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

[farsighted99]

Also, I can guarantee there are a bunch of investors salivating at the thought of Caneel Bay or other prime properties deciding not to rebuild. Buy low, sell high...

Salivating over what? I don't see any win here.

 

[okwiater]

Salivating over what? I don't see any win here.

That just means you're not one of them.

 

[farsighted99]

Well, it could have been worse (after looking at the pics). Lots of cleaning up to do though....

Hopefully there will be no more hurricanes for awhile.

 

[alexadeparis]

Hope this isn't too far off topic, but there is a group organizing care packages to USVI families.
While it sucks that WSJ is down and out, these folks have lost their homes in some cases and have basic needs that aren't being fulfilled. I adopted 2 families. https://www.facebook.com/AdoptAFamilyUSVI/

 

[LisaRex]

Hope this isn't too far off topic, but there is a group organizing care packages to USVI families.
While it sucks that WSJ is down and out, these folks have lost their homes in some cases and have basic needs that aren't being fulfilled. I adopted 2 families. https://www.facebook.com/AdoptAFamilyUSVI/

Thanks for the referral. I'm adopting a family.

 

[Westnick]

Hope this isn't too far off topic, but there is a group organizing care packages to USVI families.
While it sucks that WSJ is down and out, these folks have lost their homes in some cases and have basic needs that aren't being fulfilled. I adopted 2 families. https://www.facebook.com/AdoptAFamilyUSVI/

We will also adopt 2 family's. Thanks for the info. Hope you are doing ok.

 

[LisaH]

I adopted one family as well. Wonder how quickly I will receive the instructions as we are leaving for overseas travel this Sat.

 

[GrayFal]

Aea ael

I adopted one family as well. Wonder how quickly I will receive the instructions as we are leaving for overseas travel this Sat.

Me, too!

 

[DavidnRobin]

Met a few people here at WPORV that originally had reservations at WSJ, and Vistana pushed them towards WPORV in lieu of WSJ. Long way to go, but a few more East Coasters than usual.


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[lizap]

Met a few people here at WPORV that originally had reservations at WSJ, and Vistana pushed them towards WPORV in lieu of WSJ. Long way to go, but a few more East Coasters than usual.


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This is what I figured would happen. Hawaii may become a little harder to get using SOs..

 

[tomandrobin]

This is what I figured would happen. Hawaii may become a little harder to get using SOs..

We thought long and hard about changing over to Hawaii for next summer's trip. We decided that we are going to ride it out and are still planning on going next summer. We know the resort will not be fully functioning, but by next July the resort should be open. Those buildings down by the pool area will have to be redone, but they weren't done last year either. The Lobby will not be open, but I am sure they will have a temporary location setup. The pool may not be open, but I hope it will be. Bottom line, we love St John that much that we willing to risk going to a lesser resort and a lesser island then not go at all......and the local economy needs us to survive.

I am not buying airfare until Vistana makes an announcement of a firm reopening date.

 

[SandyPGravel]

We thought long and hard about changing over to Hawaii for next summer's trip. We decided that we are going to ride it out and are still planning on going next summer. We know the resort will not be fully functioning, but by next July the resort should be open. Those buildings down by the pool area will have to be redone, but they weren't done last year either. The Lobby will not be open, but I am sure they will have a temporary location setup. The pool may not be open, but I hope it will be. Bottom line, we love St John that much that we willing to risk going to a lesser resort and a lesser island then not go at all......and the local economy needs us to survive.

I am not buying airfare until Vistana makes an announcement of a firm reopening date.

I would still like to use my late February week. I have the same week reserved at WLR and AA is allowing a trip waiver for my time frame, but I too would also rather go to St. John. WLR is nice, but we love St. John and I want to add to the recovery/economy of the island. I wish we would get some kind of an official update. If it is firm that the resort will not open until at least March I will obviously adapt, but some communication from VSE would be nice.

I saw a FB post from the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park that the trails and beaches are accessible and will continue to be. You will just have to wear something other than flip flops to get there!

 

[cubigbird]

Here’s an update from News of St John. Things are hapenning, albeit it slow, but still forward progress...

http://newsofstjohn.com/2017/09/27/good-things-are-happening

STJ will recover and it will be tourist paradise again.....

 

[bobpark56]

Met a few people here at WPORV that originally had reservations at WSJ, and Vistana pushed them towards WPORV in lieu of WSJ. Long way to go, but a few more East Coasters than usual.


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How were they being pushed? We lost a November stay, and no one has been pushing us. From what I can see, WSJ gold season points won't get you anything comparable Hawaii.

 

[lizap]

How were they being pushed? We lost a November stay, and no one has been pushing us. From what I can see, WSJ gold season points won't get you anything comparable Hawaii.

Probably referring to the mandatory sections (that come with SOs) at WSJ.

 

[DavidnRobin]

How were they being pushed? We lost a November stay, and no one has been pushing us. From what I can see, WSJ gold season points won't get you anything comparable Hawaii.

Sorry, I didn’t grill them with questions. These were ‘hot tub’ conversations. They were not resale buyers - very few people we meet are resale buyers - and few are even aware of a secondary market.

One had WSJ-CV reservations and were able to exchange into WPORV.

The others were in VGV section - and now here.

Not sure if this was norm or not.
Sorry I didn’t get more info - most discussions are about the destruction and recovery time.

Again, our WSJ VOIs were not on our offer sheet.


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[alexadeparis]

I adopted one family as well. Wonder how quickly I will receive the instructions as we are leaving for overseas travel this Sat.

I got mine in the afternoon, after requesting that same morning, so you should get yours soon.

 

[SandyPGravel]

I sent an email to Suzanne Clark this morning asking when we would start receiving updates on the status of the resort. I was pleasantly surprised to receive this email quite quickly after I sent my inquiry:

"Good Morning, As you are aware, the Caribbean and specifically the islands of St. John and St. Thomas were significantly affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Given the magnitude of these storms, it has taken time for us to assess the full impact on The Westin St. John Resort Villas and the local community. We will be sending out an owner letter with the update on the status of the property and the associates today, many who live on St. Thomas this week with ongoing scheduled updates likely monthly as we have them to provide.



We are pleased to report that there were no serious injuries, however, many of our Associates’ homes and belongings have been destroyed. Through the company’s relief fund, we are providing support and assistance to help with their immediate and long-term needs. Because the lines of communication are very limited in St. Thomas and St. John, including power, it is not easy to reach our associates. So in an effort to stay connected as much as possible we opened a temporary Human Resource office on the island of St. Thomas. We employ over 300 associates in St. John, so the safety and support of them and their families is one of our number one priorities.



The letter you receive today or tomorrow will address the status of owner reservations and what Vistana is doing for our valued owners as well. More to come shortly, I assure you. Look for an email after 6:00 PM Eastern time today Oct 2, 2017.



Thank you, Suzanne





Suzanne Clark

VICE PRESIDENT

OWNER SERVICES"

 

[tomandrobin]

So in an effort to stay connected as much as possible we opened a temporary Human Resource office on the island of St. Thomas. We employ over 300 associates in St. John, so the safety and support of them and their families is one of our number one priorities.

I have been following the Westin thread on facebook. Good to see Vistana helping their employees through this difficult time.

 

[vistana101]

So nice to see they are helping their associates...has anyone received the letter?

 

[Helios]

nothing here.

 

[tomandrobin]

Happy

nothing here.

I didn't get my email yet either.....

 

[SandyPGravel]

Happy


I didn't get my email yet either.....

Me neither. I guess after 6pm today or tomorrow means tomorrow.

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[SandyPGravel]

Dear Westin St. John Owners,

As you are aware, the Caribbean and specifically the islands of St. John and St. Thomas were significantly affected by the recent hurricanes. Given the magnitude of these storms, it has taken time for us to assess the full impact on The Westin St. John Resort Villas and the local community. We understand your concern about your vacation ownership at the resort and want to assure you that we will keep you informed with the latest information as it becomes available.

During Hurricane Irma, our top priority was to ensure the safety and well-being of our Guests and Associates at the resort. Our 300 Guests and 37 Associates took shelter at the resort, where they remained safe with food, water and power. Shortly after the storm passed, we chartered a ferry to transport all Guests safely to Puerto Rico where they were able to return home. We are pleased to report that there were no serious injuries, however, many of our Associates’ homes and belongings have been destroyed. Through the company’s relief fund, we are providing support and assistance to help with their immediate and long-term needs. We continue to support the community by providing assistance to first responders and supplying fresh water to those on the island who may not otherwise have access.

The Westin St. John Resort Villas suffered structural damage and water inside the villas. Within a week, risk management and facilities professionals along with restoration and security contractors were on-site to assess the damage and secure the resort. Our cleanup efforts are underway and we are working on a timeline to complete the remediation efforts. We will continue to work closely with each Association’s Board of Directors and provide regular updates.

In order to proceed with these efforts, the recovery process requires the cancellation of all scheduled reservation arrivals through June 30, 2018. At this time, no new reservations are being accepted for 2018. As we make progress, we will communicate updates should these dates change.

Your 2018 annual assessment is currently under discussion with your Association’s Board of Directors and will be mailed as scheduled. Although you are unable to occupy, deposit or convert your ownership, we are providing alternatives to help you preserve your 2018 vacation:

• Reserve a Vistana Signature Network reservation for a stay at one of our other 20 network resorts; OR
• Bank your 2018 Use Year StarOptions with no transaction fee, which are valid for use through December 31, 2021; OR
• Assign your Weeks or Points Use Right with the full trading power of your Home Resort interval with Interval International(1) for use through December 31, 2020. While there is no fee to assign your week, at the time you initiate a vacation exchange request, Interval will collect its current exchange fee.(2)

In addition to the above choices, you may purchase an SPG Starpoints package (up to 110,000 Starpoints) at a preferred rate that can be redeemed at over 1,300 hotels and resorts worldwide (package valid for six years from issuance and subject to the terms and conditions of the SPG program).

To take advantage of one of these options, please contact Owner Services at 888-986-9637 or 407-903-4635. For more information and ways to donate to resort Associates or the local community, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions.

On behalf of The Westin St. John Resort Villas family, thank you for your care and concern.

Sincerely,

Thorp Thomas
Senior Vice President

 

[GrayFal]

Well there it is