any hope of trading into WSJ (II) with SDO?

[TravelMamma]

thanks everyone for all the advice!

im going to put in a trade request, but looks like ill be safer renting from owners.

I am trying too, but through II. From all the negative reviews though, not sure if I should take it off my request list. From what I gathered, I thought the bad reviews (trip advisor, etc...) were from hotel guests, but now that I have been reading around these posts, it seems as thought the resort in general may be in desperate need of maintenance including timeshare units. I didn't realize some of the owners complaints I was reading through were dated a couple years ago, time I figured that out I had already read through too many and don't have the time to read through the hundreds listed under the forum I was reading, so I can't tell if these issues are from a couple years ago and are now fixed, or if it is still a current issue. Any thoughts anyone?

 

[jerseygirl]

The resort grounds are in great shape. Renovations completed on all phase one units - they're in great shape. Phase two still relatively new - haven't read any complaints. Hotel units aren't in great shape .... But, it's about the island, not the inside of the room for most people (although I'd probably be upset too if I paid big money and didn't know to expect a shabby room!).

 

[LisaRex]

I am trying too, but through II. From all the negative reviews though, not sure if I should take it off my request list. From what I gathered, I thought the bad reviews (trip advisor, etc...) were from hotel guests, but now that I have been reading around these posts, it seems as thought the resort in general may be in desperate need of maintenance including timeshare units.

I stayed at WSJ from 1/28-2/4/12 and I have no complaints at all about my villa. It was beautiful and well maintained. If you look at pictures of the 2 bdrm loft villas in the Bay Vista unit, our unit looked exactly like it.

The grounds are also beautiful.

My only negatives are:

1) The erroneous charge on my bill for $35 for an adult rollaway that I never ordered, or received, and that they absolutely refuse to refund. We shall see if my AMEX dispute is successful. Small sum, but aggravating.

2) The tennis court lights were sporadic. In fact, not one court had all 6 lights functioning, so we picked the one with 5 working lights. Made one corner of the court dark. We spoke to the electrician, who was driving around in one of his golf carts, and he said that he had been asking for replacement bulbs for months, but they still hadn't arrived. My friend suggested that he move the working lights around so that at least 3 of them were lit. Once again, a relatively small matter except for the fact that they advertise lit courts, and don't provide them. If I paid $40/day in resort fees and had non-working lights, I'd be even more ticked.

3) The table had a burn mark on it where someone had placed a hot dish. Whoever chose the table should have ensured it could take a beating.

Other than these relatively minor matters, the resort is outstanding and I'd stay there again.

 

[Bubbasgonefishin]

Not sure where you are reading the negative reviews but our villa is wonderful. Of course the owners fussed, kicked, screamed and generally threw a temper tantrum over the reno''s, or actually the cost to us for the renos, but they turned out great. the grounds are beautiful so again I'm unsure where the negativity is from. (is that how you spell negativity?)

I prefer to think of it this way.. the less people there..the more space I have!

I'm just sad that we can't go this year.. don't want tothink about that!!!

Sincerely,
Scarlett O'hara

 

[TravelMamma]

Not sure where you are reading the negative reviews but our villa is wonderful. Of course the owners fussed, kicked, screamed and generally threw a temper tantrum over the reno''s, or actually the cost to us for the renos, but they turned out great. the grounds are beautiful so again I'm unsure where the negativity is from. (is that how you spell negativity?)

I prefer to think of it this way.. the less people there..the more space I have!

I'm just sad that we can't go this year.. don't want tothink about that!!!

Sincerely,
Scarlett O'hara

I read negative reviews right on the Westin's website, also on tripadvisor and right here under one of the threads (which is where I noticed owner complaints, most of the ones I read on this particular site were older and then I stopped reading them, I think there were 900+ posts and I couldn't possibly go through them all, thus the reason I posted my ? if anything changed). But at the Westin's website, there are reviews for travel as recent as Feb. 2012 that are negative. Anything from mold, water leaking into units from rain, no working phones, tired furniture, broken refridgerators, false charges, over charges etc...

 

[VacationForever]

But at the Westin's website, there are reviews for travel as recent as Feb. 2012 that are negative. Anything from mold, water leaking into units from rain, no working phones, tired furniture, broken refridgerators, false charges, over charges etc...

I have never seen any user reviews on Westin's website. Will you please post the URL?

 

[TravelMamma]

I have never seen any user reviews on Westin's website. Will you please post the URL?

Here is the link:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/reviews/index.html?propertyID=1098

 

[TravelMamma]

I have never seen any user reviews on Westin's website. Will you please post the URL?

The reviews that are listed first are now good, but if you keep reading you'll see the ones I was referring to.

 

[LisaRex]

The reviews that are listed first are now good, but if you keep reading you'll see the ones I was referring to.

If a few negative reviews keep you away, then it is to your detriment. WSJ is a great resort, and the island itself is incredible.

 

[J&JFamily]

If a few negative reviews keep you away, then it is to your detriment. WSJ is a great resort, and the island itself is incredible.

Couldn't agree more. I've stayed in a villa (3 bedroom Bay Vista) AND the hotel room. The hotel rooms are certainly not the same quality of the villas but they are more than adequate!!! If you're going to pay or use starpoints (not staroptions through the timeshare, but points through the SPG hotel/resort system) do yourself a favor and upgrade to an "ocean view" room. Using starpoints is only a slight increase in the use of points and can only be done by calling SPG (online you can only reserve the standard room using starpoints). There are also ocean front rooms but they are in the noisier section of the resort - very close to the pool and in front of the room used by the maintenance/cleaning staff, so I heard several complaining about those rooms being noisy.

Anyway, as LisaRex stated, if you have an opportunity to go to WSJ and fail to do so because of a review you've read, you really are doing yourself a disservice.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am trying too, but through II. From all the negative reviews though, not sure if I should take it off my request list. From what I gathered, I thought the bad reviews (trip advisor, etc...) were from hotel guests, but now that I have been reading around these posts, it seems as thought the resort in general may be in desperate need of maintenance including timeshare units. I didn't realize some of the owners complaints I was reading through were dated a couple years ago, time I figured that out I had already read through too many and don't have the time to read through the hundreds listed under the forum I was reading, so I can't tell if these issues are from a couple years ago and are now fixed, or if it is still a current issue. Any thoughts anyone?

I'll be blunt (as always and this is my opinion) - anyone staying in the villas (Timeshare section - not Hotel) - either VGV or BV section - and gives a bad review has their head up their... and needs to have a serious attitude adjustment (or do not go to places like StJ) and maybe try Disneyland instead. If one stays in the Hotel section - with no kitchen or washer/dryer, and less space - then they may be more dissatisfied than staying in the villas - and expect a USVI-style of service, but they are on StJ after all...

I recall one scathing review from someone who didn't get a morning paper (remember those...?)

 

[TravelMamma]

I'll be blunt (as and this is my opinion) - anyone staying in the villas (Timeshare section - not Hotel) - either VGV or BV section - and gives a bad review has their head up their... and needs to have a serious attitude adjustment (or do not go to places like StJ) and maybe try Disneyland instead. If one stays in the Hotel section - with no kitchen or washer/dryer, and less space - then they may be more dissatisfied than staying in the villas - and expect a USVI-style of service, but they are on StJ after all...

I recall one scathing review from someone who didn't get a morning paper (remember those...?)

Thanks, that's what I probably figured, maybe overly critical. I also thought the reviews that were less kind might have been from those staying at the hotel, that is exactly why I asked for anyone's thoughts that are owners there or that stayed in the timeshare villas.

 

[Ken555]

Thanks, that's what I probably figured, maybe overly critical. I also thought the reviews that were less kind might have been from those staying at the hotel, that is exactly why I asked for anyone's thoughts that are owners there or that stayed in the timeshare villas.

I just read some of those reviews (on page 2, since page 1 reviews were positive). It seems all of the somewhat negative reviews mention "room", "bath", and hotel "spa" problems, but none about the timeshare units. Of course, I didn't read them all. Sounds like the hotel is in desperate need of attention, so if you intend to utilize the services there I would lower your expectations compared to other Westin resort hotels (majority of which are excellently managed, in my experience, as opposed to standard Westin hotels). The review of their spa was particularly disappointing, and after reading these reviews I know I wouldn't stay at the hotel, but the timeshare units have been well reviewed with high marks.

 

[TravelMamma]

If a few negative reviews keep you away, then it is to your detriment. WSJ is a great resort, and the island itself is incredible.

Actually, it was way more than a few. If you were looking at the westin link that someone asked me to post, that was only a few (although according even to that one, it stated 46% of people recommended the resort) but that's also only one source and not at all the only one I have been researching.

But besides that, I am a very positive person and therefore, I usually don't take to heart only a few negative reviews, especially those that sound to be overly critical, but I do try to go with a general census when researching places to stay (so if the good out way the bad or vice versa, I take it into consideration). What I was hoping for, is that some will post here that they have positive experiences and despite any minor flaws, I should still consider it a great place to go. Which, so far is what people are saying.

 

[DavidnRobin]

a great word that puts StJ (and USVI) is 'adapt' - with this in mind you will have a great time - enjoy - try and stay in a villa.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I have photos on PhotoBucket (password DnR_TUG) as well as videos on YouTube (blujahz) - that may give you a flavor of the island and resort - from my perspective

Hi Ken - we are at WKORV - just met Jim and Mary - very different in person than in writing (aren't we all...)

 

[jarta]

There is a grudge held by some of the old-time owners at WSJ that centers on repairs made a few years ago and high annual MFs. They don't like the expense of owning at WSJ. The election of 2 independent board members (2 of 5) 2 years ago has not changed their attitude. Now they are dissatisfied with the newer board members.

I don't believe everything I read on the Internet. WSJ is a great place to stay and visit (even if expensive to own), IMO. ... eom

 

[spencersmama]

I've noticed the reviews on the Starwood website are much lower than trip advisor or any other general review website I've seen. Maybe if people are upset with something, they go directly to the Starwood website to complain about it because they think it will make a bigger impact? I have learned a lot about various places from those types of review sites, but I take them with a grain of salt. I do think there are certain people who feel entitled to EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE just because they paid a few bucks to stay in a hotel. The ones that really get me are the people that book a hotel for $39 or $49 on hotwire or priceline then complain because it didn't come with free breakfast, internet, shuttle service, personal tailor, fairy godmother, crown jewels, etc, etc. OK, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but not that much if you read some of the reviews!

I'll be blunt (as always and this is my opinion) - anyone staying in the villas (Timeshare section - not Hotel) - either VGV or BV section - and gives a bad review has their head up their...

I recall one scathing review from someone who didn't get a morning paper (remember those...?)

 

[LisaRex]

I do think there are certain people who feel entitled to EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE just because they paid a few bucks to stay in a hotel. The ones that really get me are the people that book a hotel for $39 or $49 on hotwire or priceline then complain because it didn't come with free breakfast, internet, shuttle service, personal tailor, fairy godmother, crown jewels, etc, etc.

This is one of my favorite reviews on TA for WKORV, from "jcdnsd," who gave it one star. http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/jcdnsd


“NOT Your Typical Starwood Hotel - Checked Out 8 Nights Early”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed September 19, 2011

"...but once you get to the pool area(s), it feels like a really bad water park -- overwrought with large groups of partying parents (think wife-beater tanks, white sunglasses and backward baseball hats) with running, screaming, unattended children."

"We were taken to our room, which overlooked one of the pools, and I almost started crying (and NOT tears of joy) when we stepped out on the balcony and it literally smelled like old fried food and smelly diapers. Our daughter (yes! we have small children) said, "you can still hear the kids with the door shut." Not the way we wanted to spend 9 nights in Maui."

"Around 6:15 p.m., we headed downstairs to one of the only places open for dinner. The surly hostess asked if we had a reservation, as the "6:30 p.m. FEEDING" was about to take place. We stood aside as large masses of people came scurrying down to get in line -- like cattle on a low budget cruise ship. Blech! We were SO over the Westin Villas at that point. We happily drove away the next morning and will never go back."

I, for one, won't miss her! Could you imagine living with this woman? How dare people have fun on vacation?!

 

[spencersmama]

This is one of my favorite reviews on TA for WKORV, from "jcdnsd," who gave it one star. http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/jcdnsd

I just looked up the review. She has three reviews, all full of complaints. It's like being with my MIL!

 

[krmlaw]

ive been trying to find that out too

 

[VacationForever]

I went to a timeshare presentation at Welk Resort in Jan and the salesman showed he exchanged into a 3br at WSJ with a Welk 1br thru II. The paperwork certainly looked genuine. If so WSJ should be available in II if you put a wide range of date.