Pros/Cons of different Westin St John buildings

[Luvthebeach23]

I'm sure this has been discussed many times but I can't for the life of me find information on the different Westin St John buildings. We are trading our WKORV next year, just not sure what to book. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I skimmed the master St John thread but didn't see much. Thank you!

 

[Eric B]

Lots of good info at https://www.westinstjohnownersinfo.com/ thanks to @alexadeparis.

Virgin Grand/Hillside - across from main resort studio/1 BR/2BR units up hill with separate pools & 3 BR with their own pools at bottom of hill. Have full kitchens with real ovens and you can park by your unit. Freecycle container for items passed down from other guests just up hill from 3 BR villas - this is the only phase with access to the Freecycle.

Bay Vista - furthest from beach/pools and a long walk from parking/taxis. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens. Kind of far from pool/beach without the benefit of parking by unit.

Coral Vista - just up the hill from Sunset Bay. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens. 2 BR Lofts cost the same as regular 2 BRs. In Platinum and Gold Plus season, some of the 2 BR and studio units cost less than the listed amount on StarOption charts because they are the portions of the 3 BR LOs; the 2 BR and studio units that are not part of the 3 BR LOs will cost the listed amounts. This can get you a good deal on a 2 BR, but you have to look for the ones that don't list the amount from the table. It's a bit of a quirk in the valuation of those units for StarOptions.

Sunset Bay - old hotel units converted to studio, 2 BRs, and 3 BR LOs. Closest to pool/beach. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens. Buildings 10 & 16 have best views of bay as they are closest. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens.

 

[DavidnRobin]

The above by Alexa is a good synopsis.
Which one (if you have a choice) to choose depends on the type of vacationer you are and what type of StJ experiences you are looking for?
Beach or Resort Person?
Number traveling?
Length of stay?
Car rental or not? (including comfortability of driving on StJ: Ability to Stay Left while passengers scream in terror LOL)
Use of vacation dollars?
Comfort?
Ability to Adapt (a requirement no matter what)?

We are biased based on our stays over the years, and we are not Resort people and rarely went to the main resort. Plus, wanted a vehicle the entire time to explore the numerous beaches all over the island - so VGV (Hillside) worked well for us. We spent a vast majority of time at various StJ beaches or hanging out by smaller pools between the VGV buildings (B31-32, B33-34) which was preferred over the large Main pool. The VGV phase is the only one with 1Bd villas if just 2 traveling. The VGV 3bd pool villas are great for a large group.

Renting a vehicle with 4 people traveling maximizes value.
After taking every type of transpiration for STT to StJ (and especially after the cost of the Westin ferry skyrocketed) - we ended up renting a 4WD on StT from Amalie Car Rental (probably the costliest, but worth it in order to maximize vacation time over cost), and taking the car ferry over to StJ. But most do not do this as most are cool with renting for a couple of days on StJ and/or depending on their open-air taxi buses.

Enjoy and remember to adapt because something will likely happen. Also, have a conversation with locals prior to asking questions of them - it goes a long way.

 

[ljmiii]

Bay Vista - furthest from beach/pools and a long walk from parking/taxis

Bay Vista is actually closest to the taxis. One of the reasons we love it...since the only time we use our vehicle (you'll want a 4WD BTW) is for exploring the east side of St John. Most of the time it just sits in the parking lot.

 

[ljmiii]

My take on the WSJ phases...which is why we chose to buy at Bay Vista....

Sunset Bay Villas is primarily 2BRs though there are a few studios that can be combined with the adjacent 2BR. It is the phase closest to the bay, beach, pool, and pool bar/restaurant but the villas are the smallest and the second bedroom has no windows. Two of the six buildings are the only ones at WSJ with villas that are actually oceanfront rather than ocean view...but there is no way to book OF (other than owning a fixed week).

Coral Vista Villas has a similar villa distribution though there are more studios. It is next closest to the bay and close to the ferry and the sometimes fine dining restaurant, Lemongrass. The villas are the next largest.

Bay Vista Villas has a mix of 2BR and 3BR villas, is the farthest from the bay on the main resort side and is close to the taxi stand and main buildings of the resort. The 2BRs are quite sizeable, have a much better living/kitchen/dining room and 2nd bedroom, and are the only 2BRs at WSJ that have a soaking tub in the master bath in addition to the walk in shower.

Lastly, on the other side of the street from the main resort are the Virgin Grand Hillside and Pool Villas. The VG Hillside buildings are a mix of studios, 1BRs, and 2BRs and have their own shared pools and parking next to the villas. The VG Pool villas are all three 3BRs and have their own parking and private pools.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Bay Vista is actually closest to the taxis. One of the reasons we love it...since the only time we use our vehicle (you'll want a 4WD BTW) is for exploring the east side of St John. Most of the time it just sits in the parking lot.

We used a vehicle everyday (4WD). One upside is that we parked next to our villa in B34 and could get away fast, and not have to walk to our vehicle (or taxi). $20+ to CB one way - no thanks.
Besides. I was born to drive left - I miss it.
In case anyone is wondering: 5 min to StarFish Market, 10 min to CB, 17 mins to Trunk Bay, 22 mins to Maho, 25-30 mins to Coral Bay, 40 mins to Salt Pond, 50 mins to Little Lameshur (my fav)

 

[ljmiii]

Besides. I was born to drive left - I miss it.

Wonderful! I on the other hand (you might have noticed the NY, NY) wonder why anyone would ever drive anywhere that's just a taxi ride away

 

[Luvthebeach23]

Lots of good info at https://www.westinstjohnownersinfo.com/ thanks to @alexadeparis.

Virgin Grand/Hillside - across from main resort studio/1 BR/2BR units up hill with separate pools & 3 BR with their own pools at bottom of hill. Have full kitchens with real ovens and you can park by your unit. Freecycle container for items passed down from other guests just up hill from 3 BR villas - this is the only phase with access to the Freecycle.

Bay Vista - furthest from beach/pools and a long walk from parking/taxis. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens. Kind of far from pool/beach without the benefit of parking by unit.

Coral Vista - just up the hill from Sunset Bay. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens. 2 BR Lofts cost the same as regular 2 BRs. In Platinum and Gold Plus season, some of the 2 BR and studio units cost less than the listed amount on StarOption charts because they are the portions of the 3 BR LOs; the 2 BR and studio units that are not part of the 3 BR LOs will cost the listed amounts. This can get you a good deal on a 2 BR, but you have to look for the ones that don't list the amount from the table. It's a bit of a quirk in the valuation of those units for StarOptions.

Sunset Bay - old hotel units converted to studio, 2 BRs, and 3 BR LOs. Closest to pool/beach. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens. Buildings 10 & 16 have best views of bay as they are closest. Kitchens have microwave/convection ovens.

Thank you!! I will check out the website! And thank you for the detailed info on the buildings, that's exactly what I was looking for!

 

[Luvthebeach23]

My take on the WSJ phases...which is why we chose to buy at Bay Vista....

Sunset Bay Villas is primarily 2BRs though there are a few studios that can be combined with the adjacent 2BR. It is the phase closest to the bay, beach, pool, and pool bar/restaurant but the villas are the smallest and the second bedroom has no windows. Two of the six buildings are the only ones at WSJ with villas that are actually oceanfront rather than ocean view...but there is no way to book OF (other than owning a fixed week).

Coral Vista Villas has a similar villa distribution though there are more studios. It is next closest to the bay and close to the ferry and the sometimes fine dining restaurant, Lemongrass. The villas are the next largest.

Bay Vista Villas has a mix of 2BR and 3BR villas, is the farthest from the bay on the main resort side and is close to the taxi stand and main buildings of the resort. The 2BRs are quite sizeable, have a much better living/kitchen/dining room and 2nd bedroom, and are the only 2BRs at WSJ that have a soaking tub in the master bath in addition to the walk in shower.

Lastly, on the other side of the street from the main resort are the Virgin Grand Hillside and Pool Villas. The VG Hillside buildings are a mix of studios, 1BRs, and 2BRs and have their own shared pools and parking next to the villas. The VG Pool villas are all three 3BRs and have their own parking and private pools.

Thank you! This is what I was looking for on the buildings!

 

[Luvthebeach23]

The above by Alexa is a good synopsis.
Which one (if you have a choice) to choose depends on the type of vacationer you are and what type of StJ experiences you are looking for?
Beach or Resort Person?
Number traveling?
Length of stay?
Car rental or not? (including comfortability of driving on StJ: Ability to Stay Left while passengers scream in terror LOL)
Use of vacation dollars?
Comfort?
Ability to Adapt (a requirement no matter what)?

We are biased based on our stays over the years, and we are not Resort people and rarely went to the main resort. Plus, wanted a vehicle the entire time to explore the numerous beaches all over the island - so VGV (Hillside) worked well for us. We spent a vast majority of time at various StJ beaches or hanging out by smaller pools between the VGV buildings (B31-32, B33-34) which was preferred over the large Main pool. The VGV phase is the only one with 1Bd villas if just 2 traveling. The VGV 3bd pool villas are great for a large group.

Renting a vehicle with 4 people traveling maximizes value.
After taking every type of transpiration for STT to StJ (and especially after the cost of the Westin ferry skyrocketed) - we ended up renting a 4WD on StT from Amalie Car Rental (probably the costliest, but worth it in order to maximize vacation time over cost), and taking the car ferry over to StJ. But most do not do this as most are cool with renting for a couple of days on StJ and/or depending on their open-air taxi buses.

Enjoy and remember to adapt because something will likely happen. Also, have a conversation with locals prior to asking questions of them - it goes a long way.

Thank you! We will be on St. Thomas for a week then to St. John for a week. I'm an accountant by day, travel advisor, and launching a timeshare rental business, so this is for both vacation/relaxing after the year end craziness and gathering information for my businesses. I think it will be my husband and younger son (19) with me, but we'll see how he feels about going when the time comes. We want to experience whatever we can. We are beach people for sure. Definitely plan on getting a car, my husband feels trapped without one, but may be ok just renting for a few days. We are used to our OF view at WKORV, but from what I read that will be impossible on St. John. While I would love an ocean view, I'm fine with foliage, would just prefer not the parking lot. When we travel I typically go for early morning walks then come back and sit on the lanai. Walking to our vehicle isn't a big deal, at least as of right now. What building would you suggest based on that? And I welcome any other suggestions! We've been all over the Caribbean but it's been a while, and we've never been to St. John.

 

[ljmiii]

Since you're on St Thomas for a week and then St John for a week I would recommend renting a 4WD vehicle at STT and taking the car barge back and forth. We've been happy with Paradise Rental Car...but there are others.

The only phase you even sort of have a parking lot view is the 3BR Pool Villa portion of Virgin Grand as the parking lot for the beach side of the resort is next to the main buildings and not the villas. I would strongly recommend that you get a 2BR as the only 1BRs on the property are at Virgin Grand Hillside and the bedroom isn't separated from the living room but rather up in an open loft.

From there it mostly depends on how much you think you'll use the beach, pool, restaurant, shops, and other facilities of the main resort. If you do want to use the facilities at the main resort I would strongly discourage you from staying in Virgin Grand Hillside - it's a long-ish walk and the hill is quite steep so you're basically at the mercy of the golf cart folk. If you don't care about the resort amenities, a 2BR Virgin Grand Hillside gives you have a good chance of a view of the bay, your own (shared) pool, and parking more or less outside your door.

As for the main resort, our teen (now adult) children had great difficulty sleeping at Sunset Bay because of the lack of any window and poor ventilation...which is one of the reasons we bought at Bay Vista. Sunset Bay also the advantage/disadvantage of having two buildings that are bayfront (yay), two buildings that face the pool (which would drive me nuts as it hosts many events with amplified sound), and two buildings that look at the back of the pool view buildings (meh).

Coral Vista might be a good compromise for you as the buildings are a bit closer to the beach/pool/pool bar than Bay Vista and with three people you probably don't need the larger villas of Bay Vista. And we obviously love Bay Vista...but the buildings do sit on a bit of a hillock. Both Coral Vista and Bay Vista have some villas with great views and others that look at buildings (Coral Vista) or trees (Bay Vista).

 

[Luvthebeach23]

Since you're on St Thomas for a week and then St John for a week I would recommend renting a 4WD vehicle at STT and taking the car barge back and forth. We've been happy with Paradise Rental Car...but there are others.

The only phase you even sort of have a parking lot view is the 3BR Pool Villa portion of Virgin Grand as the parking lot for the beach side of the resort is next to the main buildings and not the villas. I would strongly recommend that you get a 2BR as the only 1BRs on the property are at Virgin Grand Hillside and the bedroom isn't separated from the living room but rather up in an open loft.

From there it mostly depends on how much you think you'll use the beach, pool, restaurant, shops, and other facilities of the main resort. If you do want to use the facilities at the main resort I would strongly discourage you from staying in Virgin Grand Hillside - it's a long-ish walk and the hill is quite steep so you're basically at the mercy of the golf cart folk. If you don't care about the resort amenities, a 2BR Virgin Grand Hillside gives you have a good chance of a view of the bay, your own (shared) pool, and parking more or less outside your door.

As for the main resort, our teen (now adult) children had great difficulty sleeping at Sunset Bay because of the lack of any window and poor ventilation...which is one of the reasons we bought at Bay Vista. Sunset Bay also the advantage/disadvantage of having two buildings that are bayfront (yay), two buildings that face the pool (which would drive me nuts as it hosts many events with amplified sound), and two buildings that look at the back of the pool view buildings (meh).

Coral Vista might be a good compromise for you as the buildings are a bit closer to the beach/pool/pool bar than Bay Vista and with three people you probably don't need the larger villas of Bay Vista. And we obviously love Bay Vista...but the buildings do sit on a bit of a hillock. Both Coral Vista and Bay Vista have some villas with great views and others that look at buildings (Coral Vista) or trees (Bay Vista).

Thank you! I went ahead and booked Coral Vista!


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[klpenny]

We stayed at Coral Vista and liked its proximity to the beach and pools. We could see the ocean from our room.