TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Anguilla for 1 night?

We have never been to Anguilla, but plan on going this year. We would take the public ferry over, then get a taxi to & from the beach if we plan on staying just for the day (we sometimes consume too many beverages, making the most of the 1 day trip) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> But...what if we rented a car for 2 days & stayed over night? Any suggestions where to stay & estimated cost of the entire 2 day stay? Thanks for everyone's ideas <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

There are several places to stay along Shoal Bay East which is one of the nicest beaches. Serenity, Allamanda, Elodia's and Madeariman are a few that come to mind. You would probably be spending about $500 depending on your choice of accommodation. There are less expensive places to stay closer to the ferry terminal if cost is a factor.

When? - Rates change after April 15 at most places.
If you rent a car, figure $40-50 per day plus $20 for license. Public Ferry round trip - $80.00 for two should cover fare and all the departure taxes.
Now, where to stay, Shoal Bay East is good, but there is nothing open at night.
Meads Bay is excellent - many restaurants and places to walk, you would not need a car.
Rendezvous Bay is great - very nice beach - a few places to walk and low to high end places to stay - not sure if they will rent for one night - what is your room budget?
Ellen

The two day price of $500 was only for accommodation in April.I know others have stayed for less depending on the choice as stated previously.

first couple days of March, not April. Yes, like most we have a budget; $500 per night accommodations is not in this couple's budget! Some walking would be fine, but would need to take taxi to/from ferry and to/from the beach? Other than $80 ferry & taxes spending our day(s)on the beach what should we expect...suggestions?

Most people that go for a day can do so for about $200 depending on how much you eat or drink at the beach. This usually includes your car rental and Marigot ferry service. If you take a private boat to Anguilla, then the cost will be a lot more as they charge about $80 per person.

Stay on Meads Bay - check Carimar, Turtles Nest and Anacaona.
You would taxi to and from the dock, you could walk to several restaurants and Blanchards Beach Shack. You would be right on the beach - Anacaona is set back on a hill - but is less than a 5 minute walk to the beach.
If you rent a car for a day, then you can drive around and see Shoal Bay East, Rendezvous Bay, Maundays Bay, that is what I would do, the driving is easy - it is on the left, but there is very little traffic.
If you are there on a Sunday, go to DaVida, have lunch and see Omari Banks and his band Eleven, they have really nice loungers, free with lunch, and great food.
Ellen

ditto on Mead's. Carimar and Anacona are both great options for someone on a budget. Anacona is a short walk from the beach, but Carimar is on the beach. Restaurants nearby too!!

On a flip coin of what Ellen said....all good ideas, if you are on a budget, you might try Sydans in Sandy Ground....party central in the evening....Pumphouse...Dad's...Elvis's Beach Bar & many restaurants in Sandy Ground....you can just walk from one bar to the next.....

I would book a car as well,easy to drive......too many beaches to see.... & taxi's are expensive.....

Have never stayed at Sydans...have met many who like it.....around $150.00 per night....ferry & car (see Ellen's).....drinks are about 7-10 & beer is around 4....or buy some at the grocery store....breakfast at Valley Bistro...eggs benedict around 12 each.....lots of inexpensive food trucks in The Valley and all are good as are most of the roadside BBQ's.....
have fun.....
Shoal Bay is way too far out and isolated to stay at night.....

To add to Ellen's Sunday's.....there is Gwen's Reggae on Shoal Bay...Bankie Banx (The Dune Preserve).....Dad's on Sunday night..... if you are planning an overnight you might want to book not much left in the inexpensive places......kate<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

Some places won’t rent for just one night, and as Kate says – book now because things fill up fast in high season. Kate gave you a good suggestion about Sydan’s, they get mixed reviews, but they are right in the middle of the action and you would not need a car if you stayed there. Lots of restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Other places you might consider – I would def get a car if I was staying on Rendezvous Bay:

Natures Garden – 5 minute walk to Rendezvous Bay, always gets good reviews, good prices – you could walk to The Place (beach bar type restaurant), Anguilla Great House Restaurant, Cuisinart – see the hydrophonic farm, and the Dune Preserve – home of Bankie Banks – he puts on shows Wed, Friday late and Sunday.

Anguilla Great House – on Rendezvous Bay – right on the beach – small restaurant, pool. Older property – main attraction is walk out the door to a great, calm beach.

There are nice properties on Shoal Bay East, but most everything closes at night on that end of the island, Shoal Bay Villas, very nice, always gets great reviews, perfect beach, lots of places around it for daytime fun.
Ellen

thanks for info! I did some more searching online. Idea: If we take taxi to Sydan's, check in, is the beach within walking distance? And safe? Return walk to Sydan's, enjoy nightlife, next day take taxi back to dock.

It's been two or three years since we last stayed overnight but I just want to give you a heads-up that the stay-over departure fee from Anguilla was considerably higher than the day trip fee that last trip. I'm thinking it was about twenty dollars per person but I'm sure Kate or Ellen could update this if I'm mistaken. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Does Maderiman have accommodations? Would be good to know!

Yes, they have about 5 units all with beach view.

http://www.anguillabeach.org/anguilla_hotels_beach/madeariman_beach_club/

Agree with a lot of Ellen's suggestions.


There is also the Ferryboat Inn, which is affordable. Fun on Wednesday Wing night.
http://ferryboatinn.ai/

But I personally enjoy the area of Mead's Bay. Walk to restaurants along the beach. If you need breakfast and aren't already staying there, Anacaona has a full breakfast menu, and it's around the pool Lovely setting.

Yes, beach is right in front of Sydans.
Body and Soul is there too in Sandy Ground - it is very nice also.
Meads Bay is nicer - more expensive and may not rent for one night.
Yes Pat, departure fee is 20.00 for overnighters.
Ferry Boat Inn is good - but no where to go other than FBI.
If I was looking for nightlife I would stay in Sandy Ground at Body and Soul.
If I was looking for great dining, great beach and early to bed, I would stay on Meads Bay.
Meads Bay Web cam
http://www.earthcam.com/cams/anguilla/meadsbay/?cam=meadsbay_hd
Ellen