UNPLUGGED IN PARADISE: DISCOVERING ANGUILLA’S BAREFOOT ELEGANCE
Anguilla, a jewel in the northeastern Caribbean, is quietly redefining luxury travel.Catégorie : Amérique du Nord et Antilles - Anguilla -
Article rédigé par Asia Abadie le 07-08-2025
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 Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla Effortless access to an island sanctuary
Getting to Anguilla is easier than you might expect. The island lies just north of the bustling hub of St. Martin, reachable via a scenic 20-minute boat ride or a record-setting seven-minute flight—officially the shortest in the world. Direct flights to St. Martin from Paris or into Antigua with connections onward make the island surprisingly accessible for international travellers. American Airlines has significantly increased service to Anguilla for North American visitors, now offering multiple daily flights.
A new era of air travel
With Anguilla’s ambitious 20-year airport master plan underway, the island is preparing to welcome even more travellers in comfort and style. A new terminal is set for completion by fall 2025, followed by runway expansion to accommodate aircraft like the Embraer 737 MAX 8. These upgrades will eventually allow for more direct medium-haul flights from Canada, the UK, and the U.S., further cementing Anguilla’s place on the luxury travel map.
Where serenity meets sophistication
Anguilla boasts 33 pristine, powdery white-sand beaches lapped by crystalline turquoise waters, without the crowds. From Shoal Bay to Meads Bay, every stretch of shoreline feels like a private escape. But the real luxury lies in the island’s ability to blend that natural beauty with world-class accommodations and experiences.
Aurora Anguilla is perhaps the island’s most comprehensive luxury resort. With a Greg Norman-designed golf course, spa, amphitheatre, water park, and diverse dining options, it caters effortlessly to multi-generational travellers. While some family members can indulge in the spa, others can golf, and children can enjoy supervised activities, and everyone reconnects over sunset dinners and beach days.
Set on the powdery sands of Maundays Bay, Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel is the epitome of barefoot luxury. With Greco-Moorish villas, private beachfront suites, and the new Guerlain Spa, the resort blends elegance with ease. Guests can dine at Cip’s by Cipriani or Pimms, unwind with oceanfront wellness treatments, and enjoy personalised service in one of Anguilla’s most iconic settings.
Other notable properties include Four Seasons Anguilla, a benchmark for contemporary luxury, and Zemi Beach House, which was recently acquired by Dart (owners of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla). This transition suggests a promising refresh and potential rebranding. Additionally, Beach Enclave—a luxury brand known in Turks and Caicos—is set to break ground in Anguilla soon.
Unforgettable experiences, crafted by culture
While Anguilla exudes barefoot luxury, it's the authentic experiences that make a stay unforgettable. Visitors can:
- Set sail on a traditional Anguillian racing boat—the island's national sport—where locals may even invite you to race alongside them.
- Join a salt-picking tour with Quest, a journey through the island's history and its centuries-old salt trade.
- Visit artisanal rum distilleries and learn about Anguilla’s colonial past at the old courthouse and Wallblake House plantation.
- Discover local art at intimate galleries or within hotel collections featuring regional and Haitian artists.
- Indulge in wellness treatments like the sensory spa journey at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, or the Thai House Spa at Zemi Beach.
For those craving private-island vibes, a short 10-minute boat ride takes you to nearby cays—remote islets where lobster is grilled beachside, cocktails flow, and snorkelling is excellent.
The island is also home to some of the Caribbean’s most breathtaking beaches—Shoal Bay East, Rendezvous Bay, and the tucked-away Little Bay are must-sees. Adventurous visitors can hike the rugged coastline, take a boat to one of the outlying cays, or dive into local culture with a plate of street food and a chat with a friendly vendor.
Don’t miss the chance to “lime” like the locals—Anguillan slang for relaxing and enjoying good company. You can learn about the island’s rich history, catch a live music performance (which is easy to find on weekends), or simply wake up early to catch a spectacular sunrise.
Anguilla has also earned a reputation as the “culinary capital of the Caribbean,” and food lovers will find plenty to savour—from fine dining restaurants helmed by world-class chefs to rustic beach bars dishing up smoky grilled snapper and rum punch.
A destination designed for meaningful travel
Anguilla is also investing in sustainable, responsible tourism. The island is part of the Blue Economy, preserving its marine environments while supporting local livelihoods. Hotels like Zemi Beach utilise solar power, and Aurora grows its own produce in a hydroponic farm. New dive tourism policies, supported by the Anguilla Tourist Board, promote eco-conscious underwater exploration.
Getting around the island
Despite its luxurious feel, Anguilla is refreshingly small—just 16 miles long and about 3 miles wide at its widest point. You can drive from one end to the other in about 45 minutes, making it easy to explore the island in a day. That said, most visitors trade rental cars for more laid-back options like ATVs or road bikes, allowing you to soak in the scenery at a slower pace and easily reach more remote beaches.
Looking ahead: luxury with vision
Beyond the beaches, Anguilla’s vision includes becoming a luxury hub for yachting and marina tourism. Two marina developments—Savannah Bay and Altamer—are in the pipeline, poised to attract superyachts year-round. Meanwhile, new high-end residential projects and boutique hotel openings continue to elevate the island’s offerings.
Cruise tourism is intentionally kept small and selective, limited to luxury lines like Silversea, Windstar, and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. This aligns with Anguilla’s philosophy: fewer visitors, greater experiences.
 Drone shot of Sandy Island
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