The tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla in the British West Indies is hardly the kind of place you’d expect to find an enclave of exotic Moorish villas. That’s what sets the exquisitely private Cap Juluca apart. The setting may be Caribbean—powdery white sand beach and lots of palm trees—but the mood is pure Morocco, beginning with distinctive domed architecture silhouetted against opalescent skies.

Casual elegance reigns in the spacious rooms with their cool white tiles underfoot and lazily turning ceiling fans overhead. Accommodations are housed in two-story villas, which include six private pool villas. All rooms have their own walled terraces overlooking the sea, and exotic accents include Brazilian walnut doors and windows. The absence of TVs adds to the laid-back mood. To make matters even better, a guest-to-staff ratio of one-to-one means requests for just about anything you desire are instantly fulfilled.

Another way in which this property shines is its dining scene. At the central Beach Pavilion, George’s (named after executive chef George Reid) serves tropical cuisine right on the beach—dining under the stars is a must. At the eastern end of Maundays Bay, perched on a coral outcrop, Pimms offers French Asian dishes, and the hors d’oeuvrerie, Kemia, provides romance with its candlelight dining in a Moroccan tent.

Anguilla, you’ll find, unlike many other Caribbean islands, is very much in the “no”—no time-shares, no crowds, no heavy industry, no pollution, no buses and no traffic jams. Driving is a cinch. On the one and only main road, you needn’t worry about getting lost, and should you leave your car unlocked—even with the motor running—don’t worry. You’ve entered a crime-free zone. Wish we could say the same of the mosquitoes; arm yourself with bug repellant.

Other than the bugs, nature is no problem here. In fact, it’s one of the hotel’s great assets. Year-round trade winds temper even the hottest days, and rainfall seldom mars the view from your oleander-hibiscus-bougainvillea draped terrace, where you can sunbathe in the buff (when we say private, we mean private) or fall to sleep to the lullaby of gently lapping waves.

After a good night’s slumber, you’re ready for a day of windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing or working out in the fitness center. When you’re not playing a game of tennis or socializing with fellow guests at the weekly croquet tournament, you can content yourself with turning the pages of a good book while lazing in a hammock or indulging in a “ritual” from the wellness center. After all, wellness—mental, spiritual and physical—is what Cap Juluca is all about.

(Updated: 01/13/09 HC)