Anguilla….which beach to stay on?
 

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are going to Anguilla in December for our anniversary. We have checked with 2 places for availability and they are both available! Please help me decide as this is our first trip to Anguilla. We usually go to Virgin Gorda to Biras Creek, but we are venturing out this year.

We would like somewhere quiet, but my husband doesn't want to drive a car out for every meal. The 2 places we are considering are Las Esquinas at Little Harbor or Meads Bay Beach Villas at Mead's Bay. Both look and sound wonderful. I like the reviews for Las Esquinas as it sounds quiet and the owner sounds wonderful, but I think restaurants are generally located on the other side of the island, but I could be wrong. The Beach Villas sound close to everything, but I don't think it would be as relaxing.

Any thoughts/insights?

Meads has a couple of restaurants, but doesn't matter where you stay, sooner or later for all the great restaurants you'll need a car

It just depends on what you're looking for. If you want to be in the middle of things, Meads Bay Villas might be the way to go. But Las Esquinas is of a higher order altogether in terms of amenities and service and privacy. If Biras Creek is your standard of excellence, I think you'd be happier at Las Esquinas. I've not stayed at Meads Bay--it's just not my cup of tea at all, so take my advice with a grain of salt, if you will--but I've had the pleasure of spending one night at Las Esquinas. I was already staying on the island but I'd heard so much about the place that I wanted to try it out for myself. It was worth double-booking for the single night we stayed there.

Anguilla is an easy island for renting a car and driving around, and you're not farther than a 15 minute drive to most restaurants from Las Esquinas. Renting a car is easy and the best way to take advantage of all the island has to offer.

Thanks for the information ejcrow. I read about your experience (and great pics) of Las Esquinas which led me to inquire about their availability. Are there any restaurants within walking distance from there?

Meads Bay Beach is awesome. Try Carimar Beach Club. Directly on the beach, right next door to the best value beach shack on the island, and the best fancy restaurant on the island... Blanchards.

No, there are no restaurants within walking distance of Las Esquinas.

Though I disagree with travelbur on the calibre of Blanchards, s/he's totally right that Meads is a great location where one can walk to lots of different places for meals. Carimar is a total class act kind of place and it was the first place we stayed on Anguilla. The beach itself feels too crowded to me, which is why we looked for accommodations elsewhere.

As with anything, it all comes down to personal preference. Do you want to be in a crowded location at MBV, but within each reach and walking distance of things? Or in a small boutique where privacy and service are highly valued, but not within walking distance of anything?

If the island were large, that would make a difference to me. But it's small and almost everything is an easy drive away, and therefore privacy & service would win out for me. Your miles may vary.