Anguilla has some of the best beaches I have ever seen. Anywhere.

Long, empty stretches of powder-white sand, water so turquoise it looks edited, and hardly any of the crowds you get on the bigger Caribbean islands.

The catch? Where you stay in Anguilla decides a lot about your trip. The island is pretty small, but it still takes time to get around – so you’ll likely be spending the bulk of your time near where you choose to stay.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the best areas to stay in Anguilla and my picks for every budget, from the legendary resorts on the West End to small studios that cost less than a dinner at those resorts.

Quick Answer: Where to Stay in Anguilla
Best area: The West End, home to Meads Bay, Barnes Bay and Maundays Bay, the top beaches on the island
Best luxury resort: Cap Juluca on Maundays Bay
Best for families: Four Seasons Anguilla
Best location & pool: Malliouhana
Best beachfront suites: Tranquility Beach on Meads Bay
Best value on the beach: Turtle’s Nest, right on Meads Bay
Best budget stay: LittleLux Living, from about $113 a night
Best for groups: CeBlue Villas

Note: Still deciding which beaches to base yourself near? Here’s my ranking of the 13 Best Beaches in Anguilla, and the Hidden Beaches Most Tourists Miss.

Where to Stay in Anguilla: The Best Areas

Anguilla is small, about 16 miles long, and you can drive from one end to the other in a little under an hour.

That said, each area has a very different feel, and picking the right one makes a big difference.

West End: The Best Option (& Most Expensive)

If you want to wake up by the best beaches on the island, this is it. Meads Bay, Barnes Bay, Maundays, and a few hidden coves sit right next to each other, and together they hog the top four spots of my entire beach ranking.

This is also where most of the famous resorts are, so it’s the most expensive part of the island. These include Cap Juluca at Maundays, the Four Seasons, and Malliouhana: all of which we’ll be discussing.

To be honest, a lot of Anguilla is expensive. And fun fact: Anguilla owns the .ai domain, so every AI company buying a website is basically paying Anguilla rent. You’d think that’d buy us tourists a discount. It does not.

That being said, it’s still possible to find some cheaper options here, which I’ll get to as well.

Shoal Bay East

Shoal Bay is the classic Anguilla postcard beach, and the most famous one on the island. It’s routinely rated as one of the best beaches in not only the Caribbean, but the entire world.

It’s an incredibly beautiful place, but it’s also probably the busiest spot on the island. That being said, the hotels and villas along the beach are definitely more affordable than on the West End.

It’s a great base if you want to be on a top beach without paying West End resort prices.

Sandy Ground

Sandy Ground is the closest thing Anguilla has to nightlife, with beach bars and live music on the weekends.

Stay here if you care more about evenings out than about having the quietest beach. Prices are more reasonable, and the West End beaches are only 10-15 minutes away.

Of course, that means you’re only 10-15 minutes away from nightlife if you stay by the beach – so if you can afford the beach, take the beach. Just my opinion.

The Valley & Central Anguilla

The Valley is Anguilla’s capital, right in the middle of the island.

It’s not on the beach, but this is where you’ll find most of the budget-friendly apartments and guesthouses, and everything on the island is a 15 to 25 minute drive away. If you’re renting a car (and you should), this is the best value base on the island.

The Best Places to Stay in Anguilla

Time to get to business.

Below are my picks for the best places to stay in Anguilla, from splurge to budget. Prices are January rates (peak season) per night, before Anguilla’s taxes and service charges. Expect them to drop quite a bit outside of December to April.

Note: Make sure to look for the “backup option” box (looks like this) under each property. Anguilla’s best places book up early for the winter, so it’s worth having a second choice ready.

Best Luxury Resort: Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel

Price: From about $2,500 USD
4.8 rating from 600+ reviews on Google

If you’re going to splurge on one thing in Anguilla, make it this.

I stayed at Cap Juluca, and it lives up to the hype.

The resort sits right on Maundays Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island (number 4 in my ranking), with white, Mediterranean-style buildings lining the curve of the bay.

It’s got incredible facilities, including a beautiful pool, tennis and basketball courts, spa with all the works (including hot tub and cold plunge), and amazing staff around at all times.

Booking.com only has a handful of reviews for it, since most guests book directly – so don’t read too much into that.

Backup Option: Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club. A huge resort on Rendezvous Bay with similar style to Cap Juluca and its own golf course, and about half the price.

Best Resort for Families: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

Price: From about $1,700 USD
9.6 rating from 250+ reviews on Expedia

The Four Seasons sits on the right-hand side of Barnes Bay (number 2 in my ranking), stretching back toward Meads Bay (number 1).

I didn’t stay here, but I spent a good amount of time around the property and its beach, and it’s easy to see why it gets some of the best reviews on the island. First off, it’s sandwiched between the two best beaches on the island. Second, the property itself is gorgeous, with multiple pools (that I may have snuck into), impeccable landscaping, and amazing views by the water.

It’s a big resort, which makes it the easiest choice for families, with plenty to keep kids occupied and lots of room options from standard rooms to multi-bedroom residences. And your kids won’t run up the bill too much – there’s an option for two queen beds that is just a few hundred dollars extra.

Best Location & Pool: Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort

Price: From about $2,000 USD
4.7 rating from 240+ reviews on Google

Malliouhana sits on the cliff at the end of Meads Bay, right above Nim’s Nook (number 1 in my beach ranking), with Turtle Cove (number 6) tucked just around the corner on the other side.

I didn’t stay here, but I spent plenty of time around the property – you actually walk through it to get down to Turtle Cove. When it comes to location, it doesn’t get better than this. Two of the best beaches on the island are right below you, and the restaurants on Meads Bay are a short walk down the sand.

And then there’s the pool. It’s an infinity pool right on the edge of the cliff, looking straight out over the water, and it might just be the best pool in Anguilla. I admit having possibly snuck in one or two times.

Even if we ignore the pool and incredible location, Malliouhana has an unbelievably beautiful property. If money isn’t an issue, I can’t recommend it enough.

It’s a step up in price from the Four Seasons, and like Cap Juluca, it only has a handful of reviews on Booking.com since most guests book directly.

Backup Option: Quintessence Hotel. A small Relais & Châteaux hotel near Long Bay (number 3 in my ranking), just around the corner from Malliouhana, with its own infinity pool. Rated 4.8 on Google and from about $700 a night, roughly a third of the price.

Best Beachfront Suites: Tranquility Beach Anguilla

Price: From about $1,050 USD
10.0 rating from 50+ reviews on Expedia

Tranquility Beach is right on Meads Bay, which is my favorite stretch of sand on the island.

Instead of hotel rooms, you get full apartments, with a living room and a kitchen, so it feels more like having your own beach house than staying at a resort.

It has the highest rating of any resort in Anguilla on Booking.com, which says a lot on an island full of very good hotels. I can vouch for its location, being on my favorite beach in the island. Meads Bay also has some of the best restaurants (try Blanchards), which doesn’t hurt either.

Note that Tranquility Beach has a 3-night stay minimum policy.

Backup Option: Carimar Beach Club. Beachfront apartments on the same stretch of Meads Bay. It costs about the same per night, but you get two bedrooms, so it’s a great deal for two couples or a small family.

Best Mid-Range: Turtle’s Nest Beach Resort

Price: From about $480 USD
9.4 rating from 200+ reviews on Expedia

Luckily, you’re not obliged to spend $1,000+ a night to stay on Meads Bay.

Turtle’s Nest sits right in the middle of Meads Bay, the same beach as some of the most expensive resorts on the island, for a fraction of the price.

The rooms are studios and one-bedroom condos with kitchens, and there’s an oceanfront pool.

Backup Option: Shoal Bay Villas. Studios and villas with kitchens right on Shoal Bay East (number 5 in my ranking), with a pool and a spa. Rated 9.6 from 90+ reviews on Expedia, at about the same price.

Best Budget Stay: LittleLux Living

Price: From about $113 USD
9.1 rating from 130+ reviews on Booking.com

Anguilla has a reputation for being expensive, and it mostly deserves it. But LittleLux Living shows it doesn’t have to be.

It’s a set of modern studios and apartments in George Hill – the middle of the island – with a kitchenette, balcony or patio, and air conditioning.

With 130+ reviews and a 9.1 rating, it’s the most reviewed budget stay in Anguilla, and reviewers keep mentioning how spotless it is. You may not have beachfront property, but if you have a car (a must), every beach on the island is close.

Backup Option: Edwards Guesthouse. A small guesthouse in Sandy Ground, steps from the beach and the bars, at about the same price. Rated 9.2 on Expedia.

Best Budget Cottage: The Hidden Cottage

Price: From about $160 USD
9.7 rating from 40+ reviews on Booking.com

If you want a little more space and privacy without leaving budget territory, this is the one.

The Hidden Cottage is a one-bedroom place with its own living room and kitchen, up on Welches Hill near the center of the island.

A 9.7 from 40+ reviews is about as good as it gets at this price in Anguilla.

The only issue here is that you’re a ways from the better beaches on the island. Except for one exception, Shoal Bay, which is only an 8-minute drive away. So not so bad.

Backup Option: Deany’s Uptop Luxury Suite. A one-bedroom apartment in The Valley, rated 9.2 from 40+ reviews.

Best Villa for Groups: CeBlue Villas

Price: From about $2,375 USD (3-bedroom villa)
9.1 rating from 13+ reviews on Booking.com

Large groups fear not. Anguilla is full of villas, and splitting one between six people can work out cheaper than separate hotel rooms.

CeBlue’s three-bedroom villas come with a private pool and plenty of space to spread out, on the north side of the island by Crocus Bay.

I didn’t mention Crocus Bay earlier, but it’s another stunning beach – it has a bit of a wilder feel. It’s also located pretty much halfway between the West End beaches and Shoal Bay, so you’re relatively close to everything.

Backup Option: Meads Bay Beach Villas. Villas right on Meads Bay (number 1 in my ranking), each with its own private plunge pool. Rated 4.8 from 30+ reviews on Google and a perfect 10 on Expedia.

How to Get to Anguilla

There are two main ways to get to Anguilla.

The most common is flying into St. Maarten (SXM) and taking the ferry. The ferry terminal is right across from the airport, and the ride to Blowing Point in Anguilla takes about 30 minutes. There are scheduled ferries throughout the day, plus private charters if you’d rather not wait.

You can also fly straight into Anguilla’s own airport (AXA) – I actually came direct from NY (Newark), which offers nonstop flights in peak season (late December to April). I know Boston and Baltimore also have some direct flights, and Miami has direct flights every day, all year round.

Getting Around: Rent a Car

You really want a car in Anguilla. Taxis add up quickly, and half the fun is beach hopping.

Remember that Anguilla drives on the left, and you’ll need a temporary driving permit, which your rental company can sort out for you (about EC$40 for 3 days or EC$67 for 3 months).

Rental Car Tip: Anguilla only has so many rental cars, and they go fast in peak season, so book yours as soon as you book your stay. Compare rental cars in Anguilla on Expedia, where economy cars start from around $57 a day (more in peak season). A small SUV is worth the extra few dollars for the bumpy roads down to the hidden beaches.

Booking Tips

Book Early for December to April

Winter is peak season, and the best places (especially the beachfront ones) book up months ahead for the holidays, February and March.

If you’re flexible, late April and May still have great weather with noticeably lower prices.

Watch Out for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season runs from June to November. Some resorts and restaurants close for part of September and October, so check before you book a trip around then.

Taxes & Service Charges

Don’t be caught off guard at checkout!

Most hotels in Anguilla add a 13% government tax plus a 10% service charge on top of the nightly rate, so budget roughly 25% more than the price you see.

Final Thoughts

Anguilla isn’t a cheap island, but I can guarantee it won’t disappoint.

If you can swing it, stay on the West End. Waking up a short walk from Meads or Maundays Bay is what makes an Anguilla trip, and there’s something there for most budgets, from Cap Juluca and Malliouhana down to Turtle’s Nest.

If you’re watching your budget, base yourself in the middle of the island at LittleLux or The Hidden Cottage, rent a car, and treat the whole island as your beach.

Whatever you pick, book early. The best places fill up months ahead for the winter.

Once you’ve sorted out where to stay, check out my ranking of the 13 Best Beaches in Anguilla and the Hidden Beaches Most Tourists Miss to plan the rest of your trip.