Anguilla

In my opinion Anguilla has the finest sea and sand in the Caribbean – I’d say the ‘Caribbean’s best beaches’, but the lack of palms undermines the archetype.  But hey, the sea and sand is unbelievable – I have seen fish fry seeding their way in and out the glassy faces of rising waves on Meads Bay; and the sand is so sumptuous that just walking becomes aerobic exercise... Generally Anguilla is extremely low key (there’s not much action beyond the beach bars, unlike eg St Barts), and this despite a sophisticated clientele with money to spend (Anguilla is pretty expensive, certainly it’s hard to have an inexpensive trip there). They come for the island’s smart hotels and particularly stylish villas and ‘super-villas’. The island’s restaurants are also excellent and have good interest (chefs doing interesting things) and depth. The Anguillians themselves are cool – ever independent minded and unimpressed by worldly fame and glamour and – key on a site like this – Anguilla’s beach bars are superb (and have good variety too).