• Campground Type: National Park
• Campsite Type: Cabin
• Price Range: More than $50
• Cleanliness: Satisfactory
• Campground Facilities: Very Good
• Recreational Facilities: Very Good
• Campsite Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Satisfactory
• Service: Excellent

All cabins are near the beach and bathrooms. Note: There is no running water or toilet in the cabin.

The furnishings are beat up and need replacing. The decor was not enhanced by the bare bulb lighting effect. That was OK though, as we didn't really want to look at the mattress. The bedding was clean, and you could request a change (for a small additional fee).

The main facility includes a place to hang out under a covered area and an open-air Tree Lizard restaurant. Both seem relatively new, and we found hanging out there with our group to be very comfortable.

The grounds were beaten down, and any attempts at landscaping the cabin areas had long since been abandoned. If it rains, you will have lots of standing water.

The bathrooms were likewise worn out. The cold-water showers were okay, but the sinks and toilets were old and in need of replacing.

• Campground Type: National Park
• Campsite Type: Cabin
• Price Range: More than $50
• Cleanliness: Satisfactory
• Campground Facilities: Poor
• Recreational Facilities: Very Good
• Campsite Satisfaction: Satisfactory
• Family Friendliness: Poor
• Service: Satisfactory

Another nice thing about the campground was open-air showers and the on-site convenience store. They were cold, but it was very hot and this was definitely not an issue.

The campground does not have good lighting at night so bring a strong flashlight. I rented a tent cabin. It was not as clean as I would have liked for the rate I was paying ($40 a night). The flaps did not have a zipper, only ties, and so did not close well. A few mornings I woke up with mongoose, which are rampant on the island, inside my tent. These were minor inconveniences, however.

Even though linens are included in the price of the tent cabin, bring your own sleeping bag. It is not cold at night, but the mattresses are standard pin-striped plastic and not very comfortable.

I think this campground would be good for travelers who are willing to give up a few luxuries for a great location. Overall, I found I didn't miss them too much. The campground experience added to the quirky nature of the trip.

I would not, however, return there again alone. The campground, and in fact the entire island is more for couples and families. Though I am usually content to travel solo, I was lonely and bored at night.

The cottages have many amenities; but, are very tiny. You can cook in them--either indoors or out on your own little private patio. They can sleep four comfortably. Basically, it's a 15 x 15 foot room with metal spring beds, four chairs, a table, a tiny kitchen area and two entire walls of screen material that provide beautiful views and cooling breezes of the water. The beach and water outside, less than a frisbee's throw from your front door are among the most beautiful on the planet. People from the upscale resorts will come to this beach because it has some of the best snorkeling, swimming and beach scenery on the island--yet, it has never been crowded when we were there. The website is www.cinnamonbay.com and you can visit it to see pictures of the cottages, the beach, and to find out the exact details of what's available and for how much money.

I just want to say that I've heard from other vacationers that the expensive resorts on St. John's are nice but don't provide the level of service or comfort that you'd expect from a five-star-priced resort. They're thinking 'I'm paying this huge amount of money and the staff is sometimes unhelpful or rude, everything's not perfect.' If you want total creature comfort stay at a rented villa or condo, not a resort. If you want total immersion in nature, do the camping thing here or at Maho Bay Campground. You won't have your hot tub but you'll have the cool trade winds blowing through your cabin all night accompanied by the sounds of waves crashing right outside your screen wall. The best snorkeling will be right out your door.