Northshore villa help

steveo2916 · Post by **steveo2916** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:01 pm

Decided to plan a summer visit and now starts the villa search. We prefer staying on the Northshore and plan to spend under $6k for a week for us and our 10yo daughter. That rules out Peter Bay I think (and won't miss the construction anyhow). Also rules out Hakuna Matata (way cool!) The ones I've id'd so far are:

Villa Peace & Plenty (new)
Island Sun
Great Escape
Spellbound
Lizard Hill
Mango Bay
Cinnamon Bay Estate

We do want a pool and a good kitchen is important to me as we'll eat in quite a bit.

Anyone have a recommendation among these choices, OR do you have a favorite place that's not listed but fits the bill?

Thanks!!

SteveO.

Jumbiegirl · Post by **Jumbiegirl** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:18 pm

I've been to 2 on your list. My gripe with Island Sun is that the pool isn't on the ridge and doesn't have a full view of the ocean. It's behind the house by the driveway. There's only 1 bedroom "inside" the house. Two of the bedrooms are in a separate building and one bedroom above the master suite can only be accessed by going outside first. You might not be comortable with that arrangement for a 10-year old.

Mango Bay is older and not as nice as Island Sun. She'll also have to go outside and down stairs to the deck area to get to her bedroom. That pool, however, is great.

Cinnamon Stones is below Mango Bay and we love that one. The kichen is great, the pool is great, the view is great. It's superb. But she'll also have to go down the stairs to the pool deck area to get to a bedroom. I wouldn't have a problem with a 10-year-old doing that, though.

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:36 pm

We have stayed at Cinnamon Bay Estate the last two years. The words do not discribe the view from CBE. Every detail of the house is great. You will love the huge deck and the pool. The kitchen has all modern appliances, everything you will need they have there. Tommy who works for Suite St. John is great. Anything you need he will be there for you. The road going to the Villa, can be a little overwhelming the first time, but after that, its easy. I can't say enough about this place. It's worth every penny and then some. It's a million dollar view. The great room, over looks the ocean and has huge sliding glass doors you can open up. You can not go wrong with choosing to stay here. You have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

DCphoto · Post by **DCphoto** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:43 pm

If you need photos of this propery, I have plenty. I'm a photographer and went a little crazy photographing everything. The photos on the website, I believe don't show that it now has all stainless steel appiances. Also, washer and dryer are brand new Wirl pool. The beds are also comfortable. I wish we could go back to this property, but we bought a timeshare at the Westin to save some money, since we will be coming down every year for vacation. If I had a way to buy this property I would in a second.

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:26 pm

I'm with DC on Cinnamon Bay Estate. We have never stayed there, but have been up there a few times. Great views. And nice breezes. Some more pics at pbase.com/promoguy101 look under 2005 pix

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:43 pm

I can't think of another North Shore Villa with a pool, but I just wanted to chime in that the views and breezes up there are great! We stayed at Cinnamon Tarn last year and liked the views so much that we are back there for a week of our upcoming trip (no pool there though, so it won't work for you). We were there in late June and did not need AC at all.

Nice picture, promoguy!

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:51 pm

Thanks Auntie, here's my favorite one.

steveo2916 · Post by **steveo2916** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:19 pm

Thank you all for your help! You know, those pix of Cinnamon Bay make my heart skip a beat! Last time we were on St. John we stayed at Cinnamon Ridge, right above Cinnamon Bay Estate. I have to agree that is a class villa! Since this morning, I've talked to my Honey and she has decided she'd rather switch sides of the island this trip with our daughter, so we're booking Bongo Bongo. I guess I can't go wrong, no matter WHERE we book!

NEXT visit we'll switch back to Northshore, because the views are just unbelievable!

And the best part is, we're going on Skymiles up in the "pointy bit" of the plane! I can't believe the seats were actually available only 7 months out!

Thanks again you wonderful Forumites!

papabou · Post by **papabou** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:58 am

please stop posting all those magnificient pictures of the water views of northern shore (and elsewhere on the island). don't you know what that does to us stj addicts? bride and i just returned sat night (and were there in dec) and those pictures have set off the uncontrolable urge to check flt loads and villa availability!

papabou

ps really great pictures. while we prefer the sunset/stt views from gifft hill and upper rockridge, i may have to consider something on the northshore. appears you have the benefit of expansive views you only get from higher elevations but you are much closer to the water due to the steeper rise on the north shore.

Diana2 · Post by **Diana2** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:02 am

We've stayed at six different northshore villas. Catherineberg is our favorite area of STJ without a doubt. The views from Cinnamon Ridge are fabulous. It's worth the rough road in to the villa. Considering that you will have a 10 year old with you, I'd say that Cinnamon Bay Estate is probably the best of the bunch IMHO.

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