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

[GrayFal]

I received an answer today from MSC, so I thought I would share:

Starwood Vacation Network
a better way to see the world®
Rule
Dear GINA XXXXXXXX,

I would be more than happy to assist you with your inquiry about the Westin St John reservation,

The current owner of this deed has already changed reservation ****** at The Westin St John for February 26, 2016 into your name (Gina XXXXXXXX). After the transfer of ownership the reservation will remain the same and nothing will be changed.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Sincerely,

Noah G.
E-Communications Specialist

You can now leave your tent home and sleep in the room :whoopie:

 

[SandyPGravel]

You can now leave your tent home and sleep in the room :whoopie:

YEAH!!

 

[Helios]

VGV HOA Sale

Has anyone heard anything about when the VGV HOA sale will take place?

 

[DavidnRobin]

GrayFal,

I just got the bill as well - sent directly from Starwood.

Also received my paper bills with instructions to pay online. Like the new way to pay USVI PropTax bills.
Last year sent by mail both in at same time, 1st week went thru fast, 2nd week not for 6 weeks later. Got early pay discount for one but not other (arg... USVI)

 

[WizardOz]

12345678910

 

[lizap]

David, we decided to rent a car in St.Thomas with Amalie for our trip to WSJ in Feb. These people are very nice and easy to deal with. I love that they are going to meet us at the airport and we can drop the car off at the airport on our return. Thanks for the recommendation..

 

[sachia007]

Has anyone heard anything about when the VGV HOA sale will take place?

I believe last year the info. came out in August. Perhaps there won't be any this year?

 

[Helios]

I believe last year the info. came out in August. Perhaps there won't be any this year?

The last update they provided said it would be at the end of August. But nothing happened.

 

[DavidnRobin]

David, we decided to rent a car in St.Thomas with Amalie for our trip to WSJ in Feb. These people are very nice and easy to deal with. I love that they are going to meet us at the airport and we can drop the car off at the airport on our return. Thanks for the recommendation..

Glad it worked out - it may be a slight premium, but worth it in my experience.
I find taking the car barge over to be easy and fun.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Vegetarian In-laws

My In-laws are basically "vegetarians" and will be traveling with us in February. Now I quote vegetarians because they do chose a vegetarian meal if given an option, but have at least on weak point. Brats. (I know, of all the things to actually eat when you live a vegetarian lifestyle, not fish, brats! What can I say we're from Wisconsin.) So that will take care of one meal while we are there. My question is how is the vegetarian selection at the grocery store within walking distance of the resort. We have been to the resort twice already, but I wasn't scoping out meals in case my in-laws came along on a future trip to a TS I didn't think I would ever get to own!! :hysterical:

I remember buying potatoes and onions when we were there, but not much else veggie wise. I plan out our meals and take as much as I can so we can spend our discretionary income on diving or other excursions. Hopefully if we end up going to the Baths the restaurant has something they'll eat too.

We usually grill out most days. Eat out once, maybe twice. Last time we stayed 12 nights, this time only 7 so not as much planning involved.

Thanx, Gina

 

[LisaH]

Question about the check-in days for VG owners: is the check-in day (Fri, Sat, Sun) building specific or interspersed? If anyone knows the specifics, please post here
Just to add that I have a Sat check-in, and I'm in Blg 34.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am also in B34 - Friday checkin

 

[LisaH]

I am also in B34 - Friday checkin

Wow. That's really messed up

 

[GrayFal]

Question about the check-in days for VG owners: is the check-in day (Fri, Sat, Sun) building specific or interspersed? If anyone knows the specifics, please post here
Just to add that I have a Sat check-in, and I'm in Blg 34.

I am also in B34 - Friday checkin

Blg 34 studio Friday check in, Blg 33 1BR Saturday check in.

 

[Helios]

Pool villas have check ins on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The day depends on the specific villa. Most pool villas have Saturday check in. That accounts for buildings 41-44.

 

[beachlynn]

I initially made a reservation for a 2 bedroom loft that sleeps 10. There are 3 couples going so I kept trying for a 3 bedroom. Like literally, I tried every day. Luckily, 3 weeks before our trip my perseverance paid off and I got a 3 bedroom. There were 3 open. I have to say it is scary as heck when the agent said she has to drop my reservation first before she books the new one. I think that is a crummy option that they can't do a quick 3 minute hold while they drop the existing reservation. What if some other agent was making a reservation for the same 3 bedroom and then I could have lost my 2 bedroom and the 3 bedroom. The message that initially appears says you may have to borrow from next years options. I am cool with that. Anyway, after a few white knuckled moments I was locked in for the 3 bedroom. Woo hoo!!!!
So my understanding is the 3 bedroom is in the Bay Vista section. Is there any chance that if a 3 bedroom pool villa was open when we went they would upgrade us? We are checking in on Sat. I was shocked that the 3 3 bedrooms opened up but I was thrilled.

 

[czar]

My In-laws are basically "vegetarians" and will be traveling with us in February. Now I quote vegetarians because they do chose a vegetarian meal if given an option, but have at least on weak point. Brats. (I know, of all the things to actually eat when you live a vegetarian lifestyle, not fish, brats! What can I say we're from Wisconsin.) So that will take care of one meal while we are there. My question is how is the vegetarian selection at the grocery store within walking distance of the resort. We have been to the resort twice already, but I wasn't scoping out meals in case my in-laws came along on a future trip to a TS I didn't think I would ever get to own!! :hysterical:

I remember buying potatoes and onions when we were there, but not much else veggie wise. I plan out our meals and take as much as I can so we can spend our discretionary income on diving or other excursions. Hopefully if we end up going to the Baths the restaurant has something they'll eat too.

We usually grill out most days. Eat out once, maybe twice. Last time we stayed 12 nights, this time only 7 so not as much planning involved.

Thanx, Gina

I recall from my last visit to years ago that they had quite a bit of produce in that store.

 

[Helios]

Is there any chance that if a 3 bedroom pool villa was open when we went they would upgrade us?

From what I've heard, this is possible. However, this is very unlikely to happen. Pool villas (actually all VG villas) were sold as fixed units/weeks. Pool villas are very rarely released into SVN by their owners.

 

[beachlynn]

Well, that is ok. I do like that the the BV villas are closest to the beach and big pool. The only thing I don't like about BV is that they don't have a standard oven. Is that true? I have a question for all of you experts. We didn't book a rental car because we aren't 100% sure what we want to do. Being that it is Oct. and apparently the off season, would it be easy to rent from the agency on site for those days that we might need. Also, we like to have some adult beverages so are there beaches that we could go to on the bus that are good? I have read that you can take a taxi to some but you would have to arrange for a pick up which could be a bit sketchy.

 

[Helios]

Renting at the Westin car rental place shouldn't be a problem.

I am not sure about the BV oven situation.

 

[Helios]

Something else to keep in mind, I am not sure exactly when you are going, but the seasonal point vale for VGVs increase starting on week 43 (last week in October from 125,000 to 196,900 SOs). BV stays at 125,000 through week 50. For that reason, the front desk may not give you the Pool Villa even if it is available at check in.

I would ask, worst thing that can happen is they say no.

 

[Helios]

Out of curiosity, I just checked availability. There is a pool villa with check in on 10/24.

How many SOs did you use for your resie?

 

[czar]

BV does NOT have full ovens - just a large microwave thing that's supposed to cook (we only used for popcorn) and a range on the counter.

We rented at the resort and there was less availability than we thought so just make sure you do plan ahead just in case. We were at the start of off-season at the time; not sure who was renting all their cars!

Renting at the Westin car rental place shouldn't be a problem.

I am not sure about the BV oven situation.

 

[SandyPGravel]

I recall from my last visit to years ago that they had quite a bit of produce in that store.

Thanx, I was hoping so!

 

[DavidnRobin]

Something else to keep in mind, I am not sure exactly when you are going, but the seasonal point vale for VGVs increase starting on week 43 (last week in October from 125,000 to 196,900 SOs). BV stays at 125,000 through week 50. For that reason, the front desk may not give you the Pool Villa even if it is available at check in.

I would ask, worst thing that can happen is they say no.

^^^^ This ^^^^

I would assume that getting a villa worth more SOs that used for the reservation is highly unlikely (but you never know...)