Checked in on Jan 7 for a 11 night stay. First trip to Anguilla and the whole trip (including Anacaona) lived up to our high expectations. We traveled with our two teenage daughters so we reserved a two bedroom suite (Room 306, the Hughes Suite). The room was a stand alone building significantly separated from all other buildings. The suite had a large screened in area, two good sized bedrooms w/ their own bathrooms and another large room that combined a living room w/ a tv and a full kitchen. We were very pleased with the size of the place.
Pros: 1) the beds had new matresses that were very comfortable. Usually my wife and I can't agree on what defines a good matress (too hard or too soft) but we both thought the Anacaona matress was great. 2) the kitchen was full sized and helped cut down on meal expenses (we had breakfast in the room nearly every day. Since everyone wakes up at different times (teenage daughters) the ability to eat whenever we woke up & not have to wait for others was a real plus). 3) the grounds, the whole area had recently been planted w/ new trees, there was a garden right outside our room where they grew fresh vegetables for the restaurant and two pools that were very nice. The "second" pool was right outside our room and was practically our private pool. I only saw other people at this pool twice. Of course w/ Mead's Bay a two minute walk away, most people (including us) usually chose the beach over the pool. 4) the people: every single employee of the hotel that we talked to was VERY friendly, outgoing, talkative and genuinely hoping that we were enjoying our stay. The people on the whole island were very friendly but the people at Anacaona were one step above almost everyone else. 5) the bar for a late night drink. What a great way to close out one perfect day after another. My wife and I typically would go to the bar after going out to dinner and spend some time chatting w/ the twins and Yvonne (hi girls, we miss you!) & others staying at the hotel. Just a very cool way to wrap up the day. 6) upgraded internet! When we first arrived we couldn't get internet access in our room. The girls needed to go up near the main pool, the lobby or hang out in the front hammocks to email, facebook or skype their friends. About three days into our stay we met the guy that was upgrading the wi-fi (he and his wife were also from SoCal) and he said the upgrade would be done in a couple days. It was done in one day and not only were we able to get access in our room but also at the beach. With the NFL playoffs just getting started and a need to keep in touch w/ NHL scores, internet access was a real plus
Cons: I rated the hotel a 4 but quite frankly the place is a 3 star and the friendliness of the employees and the value bring it up to a 4 star. The renovation of the hotel needs to continue to bring the facility up to a four star and the value & friendliness can make it a 5 star. For example, none of the screen doors out to the patio from the kitchen worked. That's about a $100 upgrade that would make a big improvement, the roof of our suite was made to have patio furiture on it. The views of the ocean and of the hotel grounds are outstanding from the roof. But there was one old, plastic table and one chair up there. A couple/few hundred dollars spent on quality patio furniture and a gas grill would be a HUGE upgrade to make that area a big plus. In it's current state we hardly went up there.
Bottom Line: We had a great stay. The Anacaona people were great! If you're looking for a place like the Viceroy then this place is not it (and we found that a big plus). If you're looking for comfortable accomodations at a good price this is your place.
Anacaona, we will be back!!!

We have stayed 10 times in this charming home away from home.
The character of the place draws us in each and every year and we love the people that we have met there who we consider liken to family. There is an ease, comfort, joy, and sensibility to the Anacaona that means "happy" to us. The new owners share that passion and have made a commitment to enhance that sense. Its unique and lovely.

We arrived way too early to check in, but were greeted warmly, with a cool wet face towel and a cold rum punch. The hotel is a bit older but is very clean and well maintained, with a very nice garden/lawn area that leads to Meads Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Think sugary white sand and crystal clear water. The area is close to several other nice beaches and high end restaurants. Tip: check out Blanchard's Beach Shack, about a half mile down the beach.

Positives -
The staff are excellent, helpful, cheery and do their best at all times with seemingly limited resources.
It is very close to Meads Bay and a variety of restaurants.
It is a good base from which to explore the Island.
Negatives
It is run down.
The new owners attempts at renovation appear to have been undertaken on a very constrained budget. It looks and feels dated.
Whatever a boutique hotel is - this is not one - the owners would do well to visit what a modern "boutique" hotel looks like and offers in terms of ambience, faciiities etc .
No attempt is made to keep guests on site - consequently the hotel feels empty most of the time.
The walk to the beach is through unkempt, badly lit and unmaintained garden and rubble.

Anguilla and Meads Bay in particular is expensive and this hotel is more affordable BUT there is much better value to be found elsewhere on the island.