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Cinnamon Ridge
Cinnamon Ridge
Hi all! Has anyone stayed at Cinnamon Ridge recently? We're considering it for a group of 9 (4 adults, 5 kids) next spring (seems like forever away!) and would love to hear more. I know the location (off John Head Rd) is fabulous and the villa looks great too. So what's the skinny???
We did two large group trips to this villa back in the late 90s’ but the pictures and the furniture look the same. There were some problems with this villa but we returned – we were all willing to put up with quite a lot for these views. First off, there is no a/c up there (which you do not need during the day nor do you need in the common areas in the evening – the breezes were wonderful). At night, the lower level bedrooms were fine but the upper level bedroom (#1) was hot as hell after having taken the western sun all afternoon. The other upper level bedroom (#2) has a nice covered deck with beautiful views but has its bath out in the hall – the floor plan shows a door on the other side of the bath walling it off from the hall but there was no door there. We saw this same floor plan, too, so were surprised that this bath was kind of used as a powder room for the main part of the villa, too. I don’t think Caribbean Villas is the best caretaker around so when we arrived both times we found sticky dishes and dirty glasses, etc., in the cabinets and small appliances that either didn't work or were missing parts. The blender was a workhorse, though, thank goodness! The second visit we knew what we were up against so we just started cleaning before we used anything in the cabinets. The termites love this house - we had quite the march going on for a few days and were constantly trying to sweep them out. Ask about the pool kitchen if you intend to use it because when we were there it was pretty unusable – the dishwasher and fridge were completely rusted out and the countertops were full of bugs. The pool bath was fine. Back then, the hot tub was across the bridge and up just a bit above the trough for the waterfall into the pool – it was built into the round stone area you see in the pictures. It was a small hot tub but we did love the views from there. We loved the pool although it was very cold – we were there in the month of April both times. Hubs and I stayed in lower level right (#5) the first time (small bath) and then switched to lower level left (#3) the second time – there was a crib in there and it’s off the laundry room but it had better views. The middle bedroom on the lower level (#4) has the largest bath of all. When we arrived the first trip our guys found some tools in the lower level storage room and spent some time fixing shower heads, tightening up screen sliders so they would move and trying to fix the gas grill (which was a mess). Second trip they knew just where to look to go about fixing similar problems. We could never get the old TVs or VCRs to work worth spit. Make no mistake about it – you are paying for the views up there and they are worth every penny but go with no expectations that this is a luxury villa or that it is well maintained. I would hope that things have improved since we were there so long ago, but from the pictures they are still using and knowing that they are still with CV I would question that.
I know this is old info but hopefully it will give you some questions to ask about current conditions up there.
- Margy
I know this is old info but hopefully it will give you some questions to ask about current conditions up there.
- Margy
Thanks Margy - great info! With 5 kids in tow we're not looking for luxury - I'll actually feel more comfortable if things are a bit "broken in" - but not completely broken and in need of repair. I believe CR is on the market now - not sure what that means as far as renovation/repairs since you were there, but I will be sure to ask CV. Thanks again!
Anyone else have experience with Cinnamon Ridge?
Anyone else have experience with Cinnamon Ridge?
CR
Stayed there the last two years. Would say the above comments still apply. You can definitely tell this was a tremendous place at one time but hasn't been maintained the best. That said price is a pretty good indicator and what ultimately got us there the first time and a return trip last year. The views are spectacular and you get sunsets, least in the summer time. Pool was clean and cool both times.
Peace and Plenty is just down the street for about double the price but it has ac, new, clean looking (i haven't been in it) but that was our comparison and determined for all it's faults saving $3-4k wasn't a bad deal.
We will probably be faced with same decision again this year.
Peace and Plenty is just down the street for about double the price but it has ac, new, clean looking (i haven't been in it) but that was our comparison and determined for all it's faults saving $3-4k wasn't a bad deal.
We will probably be faced with same decision again this year.