When Viceroy Anguilla was first opened in 2009, some locals and prospective guests looked askance. Askance! Because they thought it was too obtrusive, with its bold contemporary architecture that looked as if it might suddenly soar off into the wild blue yonder and serve as a space station to the world below. 

Since then the doubters have retrenched and, now that the lush landscaping has flourished, most agree that it looks like it belongs exactly where Meads and Barnes bays meet.


In this process, the resort has become one of the most sought-after places to stay on Anguilla—or anywhere in the Caribbean.

Well-heeled guests from all over the globe come to this sleek gated 33-acre manicured enclave to relax in stylish, art-filled public spaces and guest accommodations. Virtually everything in the resort is a work of art—furniture, wall hangings and accessories. Lamps are created out of found wood, metal sculptures and objects adorn the walls and tables. Beautiful stone is used as wall and floor coverings.

If you would like to spend your honeymoon in better surroundings than you might have at home, the resort’s luxurious suites and villas could be the place. If you see someone who looks like a celebrity, he or she probably is one. Just remember, this is not a fraternity mixer. Privacy. Please.

It’s all part of the Viceroy Hotel Group—a boutique and luxury hotel management company with unique properties in cities and resort areas around the world.  

Viceroy Anguilla Accommodations  
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler created the earth-toned environment in the rooms and public spaces that provides a soothing and natural sense of well-being indoors.

No attempt is made to compete with the spectacular views that provide Technicolor excitement that only the turquoise waters of the Caribbean can offer.

Couples in love, love nesting in the ocean-view one-bedroom suites, featuring 976 square-feet with a separate living room and kitchenette. Master bedrooms with marble walls include marble baths with double sinks and separate showers and deep soaking bathtubs big enough for two. The closets are huge. 

Each suite has an ocean view balcony with a private plunge pool and chaise lounges for two. Bedrooms include feather duvets (in case you want to crank up the a.c.), pillow-top mattresses and 100% cotton linens. Custom-designed furnishings and unique accessories and contemporary art and framed photographs complete the décor. Bedrooms and living rooms have 40”-46” HD flatscreen TVs and wireless Internet.

If you see anything you like, virtually everything can either be purchased or similar items may be ordered. Drinks and meals are just a romantic stroll away—through the beautifully landscaped grounds. But, if you’re afraid of scuffing up your Manolos, a golf cart can be summoned at the press of a button. 

Accommodations also include 1-2-3 bedroom residences and villas with their own swimming pool, ideal for a destination wedding couple hosting friends and family who appreciate privacy in the sun. 

Dining at the Resort
Viceroy Anguilla provides an eclectic array of dining and menu selections—from beachside grills to gourmet fare at Coba, featuring grilled prime meats and floor-to-ceiling views of both bays. 

Begin your stay with a sundowner at the resort’s Sunset Lounge with its sweeping views of the Caribbean--just beyond an infinity pool that’s as soothing as the drinks served at this social hub. A collection of aged rums, Cuban cigars and Champagnes are the lounge’s specialties. 

Aleta arrays a breakfast buffet that changes daily and features at least six different fresh juices (watermelon seems to lead in popularity). Yogurt toppings include nuts, grains, fruit and/or homemade granola.  

The devilish pastry chef tempts with daily creative treats: chocolate croissants, guava muffins, multi-grain, banana and poppy seed breads.  The a la carte menu includes omelets, pancakes, and French toast.

Romantic private dinners for two can be set up at Sunset Point--offering shimmering views of the sea as the sun takes its final bow for the day. And, of course, there is in-room dining.

Bamboo Bar and Grill is a beach-casual 100-seat restaurant offering indigenous ingredients such as Anguilla’s famed local lobster. For those who wish to exercise their own culinary talent, rooms with full kitchens can be personally stocked with ingredients they request. Those in rooms with full kitchens can also have meals catered daily by a personal chef. Guests do not go hungry (or thirsty) at the Viceroy. 

Destination Weddings and Honeymoons
Numerous indoor and outdoor wedding venues are offered including the Sunset and Meads Bay pools.  No outdoor wedding is booked at the resort without an indoor backup plan, just in case a sprinkle should appear on the horizon.

The resort’s romance counselors are adept at helping couples create incredibly detailed and unique destination weddings and will also work with your own events planner.  The resort has also hosted several same-gender weddings, from 20 to 150 guests. 

This is definitely not a cookie-cutter operation. Want an Indian themed marketplace around the pool? No problem. Intimate events for 30-40 attendees on up to a guest list in the hundreds are within the realm of possibility. The only limit is your budget. Getting married and/or honeymooning at the Viceroy is likely to be expensive. 

There are no honeymoon packages per se offered at the resort but couples can take advantage of general offers such as getting a fifth night free after a four-night stay and inclusive packages that include a king suite, continental breakfast buffet, lunch, and a three-course dinner in the resort’s restaurants or from the in-room dining menu. The Viceroy Inclusive package is not an “all-inclusive” package as it does not include alcoholic beverage or snacks in-between meals.  

On-Site Activities for Couples
The Viceroy is the only resort on Anguilla to span two beaches--Barnes Bay and Mead Bay, where guests can stock up on their daily requirement of Vitamin D. And if the thought of dealing with pristine white sand is just too much, there are cabanas for rent around the resort’s three amazing pools, including an adults-only bluff-top infinity pool. 

On a more active note, snorkelers can swim through a grotto located at the separation point of the two bays and frolic among phosphorescent fish and coral formations. And there is a well-appointed fitness center.  

The Sports Pavilion also features a basketball court, tennis pro shop and rock climbing. Tennis anyone? A complimentary 30-minute tennis session with a pro is scheduled twice a week.

Spa treatments, including couples massages, are available in-room and beachside. The Plumeria Treatment room is used for couples’ treatments and features views of the Caribbean. 

About Anguilla 
It’s small island, approximately 16 miles long and three miles wide, and lies about five miles across the water from its French/Dutch neighbor St. Martin/St. Maarten. With a population of 16,000, Anguilla's success lies in the many visitors who return year after year to bask in the sun, relax, and savor some of the best food and friendliest residents in the Caribbean.

As a British Overseas Territory, English is the official language and driving is done on the left side of the road. You’ll need to decide whether to rent a car or take taxis to get around. There is no public transportation—it’s really tricky to build a successful subway system on a coral island…

One ‘must’ is a visit to Dune Preserve, the bar/restaurant/music venue owned and run by Bankie Banks, a Caribbean reggae superstar who is known as the Anguillan Bob Dylan and is frequently on premise to welcome revelers, day and night. Visitors come to enjoy the music, the beach, the food and drink and the funky atmosphere at what just may be the coolest beach bar on the planet. 

For a relaxing day of fun, take a boat out to Sandy Island, where you can enjoy a panoramic views of the mainland at a traditional drum-pan BBQ with a cooler stocked with beer. Another local treat is to dine at Jacala restaurant, which features local seafood with French flair. The lobster club sandwich alone is worth the trip to Anguilla. 

Find Out More About Viceroy Anguilla Resort & Residences
This is not an all-inclusive, all-adult resort. Yet couples who might not want to be in an environment with lots of children will be pleased to know that even though the resort is family-friendly, children at the resort have their own programs, activities and pools. 

As a retreat for movers and shakers, Viceroy Anguilla is not at all stuffy, but a certain amount of decorum is at play. If you’re expecting rum-fueled limbo contests and toga parties around the pool, that’s not going to happen. Although the resort will not reveal the names of guests, the press has reported that Shaquille O’Neal, Simon Cowell, Shakira, Nate Berkus, Kelly Osbourne, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter have stayed at the Viceroy. Wait! Is that Magic Johnson? Yes, it is!

There is a relaxed ease to the resort—men will feel comfortable in nice slacks, shorts and shirts but women, especially, can dress up as much as they wish in this tropical clime. You may have seen fashion shows featuring resort clothing. This is the place to wear it.

Viceroy Anguilla Resort & Residences
P. O. Box 8028WE
Ai-2640 Anguilla
British West Indies
Phone: 800-578-0285 from the U.S.

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Anguilla is served by Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport on island and Princess Juilana International Airport in nearby St. Maarten.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and  meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.