Westin St John [Master Thread] - Part 2 (June 2014 and forward)

[Helios]

When is Sunset Bay due to open for 1st HO reservations (opening date)? When is it due to be completed (completion date)?

Why did they call it Sunset Bay when the sun does not set in the south?

I'll ask. BTW - Sunset Bay (first 3 buildings) are occupied this week. I think last week was the first week. My current understanding, from shuttle driver input, is that it will be completed by December 2017. Building 10 is the last Hotel Building. It will start retro work in December (anytime I guess).

 

[DavidnRobin]

Pic is for David - Floating Bar moored at Coral Bay.

Angel's Rest... sometimes your bucket list finds you

 

[DavidnRobin]

Angel's Rest at beach next to Miss Vie's beach (June 2014) - Robin had her 1st moonshine there
It seemed to be a longer snorkel back to shore than snorkeling there.

 

[GrayFal]

Every bay needs one of these (I attempted to quote the floating bar picture but it did not happen )

 

[bobpark56]

View attachment 2946 View attachment 2944
Angel's Rest at beach next to Miss Vie's beach (June 2014) - Robin had her 1st moonshine there
It seemed to be a longer snorkel back to shore than snorkeling there.

FWIW, Vie's (the food shack and parking lot) seems to be permanently closed...at least that is what the sign we saw there last month said.

 

[Helios]

When is Sunset Bay due to open for 1st HO reservations (opening date)? When is it due to be completed (completion date)?

Why did they call it Sunset Bay when the sun does not set in the south?

SB will be open for HO resies early next year, January 6 was mentioned. The two north/back buildings started retrofits last week and the OF buildings will start as soon as hotel guest/renters leave their current units. Guests currently occupying SB south buildings now (because retro work was completed ahead of schedule) are doing it via direct rental stays.

BTW - The two SB OF buildings will only have 2 BR units.

Supposedly, HELIOS (the sun) does set through the bay during a portion of the year.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Supposedly, HELIOS (the sun) does set through the bay during a portion of the year.

On April 1st?
Happy TDay.

 

[Helios]

On April 1st?
Happy TDay.

Perhaps...

How is Maui? I think you mentioned you were going this week on another thread.

 

[Helios]

I was under the impression paying for parking at Caneel Bay was not really enforced/or could be avoided by saying you were going to the restaurant. Today, I got the ticket shown below. So, min spending of $20 is required along with validation and proof of purchase.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I was under the impression paying for parking at Caneel Bay was not really enforced/or could be avoided by saying you were going to the restaurant. Today, I got the ticket shown below. So, min spending of $20 is required along with validation and proof of purchase.

Caneel has been enforcing for a few years now - used to be $10. I hear that there is now a 'taxi-shuttle' that will take you to Honeymoon Beach from Caneel lot - something like $3 - probably pp

 

[dioxide45]

I was under the impression paying for parking at Caneel Bay was not really enforced/or could be avoided by saying you were going to the restaurant. Today, I got the ticket shown below. So, min spending of $20 is required along with validation and proof of purchase.

May as well spend $20 on something than $20 on just a parking space.

 

[Helios]

Caneel has been enforcing for a few years now - used to be $10. I hear that there is now a 'taxi-shuttle' that will take you to Honeymoon Beach from Caneel lot - something like $3 - probably pp

Just took yesterday. It's 5 pp. It's run by the people who have the activity shed at Honeymoon. It's somewhat of an off road golf cart with 3 front facing rows (including driver) and a back facing row.

The tires looked pretty legit, they reminded me of my Moto Cross and ATV riding days.

 

[Helios]

May as well spend $20 on something than $20 on just a parking space.

I agree, we had lunch on the water front (2 floor) terrace and the food was very good. Of course it was way more than $20. Went to Honeymoon beach were you can rent gear including Chaise Lounges. And then went to the Coffee shop for gelato for the kids.

I had heard their gelato was pretty good, which according to the Wife and Kids is decent, but their selection is pretty limited (about 10 flavors). So, 3 medium gelatos can get you the min spending. Perhaps 2 large ones once the tax is included.

 

[islandguy]

WSJ INVENTORY PROBLEM

Today tried to book a week exactly one year out. November 26, 2017 at WSJ Coral Vista using my ownership. Web site had nothing at 2AM and a phone call at 9AM got nothing. Not a 3, 2 or studio. Nada.

Something is wrong as this is not a high demand week. Vistana is not putting inventory in place a year out or they are holding units for sale as hotel stays. This is not demand driven. Saw another poster who said they haven't seen a studio November 1st.

I'm a believer in Starwood/Vistana but with this experience I would have to tell any buyer to have second thought unless it is a fixed week.

Island Guy

 

[GrayFal]

WSJ INVENTORY PROBLEM

Today tried to book a week exactly one year out. November 26, 2017 at WSJ Coral Vista using my ownership. Web site had nothing at 2AM and a phone call at 9AM got nothing. Not a 3, 2 or studio. Nada.

Something is wrong as this is not a high demand week. Vistana is not putting inventory in place a year out or they are holding units for sale as hotel stays. This is not demand driven. Saw another poster who said they haven't seen a studio November 1st.

I'm a believer in Starwood/Vistana but with this experience I would have to tell any buyer to have second thought unless it is a fixed week.

Island Guy

Same thing happens to me. I tried for 11/25 and 11/26.

Nothing available at exactly 11:59-12:15 am. Calling now.
I grabbed an 11/11 check in so as not to be locked out but there must be a glitch.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Room charges question

Does anyone know if my guests staying with me can have their CC attached to their room keys? I have done this several times at Harborside, but haven't had the need to do it at WSJ before.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Room charges question

Does anyone know if my guests staying with me can have their CC attached to their room keys? I have done this several times at Harborside, but haven't had the need to do it at WSJ before.

Do you mean the ability for guests to charge to the villa? Yes - as long as they are registered to the room.
If you mean that somehow the charges they made to the villa being differentiated from charges to the villa that you made? Not that I am aware of.
HRA does this? How would they know which card keys are which when they open the same villa door?

When you charge to villa it has nothing to do with villa keys - you give name and villa number - no one asks for villa keys. This is standard practice at our TSs and even hotel stays.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Yes, you can have separate credit cards linked to separate key cards at HRA for the same villa. It is VERY handy.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Yes, you can have separate credit cards linked to separate key cards at HRA for the same villa. It is VERY handy.

Perhaps it is possible - I have never asked. At check-in, they ask for number of keys and names of villa occupants. Generally, when you received the bill (e.g. food) they ask for villa number and last name (and name printed and signature) - and no villa keys are requested. This is standard practice for WSJ, WKV, WKORV/N, and WPORV. At WSJ, we just divvy up the bill with our guests accordingly. To my knowledge, the keys just open the villa door (and free-cycle door for WSJ-VGV).

If WSJ allows for separate charges (based on villa key) - let me (us) know for future reference.

 

[okwiater]

If you mean that somehow the charges they made to the villa being differentiated from charges to the villa that you made? Not that I am aware of.
HRA does this? How would they know which card keys are which when they open the same villa door?

When you charge to villa it has nothing to do with villa keys - you give name and villa number - no one asks for villa keys. This is standard practice at our TSs and even hotel stays.

Yes, you can have separate credit cards linked to separate key cards at HRA for the same villa. It is VERY handy.

I think only HRA can support this, due to the fact that room keys are on the Atlantis system and act as payment cards. I agree, this has come in very handy when visiting HRA.

At other resorts, my experience has matched David's, and room charges are posted to a single account. I would imagine you could get a little more granular if you have a lockoff and ask to have each side associated with a different payment card.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Aha - this makes sense why you can do this at HRA

There are no lockoffs at WSJ (in any phase).
Not correct - there are 3Bd LO (2Bd and studio) for WSJ-CV and WSJ-SB phases.

 

[okwiater]

There are no lockoffs at WSJ (in any phase).

Yes there are. Coral Vista and Sunset Bay both have 3-bedroom lockoffs.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Yes there are. Coral Vista and Sunset Bay both have 3-bedroom lockoffs.

Oops - forgot about the 3Bd LO at CV and SB (2Bd LO and studio combined)

 

[DavidnRobin]

WSJ VGV Maintenance Fees have been published on Vistana Dashboard
Due: Jan 9, 2017
No surprises

 

[Helios]

WSJ VGV Maintenance Fees have been published on Vistana Dashboard
Due: Jan 9, 2017
No surprises

My Pool Villas MF went down slightly. I like the comment form the non Vistana board members about the reduction being small but that's always better than an increase.

I like how proactive they are (the non Vistana board members) at cost control and it seems it may get better next year if they move forward with allowing outsiders to the Bay Vista board...Hopefully all phases have representation soon...