Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure.
We all love celebrations as much as the next person and planning a grand adventure for a milestone is a far more memorable way to mark another trip around the sun. Whether it is an escape from lockdown, a wellness retreat, planning a family vacation to make up for a lost time, or finally making that delayed dream wedding a reality, the sunny island gem of Anguilla is waiting to welcome you. Selected by Travel & Leisure for the fourth year in a row as the Number One Island in the Caribbean, this luxurious locale is ideal for celebrations of all stripes, with the climate and comforts you need to forge precious memories and take breathtaking, instagrammable photos.
What follows are some of our favorite places in Anguilla to commemorate whichever milestone you’re celebrating.
FOR FAMILY FUN
The Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection
An Anguillian luxury icon for over 30 years, Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection, Anguilla has long enjoyed a region-wide reputation for style and romance. Set atop a scenic bluff overlooking Turtle Cove, this immaculately appointed, authentically Caribbean getaway offers sophisticated splendour and coveted privacy. In the wake of the Summer 2021 launch of its new “Mini-Explorers’ program, the Malliouhana can now assert a legitimate claim to be one of Anguilla’s top properties for families with young children. Curated half and full-day itineraries are now available and packed full of exciting activities like kite making, junior chef classes, and guided snorkelling, allowing young travellers to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Anguilla and forge unforgettable memories.
www.aubergeresorts.com/malliouhana
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ÀNI Private Resorts
Finding the perfect place that checks all boxes for every family member can be tricky. Some want calm and privacy, others want a host of activities and kids clubs; while others just want to be with their family whenever they choose – without set schedules nor strangers to disturb or be disturbed by.
As you plan a multi-generational event in paradise, ÀNI Private Resorts is another terrific option to consider. Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the famously secluded Little Bay Beach, this 10-suite private resort features two villas, each with its infinity pool, large jacuzzi and breathtaking views of the cerulean waves. The estate includes a state-of-the-art fitness centre, tennis court and a ceremonial platform, perfect for delivering both jubilant toasts and cheeky roasts to your assembled loved ones. A short golf cart ride provides access to three nearby isolated beaches, the perfect venue for a beachside family picnic.
Once you arrive at ÀNI Private Resorts, it’s all about quality time with your family. Luxury All-Inclusive at ÀNI means Luxury: gourmet meals prepared by the Executive Chef with your family’s dietary restrictions and food preferences in mind. Unique mixologist creations and all-day snacks. Massage and spa treatments at the private spa. Kids’ activities, babysitting hours, your laundry and more.
www.aniprivateresorts.com/anguilla
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FOR ROMANCE
Zemi Beach Hotel
Zemi Beach Hotel is the picture-perfect Caribbean wedding venue. This intimate beachfront resort provides an exquisite backdrop for a barefoot ceremony, followed by an elegant poolside reception, a formal seated dinner at Stone, and a casual toast at 20 Knots overlooking the ocean.
Equally well-suited for boardroom corporate meetings, executive retreats and incentive groups, Zemi Beach House features unique venues and experiences that add a layer of sophistication and Caribbean style to your get-together. Consider a meeting in the Rhum Room, followed by a tasting of small-batch rums, a beach yoga break in between meetings or a series of team-building exercises on beautiful Shoal Bay Beach.
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Limin’ Da Coconut Villa
Honeymooners who value intimacy above all else will find it at Limin’ Da Coconut Villa, a strikingly modern villa with a catchy name overlooking Little Harbour. Incorporating six lavish master suites with adjoining ensuite baths, Limin’ Da Coconut impresses with its spectacular location, lush entry gardens, and trendy interior design that mixes state-of-the-art appliances and amenities with classically Caribbean nautical decor. The small sandy beach, only steps away from the pool deck, offers the perfect place to sweep your significant other off their feet as the gentle azure waves lap at yours.
http://limindacoconutanguilla.com/
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel
Finally, for everything from a milestone birthday to a wedding anniversary, the idyllic ivory architecture and prime beachfront real estate of the Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel will meet and exceed even the most optimistic expectations. A sterling example of the prestigious Belmond brand, the Cap Juluca is particularly renowned for its incredible cuisine, serving up daily banquets of feasting options for all appetites and occasions. Savour the freshest local seafood at Pimms, with the platinum sands of sprawling Maundays Bay before you, or sample authentic Italian delicacies at Cip’s by Cipriani before receiving your guests and commencing your ceremony at the breezy waterside pavilion.
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FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP WITH YOUR TRIBE
Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Anguilla
We recommend staying at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Anguilla overlooking the beautiful Barnes Bay. Offering villas, guest rooms, and townhomes, Anguilla’s largest resort boasts generous amenities, chic interiors, adults-only, salt water, infinity-edge pools, exquisite wellness and spa services, a sports pavilion offering rock climbing, tennis and basketball courts, oceanfront yoga and boot-camp classes, or signature experiences like jumping off the rock at Little Bay (many celebrities have done this and posted as an Instagrammable moment). Immerse yourself in Anguillian culture and learn how to play dominoes like a local, dance to the beat of SOCA music and introduce some Anguilla jargon into your vocabulary.—you name it. All this and delicious food. The Four Seasons culinary team will lay out a banquet for your squad on the modern poolside terrace then invite you to sip a cocktail or two beneath the Caribbean stars. This getaway is ideal for your tribe, if you’re looking for a relaxing trip, great ocean views, and some pampering spa treatments.
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FOR A BIG BIRTHDAY
Kishti Villas on Meads Bay
Let’s get it out of the way: yes, travel has changed, but there are still ways you can enjoy a quick escape with your own little crew. Thus, Kishti Villas on Meads Bay is a superb choice for smaller events such as a big birthday milestone or simply a retirement celebration. Situated on the pristine white sands of Meads Bay, these Canadian-owned villas define beachside elegance. Experience modern indoor/outdoor living with a glass curtain wall that opens to a breath-taking private infinity pool with the beach beyond. Whether you choose Kishti East (5 bedrooms) or West (6 bedrooms) or combine the two for the shared experience of a lifetime, each villa has a rooftop patio and gardens, guest and chef kitchens, home theatre and gym. Exceptional private staff attend to each detail and request.
If you are in the mood for a change of scenery, then you can walk to top restaurants, charming beach cafes and enjoy a cocktail along a fabulous mile-long stretch of beach. Lounge on outdoor canopy beds, cool off in the private infinity pool or relax in a beachside hot tub. Kishti Villas on Meads Bay offer the pinnacle of luxury and pampering in the heart of one of Anguilla’s most gorgeous beaches.
