Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

What sets Cap Juluca apart from other Caribbean five-stars? You’re spoiled for choice between the distinctively clean-lined Moorish-style architecture and domed villas and the prime location right on the virtually private mile-long beach overlooking Maundays Bay in Anguilla. The 66 rooms and 42 suites have direct beach access and balconies or patios with panoramic views. Sun, sea, stroll, eat, repeat: here, the better part of the day can be spent doing all of the above, with lunch at Cip’s, Pimms, Uchu or the Cap Shack. If you feel inclined to leave the beach or the pool, there’s always sailing, snorkeling, scuba, golf, tennis, croquet or treatments at the soon-to-open Guerlain spa (soft opening is scheduled for June 2024). Barefoot casual is the vibe of the place: finish off the day with sundowners before enjoying a leisurely dinner at Pimms or the chef ’s table and retreating to your four-poster bed with billowing linen curtains that dance in the breeze.

The Standout: The incredible three-bedroom Private Pool Villas

Don’t Miss: A day trip by boat to Scilly Cay, Shoal Bay or Prickly Pear Cays to snorkel the reefs

• The whitewashed Moorish-style architecture and distinctive domed villas
• Three restaurants to choose from—Cip’s by Cipriani, Pimms and regional Peruvian cuisine at Uchu, plus the Cap Shack
• One of the island’s most beautiful beaches with calm waters (making it good for kids)

Since opening in the 1980s, Cap Juluca has gained a steady following among well-heeled travelers who appreciate its authentically Anguillan feel. Situated on 179 acres of land on Anguilla’s western tip, the 108-room Cap Juluca has one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and a warm staff, many of whom have been on property for decades.

The hotel’s 66 rooms, 42 suites and eight villas (ranging from three- to five-bedroom) are divided among a series of Moorish-style buildings, all of which come with a dedicated butler throughout one's stay. Each has no more than six rooms, a layout that provides a sense of privacy, and lush vegetation grows between each villa. All of the hotel’s accommodations have views of Maundays Bay through large sliding glass doors, direct beach access and private patios or terraces with loungers ideal for relaxing with a book or enjoying an al fresco breakfast. Each of the villas was fully renovated in a beachy palette of neutrals and pastels, with modern touches such as bedside charging ports and Bluetooth speakers. True to the Belmond brand, the rooms feature a welcoming sense of place thanks to local touches, such as a rope-bordered mirror above the bed, framed drawings of Anguilla's flora and fauna and coastal bird or shell-collecting guide books.

Most guests will spend their days on the beach, a preferable alternative to the newly rebuilt infinity pool, which sits behind the fashionable **Uchu,**an outdoor restaurant off the open-air lobby that serves sophisticated Peruvian cuisine. Unlike some of the north-facing beaches, such as Meads Bay, the sea here is calm enough that even small children can splash around. Activities and venues for those inclined to leave the sand include water sports, sailing, a driving range, tennis courts, a fitness center, a croquet lawn and a media room.

The hotel’s additional dining options include the casual seaside Italian eatery Cip’s by Cipriani, named after the iconic restaurant at Cap Juluca’s sister hotel, Belmond Hotel Cipriani. Its stunning location on the water means diners are surrounded by beautiful turquoise Caribbean seas and hanging lights that illuminate the property once the sun sets. Live music begins in the evening and carries across the water and down the beach, where guests watch the sunset from their loungers. The hotel’s main restaurant, Pimms, sits next to Cip’s and is a Belmond Cap Juluca institution. Executive chef Andy Gaskin creates elevated Caribbean classics, showcasing seafood-focused plates with Moroccan influences. He also offers a chef’s table tasting menu. The casual beachfront “shack,” called The Cap Shack, is open in the late afternoon for fun beach barbecues.

Couples and families looking for laid-back luxury right on the beach.