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

[LisaRex]

I think they were speaking about the sliding wall in the 3 bdrm pool villas:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1573135&postcount=1544

 

[GrayFal]

I think they were speaking about the sliding wall in the 3 bdrm pool villas:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1573135&postcount=1544

Thanks Lisa. I do know about that. Again just wondering why I had the other recollection. Either way I am REALLY excited about this new ownership. Never thought I would get a Platinum Plus week

 

[LisaRex]

Thanks Lisa. I do know about that. Again just wondering why I had the other recollection. Either way I am REALLY excited about this new ownership. Never thought I would get a Platinum Plus week

There's nothing quite like getting away to a tropical destination in the middle of winter, is there?

I see you own at BlueBeard. Is that on STT?

 

[GrayFal]

There's nothing quite like getting away to a tropical destination in the middle of winter, is there?

I see you own at BlueBeard. Is that on STT?

Yes it is. Management by Wyndham but an owner controlled HOA. Recently renovated. Clean nice units steps from the beach. Only 72 units that sleep 4 so never crowded. We love it there. Planning to go to BBC before and after the WSJ stay. Ahhhhhhhhnn

 

[DavidnRobin]

Pat - do you still need a response? can't tell...

 

[GrayFal]

Pat - do you still need a response? can't tell...

I would love a response from you. Thanks

Do you know if there are different bedroom situations in different units?
If it is an open loft, there is really not too much privacy. That is really want I was curious about.

 

[DavidnRobin]

It is open from what I know about them (seen one, and from photos), but just on the side where the stairs come up - as the bedroom seemed not to have a window - probably did it to make it more open and have light. It is still somewhat private as you can only see into the bedroom at the top of the stairs. Sound between upstairs and downstairs would be an issue. We have doors on our bedrooms in the 2Bd TH. The 1Bd are likely all that way. No sliding wall from what I know - some of the 3Bd pool villas have a sliding wall - and I think the studio has a slider to separate the bed from the room (iirc).
I would call and ask the Front Desk if they seem knowledgeable.

The balcony is on 1st level of the villa which is on the 2nd level of the building - nothing to obscure the view. We have some tree/bush action on the 1st (lower) level - but really only blocks looking at B31 and B32 - except for a palm in front of our balcony which I cut every time I visit.

These balconies have full sun with little protection (read HOT)

 

[GrayFal]

It is open from what I know about them (seen one, and from photos), but just on the side where the stairs come up - as they seemed to have oat a window - probably did it to make it more open and have light. They are likely all that way. No sliding wall from what I know - some of the 3Bd pool villas have a sliding wall - and I think the studio has a slider to separate the bed from the room (iirc)

The balcony is on 1st level of the villa which is on the 2nd level of the building - nothing to obscure the view. We have some tree/bush action on the 1st (lower) level - but really only blocks looking at B31 and B32 - except for a palm in front of our balcony which I cut every time I visit.

These balconies have full sun with little protection (read HOT)

Thanks,

Hot in February is okay!

 

[canesfan]

We own a 2br loft. There are not many of them from what we were told. It has a master bedroom a sitting room next to the master with a sliding door. It could be used as another sleeping space because it has a sleeper sofa. Then another 2 bedroom with 2 doubles. There's a huge open space upstairs that's wasted space aka the loft.
Downstairs is the living area. Technically it can sleep 10.

I don't think any 1 BR are set up this way though with that loft area.

It really should be distinguished in the description. I know I'd make sure to let someone know that it was a Loft unit that I was selling or renting.

 

[GrayFal]

We own a 2br loft. There are not many of them from what we were told. It has a master bedroom a sitting room next to the master with a sliding door. It could be used as another sleeping space because it has a sleeper sofa. Then another 2 bedroom with 2 doubles. There's a huge open space upstairs that's wasted space aka the loft.
Downstairs is the living area. Technically it can sleep 10.

I don't think any 1 BR are set up this way though with that loft area.

It really should be distinguished in the description. I know I'd make sure to let someone know that it was a Loft unit that I was selling or renting.

Thanks...yes, it is important to know what you are getting.

 

[DavidnRobin]

canesfan owns BV and not VGV from their description.
There are no 1Bd BV villas.

 

[Carolyn]

We own a 1 BR (3424). The bedroom is in a "loft" but there is a half wall where you look downstairs and there is a nice wood partition that can be pulled across the half wall to close it off except for the stairs that lead up, so no door you can lock. Upstairs is a full 1BR with closet, BR furniture, flat screen TV, King bed with 2 night stands, window and bathroom with shower and 1 sink vanity. Of course this has a door. There is a full bath downstairs. It would be OK for 2 adults and 2 children because the only other bedding is a sofa bed. Hope this helps.

Carolyn

 

[GrayFal]

We own a 1 BR (3424). The bedroom is in a "loft" but there is a half wall where you look downstairs and there is a nice wood partition that can be pulled across the half wall to close it off except for the stairs that lead up, so no door you can lock. Upstairs is a full 1BR with closet, BR furniture, flat screen TV, King bed with 2 night stands, window and bathroom with shower and 1 sink vanity. Of course this has a door. There is a full bath downstairs. It would be OK for 2 adults and 2 children because the only other bedding is a sofa bed. Hope this helps.

Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn, I was hoping to hear from a 1 BR owner. And I also think the 33 and 34 buildings are the same layouts. I know 32 and 31 have some different configurations. Thank again for posting about the wood partition.

One more question. Can you see the water from the loft? Or is the view restricted to the first floor? It seems there are windows in the loft but they look at the parking area/hillside.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am curious as well. Where does the window in the 1Bd look out upon? I thought the 1Bd was situated above the Entry, and that the space above the LR/DR was open where the 2nd BD in the 2Bd TH is located. Is there also a window the space above the LR area - or just a wall?

 

[GrayFal]

I found this image. Trying to see if the third floor or loft area has windows.

 

[DavidnRobin]

from the photo - only the sliding glass door to balcony (1st level of villa) has a window on the water-side. The 1Bd window must face the parking area. You can see the balconies (lower and upper) across each building with no window above.
You can see the 2 TH villas on each side of the building (lower and upper) - with windows for the Bd on that side. We have picturesque views from our Bd - I have posted photos. The other Bd window in our TH faces over the parking area. You can also see the windows on the side of each building that are above the stairs for the 2Bd villa. We enjoy how light and open our TH feels with these windows on the side.

 

[GrayFal]

from the photo - only the sliding glass door to balcony (1st level of villa) has a window on the water-side. The 1Bd window must face the parking area. You can see the balconies (lower and upper) across each building with no window above.
You can see the 2 TH villas on each side of the building (lower and upper) - with windows for the Bd on that side. We have picturesque views from our Bd - I have posted photos. The other Bd window in our TH faces over the parking area. You can also see the windows on the side of each building that are above the stairs for the 2Bd villa. We enjoy how light and open our TH feels with these windows on the side.

I. Ant really make out the windows on my iPad so thanks for checking this out.....

I have stayed in the end first floor townhouse closest to the pool thanks to the generosity of Beaglemom3. Fun GRLz trip! And I have stayed in a studio that I exchanged thru an II trade when I used to own at SBP. Very happy to be owning this 1 BR. It offers a bit more privacy when traveling with friends and family and a second full bath is great. I will just have to suffer and sit on the second floor balcony, not a bad thing at all.
I have a snoring Son-I-L so being able to pull the wooden screen across is a plus :ignore:

Also the Starwood website indicates it can sleep 5 which is also a plus in my mind.

 

[DavidnRobin]

We own a 1st floor 2Bd TH villa - closest to the pool (only 4 of them…)
25 steps from the villa to the Pool/BBQ - that and ability to park outside our villa are great features.

Being able to get in our 4WD and drive to the Trunk Bay Parking Lot in 17 mins (for example) - is a benefit that we take advantage of constantly. Getting to a store and back quickly (<10min even to StarFish) is also a big plus.
It seems that many folks do not get this benefit we find so important - to each their own…
Hill-People Rule!

 

[GrayFal]

We own a 1st floor 2Bd TH villa - closest to the pool (only 4 of them…)
25 steps from the villa to the Pool/BBQ - that and ability to park outside our villa are great features.

Being able to get in our 4WD and drive to the Trunk Bay Parking Lot in 17 mins (for example) - is a benefit that we take advantage of constantly. Getting to a store and back quickly (<10min even to StarFish) is also a big plus.
It seems that many folks do not get this benefit we find so important - to each their own…
Hill-People Rule!

I am happy to join the Hill Folk

Do you rent on STT or STJ?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Rent? as in 4WD rental?
We rent on StT (Amalie) and take the car-barge over. $60RT - no other fees…
We get a pick-up and drop-off right outside the baggage carousel at STT - with documents all ready to do after a quick signature. Takes about 30 mins (no traffic) to drive to RedHook and take the car-barge. About a 5min drive from the car barge to WSJ. We arrive and depart on a Friday - so no cruise line traffic, and easy lines at STT.

We rarely even get down to the main resort (and we have consecutive week) - except to checkin/out - and sometimes to get to the beach nest to the dock for boat charter pickup (WSJ won't allow the dock to be used for charters except for their charters)

What is the checkin day for your week (Fri/Sat/Sun)?

 

[GrayFal]

Rent? as in 4WD rental?
We rent on StT (Amalie) and take the car-barge over. $60RT - no other fees…
We get a pick-up and drop-off right outside the baggage carousel at STT - with documents all ready to do after a quick signature. Takes about 30 mins (no traffic) to drive to RedHook and take the car-barge. About a 5min drive from the car barge to WSJ. We arrive and depart on a Friday - so no cruise line traffic, and easy lines at STT.

We rarely even get down to the main resort (and we have consecutive week) - except to checkin/out - and sometimes to get to the beach nest to the dock for boat charter pickup (WSJ won't allow the dock to be used for charters except for their charters)

What is the checkin day for your week (Fri/Sat/Sun)?

For the 1 BR it is Saturday but we would most likely stay on STT prior to check in. Own at Bluebeard's BeachClub x 10 years plus have Wyndham Points. We have a Friday checkin for our studio but it is summer so not so concerned about the traffic/rental situation. Who do use for jeep rental? And thanks for your help.

 

[DavidnRobin]

For the 1 BR it is Saturday but we would most likely stay on STT prior to check in. Own at Bluebeard's BeachClub x 10 years plus have Wyndham Points. We have a Friday checkin for our studio but it is summer so not so concerned about the traffic/rental situation. Who do use for jeep rental? And thanks for your help.

Amalie Jeep Rental - their vehicles are rented at a premium compared to others, but they are brand new - and they pickup drop off at STT.
I used Dependable Jeep Rentals on StT once - never again…

I have also rented on StJ (O'Connor a few times, and one in Cruz Bay), but find the additional cost of getting over to StJ (either by public ferry or the WSJ ferry) not worth it compared to just renting on StT. Plus, Amalie's vehicles are in pristine condition. YMMV
We use our 4WD daily on StJ.

 

[lpmem]

Looking to buy a WSJ-BV resale, need some help

Hi, my husband and I are looking to buy a Bay Vista resale property and have a few questions. Wanted to come here to get the best answers directly from the owners, hope you can help. First, the offer contract we received shows a particular unit. Is this the exact unit we will occupy every visit? Or are you assigned any matching unit upon arrival? Second, how difficult is it to book a week at the property (I would assume it would be more difficult if you are vying for a particular unit)? We would have floating weeks 19-33 to choose from. Lastly, tripadvisor has many varying options on the property, have you been happy with your purchase overall? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[czar]

Hi, my husband and I are looking to buy a Bay Vista resale property and have a few questions. Wanted to come here to get the best answers directly from the owners, hope you can help. First, the offer contract we received shows a particular unit. Is this the exact unit we will occupy every visit? Or are you assigned any matching unit upon arrival? Second, how difficult is it to book a week at the property (I would assume it would be more difficult if you are vying for a particular unit)? We would have floating weeks 19-33 to choose from. Lastly, tripadvisor has many varying options on the property, have you been happy with your purchase overall? Thanks for any help you can provide.

We own a 19-33 purchase and are very happy. We love the float capability and this section of the resort. We had a hard time finding a resale unit so hopefully you're hacing better luck than we did a year and a half ago.

Yes you will get a deeded unit and week for recording purposes. That's normal.

As for the varied reviews, the units in the non-TS part of the resort were dated for awhile, and I think what they were charging compared to what people were renting was skewed significantly; however, they've converted some of hose buildings to TS units (Coral Vista) and are updating other sections.

Separately, I think people need to have more realistic expectations when traveling in the Caribbean. The sooner "you" get on island time, the better the service will be

 

[DavidnRobin]

If it is a float villa, then the villa number (and week) is just for deeding purchase.
I would not trust reviews on TripAdvisor - each person has different expectations for their vacations. I always look at what people are complaining about (like not getting their daily newspaper, or that it is a photocopy...)
StJ can be very low-key and things move slowly. It is not for everyone.
'Adapt' is a good word to remind yourself. We look for very little interaction with WSJ staff, and request very little.