Anguilla is having a major moment. New non-stop flights from the East Coast are making it easier to reach, the Caribbean’s first Guerlain spa has opened, the luxury hotel scene keeps evolving, and a new marina for superyachts is coming soon. With its stunning beaches, incredible food, and scenic trails, this 35-square-mile British island feels more appealing than ever. To experience it best, explore the latest hotspots while also seeking out the beloved local favorites. Here’s a guide to the perfect mix of both.

Where to Stay in Anguilla

Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel
This is Anguilla’s ultimate insider hotel. Set on the secluded, picture-perfect Maundys Bay, the views are breathtaking. Most of the 70 white villas face the ocean and come with a personal butler; some can be combined into larger residences. In 2024, the resort opened the Caribbean’s first Guerlain spa, a seven-treatment-room sanctuary inspired by Moroccan design and the healing traditions of Anguilla’s original Arawak inhabitants. Treatments like “Infinite Renewal” live up to their names. Dining is equally impressive, ranging from the Italian Cip’s by Cipriani to Uchu, serving Peruvian dishes like octopus carpaccio. Even the barefoot beach shack, Cap Shack, offers outstanding food.

Aurora Anguilla
Formerly Cuisinart, this resort on gorgeous Rendezvous Bay has been transformed into a five-star, family-friendly complex. It masterfully blends entertainment—like a massive lagoon, a lazy river, and a water park—with the luxury of private butler service in its villas. The grounds also feature an outdoor amphitheater, various sports courts, and a championship golf course. Aurora is famous for its hydroponic farm, which supplies nearly 90% of the resort’s produce. A new restaurant, Sole di Mare, offers a fusion of French, Greek, Spanish, and Moroccan flavors.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
Since opening in 2016 on a prime stretch between Meads and Barnes Bays, the Four Seasons has become a West Indies favorite. Its kids’ club, complete with a huge trampoline and climbing wall, is one of the island’s best, making it a hit with families. The resort recently introduced Lima Limon, a beachfront restaurant on Barnes Bay serving elevated Mexican cuisine like red shrimp aguachile. The modernist property has 181 rooms, suites, and villas, a two-story spa, and a fitness center with a new reformer Pilates studio.

Malliouhana
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024, this iconic resort on Meads Bay is the island’s grande dame, now under new management. Famous for its lush gardens and stunning views, Malliouhana is a pioneer in celestial experiences. It offers one of the best sunset spots on Anguilla and has partnered with the NASA-affiliated SETI Institute for next-level stargazing using a Unistellar telescope.At the restaurant Celeste by Kerth Gumbs, Caribbean flavors take center stage. Dishes include black grouper with tamarind glaze and green curry, served with sides of plantains and rice and peas.

Zemi Beach House
This 65-room hotel is located on the world-famous Shoal Bay East, known for its wide white beaches, crystal-clear water, and protected coral reefs. It features a premier spa and a fine-dining, sea-to-table restaurant called Stone. It’s also the only five-star hotel on the island that runs entirely on solar energy during the day. Insider tip: Try one of their spa treatments inspired by the Taino, the island’s indigenous people. These rituals focus on layering the body with herbs, fruits, muds, and salts.

Quintessence Hotel
Known on the island as the Q Hotel, Quintessence is easy to miss—the turnoff is marked only by a discreet rock with the letter “Q.” No expense was spared on the rooms, which showcase the owner’s collection of Haitian and African art. Their fine-dining restaurant, Julians, is a tropical French bistro with a strong focus on seafood, offering dishes like coconut-crusted mahi mahi and lobster pasta.

Where to Eat
Hibernia Restaurant Art Gallery has been open on the island for 30 years. According to co-owner Mary Pat O’Hanlon, many of its diners are not first-time visitors to Anguilla. That may be because the restaurant is tucked away in a mostly residential area, situated in the home O’Hanlon shares with her husband Raoul Rodriguez. It also features an Asian art gallery and an eclectic sculpture garden. The menu is inspired by the three months each year the couple spends in Southeast Asia, with dishes like smoked duck with endive salad and their famous Tom Yam Pla—fresh Caribbean fish in a hot and sour broth.

It’s practically a crime to visit Anguilla without eating directly on the beach at one of the open-air cafes and bars that serve as the island’s social hubs. Madeariman, located on the quieter east end, is technically a beach shack, but that label doesn’t do justice to its excellent food, which goes far beyond typical beach fare. One dish alone—yellow curry with fresh grouper—is worth the trip to Anguilla. Come for the food, but stay for the music; live reggae bands play on weekends.

Jacala is a dinner reservation worth fighting for (hint: you have to call at a specific time on Fridays). Owned by chef Alain Laurent and the affable Jacques Borderon—who personally takes every order—the restaurant makes diners feel like they’ve come home to old friends, while also serving outstanding food. As the owners’ names suggest, the cuisine is French, so anything à la meunière is excellent, as are their desserts.

What to Do
No one knows the island’s terrain better than the Anguilla National Trust, the local nonprofit environmental organization. For $50 per person, they offer walking tours almost anywhere you’d like to go—a valuable service on an island where 90% of the land is private, back roads are endless, and very little is marked. With a local guide, you’ll discover the best limestone beaches, rock formations, and rugged areas like remote Windward Point, where it feels as if no one has ever set foot.

As wonderful as the hikes are, you also need to get out on the water to truly see the island. Many of the large properties are hidden, and the most scenic beaches and cliffs are inaccessible by land. Those in the know call Garfield of Gotcha Garfield’s Sea Tours to charter his luxurious boats and hire his knowledgeable crew. The company customizes tours, but a two-and-a-half-hour trip around the island—with stops at tucked-away swimming and snorkeling spots like Little Bay—might just be the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Anguilla doesn’t immediately…While it may not be a typical dude ranch, Anguilla has a vibrant horse culture thanks to Sea Side Stables. They can arrange a ride along the beach, under the moonlight, or by the ocean. If you haven’t yet found your perfect moment of bliss on the island, there’s nothing quite like a leisurely horseback ride with the turquoise water at your feet and a sea breeze in your hair to put you in that true island state of mind.

How to Get to Anguilla
Once a difficult destination to reach, requiring a combination of flights and boats, Anguilla is now one of the more accessible Caribbean islands. The recent multimillion-dollar renovation of Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport expanded the runway to accommodate larger jets. BermudAir now offers seasonal non-stop flights from Newark, Boston, and Baltimore. American Airlines has increased service from Miami, adding a third Saturday flight, and Tradewind Aviation operates scheduled flights from San Juan on modern Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Anguilla designed to sound like questions from real travelers with clear and direct answers

Planning Basics
Q Where exactly is Anguilla
A Its a small slender island in the Eastern Caribbean just north of Saint MartinSint Maarten Its a British Overseas Territory

Q Do I need a passport to visit
A Yes a valid passport is required for all visitors Some nationalities may also need a visa so its best to check with your local British embassy

Q Whats the best time of year to go
A The peak season is from December to April For better deals and fewer crowds consider the shoulder seasons of MayJune or November The summer and fall have a higher chance of rain and hurricanes

Q What currency is used
A The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar but US dollars are widely accepted everywhere Youll often get change in EC dollars so its good to have small US bills

Q How do I get to Anguilla
A You fly into neighboring Saint Martin and then take a short 2025 minute ferry to Anguilla There are also small planes that fly directly into Anguillas airport from a few regional hubs

Where to Stay
Q Is Anguilla all ultraluxury resorts
A Not at all While famous for highend resorts like Four Seasons and Belmond Cap Juluca there are many excellent midrange hotels charming villas and affordable guesthouses and apartment rentals

Q What area is best to stay in for firsttimers
A The West End is very popular Its close to many top restaurants and stunning beaches South Hill or Blowing Point offer great value and are near the ferry terminal

Q Should I rent a villa
A Villas are a fantastic option for families or groups They offer privacy space and often a private pool Many come with a concierge to help with grocery shopping chef services and bookings

Where to Dine