Mead's Bay by itself would be enough to qualify any island as a top beach destination. But with Anguilla's embarrassment of beaches, Mead's soft golden sands are overshadowed by Rendezvous Bay and Shoal Bay East. That's just fine for those who'd prefer to keep this mile-plus smile of sand the way it is: ideal for strolling, swimming and sunbathing, with generous stretches of empty beach between resorts.
Where to Stay
Carimar Beach Club ($340 to $515; 800-235-8667;www.carimar.com) has 23 apartments with full kitchens, living and dining rooms. Four units walk right out onto the beach, and the others stretch back into a lovely flowered courtyard. Malliouhana Hotel & Spa ($620 to $2,940; 800-835-0796; www.malliouhana.com) is a five-star resort that sits on a promontory just above the beach, with 55 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a vast wine cellar and a 15,000-square-foot spa. It features a commanding view down the beach from Mead's Point looking west into the sunset. Frangipani Beach Club ($300 to $1,400; 800-892-4564; www.frangipani.ai) offers 16 Spanish-style rooms and suites, a seaside French-Caribbean restaurant and a beach café.
Hot Stuff
Mead's is home to Blanchard's ($$$$; 264-497-6100; www.blanchardsrestaurant.com), the gourmet restaurant owned and operated by Robert and Melinda Blanchard, authors of A Trip to the Beach - the book that gave many their first taste of Anguilla.
MEAD'S BAY
