Stayed at Sheriva Villas for 5 days in a 1-bedroom pool suite. This is THE place to stay on Anguilla. We checked into our suite at night and our private pool was all lit up. It was a perfect welcome. We slipped into the hot tub and were served drinks by the butler(ess), Simone. The suite itself was super huge with a walk-in closet, marble bathtub, wooden floors in the bathroom lounge area (yes! the bathroom had a lounge area with a daybed), a double shower (very romantic for couples) and we were right next door to the gym, which is really impressive. Lots of cardio machines and free weights and a total body machine.
When we woke up that first morning, we were greeted with a breakfast spread fit for a king. They have a menu where you can order whatever you want for breakfast - banana pancakes, bacon or sausage, spinach omelets...you name it, and Sherry Ann (the chef) can whip it up. We took the advice of a past guest and asked for a golf cart. (If one is available, you can use it, though its really included for full villa rentals only. Suite guests usually get driven back and forth to the beach by one of the staff). One was indeed available and we were able to use it to go down to the beach on our own (only two minutes away and we loved the golf cart ride. It's a huge golf cart for just two people). The beach there is one of the most spectacular sights ever. Gorgeous stretch of sand, clear turquoise water and we had our very own beach chairs and umbrellas. The guys from Sheriva brought down beach towels and a cooler with ice and bottled water for us every day. We took our own wine and diet coke to the beach and just stuck them in the cooler. (Only plastic cups are allowed on the beach). We had signing privileges at Cap Jaluca's restaurants and boutiques, so we never had to walk with credit cards. A great service. We just took some small change to tip the beach guys and the waiters.
We really needed some downtime on this vacation and the Sheriva staff made it happen for us. We asked for extreme privacy and the housekeepers were so discreet, we thought they were fairies or something. Everything was always clean. We'd come in from the pool deck and the bed was made, clothes neatly folded, fresh pool towels in the basket, water restocked in the gym. Just amazing!! Whenever we called the office for recommendations, Latoya or Jeannine were always ready with the perfect answer.
We ate at Blanchards and Mangoes. They were really good like all the other comments said, right on the beach and exceptional service. Loved the lobster cakes and conch chowder, respectively. We went local and tried B&D BBQ one night and also ate at Tasty's restaurant. Both were really good, and a offered a budget-break from Anguilla's more expensive menus. Tasty's serves up the best seafood salad in the Caribbean! Try the crayfish when you go to Anguilla. It's their indigenous version of a smaller lobster. We had Un Amore delivery one afternoon and they make a to-die-for philly cheesteak and awesome calzones and pizza.
All in all, we just chilled at our pool, enjoyed the beach and the luxurious surroundings at Sheriva. (We took a tour of the entire Mystique villa. It is 21,000 square feet, has three pools and five giant master suites.). Some of the negative comments about this place must be bogus. I don't get what the other suite people are complaining about. We LOVED the privacy, our pool, the ridiculously huge suite, the wifi, the breakfasts, the beach experience and most definitely, the staff. We travel a lot in the Caribbean and you just know when you've found the spot. Sheriva Villas is it. We left with a sense of sadness because it felt like we'd made lifelong friends over just a few days. I would definitely visit again for a long weekend or with friends in a villa, most likely Mystique.
