Hilton’s Hidden Gem: A Review of the Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts

I've been eager to visit Zemi Beach House in Anguilla ever since it joined the Hilton Honors program.

It's among the select few properties within Hilton's emerging luxury brand LXR. The online photos were breathtaking, and it consistently received rave reviews from returning guests. I had to see it for myself.

Armed with plenty of unused vacation days and a few Hilton free-night certificates to use, I decided that planning a year-end Caribbean getaway was the ideal opportunity to check it out. Although reaching Anguilla wasn't as straightforward as visiting some of the more famous islands nearby, I ultimately managed to fully unwind, bask in the sunshine, and make excellent use of my certificates.

Booking

At Zemi Beach House, Standard Garden View rooms begin at approximately $860 per night, inclusive of taxes, but can exceed $1,400 during peak seasons. As this is a resort, you can offset some of the expense with the up to $250 annual resort statement credit available through the right cobranded Hilton credit card.

Although Hilton does not provide a published award chart, standard room awards consistently require 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night. This is valued at around $570 based on TPG valuations, making it a fantastic way to utilize your points. Additionally, if you possess a qualifying cobranded Hilton credit card like I do, this is a great chance to redeem your Hilton free night certificates.

I booked my week-long stay by combining certificates, points, and cash. This was easily one of the best uses of my Hilton free night certificate so far.

Location

Zemi Beach House is situated in the tranquil Shoal Bay East area of Anguilla. Located on the northeast side of the island, the beach faces the Atlantic rather than the Caribbean. While the beach remains stunning—often rated as one of the finest on the island—it features slightly more rocks than other spots and the water can be a bit rougher. Additionally, there are limited amenities within walking distance of the hotel, aside from some beach shacks like Gwen's Reggae Grill.

How to get there

Unfortunately, reaching the island proved to be more complicated than I anticipated. At the time of my trip, there were no direct flights from the mainland U.S. to Anguilla's Clayton J. Lloyd Airport (AXA), although American Airlines has since introduced twice-weekly flights from Miami (MIA) and plans to add a third flight soon. My next best alternative was to arrive at St. Maarten's renowned Princess Juliana Airport (SXM). From there, I could either take a boat shuttle to Anguilla or catch a regional flight.

I decided to try both methods—I'll be writing a separate guide comparing them—but in short, I preferred flying. The flight lasted under 10 minutes (fun fact: it's the world's shortest international flight) and the transfer from my inbound flight was seamless. The ferry took considerably longer and cost almost the same—around $100 each way.

I pre-arranged my taxi rides through the hotel, allowing me to charge the costs to my room. The fare from the airport was $18 and the trip took about 10 minutes, while the ride to the ferry terminal was $26 and lasted 20 minutes.

Check-in

My check-in process was nearly perfect. At the Anguilla airport, a hotel representative greeted my travel companion and me, guiding us to our taxi and taking our orders for welcome drinks—either rum punch or fruit punch. Upon our arrival at the resort, staff members were ready to welcome us, with all our arrival documents already prepared.

The resort featured two lobbies: one at the top for check-in and check-out, and another at the bottom, which housed the restaurants and the main pool.

The front desk team was incredibly welcoming, but I was let down to discover that my top-tier Hilton Diamond Status wouldn’t yield many perks during this visit. Breakfast and Wi-Fi were complimentary for all guests, and the hotel only offers elite members upgrades to rooms with enhanced views, rather than suites. Therefore, even if you book an ocean view room directly, don't anticipate an upgrade to a room featuring a plunge pool or one of the apartment-style suites.

The room

After we checked in, our bags were loaded onto a golf cart and we were driven down the steep hill for a brief tour of the property before finally arriving at our room.

The resort features 76 guest rooms distributed across three buildings, all of which require some walking (and possibly stair climbing) to reach the main pool and beach area. Only the residences are situated directly on the beach.

I was given a room with two queen beds and an ocean view on the third floor of the third building, which is the farthest away. Although Hilton no longer mandates it, a seal on the door indicated that the room had been thoroughly cleaned and remained undisturbed since that cleaning.

The hotel's website stated the room was between 600 and 700 square feet, and while I didn’t measure it, the size felt accurate. It was quite roomy, even with the two queen beds in place.

Upon entering, I found a hallway with a minibar conveniently located on the right. It featured a small yet sufficient selection of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and snacks. The prices were quite fair (considering it’s a minibar). Beers were priced at $6 each, soft drinks ranged from $3 to $4, and spirits were available from $20 to $45 for 200 ml to 375 ml bottles. Additionally, there was an Illy coffee machine, a kettle for hot water, and an ice bucket that always seemed to be filled with fresh ice.

The beds were adorned with crisp, white Italian Frette linens and were remarkably comfortable. They featured simple wooden frames beautifully complemented by coral stone-carved bas-reliefs positioned above the headboards. I also appreciated the presence of U.S. power outlets next to the beds, which is essential in today’s world.

Facing the beds was a wall-mounted television offering premium movie channels, accompanied by a long table with two wooden chairs.

In the corner of the room, there was a more comfortable chair, but I wished there had been a round table for in-room dining. The idea of dining next to my companion while staring at a blank wall wasn't very appealing. Admittedly, the balcony provided a better setup for in-room meals (more on that shortly), but it wouldn't have been ideal during the occasional rain showers.

The room featured two closets stocked with the typical amenities, along with complimentary flip-flops and a beach bag — two items I didn’t have to pack. However, I was disappointed to find that there were no slippers, and they couldn't be requested either.

The highlight of the room for me was the bathroom, particularly the freestanding soaking tub. It came with a sliding wooden tray that held bath salts, a loofah, and even a rubber duck.

The bathroom was spacious and filled with light, featuring a double-sink vanity, a walk-in shower, and a separate area for makeup. I appreciated the blend of distinctive materials such as stone sinks, copper plumbing, and wooden accents. The toiletries were by Malin+Goetz and had a delightful rum scent, perfectly complementing the Caribbean setting.

Every room featured spacious balconies equipped with two cozy chairs, a small dining table, and two additional chairs. Although the view was slightly obstructed, it was still a lovely sight of the ocean.

While I didn’t have the chance to see a garden view room firsthand, I can only imagine it would resemble something like this:

Amenities

Unsurprisingly, the resort's amenities were its standout feature. With a limited number of rooms, the communal areas never felt overly busy.

The focal point of the property is a uniquely designed infinity pool that curves elegantly. It provides stunning ocean views and includes an underwater window, perfect for capturing memorable photos. Though only slightly heated, it basks in sunlight throughout the day.

The pool area is dotted with ample loungers, all offering excellent views of the ocean thanks to the pool's unique zigzag layout. Additionally, there are several complimentary cabanas available for use. Despite being family-friendly, the pool maintained a tranquil atmosphere throughout our visit, and we never struggled to find available chairs. However, the electronic music played at the hotel felt somewhat mismatched with the setting.

The pool deck featured complimentary fruit-infused water and sunscreen — saving you from having to pack or spend extra on the island.

Another pool at the resort, an adults-only infinity pool with three levels, is located just up the hill, nearer to the guest accommodations.

While it had ample seating, this area was seldom occupied by other guests. This could be attributed to the fact that it received much less sunlight than the main pool, lacked ocean views, and the water felt significantly chillier. Nevertheless, if you're keen on doing some laps, this is the ideal spot.

Most of my time (and that of many other guests) was spent on the beach. The water glimmered in a stunning turquoise hue, beautifully contrasting with the soft, white sand. Although certain areas of the beach were slightly rocky, they were easy to avoid.

The beach had plenty of loungers available, making it unnecessary to reserve a chair. However, as the resort became busier in the latter half of my stay, some guests began reserving them anyway. Still, the beach maintained a more exclusive vibe compared to typical resorts, with no locals attempting to sell anything.

Attendants were available to assist guests in finding their spots and setting up their chairs. They consistently provided complimentary bottles of water chilled in ice bags, which I greatly appreciated.

The beach featured a station providing sunscreen and additional water supplies.

The resort provided complimentary kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkeling gear for guests. Unfortunately, the staff deemed the water too rough to use any of the equipment during my visit — a possible drawback of staying on the Atlantic side of the island.

One of the resort's remarkable features is its Thai-inspired spa, where the treatment rooms are situated in a 300-year-old wooden house imported from Thailand. Other amenities include a vitality pool, the only hammam on the island, multiple relaxation spaces, and a juice bar.

The spa menu offers a range of services, including massages, facials, healing rituals, and scrubs, with 50-minute massages starting at $170. I experienced the five elements massage, which provided a deeply relaxing experience. The therapist was attentive and tailored the session to meet my specific needs.

Directly adjacent to the spa is an astroturf tennis court available for complimentary use during the day, complete with racquets provided. The hotel also thoughtfully supplied a cooler filled with water bottles, towels, and bug spray.

For those who enjoy indoor workouts, the resort features a 24-hour fitness center. Although it's on the smaller side, it is well-equipped (minus Pelotons). It would have been a nice addition if the resort offered group fitness sessions or yoga classes, but unfortunately, it does not.

Although I didn't encounter many children during my visit, there is a kids' club available for ages 4-12. This service is included at no extra charge, which can be a significant saving for families.

Complimentary Wi-Fi was accessible throughout the resort, including the beach area. The connection speed registered at 19.15 Mbps for downloads and 18.28 Mbps for uploads. While not the fastest I've experienced, it should be adequate for streaming films and video calls with family back home.

Dining and beverages

The dining options are one aspect where the hotel could enhance its offerings.

Aside from one exception, none of the meals I tried were particularly disappointing — but they also lacked excitement. Overall, the culinary experience felt more aligned with what you'd find at a large resort rather than one of this quality. The prices were somewhat high but consistent with the island's norms.

The hotel features a main dining venue known as 20 Knots, located right on the beach and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

There were numerous seating arrangements available, but my favorite was outdoors at the tables set on the sand. There's something truly enjoyable about eating barefoot with your toes sinking into the soft sand.

Breakfast was served as a buffet, complimentary for all hotel guests. It featured the typical options such as made-to-order eggs, French toast, pastries, cereals, cheeses, and cold cuts, but missed some local flair. For example, including tropical fruits like mango or coconut alongside the berries and melon would have been a nice touch.

My companion and I enjoyed most of our dinners at this restaurant, though we quickly grew weary of the food choices. The menu included everything from pizza and pasta to tacos, lobster, and steak.

We made an effort to select local dishes that showcased island cuisine, but our choices were somewhat restricted. My favorite was the red Caribbean curry ($26) featuring tofu, mixed vegetables, raisins, coconut rice, and mango chutney, while my companion favored the grilled spicy lobster ($55). The local red snapper fillet ($28) was delicious, although it lacked authenticity with its heavy lemon butter sauce. The Caribbean lobster mac and cheese ($28) and tuna tartare ($23) were rather bland and not worth ordering.

20 Knots also catered to the beach and poolside dining. The fish tacos ($23), mahi-mahi skewers ($23), and burger ($26) were all delicious. However, I would suggest checking out the nearby beach shack, Gwen's Reggae Grill, for lunch instead, particularly for their grilled seafood and rum punches, which come highly recommended.

The hotel's other dining option is Stone, which operates solely for dinner. Designed to be a more upscale experience, it features higher prices. However, the Asian-European fusion menu didn't quite appeal to us, so we opted not to try it.

The hotel also hosted two themed dinners that we attended.

The first was a Caribbean beach BBQ, which we highly recommend. Priced at $65, it offered a buffet of salads along with freshly grilled meats and seafood, including lobster. This was undoubtedly the most delicious meal we enjoyed on the property and offered great value for the price.

The second themed dinner was sushi night, which turned out to be quite disappointing, especially given the staff's enthusiasm about it. Even with modest expectations, the meal was so unsatisfactory that my companion and I decided to head to 20 Knots for dinner instead.

The prices were on par with upscale restaurants like Nobu, featuring $17 for a six-piece vegetable roll, $7 for a piece of tuna nigiri, and $26 for a bite of miso cod. However, the quality did not match the price. Our lobster and spicy salmon rolls were overwhelmed by heavy sauces, and the fish didn't taste fresh. To top it off, our order took an hour to arrive.

The resort features three bars, with Bohio being the primary one. It often hosted live music and included a sushi bar. Prices for cocktails were $16, mocktails were $8, and beers ranged from $6 to $8.

Another bar is situated right on the beach near 20 Knots.

Lastly, there's the Rhum Room, a stylish lounge dedicated to rum and cigars. A knowledgeable "rummelier" was on hand to guide guests through the over 100 varieties available.

Though I typically don't drink much rum, I truly enjoyed the fruity "Guabanacex Sour" cocktail ($18) and gained valuable insights during the tasting session. The presentation was also impressive.

For those who preferred dining in the comfort of their room or on the balcony, 24-hour room service was offered at no extra delivery charge. Guests could also order a continental breakfast without any additional cost.

Service

The service undoubtedly met my high expectations for the LXR brand.

Everyone I interacted with was warm and genuinely helpful. I was consistently greeted by name during my stay, and the beach staff recognized my preference for a sunny chair each day.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted with a delightful Diamond welcome gift: a fruit platter and a bottle of prosecco. During our beach days, the staff offered fruit skewers, chilled towels, and even complimentary cucumber cocktails on one occasion. The nightly turndown service was consistently provided and always included freshly baked cookies and bottles of water.

As the hotel became busier, the quality of service declined slightly, but I’ll attribute this to the hotel’s recent reopening and the possibility of it not being fully staffed yet.

Accessibility

The resort was not particularly accommodating for guests with disabilities.

There were no specially designed accessible rooms available, and the property was missing several important accessibility features such as a pool lift, Braille signage, ramps for all public areas, and grab bars in the bathrooms. Given that the resort is situated on a steep hill, guests with mobility issues would likely need to request a golf cart for transportation around the property.

Overall impression

In summary, my initial experience with the LXR brand was quite positive. The Zemi Beach House boasts stunning grounds, and the service was exceptional. This is certainly not your average Hilton.

The resort maintained a generally tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. While it offered family-friendly features like a kids' club, it didn’t feel overwhelmingly geared toward families, making it an ideal spot for both couples and families. Though getting there wasn’t entirely straightforward, the island exuded an exclusive vibe and was relatively accessible, especially with the new nonstop flights from the U.S. My Hilton elite status didn’t offer much in terms of perks, but I still felt I received great value from my free night certificates and points.