Anguilla or Turks & Caicos?
 

I realize others have asked this but they seem to be old discussions -. Visiting for a week in late May -
Love great hotels - gorgeous beaches- warm ocean - great dining (local and casual is fine) and not happy with tee shirt shops and souvenir shops although a quaint little town is always nice. Both islands look great! Does one island fit my description better and does one have fewer noseeums, mosquitoes and other bugs?

I think either island would be fantastic. I haven't been to Anguilla in awhile, but we visit T&C every year. Provo has one of the best beaches ( Grace Bay) in the Caribbean. It's heaven for me. There's very little shopping, so it's not that commercial.

Restaurants are some of the finest we've been to in the islands. Some of our favorites: COCO BISTRO, BAY BISTRO, SOMEWHERE CAFE,
Mr. GROUPER.

Many hotels are condo-style with full kitchens, washer/dryer. We've stayed at both THE VENETIAN and WEST BAY, which are on opposite ends of Grace Bay, but both have very quiet and uncrowded beachfronts. The accommodations are really gorgeous.

If you want more of a resort, check out SEVEN STARS or WINDSONG, though the beach in front of these two is more crowded and narrow.

I think either would meet your criteria. On turks all the resorts are on Grace bay beach which is a gorgeous beach that runs for miles. On Anguilla the set up is quite different. Many of the largest resorts are on individual/different idyllic beaches. I personally prefer the Anguilla set up. I like the idea of renting a car and visiting a different beach every day while on vacation. Although you can do some of that on Turks as well but I would say to a slightly lesser extent.
I would also give the edge to Anguilla in terms of fine dining. Turks has plenty of nice restaurants as well.
I think you may find that the high end hotels are slightly more affordable on Turks than on Anguilla. Either way you cant go wrong.

I'm obsessed with both!

Better restaurants in Anguilla, although TCI has some better than most islands

Easier access TCI, bigger planes more flights, Anguilla can get crazy getting there

Both expensive, but Anguilla a little more

Anguilla has a more "Caribbean" vibe, TCI is upscale yet laid back

TCI has more luxury (places to stay) for the money--even less expensive places are nicer than on other islands for same money

Both have outstanding beaches--but TCI ones go for miles

Both are flat scrubby islands--tend to stay drier that way

All Caribbean islands have noseeums, maybe mosquitoes--it's the tropics! Dusk, sawn, and after rain, but not usually on the beach. Most resorts and villas spray-and OFF works fine.

From Anguilla you can day trip to St. Martin (and although expensive, St. Barts) From TCI you can day trip to other Caicos Islands, and tons of little uninhabited cays

TCI this year seems to be the "it" destination

Neither has a real quaint little town per say

Either would be terrific!

I just took the ferry to/back Anguilla. The schedule is frequent. The ferry ride to Anguilla is $25.00/$28.00 on the way back. Shoal Bay east is fantastic.