This tiny island in the eastern Caribbean is just 16 miles long and three miles across at its widest point — but what it lacks in size it makes up for with white, sandy beaches, inviting sea and a laid-back vibe. Its tourism scene has grown exponentially in the past couple of decades and nowadays the big international brands vie for the dreamiest settings for their luxury properties. For the most part, however, the focus in Anguilla is on boutique hotels — no surprise, given how little land there is to work with. Family-owned properties, apartment-style condos and high-end villas provide the island with a diverse portfolio — and all of them rightly focus on the immaculate shoreline. Here’s our pick of the best hotels in Anguilla.

Main photo: Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa, Shoal Bay East (Booking.com)

1. Turtle’s Nest, Meads Bay

Neighbouring the intimidatingly luxurious Belmond and Four Seasons brands, Turtle’s Nest does things in a more relaxed fashion than most of the other upmarket hotels on the island. Despite its location in the heart of gorgeous Meads Bay, for many the hotel has the feeling of a local secret, often bypassed in favour of larger international brands. Its rooms are resplendent white and ocean-facing, while its prime location is within walking distance of a slew of restaurants. The real star, however, is the magnificent beach, directly outside the hotel’s shimmering rooms. 

Spa N
Pool Y
Price ££

2. Rendezvous Bay Hotel, Rendezvous Bay

With origins dating back to the 1950s, the Rendezvous comes from the cretaceous period of Anguillan tourism. Thought to be the very oldest beach resort here, it is no longer the fanciest place on the island but instead has those rarest of qualities: genuine history and character. Its path hasn’t always been smooth, but today it remains family-run, independent, and great value for money. There are undoubtedly fancier hotels, but if you want peace, quiet and easy access to the flawless sea, then it’s hard to beat.

Spa N
Pool N
Price £

3. Belmond Cap Juluca, Maundays Bay

Belmond Cap Juluca is like an enthusiastic tourist that’s got up at dawn to put their towel down in the best spot. It’s the only major hotel in Maundays Bay and the brand brings attention to detail and dedication to opulence that have seen it grow into one of the world’s most luxurious hotel chains. With 64 rooms, 42 suites and 23 villas there’s plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation, and though none of it comes particularly cheap, there’ll be no ignoring the level of service in the restaurant, spa or even on the white sand beach itself.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

4. Aurora Resort, Rendezvous Bay

Anguilla is such a petite island it’s a wonder there’s room for a golf course, but that’s exactly what’s on offer at the Aurora Resort, which has a Greg Norman-designed championship course on its grounds. If you’re not interested in that, the resort has made the most of its beachfront location, with an enviable view south to Saint Martin. There’s a variety of beachfront villas, rooms and suites, the most spectacular of which have their own private pool.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

5. Quintessence Hotel, Long Bay

Unapologetically exclusive, the adult-only Quintessence Hotel sits quite apart from its nominal rivals, in the north-facing Long Bay. The outdoor pool is the focus of external spaces in front of this grand, mansion-style property, though elsewhere on the grounds you’ll find a tennis court and easy access to a pristine beach. There’s a distinct if understated Caribbean flavour to the decor and also to the restaurant’s menu. One place you won’t find any local influence is in the impressive 1,600-bottle wine cellar, one of the most varied collections on the island.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

6. Manoah, Shoal Bay East

Appearing not unlike a huge wedding cake at Shoal Bay East, this self-styled boutique hotel has just 25 rooms. There’s also a huge swimming pool, for anyone who doesn’t fancy the short walk to the warm waters of the Caribbean. It’s impossible to ignore the proximity of the beach, however, especially as Manoah also has its own club and beach bar. Take a walk west along Shoal Bay beach and you’ll find plenty of other relaxed beachfront restaurants.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price ££

7. Zenaida Beach and Tennis Estate, East End Village

Built on the site of an old Dutch Fort, Zenaida’s sweeping views of both Saint Martin and St Barts would have originally been chosen for security rather than beauty. This seven-bedroom villa has its own infinity pool and tennis court, while local supermarkets aren’t far away for anyone looking to self-cater. Additionally, massages treatments can be ordered to the villa, as can private chefs, if you’re not in the mood to cook.

Spa N
Pool Y
Price ££

8. Malliouhana, Meads Bay

Malliouhana may not be directly on a beach, but its clifftop location is the envy of many other hotels in Anguilla. The cleverly cultivated tropical gardens help disguise the fact the shimmering white building has as many as 63 rooms. Nonetheless, there’s no mistaking that this is one of the finest luxury hotels anywhere on the island. The spa is second to none, while more active guests can sign up for the catch-and-cook fishing programme.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

9. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, Meads Bay

Despite being a small island, Anguilla is beautiful enough to have caught the corporate eye of the Four Seasons brand. This hulking beach resort in Meads Bay is the largest on the island and caters to anyone looking for the reassurance of having a large, award-winning international chain in charge of your Caribbean escape. There’s an extraordinary number of facilities here, including a popular kids’ club, sunset sailing trips, and the sea centre in which to organise aquatic adventure.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

10. CéBlue Villas and Beach Resort, Crocus Bay

Facing west and sat on a green hillside, CéBlue is a fabulous place to watch the sunset over Crocus Bay and the more distant Prickley Pear cays. Designed as a collection of five-bedroom villas, it’s ideal for large groups or families. The luxurious units come with their own kitchenettes as well as a plunge pool, while there is a central spa and fitness area and an on-site pizza restaurant to share with other guests.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

11. Frangipani Beach Resort, Meads Bay

In what seems like quite a perilous piece of design, Frangipani has built its own swimming pool into the beach surrounding its resort. This quirk aside, there’s plenty of Caribbean comfort here — the bar and restaurant both open onto the same beach, while the resort has its own yacht for touring guests around the island. There are other complimentary water sports besides, a list that unusually includes wakeboarding and water skiing. If that all sounds a bit too high-octane, you can always hide out in the spa.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

12. Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa, Shoal Bay East

If serenity mixed with a little decadence is the aim of your Anguillan holiday, then Zemi Beach House should be close to the top of your list. With a 300-year-old building transplanted from Thailand to serve as the spa, plus the island’s only hammam, it has committed to wellness like nowhere else in the country. There are various classes of room, but all have balconies and equal access to the hotel’s infinity pool and tennis court.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

13. Altamer, Shoal Bay West

There’s plenty of peace and quiet in Anguilla’s extreme southwest. Altamer has just three shimmering white villas, all of which have great views south towards Saint Martin and direct access to a sumptuous white sand beach. Unsurprisingly given the set-up, it’s popular for large groups and wedding parties looking to book out all of the villas. If you’re travelling in numbers then Antilles Pearl and Blue Diamond both have five bedrooms each, while Petit Topaz is a one-bedroom duplex.

Spa Y
Pool Y
Price £££

14. Carimar Beach Club, Meads Bay

Carimar is almost unrecognisable compared to its nascent days as Anguilla’s first condominium in the early 1980s. The same could be said of the wider Meads Bay, but this area still retains plenty of local charm. Nowadays there are 24 apartments, each of which can be rented as one or two-bedroom units. The best (and most expensive) are the Beach Front properties, which give direct access to a talcum powder shore and the warm, satisfyingly aquamarine sea.

Spa N
Pool N
Price ££

15. Tranquillity Beach Resort, Meads Bay

There are nine different classifications of condominium available at this resort in the shadow of the Four Seasons resort. Situated on a narrow spit of land between the Meads Bay Pond and the mighty Caribbean, Tranquillity is surrounded not only by water but local shops and supermarkets to make the most of the kitchens and dining areas in the rooms. Chefs and massage therapists can be ordered to the rooms, but these modern apartment-style rooms are designed to feel like a home away from home.

Spa N
Pool Y
Price ££

Take me there

Inspired to visit Anguilla but yet to book your trip? Here are the best places to stay from Expedia and Mr & Mrs Smith.

• Best things to do in Anguilla
• Best Caribbean hotels