BRB, We're Drinking Piña Coladas in Caribbean Heaven

Zemi Beach House
Shoal Bay, Anguilla
Luxury, $$$

Zemi Beach House lies tucked away along a half-mile stretch of undeveloped, lush Caribbean landscape with pristine, pink-tinted sand on Shoal Bay, which consistently ranks as one of Anguilla's best beaches. A relative newcomer to the island's robust hotel scene and part of LXR Hotels & Resorts, the luxury arm of the Hilton portfolio, Zemi quickly earned its place in paradise for its award-winning spa (housed in a 300-year-old Thai tea house), three pools (the infinity pool has an aquarium window), chic cabanas, a fitness center and morning yoga, a kids club that offers mermaid lessons, and a cocktail bar that serves the oldest rum in the world. Sun-filled rooms and suites designed with natural Caribbean wood and sandstone open onto spacious private balconies or terraces or directly onto baby-soft sand from the beachfront villas. It's all easily accessible by a short ten-minute flight or a 20-minute ferry from St. Maarten.

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Click here for reservations, and don't forget to check for special offers the hotel may be running. Pro tip: For the best treatment and care, cut out the middleman and book directly with the hotel.

At a Glance

The Vibe: A beachy and modern Caribbean oasis with five-star service and plenty of privacy makes for some serious relaxation.

Standout Detail: The sexy Rhum Room, with dark rum-colored couches and sleek glass tumblers feels like a modern pirate’s cellar. An on-site "rommelier" serves flights of more than 140 rare, single-batch rhums and shares the island’s five-century history as a sugarcane producer. He’ll also explain the difference between rum and rhum — should you rather drink like a local.

This Place Is Perfect For: Couples who want to be in do-not-disturb mode, wellness enthusiasts who want to get their zen on, and globetrotting families looking for full-service amenities and plenty of activities for the kids.

Rooms: 76 beachy-yet-modern boutique accommodations are configured as large rooms (700 square feet), penthouses (2000+ square feet), and two- and three-bedroom penthouse and beachfront suites. Room options range from garden or ocean views, one or two beds, private terraces, and balconies to spa-style bathtubs and kitchens. Penthouses and beachfront suites all have private pools. In-room amenities include Frette linens, an espresso machine, motion-sensing air conditioning, and Malin + Goetz toiletries.

On Site: The award-winning, indoor/outdoor, 15,000-square-foot Thai House Spa is located in a 300-year-old home that was transported from Thailand to Anguilla in the 1980s. Treatments include Japanese face massage, chakra-balancing head and scalp treatments, along with Balinese and Thai massages. The spa is also home to Anguilla's only hammam, Bohique Mud Deck for mud and salt body treatments infused with herbs and fruits (helpful for removing toxins), outdoor rain showers, a vitality pool, and a juice bar tucked away in the ancient rice barn. In addition to the spa, wellness amenities include a 60-foot lap pool, chic cabanas for a post-sun nap, daily yoga classes, tennis, free kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boards. Plus a full-service gym that could rival any NYC Equinox.

Food + Drink: The five options include 20 Knots, a toes-in-the-sand Caribbean-meets-Latin American-meets-Mediterranean experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Stone offers seasonal fine dining with sea-to-table fare. Shoal Bay Beach Club serves fresh fare by the pool along the beach. The Bohio Bar & Sushi Lounge is open from noon to 9 p.m.m with jazz on Saturday night. And, as mentioned, Rhum Room is the spot for an elevated tasting and sipping experience.

Feel-Good Factor: Rainwater collected on the roof is used to irrigate the greenery; a smart AC and motion detecting systems adjust energy output when rooms are empty or doors and widows are left open.

What to Do Nearby

There’s no judgement if you don’t leave the resort property and crystal-clear bay, but if you feel adventurous, you can explore Anguilla's beaches and coves by sailboat, glass-bottom boat, or bike. At seventeen miles long and three miles wide, it's easy to plan a coast-to-coast hiking experience — noteworthy trails include Katouche Trail, Limestone Bay, Brimegin Trail, and Windward Point.

For an extra dose of glamour, do a day trip to St. Barts and a sunset sail around the island. Or walk the boutique-lined streets of Gustavia and book lunch at Shellona on Shell Beach, a pristine bay with a beach covered in millions of pink seashells.

Keep Exploring The Caribbean

You May Not Know It Yet, But You Belong in Anguilla
I Went on a Complete BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia
A St. Barts Quickie

This article was originally written in 2019 and was updated in 2023.