The Manoah Boutique Hotel

This may be the most beautiful, caring, luxurious hotel I've ever stayed in, and I especially want to mention that it is disability friendly. The property and beach are accessible, particularly if you have a room right on the beach, where you can open the door and walk, or get help walking, straight to your lounge chair. The staff, from upper management to the hospitable beach guys, were warm, inclusive, attentive, and inviting in a way I haven't experienced during all my travels. The only restaurant served top notch gourmet food, much of it fresh local seafood, and the team could arrange additional luxuries too. Loren came to my room for the best mani pedi I've ever had. She's also an excellent masseuse, and gave me a 1.5 hour massage followed by an intense exfoliating sugar scrub. I was completely decompressing from the hectic life of NYC. Bermuda Air's direct business class flight from Newark was comfortable and easy, with no stops. The hotel is on the peaceful, beautiful side of the island, and Shoal Bay is stunning. I've never felt more pampered, welcome, or satisfied. Madonna had recently stayed there and loved it too.

Our third visit to Manoah Boutique Hotel was our best one yet. The grounds were beautifully maintained, the property was spotless, and housekeeping paid attention to every detail. We especially enjoyed the meet the management reception, where guests were offered prosecco or rum punch. Mr. T and Giran took wonderful care of us on the beach, and their attentiveness and personalities made those days even better. The new restaurant, L’etoile, was fantastic. The menu was creative, delicious, and reasonably priced. We were greeted and served quickly, and the staff even remembered our favorite table. Live music and a DJ on selected evenings gave the place a fun, lively atmosphere. The whole trip felt special from beginning to end. It's obvious that the team takes pride in the guest experience, and we're already looking forward to our next.

The beach and views are undeniably beautiful, and the hotel's architecture has a pleasant, charming look with plenty of potential. Unfortunately, the experience inside was deeply disappointing. Service was seriously lacking, and the staff seemed to have little training, attentiveness, or genuine hospitality. Management also came across as disorganized and ineffective. Operational problems didn't seem to be handled with the competence expected from a boutique hotel in such a privileged setting. The location is clearly the property's main asset. With stronger leadership and better service standards, it could be exceptional, but at present the overall experience falls well short.

My adult daughter and I spent six nights at the Manoah Boutique Hotel, our first visit to Anguilla. We had a nice trip and would return to the island, and possibly The Manoah, especially now that we know what we'd do differently. The beach was stunning, the hotel was bright, stylish, and attractive, and the on-site restaurant was convenient with pretty good food. We also enjoyed several other beachfront restaurants within walking distance. Rene, Mr. T on the beach, and the restaurant staff were consistently pleasant and helpful. The biggest issue was the lack of a real concierge, despite the website repeatedly describing that service. I had to research activities myself and then ask the front desk staff for help. One man did pull out a map, explain day-trip options, and suggest something new to me, but I don't know his name. More guidance would have helped us get more from the island. The website or my confirmation also said continental breakfast was included, but apparently that is no longer offered. The listed Ocean Beach Club Pool kiosk, where sundries such as sunscreen were supposed to be sold, did not exist either. Since we traveled with carry-on luggage, we had to walk down the beach to another resort to buy sunscreen. Otherwise, getting it would have meant an expensive cab ride. A car is really needed to explore the island fully, so it's worth arranging one ahead of time. When we tried, there were no rental cars available. The setting is also very quiet and seems best suited to couples or families. A little music by the pool or beach would have added energy, though the music on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day showed how much it changed the atmosphere.