Perched on a craggy cliff overlooking the Caribbean, Malliouhana is Anguilla’s original luxury resort featuring cascading infinity pools, tropical eclectic design and sublime views.
Location 10/10
Nestled on a bluff jutting between Meads Bay and Turtle Cove Beach on the northwestern edge of Anguilla, Malliouhana is a dreamlike world unto itself. Most of Anguilla’s dining and entertainment is found in The Valley at the center of the island, which requires a 15-minute drive from the resort. However, with 25 acres designed for relaxation under the sun, it’s tempting to stay put on you lounge chair overlooking the endless Caribbean Sea.
“On the plane on the way back, I reflected that I had traveled to Denmark simply to send a postcard to a man.”
Annie Ernaux, ‘Simple Passion,’ 1991
Design 9/10
Upon arrival, the understated white box façade with high arcades and chic striped awnings is reminiscent of a Beverly Hills boutique—that is, until you’re greeted with views of the crystal blue Caribbean through the tiered, open-air lobby. A wall is adorned with vintage dive helmets, a mirrored mosaic floor reflects celadon walls and there’s collage of artwork, ranging from maritime photography to Caribbean Fauvist paintings. The design takes risks by embracing various bright colors (lemon yellow, tangerine, turquoise) and patterns (batik, floral, stripes) that comes together for an aesthetic that’s both regal and untamed.
Amenities & Hospitality 9/10
Surrounded by the hypnotizing Caribbean, Malliouhana’s amenities include tiered infinity pools lined with yellow ruffled umbrellas and a luxurious spa with island-inspired treatments. There’s a fitness center, two tennis courts and you can embark from the resort’s private beach by paddleboard or small sailboat.
Malliouhana’s staff is on hand to attend to its guests every need, from attendants in the lobby with cold water on hand to a well-choreographed dinner service. This is the kind of team that knows what you need before you even realize it.
Rooms 9/10
With about 60 rooms and suites, Malliouhana’s accommodations are bright with white lacquer four-poster beds in an organic, flowering design, which is echoed in the frames of floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Accent walls are painted in sorbet yellow and robin’s egg blue with clean Art Deco lines and spacious balconies overlooking the sea. There’s a lot going on here: a wall of paneled murals by Haitian artist Jasmin Joseph, lamps with turquoise coral and Venetian glass, sea green marble bathroom vanities and a mirror inlaid on the bathtub’s exterior. Like the lobby, though, it all comes together harmoniously to create a dreamy abode.
Food & Beverage 9/10
The onsite restaurant Celeste, teetering on a cliff overlooking Meads Bay with nautical and Art Deco flourishes, is the kind of place I imagine F. Scott Fitzgerald would feel at home. The elevated Caribbean cuisine is sourced from local purveyors with farm fresh salads and plenty of local fish and lobster on the menu. For pre-dinner cocktails, Bar Soleil, just off the lobby, offers a sophisticated cocktail and wine list and Caribbean tapas. There’s also Leon’s for lunch on the sand on Meads Bay alongside a reggae band.
Value 9/10
Rates from about $305 in low season and $750 in high. Book
The Bottom Line
About as a sublime a getaway as there is in the Caribbean and the crown jewel of Anguilla.
Contact
Meads Bay, AI-2640; 844-815-9207; malliouhana.com
