Eddie Murphy is one of the biggest comedic actors in history. Based on his international stardom alone, Murphy could have probably had his wedding anywhere in the world. But he and longtime partner Paige Butcher decided to exchange their vows back in July in Anguilla, an enchanting Caribbean island roughly half the size of Washington, D.C., that’s hugged by white sands and turquoise waters.
As much as the dreamy destination caters to the Hollywood elite on holiday, the thing that makes the island special is its knack for ensuring everyday people feel like stars, too. And nowhere on the island is that statement truer than at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Zemi Beach House Anguilla, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Here, no matter if you’re checking in for a stay or checking out the spa menu, everyone is tended to like a celebrity.
When Forbes Travel Guide visited the Shoal Bay sanctuary recently, we were wined, wowed and whisked about like a rock star. But from the relaxed looks on guests’ faces around the resort, we weren’t the only ones feeling the love. Here are the five things we’ll most remember about our VIP vacation.
(Editor’s note: Zemi Beach House is in the midst of its annual closure. The resort will reopen on October 19.)
The Setting
Though Anguilla has Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, the easiest way to the island may be through another country. By flying into neighboring St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport, you’re afforded a few more options. Once you land, simply take a prearranged boat ride with a company like Funtime Boat Charter that’ll get you to Anguilla in about 30 minutes. From there, it’s just another 15-minute car ride through quaint towns to the resort.
As you approach Zemi Beach House’s white-washed villas, you’ll pass grazing goats on one side of the street and an impressive solar farm on the other. The 2,700 panels generate 100% of the resort’s daytime power, a claim no other Caribbean resort can make. But Zemi Beach House’s green-forward ethos doesn’t stop there; in collecting rainwater for landscaping irrigation and offering a Digital Detox Experience (gadgets are exchanged for detox juices at registration; books and board games are placed in rooms), it’s living it in other ways.
The Rooms
The first thing you notice about Zemi Beach House is that you hardly notice anything at all. There aren’t any cruise ships in the distance and no loud jet skis whooshing by your window. The place has a tranquil, romantic air. Maybe that’s why the likes of Justin Bieber and Harry Styles have holed up here.
That’s not to say children aren’t welcomed because they most certainly are. There’s just something about stone-carved headboards and palm-lined walkways that feels more intimate. But no matter who is on your reservation, the 76-room resort has a unit for you. The spacious one-bedroom suite exudes coastal chicness. We’re talking a full kitchen, sizeable living room and a plunge pool that practically guarantees triple-digit likes on your next post.
Should you need more space, two- and three-bedroom options stretch things out even more. The massive Presidential Suite comes with a furnished terrace for lounging or looking across the horizon. If there’s a better place on the island for partaking in morning room service while watching sandwich terns fly by, we’ve yet to find it.
The Food and Drinks
Though Anguillan waters teem with wahoo and mahi, you may want to center your meal at 20 Knots around the risotto. It’s just that amazing. Not only is the dish’s saffron sauce the ideal creaminess, but the braised short rib resting on top is some of the most tender we’ve had all year. The flavors in the lobster spaghetti and lobster mac and cheese also speak so loudly you almost can’t hear the crashing waves mere feet from your table.
Stone is another standout for dinner. With a dining room filled with blue fabrics, light woods and a see-through wine cellar, the place has a subtle sexiness about it. How long that feeling lasts into the evening depends on how well you can keep the grilled snapper’s pesto sauce or the tenderloin’s peppercorn juice from falling onto your outfit.
Even with all this excitement at the table, though, Zemi Beach House’s most flavorful encounter has nothing to do with a fork and knife. The Rhum Room is a moody, mature space accentuated with teal, peanut butter leather chairs and a collection of more than 100 small-batch rums. We have no idea what Dustin Hoffman ordered during his last visit to the resort, but trust us when we suggest that the “rummelier” on staff should pour you the smooth Doorly’s from Barbados or Dictador from Colombia.
The Spa
When you first enter the resort, you’ll spot a unique-looking building to your right that doesn’t quite resemble the other structures. That’s because Zemi Thai House Spa actually sits in a 307-year-old house that was literally moved to Anguilla from Thailand. From the weathered woods on the steps to a Buddha statue in the middle of a garden, the place delivers Far East charm without losing any of its Caribbean core.
The spa doesn’t stop with an Asian design aesthetic, either; the treatment menu is also sprinkled with international inspirations. The island’s only hammam is a nod to Morocco’s beloved baths used to ease achy muscles and help blood circulation. Nuad Fathoaw helps lessen pains with a soak, scrub, wrap and massage using traditional Chinese ingredients. The Therapeutic Well-Being may not borrow any specific global techniques, but the thorough custom massage does a world of good to weathered bodies.
After your session, trek on over to the vitality pool or stop by the Juice Bar for a refreshing juice or smoothie to help wash down wear and worries even further.
The Family Fun
Up to this point, the Zen-like Zemi Beach House has felt more couples-focused than kid-friendly. The spectacular main pool, with its zigzag shapes and cabanas, is the perfect place for children to cut the silence. So, too, is the Kids Club, which has a packed calendar — when we visited, the itinerary had puppet shows, Mario Kart tournaments, jewelry-making classes and more on it — your tyke will have a good time keeping up with.
Still, the biggest fun might come when you’re off property altogether. The resort will happily organize an unforgettable day-trip excursion to nearby Sandy Island. You’ll be first driven to Sandy Ground Beach, where you can grab a rum punch and seafront views at Johnno’s on the Beach. When you finish sipping, hop on a boat for a short ride to a tiny island with a full-time kitchen (the shrimp kebabs and grilled mahi are must-orders) and part-time live entertainment. This is the kind of place Kendall Jenner may have bought out on her last Anguilla stay. As for right now, if you want to keep up with your kids who’ve already jumped back into the crystal-clear waters, you better hurry up with those last bites of lobster.
