Stepping onto Zemi Beach House’s property was like stepping into a mini paradise.
Met with warm and genuine greetings from the moment I stepped out of the taxi, I was quickly handed a cold towel and a delicious cocktail. As I was escorted to my room on the back of a golf cart, my driver fed me facts and punny dad jokes the whole way.
Upon entering my room, I was blown away by its sheer size, and again, I was beside myself after seeing the view from my patio. I could walk straight onto the beach from my porch!
While the size of the space grabbed my attention, what impressed me was the attention to detail: The rubber ducky on the tub, the handwritten welcome note, and the freshly baked cookies at night. The staff noticed which type of sugar I used with my morning coffee and then didn’t just replace it but gave me extra.
This attention to detail throughout the entire resort exuded a sense of luxury. There were always enough beach chairs available, and the beach never felt full; the waiter at dinner would always come around just as I was finishing my drink to offer another; the front desk staff would remember my name and say hello every morning — it's all in the tiny details at Zemi.
You don’t go to an island like Anguilla to be stressed, and it seems that the team at Zemi Beach House is well aware of that. They work hard so you don’t have to.
When you think about Anguilla, you probably think about the big picture. You're probably after a beautiful beach, relaxing downtime, and maybe some delicious seafood or a cocktail on the beach. Zemi checks all these boxes, with white sand and warm blue water, relaxing quiet areas, and a food and beverage program to impress. But Zemi really shines because they've taken care of all the details you probably haven’t thought about yet. Did you forget your sunscreen? Don’t worry, the beach concierge and pool cabanas have it stocked. Bad weather on your beach holiday? Try your private heated plunge pool instead. Not sure what to do about child care? Stop by the Kid’s Club.
Zemi Beach House shows a real commitment to covering all the guests’ needs to make their vacation a vacation. This is just the tip of the iceberg, or dune, of what Zemi offers. To learn everything Zemi can provide, read my full review below.
The Rooms
With its palatial rooms and suites, Zemi Beach House will truly be your home away from home. Basic guest rooms start at 700 square feet, with suites up to 2,800 square feet. The larger suites have multiple bedrooms that can be locked off or added to house your entire family. They are all decorated slightly differently but include high-end accents that pay tribute to the sea and the surrounding island. Bathrooms have large tubs adorned with rubber duckies and Malin + Goetz toiletries. My suite included a living room and a stocked kitchen, with a fridge already full of various options. Freshly baked cookies are delivered every night during turndown service.
One perk is that every room, no matter the size, includes a private patio or balcony. Also, every room size has an option for a private heated plunge pool. I stayed in a ground-level beachfront suite and could walk directly onto the beach from my patio. The proximity and access to the tranquil beach are unmatched, and there is nothing quite like waking up to the sound of waves at your back door.
Food and Drink
Bohio Lounge acts as the social center of the resort. It is located in the open air near the main pool and beach entrance and is equipped with a sushi bar and live music most nights. Bohio is the perfect spot for the sunset as the sunset sessions include passed tapas with your drink order every night. The cocktail list goes beyond the typical island rum punch with elevated cocktails that still have an island flair — I tried the Bergamont Sour that mixed Earl Grey-infused vodka with yuzu and banana. (The mocktail options are impressive, too, making it perfect for anyone in the family.)
However, the pride of the resort might be the Rhum Room. Home to more than 140 bottles of small-batch rums, The Rhum Room lets guests go on a tasting journey with the help of the “Rhummelier” to find their signature drink. The cozy interior is blue with pops of orange, creating an elegant speakeasy with nautical whimsy.
For dining, the main restaurant is 20 Knots, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet goes above and beyond the standard hotel breakfast, with options like daily-made pastries and fresh coconuts. The lunch and dinner menu features classic dishes with a Caribbean flair. I was lucky enough to experience a tasting menu, and you really can’t go wrong, no matter what you order. They bake fantastic bread, which makes excellent pizza and pairs well with fresh hummus. The entrees are all hearty portions and delicious, but my favorites were the Zemi Specials, which included lobster macaroni and cheese, and the fisherman’s cataplana.
For a fine dining experience, book a dinner reservation at Stone. The menu is Asian Caribbean fusion and changes seasonally. I started with the curried mussels, my absolute favorite of the night. Then, I had the incredibly fresh red snapper before finishing with the pistachio creme brulee. Stone also has a wine collection of 140 bottles, and the staff is happy to help you find the perfect pairing.
Activities and Experiences
If you’re heading to Anguilla, you probably want to spend some time in the sun. Zemi Beach House helps you maximize your time with four pools and direct access to the beach. The main pool is just past the restaurants and leads directly to the beach, while the adult pool — with a connecting lap pool — is on a terrace next to the gym. During my entire time at Zemi Beach House, the adult pool was a quiet oasis with cabanas always available. If you need an even more zen experience, there is a pool located in the spa area, which is sure to provide a relaxing experience.
The gym is small but mighty, with several new machines, free weights, and treadmills. If you decide to break a sweat during your vacation, there are always towels and extra bottles of water.
The main star of the resort is the beach, Shoal Bay. A long strip of white sand and warm blue water hugs the coastline. The resort has several access points, and chairs and umbrellas are plentiful. The resort also has a beachfront concierge, who can lend equipment for water activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding.
Other activities on the resort include a tennis court surrounded by a lush green jungle-like garden and the famous Anguilla Moke, a small vehicle available for rent to explore the island. Speaking of exploring, if you want to explore the island, Zemi can help with several activities, including boat tours to nearby cayes, games of golf, and sunset cruises.
The Spa
One of the most unique parts of Zemi Beach House is the spa — in fact, it’s famous on the island. Zemi’s Thai Spa is an authentic 300-year-old Thai house transported from Thailand. The services here infuse Eastern medicine and traditional methods from the indigenous Taino people to provide a holistic spa experience. It is also home to the island’s only hammam, a Moroccan bathhouse, which is open to all if no scheduled treatments are occurring at that time. The spa also includes the vitality pool, kept at body temperature for a soothing, relaxing experience.
Family-friendly Offerings
Zemi has a Kid’s Club open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for children ages 4 to 12. Daily activities include everything from Mario Kart to mermaid experiences to coconut bowling. Zemi even offers kid-friendly cooking lessons. Multiple times during my stay, I overheard children excitedly telling their parents about their adventures at Kid’s Club that day.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Zemi Beach House is the only resort in Anguilla that is run entirely on solar energy during the day. (It then switches to partial solar energy during the night.) But sustainability doesn’t end there. There are several measures the resort has taken to keep things energy efficient, including smart tech to adjust temperature and lights when no one is in the room and roofs designed to collect rainwater, which is then repurposed to irrigate landscaping. Zemi has invested millions in sustainability and ongoing conservation efforts like untouched coastal areas and no-trespassing zones to allow sea turtles to nest. It also sources its produce locally and seasonally.
As for accessibility, numerous golf carts roam the resort, and an accessible ride is always available and only a phone call away. There is one ADA-compliant room on Zemi’s property.
Location
Zemi's main sticking point is getting to the island — there are just two daily flight to Anguilla from Miami and American Airlines recently announced they will be adding a third daily flight beginning in December. However if you aren’t lucky enough to catch one of those flights, there are countless more direct flights into the nearby St. Maarten, and from there, charter boats run hourly. (The trip to Anguilla takes just 20 minutes.) Because arriving in St. Maarten is more common, Zemi offers a pre-arrival concierge to help guests make travel arrangements between the two islands. Once on Anguilla, Zemi is only a short taxi ride away.
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay
Zemi Beach House is part of LXR Hotels & Resorts, which is under the umbrella of the Hilton Honors reward program. Becoming a Hilton Honors member is easy, and being a part of the Hilton program also allows for a wide range of discounts and special offers when booking directly through Hilton — these offers range from hotel credits to discounts depending on the length of your stay.
