Anguilla For The Luxury Traveller

Parts of the Caribbean have fallen prey to cruise ships and all-inclusive luxury resorts. But the smaller islands, such as Anguilla, are maintaining their exclusivity and doing all the better for it. Here we look at what Anguilla offers the luxury traveller.

The world is smaller than it’s ever been. These days we can visit parts of the planet that were once inaccessible, and zip across the Atlantic for weekend breaks. While in many ways this is a good thing, it also means that places that were tranquil and unspoilt are becoming crowded and overdeveloped. Certainly this is the case with some Caribbean islands, which once were idyllic escapes, but have become cruise-ship stop-offs and cheap package-holiday locations. The more discerning Caribbean visitor is now looking at less obvious destinations, those which haven’t experienced the same hike in visitor numbers. These travellers are heading to places that offer a taste of the Caribbean as it was 20 years ago, before the arrival of megaresorts and McDonalds. Places that offer seclusion and a level of exclusivity. And their first choice is Anguilla.

You’d be forgiven for not knowing much about this tiny British island, just 16 miles by three. It’s one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands, and nestles between the Virgin Islands and St Martin. Its biggest claim to fame is that it’s home to some of the Caribbean’s loveliest beaches. It has 33 of them, and even by Caribbean standards they’re outstanding, boasting pristine, powder-white sands and warm, turquoise waters. Fodor’s, USA Today and Condé Nast Traveller all voted Shoal Bay, in the southwest of the island, the best beach in the world. And the waters around here deliver some top-notch diving – just off the coast you’ll find underwater shipwrecks, reefs and caverns, which teem with marine life, including sharks, turtles and colourful tropical fish. There’s also excellent snorkelling at beaches like Savannah Bay, in the northeast of the island, where you’ll see trunkfish, squid and stingray.

Anguilla also boasts some incredible places to stay and live– low-rise hotels, resorts that lay on world-class amenities and spas, along with luxury residences that deliver every conceivable luxury. It has a reputation for amazing service, too, being home to the most hospitable people in the Caribbean. All this means that the island is attracting some well-known names. Everyone from Robert de Niro to Roman Abramovich has been spotted here – this is the sort of place where you might well see Penelope Cruz dining next to you at the local beach shack. Not that anyone would ever make a fuss – part of the island’s appeal is its discretion and laid-back vibe.

The A-list also comes for its restaurants, which are among the best in the region. Certainly this small island lays on a big choice – there are close to 100 top-notch places to eat. These range from beach shacks serving freshly grilled snapper and lobster, to upscale joints with Michelin-starred chefs and serious wine cellars.

But it’s no accident that Anguilla has become such a desirable destination. Back in 1980, when the country was first gearing up for tourism, the government decided to restrict development to intimate, upscale hotels and resorts. There were, they decided, to be no shopping malls, casinos or cruise ships. This policy has stood them in good stead and now the island has an old-world charm some of its neighbours lack (although if you do want malls and casinos, St Martin has them in spades, and is just a 20-minute boat ride away.) Indeed, as far as relaxing, away-from-it-all trips go, there’s no better destination than Anguilla. You just need to make it over there before the crowds do.