As the beautiful Caribbean destination of Anguilla wraps up 2022 with a slew of awards and accomplishments – including being chosen as Condé Nast Traveler’s #2 Caribbean Island – it certainly has a lot to live up to as it looks toward the 2023 travel season. Rising to the challenge, the island is getting ready to deliver more of what everyone loves: stylish accommodations, delicious food, exhilarating experiences, and that trademark Anguillian hospitality. Tour operators, chefs, and property managers are working together across the island to bring new and exciting offerings that promise to elevate the Anguilla experience to new heights. It is easier than ever to get to Anguilla with more flights to SXM (St. Maarten) from major hubs like Toronto and Montreal, 2023 is the year you’ll want to say “Yes!” to the Caribbean vacation of your dreams.
With so many exciting things going on in 2023, it can be tricky to know where to start planning. Never fear: let this newsletter serve as your guide to what’s new and exciting in this Caribbean destination.
Rarified Resorts
It’s generally good vacation planning practice to settle on where you’d like to stay during your dreamy escape before deciding anything else. While this is no easy task in a destination as grand as Anguilla, the properties below each have something new to offer in 2023:
The Quintessence Hotel is a boutique property brimming with museum-quality sculpture and artwork by celebrated artists from across the region. It recently launched Quinn: three new stylish guest suites, nestled above Long Bay Beach, in a separate building adjacent to the original hotel and aimed at offering the Quintessence experience at a more affordable price tag. The new suites offer guests access to all of the same amenities including a secluded beach and sprawling infinity pool, full-service spa, French-Caribbean fine dining and an award-winning wine cellar.
Alkera is the latest super-luxury villa to join the collection of unique and incredible places to stay in Anguilla. The villa is a contemporary architectural gem overlooking the bright white sands of arguably the island’s best beach, Shoal Bay East, with expansive glass panels, soaring ceilings and an open concept to masterfully blend indoor and outdoor living. The villa also makes the most of Anguilla’s geology with a partially-underground recreational area featuring exposed limestone, vaulted ceilings and earthy tones.
Last but certainly not least, Cé Blue Luxury Villas is a beautifully landscaped, gated community of eight, five-bedroom villas, each with breathtaking and spectacular views overlooking Crocus Bay. The property reopened in November under new management. Each villa has five bedrooms complete with a luxury ensuite, workspace, personal safe and bar fridge. Handsomely appointed kitchens equipped with a wine cooler and gas stove, luxury linens and an outdoor barbecue will make families and chefs alike feel at home, and large dining tables invite leisurely meals with friends and family.
Tasty Fare with Flair
An essential component of any legendary vacation is inspired cuisine – the kind of dishes that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. Foodies, look no further: Anguilla is poised to deliver incredible culinary experiences in the new year:
The Sandbar will be making its debut in 2023, located right on the beach at lively Sandy Ground and under new ownership of island restaurateurs Carrie and Jerry Bogar of the renowned Veya restaurant. Sandbar will be a more barefoot, laidback offering, with the same high standards of cuisine showcased in a variety of tapas and accompanied by great cocktails. Positioned on the beach at Sandy Ground, diners will get the opportunity to enjoy live music and superb views of those enjoying Anguilla’s national sport of boat racing.
Local restaurateur Dale Carty is celebrated on the island for being one of Anguilla’s most talented chefs. He has now extended his original restaurant to encompass a new outside bar and dining area known as Tasty’s POV (Point of View)for the amazing panoramic views that it offers from its position overlooking Sandy Ground. Specialties include grilled lobster, crayfish or chicken paired with great cocktails.
Ocean Echo, a firm favourite for toes-in-the-sand dining, has been fully renovated ahead of the 22/23 winter season with the addition of an extra deck to offer even more opportunities to admire fabulous Meads Bay from the table. The menu focuses on local specialties like mahi-mahi, crayfish and conch, delivered with international influences and accompanied by signature cocktails.
Exceptional Excursions
When the time comes to rise out of your beach lounger and seek excitement, Anguilla doesn’t disappoint. On land and sea, there are many great ways to discover the full breadth of Anguilla’s beauty this upcoming season:
Seeing Anguilla through the eyes of a local is a surefire way to get an authentic (and fun!) experience. Quest Experiences, established in 2020 by two young Anguillians, offers a wide range of activities and experiences offering visitors a different perspective on Anguilla.
Try your hand at salt-picking, an island mainstay since the 1600s or take a tour of the 100-year-old Mango Garden, located in the village of Chalvilles. Learn about the significance of mangoes on the island and taste different types while enjoying this pocket of natural beauty. Or challenge friends and family to 18 holes of mini golf at Anchor Miniature Golf at Island Harbour.
The island’s National Trust has an ongoing program of conservation for Anguilla’s many brilliant seabirds and heritage tours ranging from trips to uninhabited Sombrero Island, turtle patrols and walking tours that highlight the deep diversity of Anguilla’s culture. As much as we want to, we couldn’t cover everything: this is just a taste of what awaits you in Anguilla in 2023. Head over to https://ivisitanguilla.com/ to explore the destination in even greater depth. We’ll see you on the white sands!
