08-07-2025
Anguilla's Quintessence Hotel offers a different take on Caribbean hospitality
My afternoon began with a stroll along Long Bay, one of Anguilla's most impressive and quiet stretches of beach. Powdery white sand gave way underfoot, and the turquoise water lapped gently at the shore. No crowds or no beach vendors. It was just the sound of the sea and the occasional pelican swooping overhead.
Perched just beyond the beach is the Quintessence Hotel, exuding the style of a European villa. With only 12 suites and a staff that treats guests like family, this tucked-away property is designed like a private home, with communal living rooms; reading areas and lounges; and a relaxed, residential vibe.
The pool area at the Quintessence Hotel. The 12-suite property is designed like a tropical private villa, with individually decorated rooms. Photo Credit: Beth Singer
After a swim, I made my way to the Coral Beach Bar, the hotel's casual, open-air lunch spot directly on the beach. The menu focuses on fresh, local ingredients with a bit of an international flair. I ordered the catch of the day and the Thai Noodle Salad, along with johnny cakes. Pair that with a chilled cocktail and a panoramic view of Long Bay, and it's the ideal midday break.
Multiple personalities
The Magic of Quintessence is in the details. A decade in the making, the hotel was designed to feel like a grand tropical estate, somewhere between a private residence and a small museum. Each suite has its own personality, from the penthouse, named Joseph, with its sweeping sea views and a massive dining terrace, to the Grand Suite Bresil Polo, complete with its own lounge, media room and bar.
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Owner Geoffrey Fieger is an avid art collector, and his carefully curated Haitian art collection is displayed throughout the property. Walls are lined with colorful, expressing paintings and quirky sculptures pepper the property. You'll also find first edition books tucked into shelves (think Mark Twain and Charlotte Bronte) and eclectic, often playful furniture that makes every corner feel intentionally haphazard. One room might have a lacquered bar and leather club chairs; another, a hand-painted cabinet from the Caribbean. No two suites are the same, which only adds to the home-like feel.
Beyond aesthetics, the hotel offers top-tier amenities: a wine cellar stocked with international selections, fine dining at Julian's Restaurant and a small fitness center.
A quick getaway
Guests looking to explore Anguilla a bit can arrange a Moke rental through the concierge. These colorful, open-air vehicles are perfect for zipping around the island, whether they're headed to Sandy Ground for live music, Shoal Bay for snorkeling or the West End for cocktails. I used mine to head over to Elvis' Beach Bar at Sandy Ground for a potent rum punch and a gander at the colorful knickknacks on the walls.
The Grand Suite Bresil Polo at the Quintessence Hotel has its own media room. Photo Credit: Beth Singer
Back at the hotel, Julian's offers a more formal but still relaxed setting for dinner with Caribbean-inspired dishes and access to the hotel's wine list from a vantage point that overlooks the property's pool area.
But the charm of Quintessence isn't just its quirky beauty, its art or even its location. It's rare to find a hotel in the Caribbean where you can sip Champagne surrounded by world-class art and dig your toes into the sand steps away. Whether guests are art enthusiasts, beach lovers or just looking for a quieter kind of luxury, Quintessence is for those who prefer a small, family-style hotel full of character.
