USVI-On-Line

I'm so excited ... I'm starting to plan another St. John trip
I have read reviews of La Jolla Caribe, but I would love to know a little more from someone who has stayed there. It is probably first on our list at this time, but I am also considering Cinnamon Tarn. There are definitely 4 of us going, but there could be more, so I thought we may need the additional bedrooms of La Jolla Caribe. Any thoughts??

Coral Rays would be a possibility, as well. What should we choose??

Have not stayed at La Jolla Caribe but have stayed at Cinnamon Tarn 2x, Anole and Island Sun, as well as Valentine( no longer a rental) which is just below Great Escape, also a beauty. As you might imagine, this is our favorite area of St John.
Cinnamon Tarn is our favorite "in season hose" on St John. We rarely do a pool in the winter on St John as we find them a little cool for our liking. We would rather have a jacuzzi, which they have at both Cinnamon and La Jolla. Cinnamon Tarn is a large house with 2 wonderful and identical bedrooms. The 3rd bedroom would be great for a single, however, there is no bathroom up there so any additional persons would have to share your shower space. There is a half bath on the main floor. The house would be great for 5 but not more. There is a wonderful deck outside the upstairs bedroom. It is great for star gazing and c/o activities.
I believe the bedrooms are unequal at La Jolla but the place seems divine. Dont know eactly where on the mountain it is but that whole area up there IMHO is a magical setting.
Anole would also be a great house for a group but the downstairs bedrooms are not equal in views and amenities. Supposedly the pool is heated, and it was for us, but reports vary. It has great deck space.

Thank you for your reply, Knolmom. I was thinking Cinnamon Tarn would be perfect if it was just 2 couples, but it is looking like 3, so that makes it less favorable. I like the looks of Anole too, but unfortunately it is unavailable the week that we are looking at. I have not stayed in that area, but I love the idea of it! I guess I am leaning towards La Jolla.

IMHO the best 3 bedroom rental in Catherineberg is Cinnamon Stones (just above Anole, actually just above the new villa Peace and Plenty). My family LOVES Cinnamon Stones. Kathy from Island Getaways manages this house and its really great. Wonderful heated lap pool, hot tub and really really great house. The master bedroom has the best shower on the island!!

Cinnamon Stones does look great!!!!! Thanks Diana!

I haven't actually stayed at La Jolla Caribe but was originally booked to stay there, and after taking a look at it on a prior trip, I changed my mind and stayed elsewhere. I know that someone else on the forum ended up there during the week that I was originally scheduled to be there, and as I recall, they were pleased with the villa. I loved the area and the views but felt the villa was just a little "tired". If I were going on vacation with a large family, kids, grandparents then I think it'd be great. But with 3 couples, I'd be looking for something just a little bit nicer. Ali~

Another great house up there in Catherineberg is Island Sun. One of the things I really like about this house is you don't have to drive so far down bumpy John Head road as the other houses further down the hill. This is a really wonderful house for 3 or 4 couples.

I just got back from St. John. Six of us stayed at La Jolla Carib. I thought the place was great. The views are outstanding. There are five bedrooms and five bathrooms, two living areas and a large well equiped kitchen. Three decks with nice seating areas on each. Very nice outdoor eating area and a hottub with good views. I don't see need for a pool on an island with such wonderful beaches but the hottub was nice for relaxing in the evening. I wouldn't stay anywhere else!

We stayed at La Jolla Caribe in January with our three grown children and a friend. We loved it and would stay again. Last year we stayed at Ciellodonna in Chocolate Hole with three other couples. If we were traveling with three couples, we would probably pick another villa in Catherineburg only because the bedrooms at La Jolla are not equal. There is a very nice bedroom (queen bed)and bath on first floor and a room with twins and bath on same floor. Second floor has two bedrooms, joined by hallway, but you still have to access one room through another. My daughter's shared this space and the one bath. On the same floor is a second family room with two twins, no bath. On the 3rd floor is a a fifth bedroom with a very small bath. There is a freestanding bath and shower on this level too, I guess for the hot tub. The decks all have wonderful views and we loved staying there. Never needed a.c. The only issue we had was ants kept showing up on the counters. We kept cleaning a spraying (vinegar and water) and were able to keep them out, but we had to be concientious about it. Didn't miss a pool because we were at different beaches every day. Let me know if you have other questions.

Thank you all for you your help! I love the views from there and I agree that a pool is not necessary. I don't know that we would ever use it if we had one. I wish I knew for sure how many couples were going. The unequal BRs may or may not be a problem. It sounds like this would be a great place to go with our kids, too! Maybe we should do that, and stay somewhere else on our couples trip.