Anguilla
Three hotels. Three completely different trips. This is the honest guide to where to stay in Anguilla, which beach matters most, how to get there, and what is actually worth planning ahead.
Updated for 2026, including current hotel positioning, booking windows, and the parts that actually matter.
Anguilla, Quickly
Four Seasons or Malliouhana
Cap Juluca
Malliouhana
Maundays Bay (Cap Juluca)
5 to 7 nights
December through April
Booking through a travel advisor does not cost more. The rate is identical to booking direct. What changes is what comes with it.
Complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and resort credits at all three hotels, through Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, and Virtuoso.
Room category advice, restaurant reservations, transfer logistics, and someone to call if anything goes sideways. How it works →
Anguilla, by Trip Type
Anguilla is a small island with three very different hotels. The right one depends entirely on who is going and what you want the trip to feel like.
Four Seasons first. Malliouhana if you want something smaller.
Four Seasons has the kids club, connecting rooms, two beaches, and residences with kitchens. The resort runs exceptionally well for families, with the kind of ease that matters when you are traveling with children. If you prefer a boutique vibe, Malliouhana now runs a genuine Mini-Explorers program for ages 5 to 12 (kayaking, steel pan lessons, cultural activities) and the beach and restaurant setup works well for families who want more character.
Hotels: Four Seasons Anguilla or MalliouhanaFor couples, Cap Juluca is the clearest answer on the island.
Whitewashed rooms that open onto the sand. No agenda. No kids club. This is the kind of place that makes the rest of the world feel very far away. Maundays Bay is the reason many couples choose Cap Juluca, and it lives up to it.
Hotel: Cap JulucaMalliouhana feels more social, more distinctive, and a little more fun.
The bluff-top views, the cascading infinity pool, dinner at Celeste by Chef Kerth Gumbs, live music at Leon's on Thursday and Sunday nights. Malliouhana is for people who want their Caribbean trip to have some personality. The Mini-Explorers program also makes it a real option if children are part of the mix.
Hotel: MalliouhanaSkip Anguilla if you want nightlife, all-inclusive pricing, or a resort with a dozen restaurants and a waterpark. The island is small, quiet, and expensive. That is the point. If you are still deciding between Anguilla and another Caribbean destination, the full destinations guide is a good place to start.
Three Hotels, Three Different Trips
Anguilla has three luxury hotels worth booking. Each one does something the others do not. The question is not which is best. It is which is best for you. For a first trip, the West End is usually the easiest base, where the strongest resorts, beaches, and the highest concentration of restaurants all cluster.
Four Seasons Anguilla
Two beaches, spacious residences with kitchens, and a kids club that actually runs well. The most reliable luxury family resort on the island. Polished without being stiff. Days unfold easily.
Hotel Guide →
Cap Juluca
Maundays Bay is the reason many couples choose Cap Juluca. Whitewashed Moorish villas open straight onto the sand. Service that knows when to appear and when to disappear. This is the kind of place that makes the rest of the world feel very far away.
Hotel Guide →
Malliouhana
Ranked #7 in T+L's 2025 World's Best Caribbean Resorts. Independently managed since 2023, now led by Felix Pina, the first native Anguillian GM in the resort's 41-year history. Bluff-top views, cascading infinity pool, and Celeste by Chef Kerth Gumbs with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The hotel with the most personality on the island.
Hotel Guide →How They Compare
| Four Seasons | Cap Juluca | Malliouhana | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Polished, practical, family-first | Romantic, barefoot, disappearing | Retro-glam, social, cinematic |
| Best For | Families, longer stays | Couples, anniversaries | Friends, fun luxury, families who want character |
| Beach | Meads Bay + Barnes Bay | Maundays Bay | Meads Bay + Turtle Cove |
| Kids | Excellent kids club | Welcome but not the focus | Mini-Explorers program, ages 5–12 |
| My Perks | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Belmond Bellini Club | Virtuoso |
Vibe Polished, practical, family-first
Best for Families, longer stays
Beach Meads Bay + Barnes Bay
Kids Excellent kids club
Perks Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Vibe Romantic, barefoot, disappearing
Best for Couples, anniversaries
Beach Maundays Bay
Kids Welcome but not the focus
Perks Belmond Bellini Club
Vibe Retro-glam, social, cinematic
Best for Friends, fun luxury, families who want character
Beach Meads Bay + Turtle Cove
Kids Mini-Explorers program, ages 5–12
Perks Virtuoso
Tell me your dates and who is going.
Most Anguilla trips start with a five-minute conversation. I will tell you the hotel, the room category, and when to book, before you spend another hour reading comparison sites.
Best Beaches in Anguilla
Anguilla has 33 beaches on an island you can drive across in twenty minutes. Here is the honest ranking of the ones worth planning around.
Maundays Bay
Cap Juluca's beach. Calm, clear, cinematic. The kind of water people assume has been edited, but has not. The best choice for couples who want space and beauty in equal measure. Worth the visit even if you are not staying at Cap Juluca.
Meads Bay
Shared by Four Seasons and Malliouhana. Long, swimmable, and social without being crowded. Several restaurants along the sand. The beach that works for everyone regardless of who is traveling or what kind of day you want.
Shoal Bay East
Consistently ranked the number one beach in the Caribbean. Not attached to any hotel, which is part of the appeal. Shore-entry snorkeling, beachfront lunch at Madeariman, Gwen's Reggae Bar, or Elodia's. Go at least once regardless of where you are staying.
Rendezvous Bay
Long, calm crescent with very shallow water and a view of St. Martin's mountains. Home to Sunshine Shack and The Dune Preserve, Bankie Banx's legendary open-air music venue. A different energy from the busier bays and worth the short taxi.
Scilly Cay
Technically a restaurant, but the experience is the point. A family-owned place on its own tiny island, open 35 years. Grilled lobster, strong rum punches, live reggae on Sundays. The free ferry takes three minutes. Go on Sunday and budget the full afternoon.
Best Restaurants in Anguilla
Meads Bay has an absurdly good concentration of restaurants for one stretch of sand. These are the ones worth planning around.
Celeste
Chef Kerth Gumbs does refined Caribbean that takes the island's ingredients seriously. The Conch and Dumplings is the order. Dinner nightly 6–9pm, live music Mondays. Reservations recommended even for hotel guests.
Best for: arrival night, a proper dinner, any occasionLeon's at Meads Bay
Right on the sand. Caribbean with Asian touches, walk-in only. Open until 9pm on Thursdays and Sundays with live music. The easy option when you do not want to go anywhere.
Best for: beach lunch, casual evenings, live music nightsBlanchard's
The most celebrated restaurant on the island, and it earns it. Over 25 years of creative Caribbean cooking. The Cracked Coconut dessert is non-negotiable. Book Saturday if you can. Dinner only, Monday through Saturday. Reservations required.
Best for: the definitive Anguilla dinnerBlanchard's Beach Shack
Possibly the best beach lunch on the island. Fish tacos, burgers, hot dogs for kids, and the frozen BBC (banana, Baileys, coconut) for adults. Order at the window, grab a table on the sand. Open through dinner at 8pm. No reservations.
Best for: beach lunch, kids, going back more than onceStraw Hat
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the sand with a welcoming, unfussy feel. The flatbread, goat curry, and snapper are all good. A reliable all-day option with a welcome-to-Anguilla energy. Reservations recommended for dinner.
Best for: breakfast, any relaxed mealJacala
One of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. Run by two former Malliouhana chefs. French technique, island ingredients, beachfront setting that feels like a secret. Only 35 seats. Reserve as early as possible. Wednesday through Sunday.
Best for: couples, a truly special dinnerVeya
Treehouse setting. Caribbean meets Moroccan meets Asian. The Moroccan-spiced shrimp cigars are the signature. Wednesday is crayfish night. The Meze lounge downstairs has live music nightly from 8–10pm. Dinner Monday through Saturday.
Best for: something completely different, Wednesday crayfishKaraya
Opened November 2025 from the Veya team. Housemade pastas, grilled catch, charred octopus. The setting at sunset with views across to St. Martin is beautiful. Book an early table. Open daily.
Best for: sunset dinners, a newer spot worth tryingSalt + Sunset Lounge at Four Seasons
Salt renovated this season with blufftop views of both bays and a custom salt blend prepared tableside. The Sunset Lounge next door is Anguilla's best sushi and Pan-Asian menu. Both open to non-guests.
Best for: sunset drinks, sushi, a change of sceneJohnno's + Da'Vida
Johnno's is as local as it gets: fresh fish, strong rum punch, Sunday funday with live music. Da'Vida sits on Crocus Bay with a beach club downstairs and a restaurant above. The steak is reportedly the best on the island.
Best for: local atmosphere, Sunday afternoonsPimms at Cap Juluca
Cap Juluca's signature restaurant. Caribbean classics with a curry menu. The natural pairing if you visit Maundays Bay for a beach day and want lunch on the water.
Best for: combining with a Maundays Bay afternoonBest Things to Do in Anguilla
The island is easy to get around. These are the outings worth actually planning.
Nim's Nook
The rocky area at the base of the Malliouhana cliff, accessible from the beach. Parrotfish, eagle rays, and silverfish. Ask the Malliouhana watersports team for gear, or bring your own.
Best for: easy snorkeling without leaving the bayLittle Bay
A tiny enclosed cove with turquoise water, turtles, rays, and a famous rock the kids can jump off. Head to Crocus Bay and find Calvin or a local boatman for the short ride over. Combine with lunch at Da'Vida. The must-do excursion on the island.
Best for: families, the single best half-day outingSandy Island
A tiny ribbon of white sand surrounded by reef. Lobster lunch, rum punches, and snorkeling all the way around. Shuttle from Sandy Ground Wharf, departing hourly from 11am. Confirm timing with your hotel before heading out.
Best for: a classic castaway dayPrickly Pear Cays
Two small islands with pristine reef, a beach bar, and a sense of being genuinely away from everything. The best snorkeling of any cay. No private charter needed: Tradition Sailing runs scheduled shared trips. Plan a half or full day.
Best for: serious snorkelers, a full day awayRendezvous Bay + The Dune Preserve
Very shallow water ideal for young kids, with Sunshine Shack on the sand and The Dune Preserve, Bankie Banx's legendary open-air music venue, nearby. A different energy from the hotel bays and worth the short taxi.
Best for: young kids, a laid-back afternoon, live musicBest Time to Visit Anguilla
Five nights minimum. Seven if you want to actually settle in. Anguilla rewards doing less.
How to Get to Anguilla
Most travelers reach Anguilla through St. Maarten, then continue by Sea Shuttle, private transfer, or a short flight. You can also fly nonstop from Miami on American, and seasonal nonstop service has expanded from the Northeast. The best route depends on who is traveling and how much you want to manage on either end.
Via St. Maarten (SXM)
Fly to Princess Juliana Airport, then take the Sea Shuttle, a private water taxi that is faster and more comfortable than the public ferry. Your hotel can coordinate on both ends.
Direct Flights
American flies nonstop from Miami. Seasonal nonstop service is also available from the Northeast. Worth checking when you book. Eliminating the transfer changes the feel of arrival day.
Do You Need a Car in Anguilla?
Not always. If you mostly want beach, lunch, and the occasional field trip, taxis are easy and your hotel will arrange them. If you like trying different beaches on your own schedule, hate waiting on other people's timing, or travel with children and too many beach bags, rent the car. Anguilla is small. The emotional benefit of not coordinating every ride is large.
Four Seasons vs Cap Juluca: which is better?
Different hotels for different trips. Four Seasons for families and full resort infrastructure. Cap Juluca for couples who want Maundays Bay and nothing else. Malliouhana for personality, a bluff-top view, and a more social scene. There is no wrong answer. There is only the wrong match.
Is Anguilla good for families?
Yes. Four Seasons is the most complete family resort: kids club, connecting rooms, two beaches. Malliouhana now has a genuine Mini-Explorers program for ages 5–12. Both work well. The choice comes down to whether you want full resort scale or a boutique feel.
How do you get to Anguilla?
Most travelers fly to St. Maarten (SXM), then take the Sea Shuttle. You can also fly nonstop from Miami on American, and seasonal nonstop service is available from the Northeast. See the full logistics section above.
What is the best beach in Anguilla?
Maundays Bay at Cap Juluca is the most photogenic. Meads Bay is the most social and swimmable. Shoal Bay East is the best public beach and worth a dedicated day from any hotel. You will not be disappointed by any of them.
Where should I go instead of St. Barth with kids?
Anguilla. Same turquoise water, less traffic, more family-friendly infrastructure. If you want that same beautiful water with an easier rhythm for families, Anguilla is usually the better fit. If you are still weighing the two, the St. Barth guide lays out exactly who that island is for.
What do you actually get when I book through you?
Complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and resort credits at all three hotels, through Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, and Virtuoso. The rate is identical to booking direct. You are just getting more for it.
Beyond the Three
I still send most clients to Cap Juluca, Four Seasons, or Malliouhana. But not every trip wants the same thing.
Zemi Beach House
The luxury answer if Shoal Bay East is the reason you are coming. Smaller and more intimate than Four Seasons, with direct access to the best public beach on the island. Good for couples or smaller families who want the Shoal Bay experience without the day-trip logistics.
Aurora Anguilla
For travelers who want more resort infrastructure: golf, multiple pools, broader activity programming. A different scale from the three hotels I recommend most, but the right answer for certain trips.
Quintessence
Twelve suites, all-inclusive with a private chef. For people who prefer their luxury with fewer people in it and find even small resorts too social.
The Natural Pairing
St. Barth
Both islands connect through SXM. Anguilla for the beach, St. Barth for the scene. Five nights Anguilla plus three or four in St. Barth is the trip. Totally different energy, same turquoise water. St. Barth guide →
Best for: couples, repeat Caribbean visitorsYou pay exactly what you would pay booking direct. The perks (breakfast, upgrades, resort credits) come from my preferred partner relationships with Four Seasons, Belmond, and Virtuoso, not from a markup on your room.
I know which room categories are worth the upgrade and which ones you can skip. Which views are overstated and which are not. Which connecting room configurations actually work for families. That comes from real stays and real client feedback, not brochures.
Pre-arrival coordination, restaurant reservations, transfer logistics, and a direct line while you are traveling. If something goes wrong, you are not calling a 1-800 number. You are calling me.
Tell me the dates, who is going, and what kind of trip this is.
I will tell you the hotel, the room category, and when to book. Preferred partner perks at all three hotels. No fees, no markups. The same rate you would pay booking direct, with considerably more coming with it.