TRIP OVERVIEW: Can You Really Have A Luxe Holiday Spending Only $228.33?

Absolutely you can! I did and how did I manage to do this? With travel hacking – of course! If you want the nitty, gritty details, read the trip report that dives into what I spent (both miles/points and cash) and where my savings come from.
This post covers the specifics on what I ate/drank and did whilst in Anguilla. Note that I do include specific costs here that aren’t discussed in detail on the trip report (might as well since I’ve gone to such lengths to record everything!). Reminder that most of those costs are offset by Amex Hilton credit cards’ benefits.

Looking for general info on Anguilla? Then this travel guide is what you want. 

Day One

I opted for the red eye flight from Denver with the shortest connection in Miami on the way to Anguilla. Nice – I scored a complimentary upgrade to domestic first class and even got my preferred window seat! And I was early at the gate because DEN security is so unpredictable esp late at night (ha – early as in 20 minutes before boarding starts!) The upside is I’m actually on time to board with group 1. I promptly put on my sleep mask and ear plugs and fell asleep before we even pulled away from the gate as I am exhausted. This holiday is sorely needed.
I visit the AA lounge as we landed conveniently at D36 (and I did not want to schlep my duffel all the way to the Centurion lounge and become a hot sweaty mess). Unfortunately it’s only Admiral lounge access since the flight is to the Caribbean. Lounge access is always appreciated but especially those times when it’s free with my AA elite status. Time passes by quickly enough and soon it’s time to board my flight to AXA.

Hilariously I fall for this all of the time with AA ~ the flight isn’t even oversold (I should have checked expertflyer before heading to the gate!) I wish I had the opportunity to fly Delta more often as they actually do pay people frequently to not have to involuntarily bump people. But truly not much to complain about here since it’s a quick and gorgeous three hour flight over the Caribbean that didn’t cost me the $1,150 AA was charging. (For more on that and my return flight in business aboard an E175 – read this post)

Transportation to the hotel was arranged beforehand and I pop into the taxi for the short 12 minute ride from the airport and arrive at Zemi Beach House (here’s my full review of the property) Cost: $28.60 – taxi fare was $26 with a 10% fee to add to my folio (worth it since Amex benes would offset) + $3 cash tip

I ordered room service as I was unpacking and debating what to do. Lobster Spaghetti was really tasty with the pasta cooked al dente with a bisque sauce Cost: $42.90 (note that this includes a 17% service charge and 13% GST which was the same if I ate in the restaurant)

It was still bright and sunny after my late lunch so I decided to go out on a stand up paddle board as the water was extremely calm. I love when amenities like this are included with your hotel stay. Cost: free but I did give a $5 cash tip

And there was still time to enjoy the sunset and get some reading done in this ultra wide hammock. Occupancy was 70-80% when I was there and it never felt crowded.

I went back to the room for what should have only been a quick nap but woke up 1.5 hours later to my turndown treats being delivered. Note that per usual, I opted out of service for my stay but did ask if I could still have the daily sweet delivered.
I order room service again instead of having to get up and ready to go to a restaurant~ this time I went with the lobster tacos which were so tasty! Cost: $38.40

Day Two

The service is so lovely at this hotel. I had read the flyer in haste and apparently overlooked the Yoga at the Spa section. I only glanced at Sunrise Yoga on the pool deck so imagine my surprise when I learned it was at the spa ~ at the other end of the property and uphill to boot. Multiple people offered to walk me there and/or get a golf cart but I needed to hustle to be on time so I just walked quickly and made it right before the session started.
What a delightful area. The Thai spa has an interesting backstory as it was originally from the Chiang Mai area and took a long journey as it was disassembled, shipped to Anguilla and then reassembled on property.
Yoga was a very mellow hatha session but it was exactly where I needed to be with many of the mantras spoken that day resonating deeply. Note that I was eaten alive by the mosquitoes here – I wish I would have known to ask for bug spray before as I was fairly miserable later with my standard outsized immune reactions (welting and swelling from bug bites). Cost: $0 ~ another complimentary amenity here!

I shower and then head down to 20 knots for the breakfast buffet spread. Which is actually quite large when you consider that it’s only a 76 room property. Cost: $0 I don’t even get a bill to sign at this property and I was told that gratuity is included + will automatically be paid out to the server. This is a huge benefit of being Hilton Diamond (but even Gold would get this free) as the buffet is $55 per person which is really $71.50 once all taxes and fees are included!

I grab some snorkeling gear and head out with my new friend I made on the plane ~ to explore the island. The best snorkeling is actually at Shoal Bay East ~ which was unfortunately a very short adventure as my knee did not respond well. Cost: $0 for rental & $5 cash tip
We head around the small island and I learn a little bit about the culture and history of Anguilla as we stop off at various places of interest and beaches. We have a late lunch/early dinner at the super chill Gwen’s Reggae Grill. It’s even close enough that I can walk back to the hotel and work off my meal. Cost: $0 my friend was sweet and picked up the tab (saying it was a fair deal since I introduced them to travel hacking!)

I am really feeling the effects of bug bites so opt to stay in for dinner and order room service again. This is also my opportunity to tell you that there’s no right or wrong way to holiday ~ follow what works for you or even better, allow your body and spirit to guide you. Only a few years ago, I would have considered this a spoiled or wasted opportunity to explore Anguilla to the max but today I’m wise enough (most of the time) to recognize that sometimes what I need is stillness and a chance to heal. There’s a pizza oven on property and that was perfect choice to eat whilst vegging out and catching up on the latest season of Shrinking Cost: $43.80

Day Three

I have a lazy morning before I finally rouse myself to go to 20 knots. Times like this are when I’m especially grateful for Nespresso machine in room. I needed one to get myself properly motivated to face the day (in paradise, sometimes life is surprisingly difficult). I love that the buffet and the daily dishes are also covered by my benefit here. I wish I would have snapped a photo of the delicious speciality of this day: made to order strawberry scones and a specialty omelet. Funny both items are not things I would typically order but I saw other tables ordering them and they looked so delicious. And ha! yes that was my “appetizer plate” from the buffet before those two dishes. Cost: $0

Decide to burn off some calories with a little paddle boarding Cost: $0 with $5 tip

I spend the morning at the beach and infinity pool until it starts to get a little too crowded and full (kids were just being kids but I wanted a more serene atmosphere since I was trying to write some blog posts). I headed to the adult pool ~ as I was chatting with some of the employees, they were commenting about how cold the water was for that pool but I didn’t find that to be the case at all (but cold plunges have been a big part of my rehab so I might not be the best judge of water temps). I opted for lunch poolside – poke bowl was just okay. I’m used to poke having flavorful sauces and this was doused with only soy sauce + too much of it for my taste. The key lime dessert was also average. Cost: $61.76

I opted for a beachside dinner and saw another gorgeous sunset and a beautiful rainbow whilst dining. The bread and dipping oils were the best part of the meal. The passionfruit nojito was sadly lackluster as was the grilled octopus. The veggies and potatoes were overcooked and the octopus was bland ~ but this is partially (mainly) also on me as I have been craving a specific octopus dish (I wish I had been able to get to the Park Hyatt when I was on St Kitts when I was there a few months ago!) Cost: $59.80

Last Day

Sunset Yoga was offered again on this morning so I took that in the morning before my last breakfast on property.

I wish I would have been able to time my breakfast to be able to sit at the closest beach front tables but alas I guess that’s my goal for my next stay here. Also unexpected that my daily lattes at breakfast were included in my diamond benefit Cost: $0

I still had a few hours so I lounged on the beach until I had to shower and get ready to leave. Of course I needed food so I ordered the lobster tacos to snack on while I powered through packing up. Cost: $38.40

Annoyingly the hotel was insistent on having my taxi bring me to the airport 2 hours before my flight which was an absolute time waste for me. The airport is tiny and it took 15 minutes to check in, pay my departure tax and go through security. Time would have been better spent enjoying more time at the beach and pool Cost: $28.60: same as above with taxi fare of $26 with a 10% fee to add to my folio (worth it since Amex benes would offset) + $5 cash tip (I was also able to get some Anguillian currency

My most expensive magnet crown now belongs with Anguilla as I paid almost $17 for this one! Also included is cost for bills/coins (for myself and my niece) Now that I am writing this out…not sure this is the appropriate place for this charge but there is a $28 Anguilla Departure Tax that is due and paid separately at airport upon departure Costs: $52.95

I couldn’t fit in a longer vacation before one of my Free Night Rewards expired as I found 4 days to be too short at this property. But I’m so grateful that things lined up to be able to visit for even this time ~ and this is why I love travel hacking so much. The ability to have experiences like these.