TRAVEL GUIDE
Anguilla: Laid-Back Luxury in the Heart of the Caribbean
For travelers who want to relax in style
You dig your toes into pearl-white sands as soft as silk. You sit back and watch the golden sunset embrace the gleaming sapphire and turquoise waters. You sip the most decadent rum punch you’ve had in your life as the emerald green palm trees sway in the refreshing breeze. You have finally arrived in Anguilla, the hidden jewel of the Caribbean.
Virtually undiscovered by mainstream tourism, Anguilla dazzles visitors with 33 stunning beaches offering limitless aquatic adventures, vibrant nightlife, and priceless cultural experiences. At a mere 48 square miles, Anguilla boasts luxurious private villas and top-notch spas that foster total relaxation.
Fine Dining in Anguilla
Anguilla’s eclectic cultural mix makes for an exquisite blend of international cuisines. Mead’s Bay has a long history as Anguilla’s hub for fine dining. More than 30 years ago, the Malliouhana Hotel began flying in gourmet ingredients and fine wines. Under the supervision of Michelin chef, Joseph Rostang, the restaurant lead the avant-garde in creative haute-cuisine on the island. Today, Anguilla’s beaches proudly offer a host of fine-dining experiences, including:
- French cuisine: Jacala Restaurant serves outstanding French cuisine. Make sure that you try their legendary lunch.
- Gourmet fusion: Veya combines diverse world-cuisines like Asian and Moroccon with local seafood in exciting fusion dishes.
- Upscale Italian: La Dolce Vita remains a favorite for their creative, signature versions of Italian specialties.
- Caribbean fine-dining: Both Straw Hat and Mango’s specialize in Caribbean-style haute-cuisine.
- Fresh seafood: Scilly Cay opens by reservation on Wednesdays and Saturdays for exclusive clients. Most of Anguilla’s luxury villas maintain standing reservations for guests.
- Sunset cocktails: The Four Season’s Sunset Lounge serves exquisite craft cocktails. Jet-setters and influencers gather here on Fridays when the bar hosts live music.
Despite their rustic appearances, the traditional beach shacks and food trucks scattered around the island serve some surprisingly delicious food. There’s nothing like late-night street barbecue to make you feel more like a local.
For the epitome of luxury, Anguilla’s villas come complete with private chefs who will prepare gourmet cuisine, delivered poolside.
Fun Activities in Anguilla
Golf connoisseurs should head straight to Rendezvous Bay. The Cuisinart Resort hosts a world-class Greg Norman Signature Course complete with all of the amenities that you would expect from a luxury resort.
Nature-lovers can do some unique bird-watching at the East End Pond and book horseback-riding expeditions at Seaside Stables.
Adventure travelers usually head to Anguilla for the amazing watersports. Most hotels and villas provide gear for guests and can arrange transportation to the best spots on the island for exciting watersports, including:
- Snorkeling: The cove in the marine preserve at Little Bay is one of Anguilla’s premier sights for snorkeling.
- Ocean fishing: The local fishermen at Scilly Cay offer half and full-day fishing charters which include gear.
- Swimming: With 33 beaches, Anguilla offers plenty of opportunities for swimming. Make sure that you visit Rendezvous Bay, a perennial favorite for visitors and locals alike.
- Stand-up paddleboarding: The knowledgeable staff at Anguilla Watersports offers paddleboarding and kitesurfing lessons.
- Diving: Lush coral reefs surround Anguilla. The reefs provide divers with perfect opportunities for viewing manta rays and an astonishing array of colorful tropical fish. Divers can also explore the island’s various shipwrecks.
- Sailing: Visitors can hire charters for tours of Sandy Island, sunset trips to Little Bay or full-day shopping expeditions to St. Martin.
Sight-Seeing in Anguilla
Travelers can get a glimpse into the lives of the original Arawak settlers of Anguilla by visiting the petroglyphs at Big Spring National Park and Fountain Cavern National Park. History buffs shouldn’t miss the island’s 17th century churches and the heritage museum which display remnants of Anguilla’s historic past. The staff at your villa will happily arrange private tours of the churches and the museum.
You’ll have no shortage of things to do during your trip to Anguilla. But if all of that activity seems like too much work for a vacation, you can always relax by the pool, order an in-house massage, and let the friendly staff at your hotel or villa pamper you. You deserve it!
Written By: Cat Winske
