Picture the scene: three or four generations of family gather together on the expansive terrace of a sparkling white villa, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and overlooking cerulean seas. Smiling staff deliver sundowners and sushi, while grandparents catch up with younger family members about their fun day exploring the island, teenagers take each other on in a pickleball game, and parents simply relax to the sound of waves gently lapping the shore and friendly chatter.
Sounds like the vacation of dreams doesn’t it? And yet all of that and more is easily achievable with a stay at one of Little Harbour Estates super villas on the paradise island of Anguilla in the British Caribbean.
Managing Director Danielle Barker says “As a family-owned and run business, our villas were designed to appeal to large family groups and they have always made up a significant proportion of bookings throughout the year. Since the pandemic though, that proportion has dramatically increased from around 45% to over 80%.”
Barker notes that these groups often book across the summer months, primarily to coincide with long school holidays for those in the northern hemisphere, with the added incentive of lower-priced flights and lower rates for accommodation. Late April to October is considered to be low season in the Caribbean, yet the temperature is consistently in the high twenties all year round, with an average 8.3 hours of sunshine every day.
The ‘bank of Mum and Dad’, or BoMaD, often comes into play, with one grandparent or parent often taking the role of party lead. “What’s great for our guests in working with a small independent business such as ours is that once the party lead has done the hard work of finding dates to suit everyone in the group, we look after literally everything else” explains Barker.
From detailed dietary preference sheets to bespoke activities and excursions for the group to take part in together or in smaller sub-sets, the Little Harbour Estates team has it covered.
Through consultation with Executive Chef (and island legend) Kelston ‘Sweets’ Connor ahead of the stay, and personal collaboration during their stay, guests can be assured of the highest quality dining served in the style, and location, that suits them best. Options include full kosherisation and other specialist diets, as well as children’s menus. Dine on the pool deck, among the gardens, on the terrace, in the dining room or even on the beach, toes in the sand.
New for 2025
Ahead of the current season, each of the three villas has been refreshed inside and out - new Pickleball courts are proving to be especially popular. In addition:
Room for all
Each villa was carefully designed to include a separate, smaller property offering self-contained additional accommodation away from the main house, although as Barker explains, their occupancy has changed over the years.
“Thirty years ago, it was always the grandparents that laid claim to the guesthouse,” she says. “Each one has a fully-fitted kitchen, living space, bathrooms and two bedrooms so they are entirely self-sufficient, and it was a good way for the older generation to ensure that they enjoyed the peace and quiet that they sought, as well as spending time in the midst of family.”
Now though, the tables have turned and it’s more typically teenage or twenty-something guests that bag the additional space. “It’s great for teenagers to enjoy the independence of separate living space, but funnily enough it’s often more that they don’t party as hard as their parents and prefer to get to bed earlier rather than later!.”
More information: www.littleharbourestates.com
