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

[DavidnRobin]

Oops - need better reading glasses.

It is Cafe Livin’ that recently closed.
I think they were Int House Hunter (HGTV) couple.

 

[KACTravels]

After a LONG travel day (18ish hours, red eye from Sacramento to Atlanta to St Thomas) we arrived yesterday to St. John. We decided to take a taxi to Red Hook and public ferry and Taxi to the Westin. 2 adults, 2 carry on size suitcases and 2 oversized dive bags = $90 total. Special thanks to the yahoos from Portland who refused to pay for their 10 oversized duffel bags and cost us 45 minutes at the first dock stop before the taxi took us to Red Hook. We checked into the "Terrace Studio" on the top of the hill in the Virgin Grand Section. We are here on SO's for 8 nights. It has a FULL kitchen (including an oven unlike our home resort of WKORN). We did have to let them know that the ice maker was missing and they said it was "on order". They are replacing it now while we are at the beach. When we got back from dinner we had a nice note from the GM, a bucket of beer and a bottle of wine. We are 4* Elite and the note mentioned our status.
The island is very dry and brown and the waitress said it hasn't really rained since Feb, except for the occasional short shower. There is a lot of seaweed in the water on the beach at the resort, but I don't mind it so much. The kids are hilarious with their comments while trying to get through it. There are plenty of available lounge chairs and umbrellas on the beach. The barge and crane for the dock renewal are kind of an eyesore, but we don't care, it's gorgeous here. We've been in the water several times and have not experienced any of the sea lice reported earlier in the thread.
I agree that the food at Snorkels and Lemongrass is just ok and seem to be expensive so far. The staff is very friendly. We stopped by the free cycle and there are kids books, some floaties, beach toys and a couple chairs. DH says the gym was good. So far so good!
We ventured out to the blow up play structures in the water and managed to "play" on all of them. The slide was quite interesting for a 51 year old woman to climb up on, but I did it!! LOL, I'm sure it was intertaining for all to watch.
We are going diving tomorrow with Cruz Bay and have the day trip to Virgin Gorda Monday. We are going to do the owners update because I want to hear the pitch on the Flex System. They gave us 2 vouchers for the Snorkel/Picnic to do the Update. ($190 value).
Has anyone rented a dinghy? How was it? We are thinking of doing that for 1/2 day. I read other posts earlier in this thread but thought I would ask the question again.
Also, is anyone else here?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Always good to hear peoples' experiences of StJ and WSJ. Hope you enjoy yourselves - Great Cruz Bay is not a good representative of StJ bays/beaches - while we were there it was closed to swimming (yuck).
Did you mean sea grass or seaweed? The sea grass is common - in other bays (other than GCB) that is where the turtles hang out. Check out Maho - right side looking out - turtles out by buoy. Also, all over SaltPond Bay. The Sargassum seaweed invaded a few months ago and was also dissipating.

I have done that long trip - and then taken the public ferry/taxis - too often people do not realize that they charge for bags on taxis and ferries. it is not cheap to take taxis - and sharing can be a PIA. Good for folks to know full cost of STT-WSJ so they can factor in transportation choices. The car barge is $30-35 per vehicle one-way (no charge for bags).

Glad to hear 'stinging jellies' have dissipated.

Enjoy. Adapt.

 

[LisaH]

Hi KACTravels, we will arrive next Sat. Guess we will miss each other. Anyone else will be there the week of Aug 8?
We rented a dinghy once at Cruz Bay many years ago and it was fun. Our dingy did not have seat cushion so after awhile, my butt hurted really bad . Make sure to put some towel underneath if yours did not have seat cushion. We took the boat to the beach near Caneel Resort and then to Waterlemon. It was fun. Be sure to apply sunscreen repeatedly. We didn't and got really bad sunburn.
Have fun!

 

[JessI]

Newbie's trip report

Hi all,

We just arrived and I started my trip report here.

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1786529#post1786529

Adding it to the list. Took pictures of most menus. More coming soon.

 

[LisaRex]

We rented a dinghy. The biggest downside is that you're not allowed to beach your dinghies for any longer than it takes to unload your stuff, so it's a lot of swimming back and forth and hoisting yourself in and out.

However, we did get to visit some snorkeling spots we weren't able to access from land, including Henley Cay. The coral there was excellent compared to other more touristy places. However, the current was really strong here, so you had to keep an eye on where you were.

It's also an easier way to get to Waterlemon Cay, another excellent snorkeling spot. On foot, you have to hike from Annaburg Ruins to Leinster Bay, which is about a mile. Chartering a dinghy is much easier, as they have moorings out in the bay and it's a short swim to the island. Keep an eye on ocean conditions. The first time we went, it was easy to navigate. This time, it was not. My husband, who is part dolphin, wouldn't even attempt to swim all the way around the day we went because the current was pushing him back.

 

[DavidnRobin]

StJ Webcam Update

various webcams on St John (and surrounds)
http://newsofstjohn.com/webcams/

 

[ekinggill]

St. Thomas Shopping on the way to Red Hook

Looking for:

• High end liquor store (not the tourist stores, one a local would use to get good bourbon)
• Place to buy beach chairs and sand toys

I know about Kmart and the grocery right across the street...just looking for other ideas.

Thanks

 

[okwiater]

Looking for:

• High end liquor store (not the tourist stores, one a local would use to get good bourbon)
• Place to buy beach chairs and sand toys

I know about Kmart and the grocery right across the street...just looking for other ideas.

Thanks

Between the selection at the St. John Market (next to WSJ) and the Starfish gourmet shop (right across from Starfish Market), I have not experienced any difficulty finding some brown liquor worth drinking.

 

[ekinggill]

Between the selection at the St. John Market (next to WSJ) and the Starfish gourmet shop (right across from Starfish Market), I have not experienced any difficulty finding some brown liquor worth drinking.

Yes...that has gotten much better in our 7 years of going. In particular I am looking for super premium bourbon, which can be tough to find in Miami, let alone the USVI.

 

[okwiater]

Yes...that has gotten much better in our 7 years of going. In particular I am looking for super premium bourbon, which can be tough to find in Miami, let alone the USVI.

Gotcha. Don't know the answer to that question, but will be interested if others can provide some pointers!

(Of course, you can always wrap a bottle in clothes and check it in your luggage...)

 

[JessI]

Does anyone know if WSJ plans on turning all of the rooms into TS, ie the remaining resort/hotel side of things into time shares. Coming from the west coast, the minimum time that we'd like to stay here in St John is about 10 days. Since we own in BV, we get to the additional 2 nights by using SPG points. (I'm Plat and have about 900K) so points are not a problem.

We are thinking about adding on with star options and CV flexibiity 'sounds' intrigueing. Any one have any opinions or advice?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Correct - supposedly they are going to convert the rest of the hotel to TS

Don't do it unless you have cash to burn, and if you make this (poor) decision - make sure you maximize the Options/MF ratio
Do the math (and not the fuzzy kind) - that is quite an outlay (both upfront and in long run). Plus, you cannot control the increase in MFs over time...

I agree that 1 weeks is too little - this is why we go for 2 weeks (also out of SFO)
Why not just buy another week (resale)?
Or, why do you think they will no longer accept SPs for reservations? because of the Hotel conversion? Sounds like "Sales' talk - you can already use SPs to stay in the TS villas at WSJ. Why would that change?

As a side note - you may be holding on to too many SPs. I used a bunch for AA flights (SFO-MIA-STT) with the 20% AA bonus. For the return I got 1st class tickets for 30Kpp (STT-MIA-CLT-SFO) - yes, another stop, but sitting in 1st class will help with the pain factor.

PS - re: high-end bourbon... if hard to find in MIA - why would it be found in the USVI (if at all)? They have plenty of fine bourbon at StarFish. However, there is a liquor store by RedHook that locals recommend. Can't call name because we drink Rum while in USVI... Otherwise - wrap-up (protect) and bring in check-in luggage.

 

[tomandrobin]

We rented a dinghy. The biggest downside is that you're not allowed to beach your dinghies for any longer than it takes to unload your stuff, so it's a lot of swimming back and forth and hoisting yourself in and out.

We also rented a dingy for the day once....Had a blast.

 

[GrayFal]

Need extra nights?

http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/car...pe-in-Fall-Save-60--2057767/?ptl=done&rating=



By Megan Crawford
White sandy beaches and crystal clear waters beckon vacationers at The Westin St. John Resort and Villas, the largest resort on the island. Discover Great Cruz Bay and save up to 60% compared to peak-season rates.

The Westin St. John Resort: This hotel sits along 1200 feet of crescent-shaped beach with guest rooms that feature patios or private balconies.

$219-$228 in a Traditional Room … most dates Aug. 20 - Oct. 24
The Westin St. John Villas: With ocean views and apartment-style layouts, the villas are a unique home base in the Virgin Islands, offering comfort and privacy to families and groups.

$244-$253 in a Studio Villa … most dates Aug. 20 - Oct. 24
Note: There is a $40 nightly resort charge, which includes free Wi-Fi, on-property transportation, self-parking, beach/pool amenities, tennis court access and yoga classes. This is a prepaid rate. There is a penalty for changes and/or cancellations.

Book by Aug. 13.

 

[JessI]

FYI, they just moved the loud and annoying crane barge by the dock. Its not quite open yet, but its mostly done and they have moved the water sports non motorized back next to the dock area.

You can enjoy breakfast at lemon grass with out the unsightly dock. Yay!

 

[ekinggill]

Sea Lice

Francis Bay today...billions upon billions of sea lice.

The good news...SafeSea sunscreen appears to have worked...none of our party of four show any signs of being stung 8 hours after exposure.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Francis Bay today...billions upon billions of sea lice.

The good news...SafeSea sunscreen appears to have worked...none of our party of four show any signs of being stung 8 hours after exposure.

Sorry to hear about Francis - weird that there reports that they were not at Maho. When we were at Francis in June - it was insane - I could feel them going thru my fingers, but stings were not so bad (no Rx)

 

[tomandrobin]

Francis Bay today...billions upon billions of sea lice.

The good news...SafeSea sunscreen appears to have worked...none of our party of four show any signs of being stung 8 hours after exposure.

Sorry to hear about Francis - weird that there reports that they were not at Maho. When we were at Francis in June - it was insane - I could feel them going thru my fingers, but stings were not so bad (no Rx)

They better clear up and out by next July!!!

 

[LisaH]

Francis Bay today...billions upon billions of sea lice.

The good news...SafeSea sunscreen appears to have worked...none of our party of four show any signs of being stung 8 hours after exposure.

Any place to buy SafeSea on St John? Heading there tomorrow...

 

[raygo123]

Going to Wyndham stt end of February arethey seasonal or year round

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Ty1on]

Going to Wyndham stt end of February arethey seasonal or year round

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Going to Margaritaville?

 

[raygo123]

Bluebeard's beach club

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[bobpark56]

What is the sea lice season?

Francis Bay today...billions upon billions of sea lice.

The good news...SafeSea sunscreen appears to have worked...none of our party of four show any signs of being stung 8 hours after exposure.

Does anyone know what the sea lice season(s) is(are)? We go in the first week of Oct and have never encountered sea lice.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Does anyone know what the sea lice season(s) is(are)? We go in the first week of Oct and have never encountered sea lice.

There is no sea lice season - we have never encountered them before until this last June. Locals tend to be tight-lipped on this as it affects tourism - plus no one seems to know much about them. Apparently they are jelly fish larvae - I have an UW video that shows them because a few got stuck on lens - look like clear tubules with black pepper specks.

IMO - in may be a consequence of sea warming that has been going on for 25+ years (along w/ massive coral bleaching and death - especially for deep water coral) - we are seeing crazy things here on the west coast as well. (but let's not allow facts to get in the way...)