Anguilla Villas, Hotels, or Resorts?

Anguilla is a very unusual island in many ways. Some of these circumstances make renting Anguilla villas the best bargain around.

Due to the fact that there is no income tax, people pay high taxes and duties. So everything costs more here, especially the Anguilla hotels and resorts.

However, my Dad finds real estate still to be reasonably priced. He says that Anguilla hasn't really been discovered yet, although its popularity is growing as the likes of Brad Pitt and Jay-Z vacation on Anguilla's sandy shores, bringing the paparazzi along.

But for the most part, Anguilla remains hidden. We certainly never heard about it before reading the Blanchards' book A Trip To The Beach.

As a result of this anonymity, the tax structure and the "high-end tourist" marketing approach, the hotels are very expensive when you compare the cost of a hotel room to the cost of real estate.

Villas on the other hand, are often owned by people who are off-island some of the time and want to make extra income by renting their Caribbean home. The rent can be literally a tenth of the price of a one bedroom suite at a hotel.

Of course, these Anguilla villas are not "Waldorf-Astoria-luxurious." I love chocolates on my pillow and ordering room service when we go to New York or other cities. But there's no pampering in most villas, unless you want to stay in the ones that cost you $20-30,000 per week.

But if you're looking for an economical Caribbean vacation, not only will you be saving on Anguilla accommodations, but on eating too! When you're staying at a hotel most meals are consumed in restaurants, which can get quite costly.

But we have figured out how to eat well and inexpensively on this upscale Caribbean island. Click here to find out how.

Everything seems more flexible, more "on our own," than when we stay in hotels. And there is certainly much more space.

"So what's your favorite Anguilla Villa?"

That's usually the second question people ask me when we talk about Anguilla (after the beaches of course!).

We've stayed at and wandered through many villas...

(Click here to share your favorite Anguilla villas!)

Barnes Bay Villa... Our very first of all of the villas in Anguilla that ever hosted us, of course has very fond memories. Click here to read about our first Anguilla villa experience.

Little Harbour Villa... Our second stay was in a spectacular, private villa, gazing out at the St. Martin scenery. Click here to read about our stay.

Actually, we loved it there so much we stayed there twice, before the family moved back in!

C-Breeze Inn Villa... We haven't stayed here yet! But it's an ideal villa for two travelers on a budget. Hopefully, one day, my sister and I will travel to Anguilla alone and stay in this cute Caribbean cottage!

Click here for more information on C-Breeze Inn.

BeachCourt Villa... My sister and my Dad's favorite high-class, luxury Anguilla villa!

Click here to read about their stay at BeachCourt Villa.

Tortue Villa... And then, of course, there was our "happy disaster"... which ended up in our best stay ever at an Anguilla villa, perched spectacularly above Shoal Bay East, living in luxury, all at a reasonable cost.

Click here to read about our vacations at Tortue Villa.

The first two Anguilla villas we stayed at are no longer available for rent, but I highly recommend Tortue Villa!

If it is booked or if you're simply curious about other villas in Anguilla, my best suggestion is to contact Jackie Pascher, our favorite Anguilla real estate agent.

Jackie knows all of the Anguilla villas, and seems to know every Anguilla villa owner on the island. We depend on her to find us our villa (although something tells me we'll be happy with the Tortue Villa for a long, long time!).

Here is an important lesson that we learned, the hard way, about why it's so important to have someone in Anguilla, like Jackie, who can take care of you, in the event of problems.

My dad originally asked several people about her -- she has a great reputation. And since first meeting her, we've come to know her very well. We like her, and more importantly, we trust her completely.

She will take care of all your needs and set you up with the most perfect Anguilla villa!

Remember, summer rates are much cheaper, and the August boat races are fantastic. So don't eliminate the idea of a summer vacation here.

You can reach Jackie Pascher here by filling out this form...

All this talk about Anguilla villas makes me wonder... What's your favorite Anguilla villa?

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