Not sure where to begin...to start with why don't I say "wow"...what a wonderful week and great experience. We are thankful to our hosts Neil and Wendy for sharing their island home with us. This is our second experience at Villa Alegria and every bit as good as the first.
Let's start with the island...Anguilla is a wonderful island that is away short flight or boat trip away from the crowds over on St. Maarten. The island itself boasts countless white sand beaches, 33 to be exact, with crystal clear turquoise waters and great restaurants. Our favorite beaches, all close driving distance from the villa were Shoal Bay East - home to a number of casual beach bars, white sand and turquoise waters and Rendezvous Bay – also home to white sand and turquoise waters, but also the Bankie Banx Dune Preserve if you are into some afternoon music. Both beaches have ample opportunity for activity and fun or if you wanted...just peace, quiet and relaxation. This is of course not to mention a beautiful sandy beach that is all but a short 100 yard walk down a path from the villa to the ocean.
In terms of restaurants, for a small island Anguilla boasts a range of fine-dining, mid-range and casual dining options. It is truly unlike any other island we have been to and cater to those who appreciate a great dining experience. Our favorite restaurants were Blanchard's and Barrel Stay. We liked Blanchard's for their lively atmosphere and great food. Barrel Stay was an unknown to us but turned out to be a great experience. When we first got there we did not have high expectations as the outward appearance was more of a casual beach bar. However, we were literally blown away with the meal...from the service, to the appetizers, main course and dessert it was fine dining at its best. Graham is clearly a top notch chef with a passion for excellence in cuisine.
In terms of the villa...it is situated on the highly desirable west side of the island in a quiet residential neighbourhood and is central to all amenities. Close to the ferry terminal and a short drive from the small island airport. So the trip to the villa, if anything, was an easy and short drive down an unassuming road to the edge of the ocean.
The villa itself is stunning, beyond comparison and well over 7,500 square feet. It boasts stunning ocean views of the turquoise waters from each of the four bedrooms, great room and kitchen and 30 foot ceilings, if not higher, in the grand entrance and great room. The kitchen is without doubt a chef's kitchen and has top end appliances, granite counter tops, a wine fridge and has ample room for preparing meals while enjoying the views of the ocean. The great room has floor to ceiling doors and windows which fully open to enjoy the trade winds with a walkout to an outdoor lounge area and with additional seating for lunches and dinner. All of this overlooking a large waters-edge infinity pool with an attached whirlpool. In addition there are ample lounge chairs and umbrellas situated around the pool to enjoy the perfect south exposure and great views of St Maarten in the distance.
In a a separate building was a fully equipped fitness studio for those who wanted to balance relaxation with fitness. The villa also had a separate media room/office, which I personally found quite useful when balancing vacation with work priorities and checking the occasional email and making a phone call.
The four bedrooms were exquisite and well located in the four corners of the house allowing our group of eight (four couples in our mid-fifties) with more than ample privacy. The bedrooms were so private that at night we felt like we had the villa all to ourselves without knowing the other was there. Each bedroom had stunning ocean views, a luxurious and well equipped bathroom, and comfortable beds with soft linens that provided for a restful sleep. Two of the bathrooms had both indoor and outdoor showers and the master bathroom had a soaking tub. Should the evening breezes not be enough to cool us each bedroom also had a separate air conditioning unit.
The bottom line for us...this is wonderful villa and we highly recommend it. Exceptional accommodation, exquisite infinity pool overlooking the turquoise ocean waters, perfect southern exposure, beautiful beaches, no crowds, great restaurants and most importantly wonderful hosts, an attentive house manager and a diligent housekeeper. We appreciate Villa Alegria and look forward to our return.
Jon Stungevicius stayed at the villa through his membership in 3RDHOME.