THIS ARTICLE APPEARED ON LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | NOV 30, 2023

Located the northeastern Caribbean, the island of Anguilla has enjoyed bumper visits in 2023, with tourist arrivals up 20 percent on last year, putting it on track to exceed the previous record set in 2019. With the island’s iconic Malliouhana celebrating its 40th anniversary, as well as the Anguilla Summer Festival turning 50 years old, 2024 an even better time to visit.

Here's a recap of all that's going on in Anguilla:

Aurora Anguilla, located on Rendezvous Bay, is slated to open its new Entertainment Park in late 2023, complete with a tennis center, pickleball courts, climbing wall, beach volleyball, clay bocce and basketball courts, a nine-hole mini golf course, and a family-friendly pool complex. Accommodations feature spacious suites, multi-bedroom villas and estate home options in the resort’s Merrywing Bay area.

Kokoon Villas is a private enclave of six two- and three-bedroom homes overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the hills of St. Maarten. The new properties, currently under construction, will be fully powered by solar energy and include rainwater collection, water treatment and filtration systems. ÀNI Private Resorts’ two existing villas overlooking Little Bay are also set to be joined by an additional 15-suite estate on Shoal Bay Beach, due to open in 2024.

The new Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain is set to open at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel in spring 2024. Inspired by the Arawak Indians, the new $8 million spa facility and will offer a full menu of exclusive treatments.

At Four Seasons Resort & Residences, wellness specialist Melissa Fox will offer signature facials during her residency December 17-22, 2023; Stefanie DiLibero, founder of Gotham Wellness in New York City, will be in residence from December 26 to January 1, 2024; and, on the culinary front, celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian will take over SALT restaurant December 19-22, 2023.

In 2024, Malliouhana will unveil a new wine program, led by James Beard award-winning sommelier Shelley Lindgren. Tasty’s POV, overlooking Sandy Ground and led by Chef Dale Carty, has expanded its menu to include sushi, alongside his signature menu using fresh local ingredients. At Arawak Beach Club Mediterranean-inspired tapas is now on the menu at their new eatery, Arawak’s Taverna. With indoor and outdoor tables, diners will enjoy the view of Island Harbour, followed by cocktails around the fire pit.

The third annual Anguilla Culinary Experience (ACE) will take place May 23-26, 2024. Other events include Moonsplash music festival (March 22-24, 2024) and Summer Festival 2024 (August 1-11, 2024).

Separately, Anguilla’s new Blowing Point Ferry Terminal opened in January 2023, welcoming travelers arriving by private charter and public ferry. For travelers arriving by air, Phase Two of the expansion of Clayton J Lloyd International Airport is well underway. The third phase is slated to begin construction in January 2024, and the final stage will be a runway expansion to accommodate larger aircraft. 

A new FBO terminal operated by Lloyds Aviation Services is also slated to open in 2024, and, over at the Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten, a key gateway for Anguilla, a new departure hall and expanded check-in hall are both scheduled to open this winter.

Malliouhana will unveil a new wine program in 2024 (Malliouhana Resort)

It’s easier than ever for U.S. travelers to access Anguilla this winter. American Airlines is operating daily direct flights from Miami International (MIA) to Anguilla (AXA), with two flights on Saturdays, and increasing to twice-daily service from December 20, 2023 through the summer of 2024.

For travelers from the New York area, the Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club is offering charter service flights direct to the island from the Westchester County Airport (HPN). The Aurora Charter Air Service will operate from mid-December through April 2024, and is available to Aurora guests as well as travelers to and from Anguilla who are not staying at the resort.

Intra-regional service has also expanded with new routes between Anguilla, Antigua and St. Barths. Anguilla Air Services is operating scheduled flights between Anguilla and Antigua (ANU) three times per week on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, from November 3, 2023 until April 2024.

In October 2023, Tradewind Aviation announced a codeshare with British Airways to offer interline booking. Flights between Antigua and Anguilla will operate from mid-January 2024 to early April, on Saturdays and Sundays. The carrier will also run a scheduled service from St. Barth's to Anguilla three times per week between January 18 and April 8, 2024, while their regular scheduled service from San Juan (SJU) to Anguilla will operate five days a week from December 14 through April 8, 2024.