sugarymama

I'm hoping someone can give me good advice on this. My birthday is on January 31. For the past few years, I try to celebrate in a warm climate (I live in Brooklyn, NY so I know I don't have to explain why). I've been to several islands in the Caribbean, but never Anguilla and really would like to go. I love beach vacations, and don't need much activity since I plan on going by myself.

I went to St. Martin (stayed on French side), last year and it was pleasant, but I wasn't as impressed with the island as I thought I would be. The shopping was great, and the food was pretty good, but the island isn't as lush and pretty as I imagined. In addition, I feel there is too much development going on.

I've read other postings about Anguilla, as well as done some general research on the island. I would like to stay at a property directly on a great beach, with some access to restaurants and bars. I realize that things are spread out, however I don't really want to rent a car since I'm travelling alone. I plan on going to St. Maarten one day to shop, but the bulk of my time will be spent just vegging out. I also wouldn't mind some other singles around. Don't mind if I meet people or not, but don't want to feel like the odd woman out when everyone else is coupled up.

I like what I've read about Cap Juluca, but it may be too rich for my blood ($700 per night??). Any suggestions/recommendations? Please let me know asap, as I would like to book something within a couple of weeks. Thanks much.

Anguillagirl

How about Ku? Or Shoal Bay villas? I would suggest Cuisinart, but it's almost as expensive as Cap. Another thought is Turtle's Nest. Best of luck.

RoamsAround

First, regarding your comment that St. Martin " isn't as lush and pretty as I imagined" - you should know Anguilla is a very flat, arid and scrubby island and as such most people do not find it "pretty". It does, however, have 35 fabulous white sand beaches which along with over 80 restautants are the island's main draw.

Now that you know the lay of the land so to speak for accomodations check out Shoal Bay Villas, Madeariman Beach Club, Carimar, Anguilla Great House, Arawack Beach Inn, Alamanda Beach Club, Sarina and Ku for more moderate priced accomodations - all should be under $700/night - sorry you didn't give a budget other than to say $700/night is too rich for your blood.

Lastly, you really should plan on renting a car, at least for some of your stay, as things are VERY SPREAD OUT on the island. Taxis will get very expensive - 2 r/t's a day to almost anywhere on the island will cost you more than a rental car. The choice is yours but if you really want to find out what Anguilla is all about (i.e. beaches and restaurants) the least expensive way to visit as many as possible is to rent a car.

If you don't plan on leaving your resort than strongly consider staying at Maderiman, Ku, Sarina or Shoal Bay Villas (all on Shoal Bay) as you will at least be able to walk to a few beach bars/restaurants. Otherwise either budget for a rental car or even more for taxis.

sugarymama

Thanks, RoamsAround, for your quick reply. I had been considering Ku, but the reviews I read are very mixed. I realize that I'm probably paying for the location more than anything else, but I have a problem paying $400 per night at a place that is described as "run down". Just seems a little expensive.

Sorry for not being more detailed about the budget. I am willing to pay upwards of $400 per night, if I can at least get breakfast included, and have an oceanfront room.

How is driving at night? Since I will be alone, I won't have a co-pilot, and that really helps in unfamiliar territory. I remember St. Martin being pitch black at night, but my friend and I took cabs so we didn't need to be quite as focused.

sugarymama

Thanks Anguillagirl, for your quick reply. I was looking into Ku, but the reviews are so mixed I'm not sure. And it's not cheap either. I'll check out the other properties you mentioned. I think I do want to stay in Shoal Bay, however. Thanks again.

RoamsAround

I understand your concern about driving at night. If you found the roads on St. Martin dark than you probably won't want to drive on some of Anguilla's roads at night, especially the unpaved ones of which there are many. So in your case you might be better off budgeting for taxis.

Anguilla is not an inexpensive destination as far as beachfront accomodations are concerned. Like anywhere else you pay for "location, location, location". You have to make a trade off - either pick a "lesser" beachfront property that fits your budget or opt for a better quality accomodation that's not on the beach.

Think about how much "awake time" you'll actually be spending in your room and perhaps you'll find you don't need "luxury" and decide accordingly.

beachdreams3

As a woman who traveled alone to Anguilla and loved it, I definitely recommend it. I traveled in April 2008, and some hotels had switched to off-season rates by that time of year, but I think that other posters provided some good suggestions of moderately priced places to consider. Without a car, I would recommend one of the beaches where there are several hotels/restaurants, either Shoal Bay East (SBE), Meads Bay, or Rendezvous Bay. BTW, one of the posts above mentions "Sarina" being on SBE, but I think that is incorrect. There is a property called Serenity on upper SBE, and Sirena Resort is on Meads Bay (technically it is not on the beach, but it is only a few minutes walk from the resort main building to Sirena's dedicated area with chairs and umbrellas). Another option that would be somewhat more upscale accommodations than Ku, SBV, Sirena, Carimar, or Turtle's Nest, is Frangipani on Meads Bay. You may find that the smallest rooms there are only a little more expensive than some of the less expensive, mid-range places suggested previously.

BTW, I did rent a car for my trip, and driving wasn't too bad. But, most of my night time driving was on the main road and on the west end (shorter distances between places and one main, paved road). I only spent part of a day on St. Martin, but comparatively, I would think that Anguilla is easier for driving because there is so much less traffic, and the island is flatter.

Hope this helps.

blamona

I have gone to Anguilla numerous times alone, including my first time.

I always rent a car. Anguilla is a lot quieter than SXM, including the driving around part. It actually feels worlds away from SXM in the "busy" department.

If I ever went alone again, I would probably stay at Turtle's Nest, and I would definately have a car to get to the other stunning beaches.

Have fun!

sugarymama

RoamsAround, blamona, and beachdreams3, you all have been very helpful (a double thanks for you, RoamsAround, since you replied twice - smile). I'm going to give some more thought and do more research, but I just may go for it! Thanks again..

RoamsAround

Hope everything works out for you.

ejcrowe

Anguilla is hands-down the easiest island (with left-hand driving) that I've ever driven on. Yes, some of the roads are very dark at night, but it's the one place I never had a problem finding what I was looking while driving. Once you drive around a bit by daylight, you'll find driving at night much less intimidating, I suspect.

I'll also put a plug in for Carimar as a place to consider staying. We stayed there in June and though it was simply furnished, it was spacious and comfortable and we just loved it. Meads Bay is beautiful and it was great being able to just walk out the door and be there. We could walk to dinner at Straw Hat, Blanchards, and Malli, and it was just a short drive away from Lucy's and B&D bbq, two must-visits for us.

Shoal Bay East is I think the prettier beach and I enjoyed the variety of beach bars there. But I'm one of the people who prefers to visit it by day and return "home" to someplace else closer to the west end.

CaribbeanJill

Hello Sugarymama,

I boiled your needs down to...

1) love beach vacations, going by self
2) want property right on beach
3) access to restaurants and bars
4) don't want to rent a car, want to veg out
5) would like other singles around.
6) looking lower-mid range

Sydans Apartments and Villas on Sandy Ground meets all those. I've never stayed there, but am always struck by how nice they look and are very reasonably priced. There is at least one other new one on Sandy Ground, just can't remember the name.

I was in Anguilla two weeks ago, and there's a terrific little new restaurant, Sand Bar with tapas by the former executive chef at Cuisinart. Super comfy, right on the beach. Lots of other reasonably priced restaurants, too (Roy's is one of my favorites). Reggae Reef is very reasonable.

And, of course, the scene at Elvis and Pumphouse will ensure you meet lots of singles, including people island-hopping on their boats.

All in all, this sounds closest to what you want.

Hope that helps!

elisemf

I have to disagree, I think that Sydans would not be quiet and relaxing. I think I know the perfect place for you: Sirena Resort.
http://www.sirenaresort.com/
Its right on Barnes Bay accessing great beaches and walking distance restaurants, its quiet, extremely reasonable, and attractive to young people and popular with singles.
Enjoy!