I recently had the opportunity to visit Anguilla for the first time, and I was lucky enough to finally visit Auberge’s luxury Caribbean resort, Malliouhana. I knew a stay at the Auberge Resorts would be the ultimate luxury vacation, but I did not expect to have such a surreal experience!
Before I even arrived at the airport, the resort took care of all of my questions and provided excellent service – a great sign!
If you’ve never been to Anguilla, it’s paradise in every way, but the secluded slice of heaven does not have a direct point of access unless you are flying by private plane. Don’t worry though – I promise it’s worth it.
I flew into St. Maarten then took a short, 25-minute boat ride to Anguilla. The boat ride over was beautiful to say the least. I gazed out at the horizon the entire ride, mesmerized by the beauty of the tropical mountain range meeting the turquoise ocean. Once docked in Anguilla, I breezed through customs and hopped in the car to Malliouhana.
The Malliouhana staff greeted me upon arrival with refreshing lemongrass towels and my favorite cocktail. Lemongrass grows wild on the property, so it’s incorporated into the in-room bath products and as a signature scent throughout the resort. If you shut your eyes, you feel like you’re in a gigantic outdoor spa the whole time!
The friendly staff toured me around the sprawling property and brought me to my room. I loved the open layout of my room. It felt light and airy and was decorated with vibrant colors. My terrace had a table and chairs and a lounge bed – the perfect place to drink my morning coffee, relax, and take in the spectacular ocean views.
If you sleep with a sound machine, you can leave it at home this trip. Every night I was lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves. Absolute bliss!
After settling in and getting acclimated, I headed to the resort’s main restaurant, Celeste, for dinner. I was pleased to discover that you can enjoy both breakfast and dinner at Celeste, taking in the gorgeous view of Meads Bay as you enjoy your delicious meals.
The entrees at Celeste are inspired by Caribbean fare. I absolutely loved my lobster ceviche with a coconut and jalapeno vinaigrette and my grilled crayfish with steamed broccolini. This was the first time I tried crayfish and it was delicious!
The next day, I started my morning off with a morning coffee on my picture-perfect terrace. Every room has a coffee machine, but the hotel also serves coffee in the lobby beginning at 7am.
After my coffee, I headed to the gym. Malliouhana has a wonderful fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your fitness routine won’t be disturbed during your travels. The gym even has Woodway treadmills! In my opinion, these are the best treadmills out there. Such a perk! I also decided to try out the Beach Bootcamp class. It was both invigorating and challenging, but the biggest challenge was focusing with the ocean and beach as the backdrop. I couldn’t wait to put my toes in the sand!
As if the bootcamp wasn’t enough, I had to try the stand-up paddle board and the other activities available at the resort. All of the non-motorized sports are complimentary so I couldn’t resist trying everything. I may have a problem with knowing exactly how to relax! The resort also has motorized water sports available too, as well as tennis, basketball, and pickleball. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of pickleball until this trip!
After so many activities, I worked up quite an appetite and headed to lunch.
Bar Soleil serves the most delicious lunch. You can sample food created with Caribbean and Middle Eastern influences. In the evening, enjoy the stunning Anguillan sunsets from the terrace while you sip artisanal cocktails. Bar Soleil also serves small plates, such as Caribbean-inspired tacos with pressed sweet potato tortillas. Enjoy your food in the seating areas on the patio or by the pool.
I highly recommend Leon’s at Mead Bay. Experience the amazing beach while you drink a rumsicle cocktail or grab a bite to eat. Leon’s is known for their signature Johnny Cake Burger and their outstanding ceviche. Leon’s also services the beach area of Meads Bay for Malliouhana guests. After working on your tan, take a break, grab some food and drink, and play a game of pool, ping pong, or foosball – all available at Leon’s.
I loved Malliouhana’s relaxing energy, encouraging guests to enjoy their stays however they please. If you want to lounge by the pool – whether it’s the family pool or the adult infinity pool – the staff will attend to your every need as you bask in the ocean views from the poolside terrace. If you seek shade or privacy, cabanas are available too!
The iconic white sand beaches of Meads Bay are just a short walk away from the pool area. Malliouhana provides service to guests on this area of the beach. If you are looking for a more secluded beach, head to Turtle Cove. If you let the front desk know you’ll be spending time at Turtle Cove, they will pack waters and towels for you. Should you want to explore the island further, Malliouhana will arrange for a rental car or taxi to escort you. Regardless of the beach you visit, you will not be disappointed. The turquoise water invites you in with its beauty, making you forget any lingering stresses of the real world.
Let’s not forget about the Spa! Recently renovated, the Spa is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate at the end of the day. Choose from a variety of treatments or just sit and relax, taking in the serene atmosphere. If you prefer to relax outdoors, lounge by the plunge pool on the terrace. If you prefer private spa treatments, you can request to receive any service in the privacy of your own room.
Don’t worry if you forget something. Malliouhana has a boutique on the property for any and all clothing and toiletry needs. They also have SPF 50 available at both pools. Trust me, you’ll need it!
My experience at Malliouhana was absolutely amazing. The food, service, and location were beyond incredible. I am already nostalgic just writing this article! I am so excited to recommend this luxury resort to my clients; I am sure they will love it!
