We decided to honeymoon at 12 Degrees North based on reviews read and we definitely weren't disappointed.
If you like to get away from it all and aren't keen on staying in typical tourist resorts it's spot on.

The best bits:
- Getting looked after everyday by our wonderful house keeper Bernadette...her cooking is up there with my mum's.
- The amazing reef on the doorstep - we snorkelled everyday and spotted octopus, moray eels, puffer fish, trumpet fish, angel fish, scorpion fish...doesn't get much better
- The peace and quiet and relaxing environment
- Hospitality of all staff, including the wonderful owner Joe Gaylord - welcomes you as if you're his only ever guest and give valuable knowledge on the area (and you get fresh flowers everyday)
- Different restaurants every night. Everywhere in Grenada is quite spread out (there's not one main strip) so cabs are required but we found many of the restaurants offer them as a complimentary service. There are also restaurants in walking distance and even though they will drive you home we often chose to walk off the 3 courses!
- The grounds and wildlife - the grounds are kept in immaculate condition by the groundsmen and are the home of a family of rather large iguanas who would lounge just outside our veranda most days
- The size, cleanliness and comfort of the apartments...and the bed was enormous

Don't go if you'd rather the 5* treatment or like to mingle with other tourists all the time, it's far more of a rustic Grenadian experience where you end up feeling part of the family. You get plenty of your own space to enjoy the company you're in and we'd often have the sun deck, pool and reef to ourselves.

We have travelled a lot and stayed in many remote places and this is up there with the best of them. I have never felt so sad leaving a place and that was down to the wonderful staff, local people and Joe.

I have already recommended it to friends and family, and although there's a lot of other places I'd like to visit I wouldn't hesitate in going back. It was a perfect honeymoon retreat and we had the most amazing time there.

I was surprised by the comments of the last reviewer as our experience was much more pleasant. We stayed in May 2007. The apartment was spacious, the bed , the biggest I have ever stayed in and most comfortable with plenty of pillows. Towels and linens were changed every day and laundry returned cleaned the same day. The apartment was simply furnished but kept impeccably clean by Housekeeper Yvonne. The pool is small but well maintained and perfectly adequate for the number of apartments. There is a small manmade beach before a large expanse of decking and a decked pier out into the bay. All beautifully maintained and the sand combed each day. We brought our own drinks from our apartment to enjoy in the hammocks or the decking. Early evening was the best time when the sunset provided lovely views. The tennis court was a bonus and we played every day. We used the kayak to paddle across to the Calabash for lunch. A hired car would be an advantage as most places to visit in Grenada are further apart than you would think and taxis are not cheap. There are restaurants within walking distance but when it becomes dark (and this is early!), you've had a couple of rums and there are no lights, (and you are not wearing flat heels) it can be rather a trek . However, some restaurants provide a complimentary taxi service so it doesn't hurt to ask. In summary, 12 Degrees North is a truly peaceful and well run place for those who are looking for somewhere a bit different.

The place has a wonderful position overlooking the entrance to Prickly Bay, though it is a bit far away from restaurants, especially as there are no lights along the road. A car or taxi is therefore needed if you wish to eat out.
We found the rooms a bit of a let-down - there was plenty of space and the bed was huge, but damp marks along the edge were slightly offputting. (Perhaps our expectations were too high)
Although our rooms had obviously been repainted quite recently ,It felt as if the whole place was rather tired and in need of a facelift; the bathrooms are basic and totally serviceable , though we never managed to get any warm water! Some of the tiles are cracked and the grouting certainly needs cleaning up or renewing. The daily towels were rather thin and hard, though pillows were very comfortable and plentiful. There were no curtains at the bathroom window and the mosquito net was loose, The kitchen is adequately equipped, as is the living area - no TV or music so there is peace and quiet , though unfortunately there seemed to be quite a few dogs living in the area and, of course, when one started, then it set the others off!
The furniture is just the average sun house cane and again the covers were faded, and the white melamine cupboards very dated
Everywhere is kept very clean by the daily housekeeper. The idea is that she is there from 8am to 3pm and prepares breakfast, lunch and even supper if you so wish. In practice our housekeeper never arrived until 8.30 or later (she had a very difficult journey to get to work so I really would not blame her) This meant breakfast was never ready till 9 and, as one tends to be up and about by 7 (English time 12 noon), that is quite a late start in the Caribbean! Whilst she tried hard, her cooking skills were simple and basic (lovely Calaloo soup!) so we ended up eating out most of the week. We also were surprised to be asked to pay for everything imaginable - soap, dishcloth, paper napkins, washing up liquid, soap powder , matches, the lot! (Loo paper and very simple shampoo in a wall container came free)
The gardens were well kept if plain, and the pool was cleaned every day, however this was very small, considering the number of rooms (about 10-12 I think ) and some of the tiles were cracked and stained , so it did not feel too comfortable to me. There was a very pleasant area of decking leading down to a pier, though some of the sunchairs were worn and looked grubby (though they weren't! )A very quiet and peaceful area to lounge at, but no drinks or bar available , -a trek up to the room was possible, but a real drag on a very hot day - an "honesty" fridge would have been ideal!
In all I feel that the place has just become a tad run down and perhaps the price does not really reflect this ?( We went on to stay at another place on the island with very similar views and with top rate accommodation in every way and this was much cheaper too.
By the way, be careful not to ask for any discount when paying cash ( it meant we had to get several amounts out over a few days) as you may be told by Mr Gaylord, (as we were ) that , if we paid by credit card, he would add an additional 4% charge on to our bill - something we had not been told when booking....

1. All the rooms face the amazingly scenic Prickly Bay.
2. The area the hotel is in, must be the best residential area on the island.
3. Rooms are spacious and have the biggest beds I have ever seen.
4. Everything is kept immaculately clean and tidy including the beautiful gardens and pool.
5. Your housekeeper (in our case Bernadette) cooks breakfast, lunch and if you ask for it dinner individually to your order using items you have chosen or bought. (No fast food or buffets here).
6. Snokelling off the end of the jetty is just about as good as it gets. Bring your goggles and fins.
7. A sailing boat and ocean kayaks are available for use free of charge.
8. There isn't a bar charging you over the top prices. You just buy your own in town at supermarket prices and get Bernadette to make up some more Rum Punch to replace the complementary bottle you are given when you arrive.
9. The place is so relaxed that someone like me who can't stand sitting around found that I was reading more books than I have ever done on holiday.( If you run out there is a paperback library where you can swap books.)
10. You will find that if you leave your dirty clothes within sight of the housekeeper she will whisk them away and return them later in the day, washed and ironed. (It's all part of the service.)
11. This is the place for perfect peace and privacy (all the hotels facilies are included in the price. There are no extras and only guests staying at the hotel can use them).
12. Joe Gaylord is the perfect host. He never intrudes but is aways available to give advice or to just have a chat.
13. Ooops I said '12 reasons to stay' but I had to mention that we never felt like we were paying guests more welcome friends.