. Minimal water features and double greens will make the course perfect for travelers who want to golf on vacation but don’t necessarily take a vacation strictly to golf. It also provides a great excuse to head over to the course solely to enjoy its plentiful amenities, which include a full-service restaurant, cutting-edge practice facilities, and dedicated spaces for recovery therapies.