“We find ourselves reopening at a particularly favorable juncture, aligned with the global resurgence in travel, and already witnessing robust occupancy trends for the summer months and beyond,” Paulo Paias, the General Manager of Zemi Beach House in Anguilla, expresses with a sense of optimism. The esteemed establishment, nestled in one of the Caribbean’s most coveted getaways, is set to welcome guests once again on July 1st. Leading this momentous reawakening alongside Paias is the new executive team at Zemi, comprising Antoine Alsayah, Director of Sales & Marketing, and Idalmis Hernandez, Senior Sales and Events Manager.
Located in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, Anguilla boasts a distinctive identity as a British Overseas Territory, exuding the refined yet laid-back ambiance characteristic of former British colonies. Now under the banner of LXR Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s esteemed portfolio of luxury lodgings, Zemi Beach House retains its association with its original proprietors, the Goldstein Family of New York, who inaugurated the resort in 2016. This family-driven, hands-on approach contributes significantly to the resort’s popularity among the most discerning travelers.
Earning accolades anew this year, the resort secured the prestigious title of the No. 3 hotel in Anguilla as bestowed by U.S. News & World Report. Occupying a coveted expanse spanning six meticulously landscaped acres, Zemi Beach House commands a prime locale along Shoal Bay Beach, widely acclaimed as one of the Caribbean’s premier white-sand havens. With 1,000 feet of oceanfront splendor, the boutique haven pays homage to Anguilla’s indigenous Arawak Indian heritage, drawing inspiration from “zemis,” sacred religious stones discovered in a significant Arawak cultural site nearby. This cultural thread is woven into the interior design of public spaces, guest rooms, and suites, conceived in a contemporary style while evoking the island’s historical roots, a creation of the property’s adept designers and architects.
Highlighting the property’s allure are three breathtaking pools, each equipped with cabanas catering to various degrees of aquatic relaxation. The offering extends to a state-of-the-art fitness center, a grass tennis court, yoga sessions, and beach volleyball. However, the crown jewel remains the Zemi Thai House Spa, an unparalleled oasis among beach resorts. Housed within a 300-year-old wooden structure meticulously transported from Thailand, the spa encompasses 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The sanctuary features private treatment chambers, a sun-soaked deck for salt and mud body treatments, outdoor showers, a rejuvenating vitality pool, a wellness boutique, and a fresh juice bar set in a centuries-old Thai rice barn, offering herbal infusions and cold-pressed juices crafted from ingredients sourced from the spa’s own garden.
Elevating the culinary experience, Zemi Beach House introduces its newly appointed executive chef, Roberto Leoci, primed to welcome guests with rejuvenated menus at the resort’s main restaurants, Stone and 20 Knots. These venues, among the resort’s five distinctive dining and beverage establishments, as well as the newly revamped banquet, event, and wedding menus, underscore the culinary transformation. Stone, an esteemed fine dining locale, showcases “sea-to-table” seasonal fare, enriched by locally sourced ingredients and complemented by a curated wine selection guided by the in-house sommelier. Meanwhile, 20 Knots, an inviting beachfront restaurant and bar, offers an international menu with echoes of Latin American flavors. A visit to the Rhum Room is a must, housing one of the Caribbean’s premier rum collections, housing over 100 small-batch, single-estate rums that pay homage to the region’s sugarcane heritage.
Furthering the range of choices, the casual Shoal Bay Zemi Beach Club and the coastal Bohio Bar & Lounge beckon with libations, champagnes, and wines by the glass, accompanied by live music on select evenings. The Rhum Room offers an exclusive setting for private tastings and intimate dinners. Noteworthy concoctions include the Rhum Old Fashioned, an innovative twist on the classic, replacing whiskey with small batch rum, accompanied by brown sugar, angostura bitters, and club soda, garnished with an orange peel and half a vanilla pod. The Cucumber Refresh, a resort favorite, combines Ketel One vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, simple syrup, and grenadine, garnished with fresh cucumber, embodying a refreshing welcome for travelers arriving on the island.
Aligned with the affiliation to LXR Hotels & Resorts, Zemi Beach House is now an integral part of Hilton Honors, the distinguished guest-loyalty program encompassing Hilton’s diverse range of 18 hotel brands. This integration offers guests expanded opportunities for exploring the resort. Direct bookings unlock instant benefits, encompassing a flexible payment option blending Points and money, an exclusive member discount, complimentary standard Wi-Fi, and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app. Zemi resonates perfectly with LXR’s overarching mission to deliver sophisticated and luxurious experiences in sought-after destinations for the discerning traveler.
In conjunction with the reopening, the resort has partnered with private charter company Tradewind Aviation, introducing the Jetset to Barefoot Luxury package. This exclusive offering caters to travelers seeking opulent travel and direct access to the island via chartered flight, bypassing the sea shuttle from St. Maarten. The package encompasses an exclusive onboard amenity kit, a private cocktail-and-canapés reception at the Thai House Spa upon arrival, daily à la carte breakfast, a complimentary rum flight at the Rhum Room, a three-course beachside dinner, and a $200 daily resort credit for bookings of a two-bedroom residence.