It’s one of the first things you see on arrival into Anegada, the far-off outpost of the British Virgin Islands that’s one of the region’s beach capitals: the Anegada Reef Hotel.

And this venerable hotel on a patch of sand perched on the harbor is the perfect Anegada retreat.

The 16-room property has clean, comfortable rooms, friendly service and, most importantly, one of the island’s best bars, home to delicious smoothies and the terrifically-named Milk of Amnesia (we don’t remember what’s in it, unfortunately).

It’s a place to get a slice of the real Anegada, meaning mornings and afternoons on the water, fishing, diving or lazing around and evenings, well, eating lots and lots of lobster. (Indeed, lobster is plentiful here, and it’s the flagship dish on the menu on just about every restaurant on the island).

The latter makes Anegada Reef one of the island’s best places for dinner, with a classic lobster meal right at the water’s edge and a lovely, torch-lit setting.

Anegada is all about the water.

This is Anegada. And this is how to do it.

For more information, visit the Anegada Reef. 

— Alexander Britell