James Hughes Apartments: West End's Budget-Friendly Base for Anguilla's Best Beaches
Simple, spotless self-catering apartments minutes from Meads Bay and Maundays Bay
Why Go
Anguilla has a reputation as a millionaires' island, but James Hughes Apartments is proof you can wake up minutes from some of the Caribbean's most celebrated beaches without a five-star bill. Tucked into West End Village on Firefly Lane, these family-run apartments are the kind of place returning visitors quietly keep to themselves.
The Experience
Expect a warm, personal welcome rather than a lobby ΓÇö this is a small, locally owned property where the host is known for going out of his way, including free airport and ferry pickup. The apartments themselves are simple and well kept: one- and two-bedroom units with full kitchens, air conditioning, TV, wifi, fresh linens and free parking. Some upstairs units catch breezes and open views over the West End. It's a self-catering rhythm here ΓÇö cook breakfast, spend the day beach-hopping between Meads Bay, Barnes Bay, Maundays Bay and Shoal Bay West, then come home to a quiet residential village where you'll hear goats and roosters rather than resort crowds.
What to Try
Book one of the upstairs units for the views and the breeze, and take up the host's on-site car rental (around US$30/day) ΓÇö it's one of the cheapest ways to explore Anguilla and saves you arranging a separate hire. Stock the kitchen from West End shops, then split your days between Meads Bay's long white sand and the calmer, quieter Shoal Bay West. With nightly rates historically running roughly US$85ΓÇô120, a two-bedroom unit is a genuine bargain for families or two couples travelling together.
Insider Tip
Ask about the free airport or Blowing Point ferry transfer when you book ΓÇö the owner typically collects guests personally, which is rare at this price point on Anguilla. And since you're in West End Village, you're closer to Maundays Bay and Cap Juluca's stretch of sand than most visitors realise; go late afternoon when day-trippers thin out.
The Practical Stuff
Located on Firefly Lane in West End Village, Anguilla (AI-2640). Units are self-catering with full kitchens, A/C, wifi, TV and free parking; car rental and airport/ferry transfers are arranged through the property. Book ahead in high season (DecemberΓÇôApril) as there are only a handful of units. Anguilla is reached via Clayton J. Lloyd Airport or the ferry from St. Martin/St. Maarten to Blowing Point ΓÇö mention your arrival details so pickup can be arranged. US dollars are accepted island-wide.
Pair It With
- Meads Bay Beach Guide — One of Anguilla's most beautiful long white-sand beaches is a short drive away ΓÇö ideal for full beach days and sunset strolls.
- Maundays Bay Beach — Calm, sheltered turquoise water near West End Village, perfect for swimming and a splurge lunch on the sand.
- Shoal Bay West Beach — A quieter alternative on the island's western tip when you want a near-empty stretch of sand to yourself.
- ALAK Art Gallery — A nearby local gallery for a dose of Anguillian art and culture between beach days.