Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

Let’s get this out of the way up front: this property is simply stunning. If the architecture is familiar, the execution in this north shore island getaway is flawless. From palm trees to sight lines, room design to walkways, every detail has been attended to. There are no bad rooms and no bad views at FS Anguilla. The good rooms are great, and the great rooms are spectacular. As is our wont, we rolled into the Caribbean in mid-August, once again trying to beat hurricane season by a couple of weeks, taking advantage of low season discounts. This dice roll is not for everyone. A couple of days of rainy weather can sour a vacation, but on balance, your odds of enjoying five-star accommodations at four-star pricing models are pretty strong. We packed in three-plus strong days of sun-drenched beach-pool-tennis-basketball before Hurricane Erin metaphorically rained on our parade. Here's an entire paragraph devoted to NB’s. First, hurricane season seems to be marching forward every year, so now storm systems pop up in August when they used to wait until early September. Second, FS Anguilla staff are well equipped to deal calmly with the conditions, revising menus, providing updates, and sandbagging as necessary. They have their own generators and water supply, and the buildings are built to withstand hurricane force winds. Third, the trick is in the transportation. Direct flights to Anguilla are in relatively short supply unless you live in Miami or San Juan. From the New York metro area, the greater flexibility is onto St. Maarten, a 20-30 minute ferry ride to the south side of this Leeward Island. But if the seas get too choppy, ferry service apparently shuts down before the airports. If you’re not vigilant, your flight will take off without you. Beaches: pure white sand, clear sea water, a little more chop owing to the northern island exposure. You can book an array of catamarans to take you to any dive spot or out island. Call Uziel at the concierge desk. We didn’t rent a Moke, but they look cool if you’re inclined. You don’t need bikes to get around the property, because the layout permits walking on the land side of the resort to connect you to the beach side, which fans out from a central axis. Pools are spread along the beach side, and we found plenty of chaise options without the need to book a cabana. Edily kept us replenished at the Meads Bay family pool, even when the storm flags suggested it was time to remove the umbrellas from poolside. Food is eclectic. Sunset Lounge features a Japanese menu; Half Shell Beach Bar serves fresh Mexican, and Salt (undergoing renovation; might not be ready to reopen before November) has the most seafood. For now, get their world class breakfast buffet at Aleta. Ask for Petra or Delano and tell them I sent you. In our neck of the woods (Meads Bay), it was the Bamboo Bar and Grill for fresh salads adult beverages. You can even order takeout from the front station, and if your room is nearby, Nadia will actually deliver the food without your using the Uber Eats app. I also made Café Nai a morning habit. This small coffee shop off the main lobby features lattes and cappuccinos with croissants and other baked goods popular with the gluttons for gluten. The door is alongside the boutique, which offers upscale lounge wear and items you forgot to pack, primarily bearing the Wheat label (IYKYK). I mentioned tennis and basketball. I hit with the PTR pro Calye (I think I spelled that right), and he supervises three Dynaturf-type courts that are wind protected and well-lit for night play. They were loaded with racquets to borrow if you forgot yours. Up a short flight of stairs from the tennis courts was a full-sized basketball court with adjustable pro-style baskets. Bring a measuring tape and turn a crank if you’re concerned that your rim stand exactly 10’ from the court. Again, the playing surface is cushioned and not nearly as hard on your legs as some of the concrete options we run into at other resorts. The full-sized gym features separate stretching and lifting rooms, with outdoor classes and free weigh stations set apart from each other. You can turn one way and hear grunting; turn the other and listen to communal chants of “Om.” The Spa (perhaps named after a quaint town in Belgium; or an acronym for salas per aquam) was well equipped, including its own serenity pool and a pervasive quiet. Everything up to this point reads somewhat like a promo insert in the travel section of a Sunday paper. If you’ve read this far, I wanted to share some important details. The arrival experience is tricky: fill out your St. Maarten entry form online and submit before you leave home. It’s time consuming and can slow your airport departure if you scramble to fill it out after deplaning. Four Seasons reps meet you outside the customs exit and get you to a van to take you a very short distance to a dock. Your bags are uploaded to a Fun Charters ferry to Blowing Point on the south side of Anguilla. That ride can get choppy in a hurry. Bring your bags inside and go through another informal customs check (chalk it up to island living), and your driver will meet you outside. Be sure to arrange all of this with FS concierge before your get on your first plane leg. Our driver Julian drove the 3.5 miles to the gates of FS in complete comfort. That transfer from SXM to the resort is not cheap. Driver-ferry-driver can easily run $800 with tip. The arrival experience featured the vaunted FS full court press of people welcoming you and each family member by name. I urge the travel-exhausted to add the dark rum to your welcome fruit punch in the lobby. I’ve read some comments suggesting inflexibility by management. My experience could not have been more different. Apparently, I botched the reservation, failing to note I sought two rooms, not one. (If there comes a point when your teenager reaches 6’7” and 210 pounds, and you realize a sofa bed is not the answer, you’ll know how this goes.) My thanks to Jordan and especially Patrick Bails, but permit me a shout-out to the remarkable young lady who handled my concerns. As she calmly explained, “This is the Four Seasons, and we will make it happen.” No stern looks; no blameworthy comments; just an upgrade to a two-bedroom residence that my son likened to an episode of MTV’s Cribs. “I have never in my life stayed in a room this nice,” was his only comment, but coming from a 17-year-old, you might think his frame of reference was limited. It’s not. He’s been everywhere from Kenya to Maui to Edinburgh to Cabo and all stops in between. I have no doubt he’s already posted Anguilla videos on his Insta account. I also read several comments from other reviewers about “tired” furniture and costly food. I find myself beating this drum repeatedly: it’s an island, and a modest-sized one at that. They aren’t growing fresh fruit and cattle on the back 40. Food is flown in daily at considerable expense. There are no vineyards on Anguilla to the best of my knowledge, so expect to pay for the privilege of dining on fresh beef and chilled wine hundreds of miles from where they began their journey. As for the furniture or the hardscapes, bear in mind these islands are in equatorial waters with little to no break from a constantly beating sun. My unequivocal recommendation is to seek this resort out, to come here, and to unwind. You’ll be the better person for the effort to pursue an effortless vacation. I swear it can be habit forming.

We loved everything about our stay! From the moment we stepped into the beautiful lobby and were greeted with a wonderful, tropical drink, the Four Seasons staff made us feel very special. Our room was very large, comfortable, well appointed, nicely air-conditioned, and had the most beautiful view of the amazing resort and ocean. The concierge was so professional and beyond responsive the months leading up to our stay, ensuring that every request was met. They organized spa treatments, dinners, a private boat charter and pool cabanas. The staff at the cabanas were so kind and also very responsive. The food at every restaurant, whether it be the more exclusive Salt for dinner or the scenic and fun Sunset Lounge was amazing. The breakfast buffet at Salt was also so delicious and with too many choices. Everything about this resort was meticulously taken care of and well thought out, even the fitness center and the pickel ball courts. I am not typically a tropical vacation kind of person but this resort has converted me. It doesn't hurt that the Anguilla water is warm and the most beautiful blue. We will be back!

This is a must-visit in Anguilla - You must go far and wide to match the experience, friendliness, cleanliness, and service at the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residence. There is not one staff here on property that is not accommodating and helpful. Enjoy the various pools, the beach and the famous Sunset Bar.

Staff is top notch! Food is unbelievable. The views are unreal…the water is the best I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend taking a snorkeling excursion- we got to eat at a restaurant on a private island. The island is truly magical and the Four Seasons keeps up the enchanting vibe.

Bottom Line Up Front: Nice property. Would stay here again. TRAVELING from Airport: There is a Four Season's agent once you come out of the doors, ready to greet you. Taxi ride from the airport to the hotel was approx $35. The ride to the airport was surprisingly uneventful. I have visited many Caribbean islands and drivers are mild in Anguilla. Departing: They say you need to arrive two hours back to the airport to leave but its so small (they are expanding it now) that you dont need much time at all. Please note, because I was unaware: There was a departure fee (you have to pay to leave the island) that you should be aware of. CHECK-in: The security guard knows your name and greets you by your name when you pull up to the gate. Once you reach the circle you are greeted by more people that know your name and you are immediately matched with a check-in staff person. Pretty easy peasy. ROOM: For the most part, well appointed. What I prob appreciated most about the room was the private heated plunge pool. Everything else was pretty standard. I must mention that the bed was super comfy. Oh! I have to mention that the room is soundproof. Actually this is prob the thing that I appreciated most. You go to some hotels and you can hear your neighbor snore. My neighbor was playing really loud music and the only reason I knew== I walked out of the room and passed by their door. Once my doors shut, complete silence. Very nice. POOLS: There are at least two pools. I believe there is a 3rd that was down for repairs. But don't quote me on that. The adult pool was, at times, had inadequate capacity. Meaning there were not enough seats to accommodate guest. Which resulted in guest arriving early to reserve their spot. My opinion, this cheapens the place. You expect to fight for lounge chairs by the pool at large, overcrowded resorts--not at the Four Seasons. There were a number of times, guest were asked to wait on a side for a chair to open up. Huh? There were towels on chairs at 8am in the morning- huh? Again, I wasn't preprepared to experience that! But the service at the pool was AMAZING! They work hard at the adult pool to make sure your glass is filled, your tummy is full and that the sun only hits you where you like for it to hit you. They really do a GREAT job at making sure you are well attended to. The family pool was not seemingly overcrowded at any time that I was on property but its the family pool. Service was still wonderful but not as great as the adult pool. The vibe is a bit more relaxed at the family pool. I saw tons of floaties in the family pool none at the adult pool- so that should tell you all you need to know:) BEACH: Two beaches. And depending on who you ask...one is considered the private beach and one is considered the public beach. Neither are really private both are public beaches but one is just a little harder to get to. Its Anguilla- so the only complaint I can come up with....the sand was too soft...ha! GYM: Well equipped. Staff was helpful and friendly, while it has almost every machine you could want, and it has an outdoors element--I arrived some mornings and there was no fruit. Yes, fruit! When I asked the attendant, he mentioned that they were out. Huh? This is the Four Seasons. It's the little things like having a quick snack to fuel my workout that matter. They do put out coffee and muffins in the early morning but even some days that was inconsistent. BREAKFAST: There are two spots in order to get breakfast each morning. One was by order only and the other was a buffet. The buffet breakfast was tasty and nicely done. Although I am not a big breakfast person, I actually enjoyed the breakfast every day during my stay. A huge part of my enjoyment was due to the staff who greeted me by name every morning. I tell ya, once they learn your name---everyone knows it!! SPA: Go! The massage (not necessarily the amenities or layout) is the star of the show. And while I may be a little more used to a more lavish spa layout and amenities- my therapist was AMAZING!!!!! Hands down one of the best massages I have had. I forget her name but just go!! I may have gone twice :) BAREFOOT BBQ: Every Monday they have a BBQ on the beach. It was pretty nice. A variety of food, live music and great vibes. I would recommend it at least once. ENTERTAINMENT: They had live music most nights of my stay. Guest really seemed to have a great time. It was done well--,not to over the top. The right amount of fun. Aside from some rather small mishaps that arent worth mentioning, I really enjoyed my stay. Its the staff that makes this place SHINE!!!