What it is

A chic new resort on Anguilla’s East End, with arguably the island’s best spa.

What it isn't

Sexy in a couples-only way. The resort has grown-up enticements, but the long list of activities draws families as well.

What we think

Anguilla doesn’t lack for intimate and luxurious resorts, but Zemi Beach’s spa and blissful accommodations set it apart. The 65 rooms are some of the island’s more modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows, slick white interiors and wood accents (Brazilian ipê four-poster beds, petrified wood sinks) to lend an earthen aesthetic. It’s not all about looks, however: Malin+Goetz bath amenities, Frette linens and Caribbean-inspired minibar offerings up the indulgence factor. The resort’s showstopper is the spa, occupying a centuries-old Thai house reassembled here and featuring the island’s only hammam and an exotic (as in “mother of pearl exfoliation” exotic) list of treatments. Two restaurants serve fresh-off-the-boat seafood, there’s a bar with 100 types of rum, and the concierge can arrange anything from sunset horseback rides on the beach to a day trip to St. Barts.

You're here because

You want to split the difference between utter relaxation and adrenaline-packed adventure.

The Moment

The sun is low in the sky as you tread the spa’s 300-year-old wood floors and arrive for your Thai Qi Fusion treatment. Inside, the soothing lullaby of flowing water and the soft glow of light on stone ushers you into a new plane of relaxation as a therapist walks over with your hand-brewed tea.

Restaurants & Bars

20 Knots - Casual beachfront dining

Stone - Seasonally-inspired local sea-to-table cuisine

Rhum Room - More than 100 small-batch, single-estate rums

Shoal Bay - Casual beachfront cocktails

The Bar & Lounge - Live music and pre- and post-dinner drinks

Location

On a bluff overlooking picturesque Shoal Bay beach, on the island’s northeastern shore. A host of beachfront dives and local gems are a short walk on white sand. The airport is 10 minutes away.