Anguilla is a weirdly shaped, flat little limestone rock in the Caribbean. If you look at it on a map, it looks like an eel, which is basically what "Anguilla" means in Italian and Spanish. But don't let the flat landscape fool you. Deciding where to stay in Anguilla is actually a high-stakes game of trade-offs.
I’ve seen people book a gorgeous villa in Island Harbour thinking they’ll be hitting the "buzzy" beach bars every night, only to realize they’re a 40-minute drive from the action on a 16-mile-long island. That’s a lot of driving on the left side of the road in the dark.
Most travelers think they just need a hotel with a beach. In Anguilla, every hotel has a beach. The real question is: do you want the "Miami-chic" vibe of Meads Bay, the Moroccan fantasy of Maundays Bay, or the quiet, local soul of Shoal Bay East?
The Meads Bay Power Players: Where Luxury Gets Social
If you want to be where the "people" are—and by people, I mean the folks who don't mind dropping $1,800 a night—you head to the West End. Specifically, Meads Bay.
Honestly, Meads Bay is the best compromise on the island. It’s a wide, stunning crescent of sand that somehow manages to hold some of the island’s biggest resorts without feeling like a crowded theme park.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences
This is the big one. Literally. With 190 keys, it’s a giant compared to the boutique spots. The architecture is all Kelly Wearstler—think marble, organic shapes, and a very "Gram-worthy" sunset lounge. It straddles Barnes Bay and Meads Bay.
- The Vibe: High-energy, polished, and very American. You could be in Malibu if the water wasn't so turquoise.
- Best For: Families who need a kids' club and travelers who want five different restaurant options without leaving the property.
Malliouhana
This place is iconic. It basically started luxury tourism on the island back in the 80s. It sits on a bluff, so you get these dramatic views of the water that make you feel like you’re in the South of France. They recently celebrated their 40th anniversary, and they’ve brought in Chef Kerth Gumbs to run the food, which has really leveled things up.
- The Vibe: Chic, "Old Caribbean" glamour with a lot of pastel colors and tiered infinity pools.
- The Catch: To get to the actual sand, you have to walk down a steep-ish path. If you have mobility issues, this might be a dealbreaker.
Frangipani Beach Club
I love this spot because it’s family-owned and feels like it. It’s right in the middle of Meads Bay. It’s a boutique hotel where the staff actually remembers your name by the second day. They have a boat, Relentless, that takes guests out for trips, which is a massive perk.
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Maundays Bay: The "Vogue Cover" Experience
If you’ve seen a postcard of Anguilla, it was probably Maundays Bay. This is where Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel lives.
There is no other hotel on this beach. It is just a long, perfect curve of white Moorish-style villas. It’s the kind of place where you step out of your room and you’re basically standing in the ocean.
In late 2025, they opened a new Guerlain Spa here. They do this "Fountain Ritual" where you write your name on a leaf—it sounds a bit cheesy, but after a few rum punches, it’s actually quite lovely.
What most people get wrong about Cap Juluca: It’s secluded. You aren't walking to any local beach bars from here. You are in a luxury bubble. If you want to eat at a local spot like Blanchards or Straw Hat, you’re taking a taxi.
Rendezvous Bay: Golf, Music, and a Bit More Space
Moving slightly east, you hit Rendezvous Bay. This beach is massive. It’s where you go if you want to walk for miles and not see another soul.
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club
This place used to be CuisinArt. Now, it’s a massive 300-acre estate with the island’s only golf course (designed by Greg Norman). It’s got a waterpark now, too.
- The Deal: It’s often a better value than the Four Seasons or Cap Juluca. They frequently run "stay longer, save more" deals that can knock 30% or 40% off the price if you’re staying a week.
- The Music: You’re right near Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve. Bankie is a legend. Think of him as the Bob Dylan of the Caribbean. You can walk down the beach, grab a drink at his bar, and hear live music in a place held together by driftwood and prayers.
Shoal Bay East: The "Best Beach in the World" Crowd
Shoal Bay East is frequently voted the best beach in the Caribbean. The sand is so white it actually looks like sugar.
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Zemi Beach House
This is a Hilton LXR property, but it doesn't feel like a Hilton. It’s tucked away on the quiet end of Shoal Bay. They have a 300-year-old Thai House that they transported across the world and turned into a spa. It’s incredible.
Why stay here?
- The Sand: It’s arguably better than Meads Bay.
- Seclusion: It’s adjacent to a National Park, so it feels very private.
- The Rhum Room: They have over 100 small-batch rums.
Quintessence Hotel
Right above Long Bay (near Shoal Bay), this is a "Tropical Grand Mansion." It only has 12 suites. It’s basically a museum you can sleep in, filled with Haitian art. It’s very formal—butlers in white gloves, that whole thing. If you want to feel like a billionaire in your own private estate, this is it.
The Affordable Side of Anguilla (Yes, It Exists)
Anguilla has a reputation for being insanely expensive. And yeah, it is. But you don't have to spend $2,000 a night to stay here.
If you look at where to stay in Anguilla on a budget, you have to look at "condo-hotels" or spots that aren't directly on the sand of the big three beaches.
- Carimar Beach Club: Right on Meads Bay, nestled between the mega-resorts. These are clean, comfortable apartments with kitchens. You get the same beach as the Four Seasons guests for a fraction of the price.
- La Vue Boutique Inn: This is up on a hill at South Hill. You aren't on the beach, but the views of Sandy Ground are killer, and the rates are actually reasonable.
- The Fountain: Located at Shoal Bay, these are contemporary condos. They are great for people who want to cook their own breakfast and spend the money they saved on a better rental car.
Sandy Ground: For the "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" Traveler
Sandy Ground is the heartbeat of the island. It’s a working harbor where the sailing boats dock. It’s also where the best parties happen.
Stay here if you want to be steps away from Elvis’ Beach Bar (where the bar is literally a boat) or Johnno's. It’s louder, it’s grittier, and it’s way more fun if you aren't looking for a "curated" resort experience. There aren't many big hotels here, mostly small guesthouses and Airbnb rentals.
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Important Nuances for 2026
The island is changing. The Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) is undergoing a massive runway extension. By the end of 2026, we’re going to see much larger planes landing directly from the US mainland.
Currently, visitor arrivals are hitting record highs. In June 2025, Anguilla saw nearly 19,000 visitors—the highest for that month in over 30 years. What does that mean for you? Book early. For spots like Zemi Beach House or the boutique Frangipani, people are booking a full year in advance for peak season (December through April).
A Note on Taxis vs. Rentals
Don't rely on taxis. They are expensive. A single trip from the West End to Shoal Bay can run you $50 or more. Basically, if you take three taxis, you’ve paid for a full day of a rental car. Just remember: drive on the left, watch out for goats, and the speed limit is more of a "suggestion" for the locals, but you should stick to it.
Your Anguilla Strategy
If you're still torn on where to stay, use this cheat sheet:
- First-timers who want it all: Stay on Meads Bay. It has the best balance of luxury hotels and walkable restaurants.
- Honeymooners: Go to Maundays Bay (Cap Juluca). The privacy and the "Greco-Moorish" architecture are unbeatable for romance.
- Golfers & Large Families: Look at Rendezvous Bay (Aurora). The villas are huge and the amenities are endless.
- Beach Purists: Head to Shoal Bay East. The water is a different shade of blue over there.
- Budget Conscious: Look for Carimar or The Fountain. You get the million-dollar view without the million-dollar bill.
The next step is to decide how you're getting there. Most people still fly into St. Maarten (SXM) and take the 20-minute sea shuttle over to Blowing Point. It's a rite of passage. You get a rum punch the second you step on the boat, and by the time you see the white sand of Anguilla on the horizon, you'll know exactly why people keep coming back to this little eel-shaped island.
Check the current ferry schedules before you land, as the last boat usually leaves St. Maarten around 5:30 or 6:00 PM. If your flight is late, you might be looking at a very expensive private charter or an unplanned night in St. Maarten.
Next Steps:
- Check availability for Carimar Beach Club if you want the best value-to-location ratio on the island.
- Look into the American Airlines direct flights from Miami (MIA) to see if you can skip the St. Maarten ferry entirely.
- Download the "Anguilla Guide" app for real-time updates on which beach bars have live music on which nights.