8 minute read
Map of the Caribbean
Anguilla
Measuring just 16 miles by three miles, Anguilla is a tiny Caribbean gem set to a slow and casual island tempo. Its picture-perfect coconut palms, shimmering waters and powder-soft sands look like they’ve been ripped straight from a postcard, a tropical jewel you could admire from the beach for days on end. A refreshing lack of development and the fact it barely registers on most people’s travel radars means Anguilla feels delightfully secluded and unspoilt.
Anguilla harbours some of the Caribbean’s best beaches, including the sugar-white sands of Shoal Bay East (which is also incredible for a sunset), the mile-long, crescent-shaped Maundays Bay and the golden glow of Meads Bay. On each one you’re likely to smell sizzling barbecues on the sand, savour rum punches from rainbow-washed beach bars and move to the sound of Calypso beats. Fringing every stunning stretch of sand is a crayon-coloured reef teeming with tropical fish, stingrays and reef sharks for an unforgettable snorkelling experience. The pair of islands known as Prickly Pear Cays are also home to extraordinary diving, with shipwrecks and caverns hiding nurse sharks and barracudas.
Inland, Anguilla’s small size and flat topography means you can easily hire a Moke, quadbike or bicycle and take in a tour of the island’s 33 beaches (two for every mile) in a single day. Or if you’re looking for something a little different, pick up a copy of the Anguilla Heritage Trail map and take a self-guided tour of the historical sites on the island. If you’re partial to plus-fours, then the Greg Norman-designed golf course at CuisinArt Golf Club is a must during your stay.
It’s not just your eyes that will fall in love with Anguilla – your tummy will, too. It’s a burgeoning foodie hotspot, the culinary capital in the Caribbean where world-class chefs serve up top-notch fare alongside authentic street
Zemi Beach House
Malliouhana
CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa
Belmond Cap Juluca
snacks. Over 120 restaurants dotted across the entire island offer everything from classic seafood to a smorgasbord of fusion food, mixing Caribbean influences with European flavours. Sometimes, though, there isn’t anything better than a portion of lobster from a local shack that’s been caught just a few feet offshore. We reckon it’s the freshest seafood you’ll ever try!
Even though Anguilla has become a draw for the likes of Beyoncé and Paul McCartney, it’s admirably resisted becoming a glitzy and glamorous destination. It’s an island that has stayed faithful to its roots and remains delightfully authentic. Plus, you can easily pair Anguilla with another island. We’d recommend either Antigua & Barbuda or St. Kitts & Nevis for a special twin-centre Caribbean getaway.
They say the best things come in small packages and in Anguilla’s case, this timeless proverb certainly rings true.
A refreshing lack of development means Anguilla feels delightfully secluded and completely unspoilt.
Discover Anguilla
Sublime snorkelling and diving
Boasting seven marine protected areas, Anguilla offers a wealth of wonderful underwater worlds. You can’t really go wrong wherever you are in Anguilla, with vibrant coral, tie-dyed fish and reef sharks lying just offshore. Our favourite spots include turtle-rich Little Bay and Savannah Bay, one of the most remote stretches of Anguillan coastline.
Prickly Pear Cay
For a day trip to remember, sail to Prickly Pear Cay, a pair of palm-topped golden droplets floating in the Caribbean Sea. Snorkel among kaleidoscopic fish-filled reefs straight from the beach, see the rocky nesting grounds of brown boobies and, now you’ve built up your appetite, make a beeline for the beach restaurant for some delicious local refreshments!
Sandy Island
If you were to imagine somewhere where Robinson Crusoe would lunch, then Sandy Island would be it. A tiny sliver of sand in the azure Caribbean Sea and speckled with vegetation and driftwood, it is castaway cuisine at its finest. The island’s restaurant is a real treat for the tastebuds – we love the shrimp kebabs, marinated in a signature Sandy spice, and washed down with a Sandy margarita.
Anguillan cuisine
Anguilla is arguably the Caribbean’s culinary capital, a foodie hotspot with more than 120 restaurants. Its food offering covers the whole spectrum, from toes-in-thesand beach shacks like the SunShine Shack (definitely try the Creole snapper straight from the grill) to some of the finest dining establishments in the world, like the treehouse-inspired Veya Restaurant and its feast of global fusion food.
Nestled within lush tropical gardens, just steps from the powder-soft sand of Maundays Bay, lies Belmond Cap Juluca. This tranquil retreat is idyllically hidden on the south-western shores of Anguilla, promising memorable sunsets over the mountain peaks of Saint Maarten in the distance.
Each of the 108 accommodations at Belmond Cap Juluca boasts a stunning beachfront setting, with breathtaking ocean views from your private terrace or balcony. Interiors are cool and refreshing, with lavish king-size beds and marble bathrooms. For a little extra space, choose one of the suites or for the ultimate indulgence, opt for a suite with private pool.
Renowned for its culinary excellence, guests can enjoy delicious fare in each of the three restaurants. CIP’s by Cipriani offers a menu packed with Italian flavours, Pimms features dishes created from locally sourced ingredients and the fisherman’s catch of the day, whilst The Cap Shack is more of a casual, toes in the sand dining experience.
The resort offers a variety of non-motorised water sports including kayaking and hobie cat sailing, as well as tennis, croquet, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and the Arawak Spa. With an extensive treatment list, divine relaxation area and serene pool, you’ll never want to leave this oasis of calm! Sitting atop a panoramic bluff, with spectacular views over the sparkling ocean, is the Auberge Resorts hotel, Malliouhana. Blending modern amenities with warm Caribbean hospitality, this fabulous property boasts three stunning beaches – mile-long Meads Bay, secluded Turtle Cove and sheltered Bobbing Cove.
This luxurious haven is home to 63 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, all set in the main building or within villas scattered among 25 acres of lush gardens. They are spacious, light and airy, with oversized bathrooms and comfortable sitting areas, as well as expansive private terraces.
Bar Soleil overlooks the glittering ocean and is the perfect spot for peaceful lunches or pre-dinner cocktails. Café Celeste is known for its exquisite setting and diverse selection of fresh, Mediterranean inspired sea-to-table offerings! For a more laid-back experience, head to Leon’s Porch and Beach Bar on glorious Meads Bay Beach.
With two magnificent infinity pools, tennis courts, a basketball court, bicycles and a fitness centre, along with a variety of water sports, there is plenty to keep even the most active of guests busy. The award-winning Spa at Malliouhana is a definite must visit, with therapists trained to create luxury treatments tailored just for you.
–––––––– Anguilla ––––––––Zemi Beach House
Located in the heart of trendy Shoal Bay East, with its stunningly beautiful one-and-a-half mile stretch of beach, cool bars and popular eateries, Zemi Beach House is perfectly positioned! Home to 65 wonderfully appointed rooms and suites, guests can choose from either a pool or ocean view. All offer incredibly comfortable beds and large spa-style bathrooms. The larger suites are ideal for families or couples looking for a bit of extra space, with rooftop terraces, private pools and fully equipped kitchens, they cater for your every need.
The hotel’s casual beachfront restaurant, 20 Knots, offers alfresco dining with a varied menu including traditional Caribbean curries, as well as a spectacular beach barbecue once a week, whilst Stone is a more formal restaurant with a sea-to-table theme. Head to one of the four bars to sample mouth-watering cocktails invented by one of the resort’s mixologists.
Spend lazy days relaxing around one of the three swimming pools, one being an adults-only tranquillity pool, or on the magnificent beach where there are stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and snorkelling equipment available. There are also tennis courts and a fully equipped gym within the resort, as well as the outstanding Zemi Thai House Spa.
CuisinArt
Golf Resort & Spa
Situated on a heavenly two-mile stretch of pristine beach and just a short walk from local bars and restaurants, you might say that CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa offers the perfect location. Its whitewashed Mediterranean-style buildings sit right on the powder-soft sands which fringe the glittering waters of Rendezvous Bay.
All 91 beautifully appointed suites overlook the glorious coastline, offering stunning ocean views. The decor is stylish, with splashes of vibrant blue blurring the boundaries between your room and the sparkling sea beyond. Larger groups and families will be wowed by the multi-bedroom suites or the private pool villas.
CuisinArt features a variety of restaurants from around the world. All day dining can be enjoyed in Mediterraneaninspired Mosaic, for a taste of Africa, head to KazBar, or if Asian cuisine is more your thing, book a table at Tokyo Bay. The Beach Bar & Grill is open daily for light bites.
Children will love the splash pad and play area, whilst teens and adults can enjoy the non-motorised water sports. There is also a spa, gym and a range of fitness classes as well as three floodlit tennis courts. Last, but by no means least, the Greg Norman 18-hole championship golf course here is simply spectacular!
