Coral Bay vs Cruz Bay

[Effie]

Thank you so much for all the great replies so far! I'm feeling really torn on what area to pick! I have found a few new ones north of Cruz Bay that I like. Has anyone stayed at/been to Villa Tamarindo or Cinnamon Tarn? I like the location near the north shore beaches.
Thanks in advance!!

[sherban]

Thank you so much for all the great replies so far! I'm feeling really torn on what area to pick! I have found a few new ones north of Cruz Bay that I like. Has anyone stayed at/been to Villa Tamarindo or Cinnamon Tarn? I like the location near the north shore beaches. Thanks in advance!!

We stayed in Cinnamon Tarn in 2008 and we loved it (awesome view!)...it's in Catherineburg (North Shore), it has no AC and no pool...it does have a huge hot tub that is kinda like a small pool...here's our pictures from that trip: http://s240.beta.photobucket.com/user/s ... une%202008

[Teresa_Rae]

Cinnamon Tarn has been on my list for a long time, but since we only go to STJ during the hottest part of the year, we've never stayed there because of the lack of bedroom a/c.

[EagleRayLover]

I cant comment on the villas, except i agree with Pia that Reef Madness is yummy!!! I would typically call us Coral Bay folks but after staying in Cruz Bay for our past trip, there are advantages to both. We loved being able to walk everywhere downtown and to Frank Bay- we stayed up at Battery Hill- and had no problem walking back up ( and I had knee surgery in Jan.) I agree that it is totally a personal choice. The one thing I have sometimes gotten from other trip reports that I have read is that people that stay right in town, seem to not always venture past Northshore beaches. After ten or eleven trips, we still find new things to do and this is one of the things we love so much!! Let us know what you decide!!

[Effie]

We have decided to stay closer to the Cruz Bay Area. We have narrowed it down to Cinnamon Tarn and Villa Tamarindo. I love the views and location of Cinnamon Tarn but not sure we want to give up having a pool. We are also worried about not having AC but have read mixed reviews on not needing it. They are both so amazing it is hard to make a decision!!

[Bonny in CA]

Our first trip we stayed at Into the Mystic in Coral Bay! It's an awesome villa.
Some front runners that were booked for our dates this year were Coconuts & Cloud Nine. We finally ended up making our reservations for Plumeria!

[dreamshark]

With your budget you should be able to find a villa you love without giving up the pool. If you like the mountain view and a central location, look for villas in Upper Carolina, Mamey Peak or Ajax Peak neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are considered Coral Bay, but they are close to Centerline Road, making them convenient to both Cruz Bay and the northern beaches (from the east side).

How about Dancing Dolphin (Upper Carolina) or Ixora (Ajax Peak Road)?
Also look at Coral Rays, Swogjans Dragon and Debolina.

Although Catherineberg has a north shore view, I don't think that's a navigable road leading down to the shoreline road. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think to get from Cinnamon Tarn to the north shore you have to drive all the way back through town.

[sherban]

We have decided to stay closer to the Cruz Bay Area. We have narrowed it down to Cinnamon Tarn and Villa Tamarindo. I love the views and location of Cinnamon Tarn but not sure we want to give up having a pool. We are also worried about not having AC but have read mixed reviews on not needing it. They are both so amazing it is hard to make a decision!!

Can't tell you what will work best for you but I'll share a little more of my memories of Cinnamon Tarn..the good and bad... We were there in June and we had 5 adults on that trip..two couples and a single woman. The two equal bedrooms on two sides of the house worked well and the single woman stayed up in the loft...all three sleeping areas have draw dropping views from their balconies. We liked the curved stone shower stalls and the layout of the house was awesome. The views and breezes were extraordinary and I loved being so close to Cinnamon Bay...I also liked barreling down John's Head Road...but, I'm a bit of a maniac sometimes! Having the view made up for no Pool but we didn't have kids along on that trip...I think a pool is key to keep kids occupied so no biggie on that trip. The "super hot tub" served as a wading pool and the grill on the back deck was great too.

One of my fave memories is watching a storm roll in from the BVIs...so cool!
The one "bad memory" I have was leaving the windows open at night to stay cool (great breezes) BUT the frogs were so loud a couple nights that I couldn't sleep very well and there was that one night when the skeeter was buzzing around my ear and I couldn't sleep...the down side of no AC in the BR.. If you are going in August I think it might be warm so if you are a fussy/light sleeper maybe choose a place with AC in the BRs...if you are more of a trooper/camper....then, ahh no biggie...you'll love it! I would def go back again, what a great location!

[St. John Lover]

Another vote for Cinnamon Tarn. Stayed there a few years ago and still remember it fondly today. Views can't be beat; spacious. Though I generally prefer central a/c, we were there in March and the breezes and shade from the trees kept it cool. Plus I'm adventurous and loved taking that crazy dirt/rock road down straight to the beaches (don't even know if you can still do that today or if it's been washed out in parts).

[Effie]

With your budget you should be able to find a villa you love without giving up the pool. If you like the mountain view and a central location, look for villas in Upper Carolina, Mamey Peak or Ajax Peak neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are considered Coral Bay, but they are close to Centerline Road, making them convenient to both Cruz Bay and the northern beaches (from the east side).

How about Dancing Dolphin (Upper Carolina) or Ixora (Ajax Peak Road)?
Also look at Coral Rays, Swogjans Dragon and Debolina.

Although Catherineberg has a north shore view, I don't think that's a navigable road leading down to the shoreline road. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think to get from Cinnamon Tarn to the north shore you have to drive all the way back through town.

Does anyone know if this is correct about having to go thru town to get to north shore beaches?

Sherban ... Thanks so much for all your info/pics! You have been so helpful. My parents are coming with us and my mom is a very light sleeper so that might be a deal breaker for us.
I love all the info (good and bad) about Cinnamon Tarn but there seems to be no one who has stayed at/ knows about Villa Tamarindo. There are reviews on tripadvisor and stuff but I think the lack of info makes this harder. Thanks everyone for all the opinions, I think we just need to close our eyes and pick one to make it easier!

[sherban]

With your budget you should be able to find a villa you love without giving up the pool. If you like the mountain view and a central location, look for villas in Upper Carolina, Mamey Peak or Ajax Peak neighborhoods.

Although Catherineberg has a north shore view, I don't think that's a navigable road leading down to the shoreline road. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think to get from Cinnamon Tarn to the north shore you have to drive all the way back through town.

Does anyone know if this is correct about having to go thru town to get to north shore beaches?

There are at least three ways to get to North Shore Beaches from Cinnamon Tarn...
1) Straight down John Head Rd (steep and a bit rough)...this is the way I always went....but I like roller coasters too!
2) Out Centerline towards Coral Bay to the smoothie stand then over on North Shore Rd towards Maho
3) In Centerline in through town and back out past caneel

I agree with Dreamshark that Mamey Peak, Majestic Mile, Upper Carolina all offer great views and are a great option as well as north shore...we are staying in Upper Carolina at Debolina in June...view proabaly won't be as awesome as C-Tarn but I think it will be pretty awesome!
http://www.windspree.com/home.php/11/DeBolina/

Lots of places in your budget that time of year....!

[philbetm]

We (two couples) stayed at Villa Tamarindo in May of 2010 . It is a very nice home. But...don't base your choice of it on the pool. The pool is very small. Probably no larger than the hot tub at Cinnamon Tarn. My hubby and I only used it once and the other couple, not at all. The villa's baths were really nice, the kitchen well stocked and the best of all was the patio and grill area where the small pool was located. The caretaker, Mike, lived in the small apartment space underneath the house. We never knew he was there and he never intruded. We were very surprised at the things he provided us. A lot of companies list "Welcome baskets" which we always have found to only be a little fruit and cheese and maybe a couple of beers and/or cokes. He had stocked our fridge with everything we needed for breakfast, plus fruits, lots of them, and snacks that lasted us for 3 days. The only thing that was a little annoying was that one of the bedrooms has the cisterns right under and when it rains you can hear it draining "loudly" into it. I know that sounds petty...but if you are a light sleeper then take foam earplugs for those times. It echoes A lot ! One of the amazing things is...the Caneel Hill trail runs right behind the house and you can take it to the peak to a platform that has unbelivable sunset views !! Never seen anything to compare to it. If I can be of anymore help , Please ask ! We are returning this June with 3 other couples and staying at Heaven's Gate in Coral Bay. This will be our first time staying on that side. Good Luck !

Sherry in SC