Anguilla keeps calling us back, and 2020 marked our sixth trip to the island. With so many beautiful beaches, restaurants, and resorts, it’s hard to choose, so we tend to try different places every trip. This year, we were drawn back to Meads Bay, and stayed at Frangipani Beach Resort. It’s not just the beachfront location which is the attraction. We soon learned what brings guests back again year after year. Frangipani is a wonderful mix of a fantastic location and luxurious accommodations, in a family-owned hotel, renowned for its gracious hospitality. Add to that one of the top restaurants on the island, and you have the perfect place to stay on the best island in the Caribbean. Let’s take a closer look.
Location
Frangipani Beach Resort is located in the center of Meads Bay, one of the most popular beaches on the island. The beach is approximately 3/4 of a mile in length, and is populated by some of the best resorts, beach bars, and restaurants. Anchored by Malliouhana and the Four Seasons, along the beach you’ll find Jacala, Blanchard’s Beach Shack, Blanchard’s restaurant, Waves, Ocean Echo, and more. The beach can get some waves at certain times of the year, but is perfect for swimming and sailing. Meads Bay is known for its amazing sunsets, although the time just before the sun rises is pretty spectacular.
Luxurious Accommodations
We’ve stayed in a variety of resorts on the island and throughout the Caribbean, and we’ve come to understand what we really want for an enjoyable stay. Franigpani fits perfectly with how we relax. We stayed in a two-bedroom suite on the first floor, literally just steps from the beach. The suite had a large living room adjacent to a full kitchen. Off the living room was a third bathroom, complete with a washer and dryer. Even if you don’t travel with children, having a laundry room is a wonderful amenity, allowing you to pack less and keep your wet items and other laundry under control. If you wanted to cook meals in, you have everything you need, as the kitchen is fully furnished with cookware, dishes, and utensils. Just outside the suite was a patio with a table and chairs to enjoy those sunsets.
On-Site Restaurant
Generally, we avoid resort restaurants as there are much better restaurants to be found on the island. However, Franigpani is unique as it has one of our favorite restaurants on the property, Straw Hat. We remember Straw Hat from back when it was located on Forest Bay. Its location at Franigpani is perfection. We enjoyed breakfast there every day, and had dinner there twice. And if you want room service, you get it from one of the best restaurants on the island. What could be better than that?
Eco-Friendly
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be an environmentalist, it is nice to know that efforts are made to preserve valuable resources and protect the natural beauty of the places we enjoy. Frangipani is leading the way in using clean energy to power the resort, reduce waste, and minimize the impact on the natural environment. Solar panels supply approximately 70% of the resort’s energy needs. Frangipani provides each guest with a reusable cup, and provides a chilled water dispenser near the pool from which to refill your glass. The resort has also moved to paper straws to reduce plastic waste.
The small amenities in the rooms have been replaced with large refillable bottles for lotions, shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap. The resort also has a waste water treatment plant from which they collect grey water to use for landscaping. The power required for that process is offset by the solar energy produced by the resort. It is the definition of an Eco-Luxe or Eco-Luxury resort. You sacrifice none of the luxuries of a well-appointed resort, while at the same time supporting the green initiative and environmental sustainability.
Activities
While I’ll be found swimming in the ocean or lounging by the pool, there is no shortage of options for those who want a little more activity on their vacation. Available for guests are Hobie Cats, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks.
Arrange for a trip on the FrangiCat, the resort’s own powerboat, to explore the island from the water, available at an extremely reasonable charge. Also available is an on-site spa, and the Petals Boutique, where I picked up a lovely piece of jewelry. Above the registration area is a fitness facility with incredible views of Meads Bay.
There are two pools, one infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean, and a deeper, more secluded pool adjacent to the spa. I found myself enjoying the peaceful refuge of the cushioned daybeds at that pool more than I imagined.
Hospitality
We love staying at small, family-owned hotels and resorts because they offer something that is oftentimes missing from large, corporate hotels. Frangipani not only met, but exceeded our expectations for personal service. By the time we left, I felt like I knew Shannon and Scott Kircher, including Scott’s favorite football team, and although they crushed our beloved Packers, I don’t hold a grudge. Both were extremely helpful and made you feel welcome and comfortable.
They also host a weekly sunset cocktail party, complete with music by local legend Sprocka, giving you the opportunity to connect not only with your hosts but other guests. It was no surprise that Frangipani has been repeatedly recognized as one of the best resorts in the Caribbean, and during our stay, Scott was recognized as Anguilla’s Hotelier of the Year. It is certainly worthy of all the accolades.
Perfect for couples or families or solo travelers, Frangipani has the best of everything on the best island in the Caribbean.
Stay tuned for more from our 2020 visit to Anguilla. We visit many of our favorite restaurants and some new spots as well. We take a snorkeling trip with Anguilla Charters, take long walks on Meads Bay, and do some shopping at some really unique gift shops. Join us along the way!