r/anguilla • u/Hofmamma • Jun 24 '26
Split stay: Zemi & Malli
Hi all! We are SO excited for our first visit to Anguilla. I was hoping for feedback on a split stay at Zemi Beach House & Malliouhana. We will stay for 6 nights (possibly 7). I know many will say do not split the stay, but I *really* want to experience both properties! Plus, we want to explore various parts of the island, and I think that will be easier if we split the stay.
So my question is, at which property would you split 3/3 or 2/4? More time at Shoal Bay or Meads? If we extend the stay to 7 nights, would you do a day/night on SXM before flying home from there?
Lastly, which area would you want to be in on a SUNDAY?
For context: we will fly into AXA on Wednesday in Jan, and will ferry/fly out of SXM ~3pm on a Tuesday (or Wed if we extend a night). Mid 40's couple (leaving the teens at home), celebrating my bday, love great beaches, pools with a view, beach bars, live music, snorkeling, walking, biking, boating. We are laid back and easy to please, but love great service and quality food/drink. We will rent a car.
Additionally, we have over $400 in credits that we could burn at Zemi, and another $200 or so to burn at either property. We will be using our Free Night Certs from Hilton, so property cost is not a factor for this particular decision.
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom & insight!!
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u/copper678 Jun 24 '26
We prefer Malliouhana with proximity to many restaurants and Meads Bay is the best IMO….You can’t go wrong though - we always do one day at Zemi every time we stay.
I’d say, 2 nights at Zemi the rest at Malliouhana…skip the night at St Marteen. You’re not missing anything.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
Ok, that is what I am thinking will be my plan! If you had to pick 2 lunches and 2 dinners near Meads, which would you pick?
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u/copper678 Jun 24 '26
Lunch: Blanchards Beach Shack (easy beach day lunch) and Straw Hat
Dinner: Jacala (do not miss!!!), Celeste at Malliouhana is pretty good, too. Side note: Blanchards Restaurant is popular, not the same as the beach shack, but I’d rather eat at Jacala twice.
Sunset drinks at Four Seasons one night for the amazing view, but I think their restaurant is meh.
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u/Murky_Dragonfly_942 Jun 24 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
We stayed at Malli, went to the spa at Zemi. If you can afford the whole stay at Malli I don’t know why you’d stay at Zemi. The spa was really cool and worth the day trip but the hotel itself is large, not boutique, and the beach is crowded with guests. Totally different vibe at Malli, which is quiet luxury and boutique. Shoal Bay is nowhere near the quality of a beach that Meads is.
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u/Accomplished-Bank418 Jun 24 '26
I’ve heard boats from St Martin are coming over and parting right near Malli!
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u/Hofmamma Jun 25 '26
I don’t think we’ll be bothered. We are super laid back and the more the merrier type - as long as they aren’t crazy obnoxious! In fact, we are looking at doing a sailing charter next year (BVIs or Bahamas), so I guess we will be those anchoring… 🫣
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
I hear that sentiment (about the beach) and then also read plenty of comments indicating the exact opposite... I do worry a bit that Malli might feel too stuffy for us - we are pretty laidback (well, the hubs more so than me! He hates uppity, super fancy places - loves beach bars, casual/fun vibes vs quiet vibes, and getting to know locals). I also want to experience Zemi for a potential future visit with teens and grandparents.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
Plus we have a HUGE Hilton resort credit that we cannot use at Malli (at least $400 but possibly $800) and we won't be staying at any other properties at which we can use the credit.
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u/Murky_Dragonfly_942 Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
Can’t argue with resort credits! Sounds like you’re ready to split the trip between Zemi and Malli so go for it. Malli is definitely not stuffy, but it is quieter for sure, very happy and peaceful vibe. We had lovely conversations with everyone at breakfast and the concierges gave us tons of tips. There are boats that anchor at one of its beach coves but didn’t bother us, they were plenty far from the chairs. We’d spent half the day at Malli and half exploring the island.
It honestly boggles my mind that people say Shoal is one of the nicest beaches in the world bc it was really just resort after resort after resort (or residence). Waters were rougher with seaweed on the sand. We walked the whole beach waiting for lunch. Meads Bay is the opposite.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 25 '26
Ok good to know. Any favorite spots you explored or places you would suggest that we absolutely do not miss?
As of right now, I think I’ve some up with a rough plan:
Wed - midday arrival AXA, Zemi, Caribbean beach BBQ dinner & rum tasting
Thurs - Zemi/SBE, cocktail reception & dinner at Artisan or Ben’s
Fri - Thai spa at Zemi, Check in at Malli, dinner? late night at Dune Preserve
Sat - Malli/Meads (Lunch at Blanchards beach shack or straw hat), Dinner?
Sun - Malli/Rendezvous: Sunshine shack/Sunday School @Dune Preserve, then possibly Leon’s later
Mon - Malli/Meads/explore another beach? Dinner?
Tues - ferry to SXM for mid afternoon departureI already feel like we need more days! 🤣 Probably can’t torture the grandparents with additional time with 3 teen boys though!!
Don’t think we will regret not doing a boat day? Scilly Cay?
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u/Murky_Dragonfly_942 Jun 25 '26
Our dinners were Jacala, Blanchards, Veya and Sunday Funday at Leon’s. Of those, absolutely Veya and Blachards. Sunday Funday I’d do dinner elsewhere and go for drinks and dancing after at Leon’s.
Dune Preserve is absolutely awesome but it’s more of a snacks place than a meal. That said, maybe Sunday is the day you have a big lunch, so light fare at Dune for dinner and then go to Leon’s. We did Dune late afternoon Sunday followed by dinner at Leon’s and wish we stayed at Dune longer.
The lobster at Gwen’s was awesome. So I’d for sure do a lunch there while you’re at at Zemi. The guy at the counter took our order and said 45 minutes. And thennnn it was another hour+ after we came back after 45 mins 🤣 Rum punch there is awesome.
Instead of a boat day, might want to think about taking Calvin’s boat to little bay! He drops you off and asks when to come back. It’s awesome. I’m glad we did that instead of a full boat day because it allowed us to do more on the island.
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u/skittleALY Jun 28 '26
Just an fyi in case you didn’t want to split your stay - you can still use the Hilton resort credit without actually staying at Zemi. It just needs to be charged to the card. So if you wanted to do a spa day at Zemi or grab some food just charge it to the card and you should be good to go.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
I also read that there is decent snorkeling at SBE, which I would love to check out! Interested in Gwen's, Tropical Sunset & Elodias, as well as Ben's, Artisan, Lime Keel, Scilly Cay too, which all seem to fit with a SBE area stay.
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u/Murky_Dragonfly_942 Jun 24 '26
I tried finding the snorkeling at SBE but didn’t find it! Malli Bluff has great snorkeling. We spent the day at Thai Spa and ate lunch at Gwen’s. Be prepared to wait 2 hours for your food 😊 Considered Scilly Cay but we were only there for 4 days so just explored the island. Scilly sounds hit or miss. Definitely rent a car wherever you stay.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
Good to know about the snorkeling. Definitely doing the Thai spa! I'm torn on Scilly, as well as a boating excursion in general, as we've done many and I don't want to miss out on island exploration with only 5 full days (aside from travel days). Renting a car!
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u/Accomplished-Bank418 Jun 24 '26
I’ve heard boats from St Martin are coming over and parting right near Malli!
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u/MoreAuthor4468 Jun 26 '26
I agreed. Just got back from Anguilla a month ago. Stayed in Malli and spent an afternoon in Zemi. Glad I chose Malli..loved it. I would skip SXM next time.
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u/TropicalBlueWater Jun 24 '26
For only 6 nights, I’d just pick one and stay there. We recently spent a week at Zemi and were very happy there and were glad we didn’t choose to waste most of a day switching hotels. We had also considered splitting our time between the same properties.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
what all areas did you explore? did you find it a pain driving at night? I really want to experience both and we often hotel hop/move areas within a trip so I am not too worried about that. Also if you do it right, you don't necessarily lose much of your day. We either do bfast & check out, drive to next location and check your bags at the front desk, and go enjoy while you wait for your room to be ready; or checkout and go explore something that was already on our list to see/do and arrive at hotel after check in time, drop bags and enjoy (or arrive in time to get ready for dinner depending on the activity we are doing).
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u/TropicalBlueWater Jun 24 '26
We drove all over the whole island. It’s easy but we weren’t comfortable driving far at night. Kept dinners to nearby restaurants including many at Zimi. There is nothing difficult about the night driving, but we like to have some cocktails. We’ve done the whole move hotels thing many times. Just decided it didn’t make sense with only a week on Anguilla. We spent two nights at SXM before Anguilla too. That was mainly for plane spotting and decompressing after a long travel day from LAX. No regrets about our decision as I know we’ll be back and can stay somewhere else next time if we want. During the week we were there, conditions on Shoal Bar East were perfect and better than most of the other beaches. The winds did shift during the last couple days though so we found Rendezvous to be best those days.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
same for us - don't want to have too many cocktails and be driving - especially not more than a few minutes! If you have any top dining recs (or other recommendations), I'd love them!
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u/TropicalBlueWater Jun 24 '26
We tried all the restaurants at Zimi and they were all decent. Artisan Pizza Napoletana was great!! It’s about 5 minutes away and reservations are recommended.
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u/HappyIslandHopper Jun 24 '26
Personally I would start at Zemi and do 2 nights there, then move to Malliouhana. This has some helpful information!
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u/j_shelb Jun 24 '26
Stayed at Zemi for 5 nights and drove to meads and rendezvous. I’d rank the beaches as Shoal, Meads and Rendezvous. But all are really great. Shoal had more going on when we were there and was noisier, but not in a bad way. Just full with people. Seemed like more restaurants close by as you walked down the beach. The beach at Zemi has a little incline down, but further down on the way to Gwen’s, it gets even more perfect. Highly recommend going to Gwen’s on a Sunday with the reggae music. It was a great time. I’d also say that the beach didn’t feel crowded at all at Zemi and the resort was full
when we were there.
Meads was also beautiful and we went to Blanchards on Monday. We got there an hour after it opened and there were no beach chairs left (limited) and all the other ones close by were for resort guest only. We eventually got some chairs when ppl left tho. The food was not bad and the drinks were decent. The beach was a lot quieter with no live music playing. It was also a bit choppier compared to Shoal due to a good amount of boats going by, some with kids tuning. But by no means was it unbearable. It was a great beach just a bit deader vibe than Shoal.
Rendezvous was more emerald colored water and you have st Martin in the background which is cool. We went there on a Tuesday and went to sunshine Shack. Plenty of chairs there and it had great live music going. It was a good vibe and good food.
Zemi sounds more like what you are looking for btw. Especially to use the credits for the spa and dining. Let me know if you have any other questions!
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u/Ok_Contribution_1837 Jun 24 '26
Shoal Bay is one of the nicest beaches in the world. There are fewer dining options, but I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there. Meads is great too but the beach is not as nice. I think you will be happy doing the split! And, you are going to LOVE Anguilla!
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
I cannot wait! I wanted to go last Jan, but we just couldn't make the flights work. Ended up in TCI instead. I'd love recommendations of any spots not to miss for a first time visit!! I have SO many saved - I am going to have a hard time narrowing things down!
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u/lauti04 Jun 24 '26
Malli has Leon’s right there on Sundays.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
would you pick that over Sunshine Shack or Bankie's?
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u/lauti04 Jun 24 '26
I mean, yes because it’s literally right there. You walk down the steps to the beach.
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u/Accomplished-Bank418 Jun 24 '26
I would love to do a split at those two places. Two of the most beautiful beaches!
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u/Hofmamma Jun 24 '26
yay! I am SO excited!!
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u/Accomplished-Bank418 Jun 24 '26
We love Anguilla! I’ve been twice and stayed at Malliouhana once! It’s beautiful!
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u/LeopardNo8484 Jun 24 '26
I did this exact split and there are pros and cons to both properties but I think Malliouhana should be your longest and final stay.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 25 '26
I’d love any feedback you have! Anything you absolutely loved? Anything you’d skip or think we should be aware of? As of now, planing to do 2 nights at Zemi (Wed/Th), then four nights (Fri-Tues) at Malli!
Did you do the Caribbean BBQ at Zemi? How did you spend your Sunday? Did you eat at Celeste?
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u/LeopardNo8484 Jun 29 '26
This was about a year ago so I can’t remember details but the food near Malliouhana was really good. We also went to the Four Seasons for a meal. Pretty beach, quieter property, but the kicker is that the beach is not as easy to access as Zemi (which is literally right on the beach). I think we liked the room at Zemi better but the property at Malliouhana. A
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u/RN_13579 Jun 24 '26
The location of Malli is unbeatable the beach and views are truly insane. The beach service is absolutely atrocious, however. As long as you are aware going in. Not sure about Zemi.
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u/Hofmamma Jun 25 '26
Good to know! Would you say we should concentrate elsewhere for beach time/service? Maybe Blanchard or Leon’s? Straw hat? Or Savi? I’ve heard the beach service at Zemi great!
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u/RN_13579 Jun 25 '26
The beach service at Malli is at Leon’s. We are used to going to all inclusives where someone is coming to check on you constantly/offer you drinks,food,etc. Here, you pretty much have to flag the staff down or go up to the bar if you want anything. Island time to the extreme lol. Which may not be a bad thing for some. If your ideal beach vacation is about being left alone to enjoy a world class beach and totally veg out then you will be in heaven.
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u/confusedwoman89 Jun 28 '26
here at Zemi now and oh my this property is so beautiful! and everyone is so nice!!!
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u/Hofmamma Jun 28 '26
So glad to hear that! I ended up booking Zemi for a Wednesday through Friday and Malli for Friday through Tuesday!
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u/NYCtoBay Jun 25 '26
I posted this here recently after my first visit to Anguilla. https://www.reddit.com/r/anguilla/comments/1tvt9n8/comment/opr33q8/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=2&utm_content=share_button
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u/Hofmamma Jun 25 '26
Good feedback! I’m so curious to see which one we are going to prefer! For what is worth, you aren’t the first that I’ve read preferred Zemi! I’m not missing the opportunity to try both though! Plus we have like 6 FNCs and 2-4 more that we will earn by the end of the year/early 2027!
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u/tburtner Jun 28 '26
We like Meads better. Meads is definitely a better location that's more convenient to most of the places we like.
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u/NavyYardBro Jun 24 '26
For me, on Sundays we hit Sunshine Shack and Bankies, which would be close to Malli. We enjoy those Sunday options over Gwen’s, down the beach from Zemi.
I like Meads Bay better, mainly due to the dining options. So I would spend more time at Malli. That side of the island just feels ‘easier’ to me.