Anguilla - where to rent a car

Old Jan 18th, 2017, 04:29 AM
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Anguilla - where to rent a car

I've been asking about Anguilla for years and it's finally coming to fruition! And now I have a few car rental questions:

We land at AXA around 7:30 p.m., which is appearing too late for a car rental. Should we stick with a chain or find a good local? Suggestions for where to rent a car the next day? Should we just get a car for a portion of the trip? We're staying at Carimar Beach Club, any restaurants or grocery stores within walking distance? Are taxis expensive? What type of vehicle will we want/need?

Once we have a car, where are the "must see/must do/must eat" locations we should be sure to make it to?

TIA! I appreciate the help.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 05:18 PM
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I rent from http://www.bryanscarrental.com/... he will leave the car at the ferry terminal or the airport and will then catch up with you later, so you don't have to worry about the time you arrive - just pick up the car (he sends an email to tell you where it will be and the tag number - key in the glove box) and drive to your hotel.

Carimar can also arrange a car rental to be available at their location - just take a cab to the hotel from the port.

There are several excellent restaurants at various price points within walking distance of Carimar. The supermarket (Best Buy) is a doable walk, but the hotel offers bikes to guests and without a car, that may be a better bet.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 06:41 PM
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You will love Anguilla. I'm making my 6th visit in just a couple of weeks and can't wait to be back.

If you can't rent a car upon landing, I'd take a taxi from the airport and arrange to have a car delivered to the Carimar in the morning. Taxis are expensive and we find that renting a car just makes more sense in the long run. We always rent from Ronnie Bryan. His cars are new and clean and he's a great ambassador for the island. We usually get a small Toyota Yaris, which is just fine for two people. Google Ronnie Bryan Anguilla and you should be able to make a reservation on his web site.

Carimar is located on beautiful Meads Bay. We always stay at the Frangipani, which is just down the beach from the Carimar. There are a number of amazing restaurants on Meads at all different price points. We always go to Blanchard's Beach Shack our first night for toes in the sand dining. It's casual, reasonably priced and easy, which is perfect after a long day of travel. Just next door is the more formal Blanchard's, which is a fine dining experience. We haven't been back to Blanchard's in several trips. Not because we've had issues with service or food, but because there are so many options for dining on the island. Since we stay at the Frangipani, we have breakfast at the Straw Hat almost every morning, but, we also make a point of having dinner there at least once. It's one of our favorite restaurants on the island. We like to go on Wednesday evenings when Sprocka, who is an island treasure, provides the musical backdrop. Ocean Echo is just bit further down the beach from the Straw Hat. They also have live music on Sunday afternoons which is another great time to visit. I'm a big fan of their cocktails and their seafood dishes. We haven't had great experiences at Jacala, which is also on Meads, but, there are others who call it one of their favorites on the island. They are very popular at lunch time. I've also heard raves about the new menu at the Malliouhana Hotel. Their chef, Marc Alvarez, has a great reputation, and I'm trying to find a way to squeeze in a dinner there during our visit. I don't know much about the new dining options a the Four Seasons, but, they do have a beautiful sunset lounge, which is supposed to be a great place to enjoy a cocktail before dinner. Other restaurants close to the Carimar, but not on the beach, include Sarjai's, Picante and B&D BBQ (not really a restaurant, but a tent set up on the proprietor's lawn near the Malliouhana, with some of the best BBQ on the island). There are other great restaurants that require a car (or taxi) from the Carimar. We have to eat at Veya, Sandbar, Trattoria Tramonto, E's Oven and Corner Bar Pizza while we're on the island. Most of these restaurants have web sites where you can check out their menus.

There is a large grocery store near the Carimar called Best Buy. You can't miss it as you make the turn off the main road onto the road where the Frangipani and Carimar are located.

With your car, I would make a point of checking out some of the beaches on the island, although it will be hard to tear yourself away from Meads. Anguilla has 33 beaches and there are others that are worth a visit - especially Rendezvous and Shoal Bay East. Little Bay is also stunningly beautiful, but not reachable by car. There are directions on the Anguilla TripAdvisor Form (along with tons of friendly posters and massive amounts of information on all things Anguilla). You can also see Little Bay by taking a sunset sail on Tradition Charters. We're doing this for this first time on our upcoming trip and I'm really looking forward to it.

If you are going to be on the island on a Sunday, plan on having a traditional Sunday Funday. Many restaurants sponsor live musical acts and it's a time for everyone on the island to socialize and relax. The famous Bankie Banx teaches "Sunday School" at the Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay. Davida, up on Crocus Bay, is another famous spot to park yourself on Sunday afternoons. You can also try Ocean Echo on Meads or Johnno's for jazz on Sandy Ground.

Anguilla isn't really known for its shopping, but when I'm on the island I have to stop at the Limin' Boutique for fun beach cover ups, beautiful jewelry, carefully curated items for the home and handcrafted products from Anguilla (sea salt, jam, body care and candles). Ken and Renee are the owners and always make you feel welcome. Also, on the Sandy Ground roundabout is Seaspray. Part smoothie stand, part gift shop, it's also a can't miss. Pam whips up the most refreshing smoothies and you can shop while you sip.

Before wrapping up, I want to plug one of my favorite spots on the island - AARF (Anguilla Animal Rescue Foundation). The staff and volunteers at AARF are true angels. AARF works with several animal rescue organizations in the US and Canada to place AARF kitties and puppies in loving homes abroad. On our last trip, we transported 2 puppies from Anguilla to a rescue organization in Chicago that met us at O'Hare and took custody of the puppies. Travelling with the puppies gave us a distraction from our sadness over leaving Anguilla and we were so happy to hear that they were adopted into loving homes shortly after our arrival back in the US. We're hoping there will be puppies to transport again when we depart next month. If you can't transport a puppy or kitty (AARF pays the airline's pet fee and also provides you with supplies for travel), stop by the shelter and play with the kitties and puppies. It's not what most people think about doing on their vacations, but, it's a huge amount of fun!

Enjoy your trip!
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 06:44 PM
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P.S. I just read Andrew's response to your question and he's absolutely right about Ronnie leaving cars at the airport and Blowing Point, the ferry terminal. That really is the best option, instead of incurring the expense of a taxi.
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Old Jan 19th, 2017, 07:32 AM
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Thank you both! I will check out your suggestions.

Wow, nycuwsapt - thank you so much for your detailed response. I really appreciate all of your comments and recommendations.
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Old Mar 20th, 2017, 02:59 AM
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Adding to this thread if that's okay!

Has anyone ever rented from Junie's car rental on Anguilla? We're booked with them, but just want to make sure he doesn't have a fleet of old clunkers!

Thank you!
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Old Mar 20th, 2017, 04:03 AM
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We always rent from Andy (Andy's Auto Rentals). He has nice cars, the best prices and will meet you or drop the car off anywhere. And I just noticed on his website that he now offers free welcome drinks Andy is super nice and very responsive.

http://andyrentals.com/index.html
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Old Mar 20th, 2017, 04:07 AM
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And do rent a car the whole time. They are affordable and you will definitely make use of it. I think you get a deal too if you rent for a full week. Enjoy my favorite island!
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