four seasons anguilla review — ***Image: Horan, Christian, Four Seasons***

A Review of Four Seasons Anguilla

There’s a reason Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla feels like the default pick for families on this tiny, beautifully calm Caribbean island. It’s big (the largest property on Anguilla at ~35 acres with 181 keys), thoughtfully laid out, and built to deliver on almost everything you’d want from a high‑end beach escape.

four seasons anguilla resort and residences — ***Image: Horan, Christian, Four Seasons***

Getting There

There are two main ways to reach Anguilla. Fly direct, or fly smart. The island’s Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) handles limited direct flights, mostly from Miami and select Caribbean hubs.

Most travelers fly into St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana Airport (SXM), then transfer to Anguilla via a 25-minute ferry or private boat, which departs just outside the arrivals terminal. It’s smooth, scenic, and often faster than connecting flights.

Pro tip: book a private boat through the resort in advance for a quicker customs experience and an easy start to your vacation.

First Impressions & Location

Spread between two of Anguilla’s signature beaches, Meads Bay and Barnes Bay, the resort checks the essential Caribbean vacation boxes. Unobstructed ocean views (about 80 % of rooms), soft sand underfoot, and easy access to water sports and long, walkable shoreline.

Four Seasons doesn’t have the picture‑perfect inlet vibe of Cap Juluca or the clifftop solitude of Malliouhana, but what it does have is breadth, multiple lounging spots, pools, dining venues, and sprawling accommodations that gives it slightly more atmosphere.

Four Season Anguilla Resort Review — *Images; Four Seasons Anguilla Resort and Residences*

Hotel Design

Renowned designer Kelly Wearstler shaped much of the atmosphere at Four Seasons Anguilla, and the effect is subtle but intentional. Studies in environmental psychology show that elements like color, material, and spatial layout directly impact mood, and here, everything is designed to slow you down.

The palette is soft, the textures are natural, and the overall tone is quiet and grounded. Compared to the vibrant, expressive style of Malliouhana or the romantic styling of Cap Juluca, this feels more composed, less about making a statement, more about creating calm. Ideal for worn out parents who desperately want to de-stimulate and reach peak relaxation within minutes of landing.

Four Seasons Anguilla rooms — ***Image: Suite at Four Season Anguilla, Horan, Christian, Four Seasons***

Hotel Room

Where Four Seasons Anguilla really stakes its claim is in space and flexibility. The inventory ranges from ocean‑view suites with private plunge pools to multi‑bedroom villas and residences with kitchens, washers/dryers, and enough room to genuinely live rather than just sleep.

For families or groups, this is a standout advantage, the residences feel like a base for island life rather than a single room with a sea view. A practical touch worth noting, the resort offers complimentary laundry service for kids under five, a small but meaningful perk for parents.

We opted for a one-bedroom ocean-view suite with an outdoor plunge pool during our stay. The beds were large and comfortable, with fluffy monogrammed pillowcases. The suite also had a decent-sized lounge area and a plunge pool.

Four Seasons Anguilla Salt restaurant — ***Image: SALT Restaurant, Horan, Christian, Four Seasons***

Restaurants

With the most robust dining lineup on the island, Four Seasons Anguilla delivers on both quality and variety, whether you're after a beachside cocktail or something more formal.

SALT is the resort’s flagship restaurant, with a modern Caribbean menu shaped by Executive Chef Emmanuel Calderón’s global approach and deep Yucatán roots. Expect thoughtful takes on local flavors, salt-cured ceviche, jerk chicken with plantains, oxtail croquettes, served in a beautiful space overlooking the water. For something more casual, Bamboo Bar & Grill is the go-to for long lunches on Meads Bay, while Sunset Lounge serves sushi, rum cocktails, and DJ sets with the best sunset view on the property.

Newcomer Lima Limón brings a welcome dose of heat and flavour, blending bold Mexican dishes like cochinita pibil and birria short rib with Caribbean influence. Meanwhile, Café Nai offers excellent cold brew, matcha, and pastries, ideal for slow mornings or a post-swim caffeine fix.

Foodies can join complimentary ceviche-making classes, Margarita workshops, or stop by Tequila Tuesdays at Lima Limón. Island Bites & Sights, a progressive dining tour, offers a taste of Anguilla beyond the resort. And every Tuesday, Punch & Paint, a relaxed art-and-sip session hosted by local artist Lynne Bernbaum, is held at SALT.

It’s one of the few Caribbean resorts where staying on property to eat doesn’t feel like a compromise, it feels like part of the reason you came.

breakfast at four seasons anguilla — *Image: Cory Bjork*

Where to Eat

Anguilla punches well above its weight when it comes to food, and while Four Seasons has plenty to offer, it’s worth venturing out.

For fine dining, both nearby Malliouhana and Cap Juluca are strong bets. Uchu at Cap Juluca serves Peruvian dishes in a beachfront setting, think tiraditos, ceviche, and pisco cocktails under the palms, while Pimms reinterprets local Anguillian flavors, while providing one of the most romantic settings on the island.

For something more casual and local, time your visit to catch a Sunday backyard BBQ, where the ribs are smoky, the chicken falls off the bone, and the crowd is mostly localsl, it’s laid-back, authentic, and totally unfiltered.

Keep an eye out for roadside grills and beach shacks too; some of the best bites on the island come from the most unassuming spots.

pool at Four Seasons Resorts and Residences Anguilla — *Image: The main pool at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla*

Beaches and Pools

Meads Bay on the resort side is beautiful. Wide, clean, and serviced with umbrellas and loungers that rarely feel crowded, even at high season. There are three pool areas (two family‑friendly and one adults‑only), giving everyone space to spread out.

The western end of Meads Bay (beyond the resort’s direct frontage) often has the calmest, best swimming conditions on the beach.

Where it doesn’t compete with Cap Juluca is in that immediate step‑out‑to‑sea feeling; Four Seasons requires a short walk or golf cart hop from many rooms, whereas Cap Juluca’s beachfront villas are literally on the sand. Still, for most families, and if you select your room wisely, it’s a non‑issue. What matters more is that the space feels generous and that there are options for every kind of day (beach, pool, or both).

Service & Guest Experience

Service here is predictably excellent. Staffers are attentive without being intrusive, and we consistently felt catered to.

Whether it’s setting up beach chairs with icy water in hand, helping with kids’ laundry, or arranging boat days and island excursions, the team hits the high standard you expect from Four Seasons.

Four Seasons Anguilla Gym — ***Image: Fitness Center at Four Season Resort and Residences Anguilla, Horan, Christian, Four Seasons***

Activities

Four Seasons Anguilla offers more than just downtime. We tried the resort’s open-air Pilates and HIIT classes, plus the complimentary TORCHD workouts with Isaac Boots, all solid. For something slower, Punch & Paint with local artist Lynne Bernbaum was a highlight. Rum punch in hand, canvas in front of you, ocean breeze in the background.

Foodies can join complementary Margarita-making classes or the ceviche workshop, while the Island Bites & Sights tour takes you off property for a progressive meal across local restaurants and is really enjoyable. If you’re craving water time, charter a yacht, snorkel the offshore cays, or take a shared 15-minute flight to St. Barths for a worthwhile day trip arranged by the resort team.

We also hired a car, which was easy to arrange locally, and drove to Shoal Bay for snorkeling and a look at local life. The island is small, safe, and easy to navigate. It’s not Cozumel-level reef, but the freedom to explore and friendly faces were worth it.

Final Thoughts

Four Seasons Anguilla is the island’s best all-rounder, particularly for families, groups, or anyone who wants space. The design is calming, the dining lineup is strong, and the activity offering goes well beyond the usual.

Compared to the romance-driven atmospheres at Cap Juluca and Malliouhana, this property feels more family-orientated, more social, and ultimately has a bit more atmosphere. If you're staying for a week or more, we’d suggest pairing it with one of the others, start slow at Malliouhana, settle in here, then finish at Cap Juluca. But if you're only picking one, this is a smart choice.

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