The Ultimate Caribbean

Here’s the lowdown on the Caribbean’s best: beaches, sailing, shopping, authentic experiences, adventure, unspoiled nature and peace and quiet.

Anguilla | Grenadines | Bahamas | Nevis | Saba | St. Bart's | St. John | Vieques | Virgin Gorda

Best for beaches: Anguilla

Almost in the shadow of nearby St. Martin, with St. Bart’s visible on clear days, Anguilla is flat and sandy and remains relatively undeveloped compared with its neighbors—but it’s still home to some of the most luxurious resorts and villas in the region.
Worth the splurge: Having recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, the Mediterranean-style Malliouhana Hotel & Spa (800/835-0796 or 246/497-6111; malliouhana.com; doubles from $500) is still going strong, with a newish spa, chef Michel Rostang’s haute-French restaurant, and a 25,000-bottle wine cellar.

Best value: At a far lower price point is the 27-suite Kú (Shoal Bay East; 800/869-5827; ku-anguilla.com; doubles from $160), from the owners of Cap Juluca. Every spacious, if basic, suite comes with a kitchen.

Real estate: For those taken with the villa lifestyle, now is the time to invest. In 2008, the Temenos Resort & Residences from St. Regis (800/ 567-1845 or 264/498-7000; temenosanguilla.com; from $1.6 million) will unveil the first of 115 villas and estates. The Kor Hotel Group’s 35-acre Viceroy Anguilla (800/357-1930 or 264/497-0757; viceroyanguilla.com; from $1 million), also opening in 2008, will be selling 172 California-meets-Caribbean residences.

Top beach: On the Caribbean side, the best way to experience scenic Rendezvous Bay, with its view of St. Martin, is by staying at the CuisinArt Resort (800/943-3210 or 264/498-2000; cuisinartresort.com; doubles from $685).

Favorite restaurant: Run by Malliouhana chef Dale Carty, Tasty’s Restaurant (Main Rd., South Hill; 264/497-2737; lunch for two $60) lives up to its name. Islanders are almost obsessive about his peppery-hot goat-and-potato curry.

Local flavor: Unfussy roadside barbecue shacks are where you’ll find the most memorable (and affordable) meals. Try the fiery grilled ribs and fish at Tamarind Tree Bar & Restaurant (Coronation Ave., The Valley; 264/235-2415); at BBQ Grill (across from the People’s Market, The Valley; 264/772-6204), the specialty is sliced roasted pork, rubbed in lemon and lime.

Where to shop: The best souvenir can be found at the post office (The Valley; 264/497-2528), which sells colorful stamps that celebrate everything from the island’s cultural heritage to Princess Diana.

Don’t miss: Named after a 19th-century English shipping family, Planters Pyrat is the tipple of choice, distilled in Sandy Ground (Road Bay; 264/497-5003; tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

[Via - The Ultimate Caribbean]