The Hidden Cottage
A hilltop hideaway where Anguilla slows all the way down
Why Go
Perched on the crest of Welches Hill, The Hidden Cottage lives up to its name ΓÇö a tucked-away retreat where the loudest thing you'll hear is the breeze coming off the hills, and the island's famous beaches are just a short drive below.
The Experience
This isn't a resort with lobbies and lanyards ΓÇö it's a genuinely local stay that mirrors Anguilla's laid-back rhythm. Modern, newly built studio-style units come with private entrances, king beds, full kitchens, balconies and patios, so you settle in like a temporary islander rather than a passing guest. Air-conditioning, free WiFi, streaming services, in-unit laundry and free private parking cover the practical bases, while the elevated Welches Hill setting delivers quiet evenings and breezy mornings. Couples consistently rate it highly, and the friendly host is a big part of why ΓÇö expect real recommendations, not a concierge script.
What to Try
Book the Turquoise studio if it's available ΓÇö king bed, full kitchen and its own outdoor space make it the pick of the property. Stock the kitchen from nearby shops in Welches, cook breakfast on your own patio, then make the roughly five-minute drive to Shoal Bay Beach, one of the Caribbean's most celebrated stretches of white sand, and get there early before day-trippers arrive.
Insider Tip
Treat the hilltop location as a feature, not a compromise: rent a car (Anguilla Airport is only about five miles away) and use the cottage as a quiet base for beach-hopping. Ask the host for their current picks ΓÇö locally run stays like this one are the best source of up-to-date intel on which beach bars and fish fries are worth your evening.
The Practical Stuff
Located at Welches Hill, Welches, Anguilla, about 5 miles from Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport and a short drive from Shoal Bay. Self-catering units with full kitchens, free WiFi, air-conditioning, laundry facilities and free on-site private parking. A rental car is strongly recommended, as the property sits inland on a hill away from walkable beach access. Book directly or via major booking platforms; contact the host ahead for arrival directions, as the entrance is easy to miss ΓÇö it is hidden, after all.
Pair It With
- Shoal Bay Beach — Anguilla's most famous beach is roughly a five-minute drive away ΓÇö the ideal daily counterpoint to the cottage's hilltop seclusion.
- ALAK ART GALLERY — A nearby local gallery that fits the cottage's authentic, community-rooted vibe ΓÇö browse Anguillian art on a slow afternoon.
- 2-BM The Smokers Corner — A neighbourhood stop close to Welches for a taste of everyday local life just minutes from your door.