This modern hotel is truly unique by design with seven elegant and spacious rooms with private balconies, tennis court, hot tub/Jacuzzi, 20 by 40 foot solar heated swimming pool, bar/lounge, cable TV, and intimate restaurant with fireplace. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Saba/willardsofsaba/hotel/954/41/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:56:25 EST Willard's of Saba sets the standard for luxury on this Dutch Caribbean island, known as The Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean. Built in 1994 in the ancestral spirit of The Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C., Willard's offers spectacular views of the Caribbean and Atlantic Oceans and five neighboring islands from a dramatic Cliffside location 2,000 feet above sea level. Views extend over 270 degrees to include Saba's highest point, the summit of Mount Scenery at 2,864 feet. Located 28 miles due south of St. Maarten, Saba (pronounced SAY-buh) is five square miles of rocks and boulders etched out of an extinct volcano. Its name is said to come from the Carib Indian word siba, for rock. The highest point is the cloud-swathed dome of Mount Scenery, 2,851 feet above sea level. Settled in 1640 by the Dutch, the island was captured by the English in 1665. This was the first of 12 flag exchanges over the next 150 years until the Dutch claimed permanent possession in 1816. Back then the population numbered just 250, from the Netherlands, England and Scotland; the present population is 1,485, and although Dutch is the official language, English is spoken everywhere. AMENITIES: ACTIVITIES: Saba's beauty extends below the waterline into an exciting marine environment rich in corals and active with fish life. A busy population of colorful tropical fish as well as large groupers and jacks live around Saba. Lava tunnels and hot springs remind divers of the dramatic volcanic beginnings of the island. The small leeward side hosts gentle, medium depth, spur and groove formations. Along the edge of Saba's sheer wall dives, divers can sight turtles and rays of all shapes and sizes. Since the island is so small, dive boats can reach all sites within minutes. Dive Shops Two well-experienced, fully equipped dive operators carry the many visiting divers from around the globe, to dive sites within the Saba Marine Park every day. They represent a variety of certifying agencies and will safely teach all levels of diving. Dive operators combine efforts to assist the park manager in collecting data and enforcing the rules and regulations. Before the road was built people got about Saba by donkey or on foot and there are still numerous steep trails and stone steps linking villages which make strenuous, yet satisfying, walking. The Saba Conservation Foundation preserves and marks trails for those who like a challenge and for those who prefer a gentle stroll. All of them are accessible from the road and many can be done without a guide. Named trails include: Tent Point, Booby Hill, The Level, The Boiling House, The Sulphur Mine, The Ladder, Giles Quarter, Rendezvous, Bottom Hill, Crispeen, Mount Scenery, Spring Bay, Troy, Sandy Cruz, Middle Island and Mary's Point. The most spectacular hike is probably the one from Windwardside up 1,064 steps of varying sizes and intervals to the crest of Mount Scenery, best done on a clear day otherwise you end up in the clouds. It is a hard slog, 1 hrs each way, but a road goes part of the way up and drinks are available where it ends. The summit has now been cleared (Cable and Wireless have built a telecommunications tower there by helicopter drops) and there is a spectacular view down to Windwardside and the surrounding isles if it is not cloudy. The view is not panoramic, however, and the greater pleasure is in the ascent through the rainforest. Take a sweater and waterproof jacket, it can be very rough and slippery after rain. There are lots of birds, lizards, snakes and land crabs, and the botanical changes are noticeable as you climb. You can get out of the rain in several shelters on the way up. Buy the T-shirt afterwards: ‘I climbed Mt Scenery, 1,064 steps'. The Ladder is a long path of stone steps from the shore up to The Bottom, up which all provisions used to be hauled from boats before the road was built. There is a picnic place overlooking Ladder Bay. A guide is recommended for the Sulphur Mine track; at Lower Hell's Gate, about halfway up the sharp bends on the way to the airport, a track N of the road leads to the cliffs of the N coast, with splendid scenery, and to the remains of the old sulphur mines. A very nice lookout point is from Booby Hill, up the 66 terraced steps to the Booby Hill Peak. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Willard's of Saba Booby Hill Telephone: 62498 One of Saba's finest. A small, elegant and intimate hotel restaurant which at 2000 feet above the Caribbean offers spectacular sunset and poolside dining. Select cuisine from Asia, Europe, America or the Caribbean with personal preparation to your requirements. Enjoy specialties such as Lava Stone dinner or internationally featured Rainbow Fish or Broiled Lobster. Wine imported from Italy. American Express/Visa/MasterCard/Discover accepted. Serving breakfast, luncheon and dinner. Brigadoon Restaurant Windwardside Telephone: 62380 Another of Saba's finest in dining pleasure, located in an 1800's Saban home, a 5 minute walk from hotels, enjoy Continental and American cuisine as well as Creole and Caribbean specialties. Live lobster tank, fresh seafood daily, steaks, chicken, farm fresh vegetables and home made desserts. Visa/MasterCard accepted. Open: dinner 7 nights 6.00pm, no reservations needed. Lunch or buffets for groups by reservation only. Catering on or off premises. Y2K Bakery and Deli Windwardside Telephone: 62539 Fresh baked breads, rolls and sweets, pies, cakes, pizzas, deli, sandwiches, soup, sliced deli meats, coffee, sodas. Hebrew National hot dogs, daily luch special under $6. Open: 7 am - 3.00 pm. Deck and gazebo overlook Windwardside at Lambees Place next to the Post Office. Gate House Hell's Gate Telephone: 62416 Specializing in Caribbean cuisine, only the freshest locally-grown vegetables and herbs are used. Our menu changes daily to include a wide variety of local seafood, poultry and fresh meats. A friendly, relaxed atmosphere, breath-taking views and attentive service make The Gate House the perfect setting for a specail evening under the stars. Open daily except Wednesday from 7.00-10.00 pm. Please call for reservations. In Two Deep Fort Bay Telephone: 63438/63397 Enjoy breakfast, brunch and luncheon all in air-conditoned comfort, overlooking the Fort Bay harbour and The Caribbean Sea, from sunrise to sunset. New England-style cuisine to satisfy everyone. Fun, food and libations - in paradise. Open daily 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Guido's Pizzeria Windwardside Telephone: 62230 Our pizza dough is made freshly daily. A variety of toppings include: pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms, onions and anchovies. Also serving spaghetti, meatballs and burgers. Restaurant open Monday through Friday at 6.00 pm. Lollipop's Bar and Restaurant St. John's Telephone: 63330 Located between the villages of St. John's and The Bottom, with an unobstructed view of the ocean and surrounding hills. Specializing in local cuisines such as goat meat, stuffed land crab, frsh fish caught daily, grilled lobster, spicy fish-cakes, etc. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No reservations necessary, except for large groups. We offer transportation to and from the restaurant free of charge. Mango Royale Troy Hill Telephone: 6349 Saba'a newest dining experience located at the Queen's Garden Resort on Troy Hill. Enjoy locally raised meat and produce and try cocktails at Sunset. Goat with mint essence, Saba spiced shrimp and Peking dumplings are just a few specialties. Dinner -- Tues-Sat- 6:30 - P:00 p.m. Lunch -- Wed-Sat 11:30 a.m - 2:00p.m. Friday - BBQ with live music - 6-9 p.m. Sunday- Steel Pan Brunch 12:00-3:00 p.m. Reservations suggested. Midway Bar and Restaurant St. John's Telephone: 63271 Situated in the village of St. John', Midway specializes in local cuisine, including goat and chicken. Ask about our special barbecues. A panoramic view of The Bottom, surrounding hills and teh Caribbean Sea are part of the ambience. Good music and friendly service. No reservations necessary. Open from 9.00 am 'til..... Saba Chinese Restaurant Windwardside Telephone: 62268 or 62353 Saba boasts two Chinese restaurants, one on the main street in Windwardside, the other just a few minutes walk up the hill from the other. Specializing in Cantonese food as well as salads, steaks, fries, etc. No reservations necessary. Scout's Place Restaurant Windwardside Telephone: 62205/62338 Serving breakfast 7.00 am - 10.30 am. Lucnh at 12.30 pm and dinner at 7.30 pm. Salads and sandwiches all through the day. Reservations are required for hot lunch and dinner. Served in an opena-ir dining room with sweeping views of the village and the Caribbean. Sunset Bar and Restaurant The Bottom Telephone: 62205/62338 Serving breakfast 7.00 am - 10.30 am. Lunch at 12.30 pm and dinner at 7.30 pm. Salads and sandwiches all through the day. Reservations are required for hot lunch and dinner. Served in an open-air dining room with sweeping views of the village and the Caribbean. Tropics Café Windwardside Telephone: 62469 Located in Windwardside, across from Juliana's. Tropics is a unique little pollside café, with a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea. Tropics is known for tasty home-style breakfast. For lunch they offer burgers, salads and a variety of sandwiches on homemade bread. Tropics just opened for dinner as well. All items are moderately priced. A meal at Tropics is enough to satify the largest of appetites. Take-out available. Type: Hotel Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Saba/willardsofsaba/hotel/954/41/ Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:56:25 EST