Nestled amid the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, and a pretty power boat ride away from St. Martin and St. Barths, Anguilla is a unique, eel-shaped island− hence its centuries old name, which is Spanish for eel. The mere 16 mile long island boasts both British and French influences and is known for its velvety white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water. Our first time visiting the island, Doc, Lily, and I chose to stay at the Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa, along with a few other Hamptons families we are friendly with − here’s a recap of our island adventures in my NEW KDHamptons Travel Diary below:

Cuisinart is a beautiful beachfront resort tucked into the crescent curve of Rendezvous Bay. The crisp white architecture of Cuisinart sings Mediterranean style, with whitewashed villas peppered along the shore, surrounded by serpentine plantings of bougainvillea, myriad varieties of palm trees, and blooming fragrant flowers along every walkway.

We definitely had a very action packed family vacation in Anguilla, no beach bums in this family. Between tennis, golf, gym, sailing, kayaking, and swimming with dolphins we didn’t leave ourselves enough time to spa. [What a great problem to have really.]

Doc teamed up with our Sag Harbor pals Edward & Matthew Burke, and Joey Busiello to hit the greens at the 18 Hole Greg Norman Signature Design Championship Golf Course, while Lily practiced driving with me in a golf cart. The guys teed off to some breathtaking views and challenging holes, but in the end, Team Dad took home the Cuisinart Cup for 2014.

Swimming with the dolphins was definitely the highlight of the trip. Although, admittedly I was a bit scared at first. Something about seeing a huge dark form with a dorsal fin swimming rapidly towards your legs? Right, you get it. But Cora, Lilo, and Sam really could not have been sweeter or more gentle.

If you’re a foodie who loves digging into the locavore movement, as do I, you will love the sea-to-table gastronomic experience at Cuisinart, as well as at some of its surrounding restaurants, fish shacks, and BBQ stands. There are three options for dinner at Cuisinart: Le Bistro at Santorini, inspired Japanese food at Tokyo Bay [our favorite], and Italia at the Clubhouse helmed by the former chef at Villa Deste in Lake Como. The best meals we had off the resort were at Veya, the Viceroy [which is designed by Kelly Wearstler ~ obsessed!] and a funky spot called B&D’s BBQ, which is basically under a tent on the lawn of a local woman’s home named Bertrand. Best BBQ ribs I’ve ever had!

The hydroponic farm at Cuisinart [below] harvests: tomatoes, lettuce, cukes, peppers, broccoli rabe, onions, bok choy, thyme, sage, mint, and much more. The soil-free growing process produces fresh, healthy veggies and edible flowers. Harvested daily, the crop not only provides the purest ingredients for all the restaurants, but also for spa treatments as well. The jasmine massage oil my therapist used was to die for…

At night in Anguilla there’s really only one game in town, and it doesn’t get much better than this! Owned by reggae superstar Bankie Banx, Dune Preserve is conveniently located a few sandy steps away from Cuisinart, which makes it quite convenient to pop in for a Dune Shine or two! A rum punch by the pool at Cuisinart, and then head over barefoot to listen to Bankie belt out some classic Bob Marley songs with his son Omar….. Ahhh, the island life is good, mon!

To find out more about Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa go to: www.cuisineartresort.com

To hear Bankie Banx music, go to: http://myirietime.com/features/island-profiles/bankie-banx-just-cool/