As the seasons change and we say goodbye to summer, we also say hello to the all-too-familiar chill of Canadian fall and winter. With October in full swing and shorts weather now definitively over, the mind increasingly conjures up daydreams of lazy days and warm sunsets on the beaches of The Caribbean. If you’re anything like us, you may be ready for an escape from the cold as early as December – a white sand prelude to the holiday season. The Caribbean island of Anguilla – known for its quiet luxury, culture and cuisine, and excellent excursions – is ready to help you realize these daydreams by staying at one of their Charming Escapes.
Anguilla’s Charming Escapes are…well, exactly as the name advertises: a bespoke collection of smaller, more intimate properties that offer a winning blend of luxury and warm Anguillian hospitality. There’s no one type of property prioritized over any other: bungalows, beach houses, boutique resorts, and villas are all recognized as Charming Escapes – so long as they meet the standards of comfort, quality, and affordability that define this class of accommodations.
Carimar Beach Club
Perched on picturesque Meads Bay Beach, the Carimar Beach Club has earned every bit of its loyal following and is widely regarded as one of Anguilla’s best hotels. The hotel offers 24 spacious one-bedroom and two-bedroom villa suites with a fully equipped kitchen and beautiful dining and living areas. From your balcony, take in the views of the lush tropical garden or a sweeping view of Anguilla’s deep blue sea.
What truly sets Carimar apart is its hybrid nature: guests enjoy the privacy of the villa experience, blended with the housekeeping and concierge service of a hotel. It is certainly no surprise that Carimar continues to be recognized among the best small hotels in The Caribbean by Tripadvisor, year after year. The active guest will love the opportunity to fish, snorkel, kayak, and participate in guided yoga – just steps from their door!
Shoal Bay Villas
Shoal Bay Villas is an icon on the island, embodying the beauty of Anguilla in an oasis-like setting. As a family-run business first opened in 1985, Kathy Haskins and her daughter Rachel take it upon themselves to ensure every guest’s stay is one of pure relaxation and rejuvenation. Under the swaying palms of one of the region’s best beaches, the 27 apartments are available in studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom configurations, each offering a view of either the ocean or the pool.
Guests will enjoy the expansive amenities, including a fitness centre, spa, complimentary WiFi, beach towels, umbrellas, beach chairs, and snorkel gear. Warm and friendly staff are on hand to help facilitate all your adventurous needs, including car rentals, boat tours, fishing excursions, and so much more.
Ferryboat Inn
The cozy Ferryboat Inn may be just minutes from the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal – the entry point for most visitors to Anguilla – but it proves you don’t need to venture far inland to enjoy true comfort and luxury. For many, the Inn encapsulates the personal touch that is a calling card of the Charming Escapes family: its live-in owners take a personal stake in guest welfare. Affordably priced, Ferryboat Inn is an ideal choice for family vacations, offering a beach house, two mid-sized apartments, and four larger apartments.
Despite its location, the property (like most of its kind in Anguilla) remains quiet, maintaining that feeling of seclusion many travellers prize Anguilla for. Swimming, snorkelling, and a breezy beachfront restaurant add some excitement to stays at Ferryboat, and one can enjoy stunning views of neighbouring Saint Martin from shore, across the channel.
You can learn more about Anguilla’s collection of Charming Escapes using the search tool at https://ivisitanguilla.com/explore-anguilla/.
