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

[LisaRex]

Ok, I have a question to sort of play off of this question. If I own at WSJ (first year) fixed week/unit, and I look at what's available, everything shows availability at the 8 month mark. Will I only see availability at the 12 month mark if it is the exact type villa I have? Meaning I have a 2BR VGV unit, I see numerous 2BR units available, but none are open to me to reserve now at the 12 month mark. Will the other 2BR units open at the 10 month mark? Next year I have a wedding to attend that is the day after I would return from my fixed week. Do-able, but maybe cutting a little to close for comfort if weather would hamper our return.

The Online tool is very basic. It simply shows availability at that particular moment in time. And note that it's quite buggy because often times you will see availability on the calendar, but nothing when you filter for that week. It's certainly not sophisticated enough to differentiate the results based on what you own and when you're allowed to reserve.

I warn you that often times, you'll see plenty of availability before a reservation window opens up, only to see nothing when you go to reserve it. Because WSJ is so popular as an exchanger, I'd be reticent to drop my fixed week to try and get an exchange, especially in platinum plus season. However, if I did it, I'd try to exchange for a week PRIOR to my fixed week, so that if I failed to get an exchange, I could still lock in my fixed week before the 10 month deadline.

Sidebar: This is where owning a unit earlier or later in the season has its unique advantageous:

Let's say you have 2 platinum plus fixed/float owners and both want to move to a new week:

Scenario 1. Alan owns the first week of January. In 2017, he decides he'd rather exchange to the first week of April, also a platinum plus week. He has until the first week of March 2016 to decide whether to lock in his fixed week reservation. If he doesn't lock it in, he risks not getting the exchange of his choice and he cannot even attempt to exchange until the 10 month window opens, which is the first week of June. That's a long time to wait and hope for an exchange.

Yes, he can simply wait until the first week of June, check to make sure there is availability, then cancel his January '17 reservation, but that's a 2- step process. By the time he cancels his reservation, that inventory may be gone.

The alternative is to wait until the Owner Services window is open and ask a CSR to handle, which seems to offer some protection against losing your original week, but that gives 9 hours where online exchangers can sweep up all the availability.

Contrast this to "Bill" who also owns a 2 bdrm fixed week for the 2nd week of April. He has until mid-February to decide whether to lock in his unit, which gives him 6 weeks to try and lock in another reservation with no risk to his fixed week.

 

[DavidnRobin]

David -- can you tell me if it is normal procedure for them to ask for all of our passport information to save document time at the dock and get on the water faster. We had a few people nervous about that. I am fine with it, as they seem like they really go out of your way to make sure you maximize your day on the water.

This is normal for all charters going to BVI. I had no problem supplying this info upfront as it saves time. Last thing you will want is them filling out these forms in the morning while loading at Cruz Bay (hectic), or while at Customs/Immigration - waste of precious time.

Interesting that he has expanded to 3 boats - I like the 'couple' option since just the 2 of us traveling to StJ now.

 

[NNerland]

This is normal for all charters going to BVI. I had no problem supplying this info upfront as it saves time. Last thing you will want is them filling out these forms in the morning while loading at Cruz Bay (hectic), or while at Customs/Immigration - waste of precious time.

Interesting that he has expanded to 3 boats - I like the 'couple' option since just the 2 of us traveling to StJ now.

Yes - very interesting. I love it, as my wife and I never did these trips as we didn't want a big group and couldn't justify the amount for private.

Thanks for the insight -- I am perfectly fine with it as they are reputable and truly seem like they are looking out for our interests. T-3 days for us!!

 

[SandyPGravel]

Because WSJ is so popular as an exchanger, I'd be reticent to drop my fixed week to try and get an exchange, especially in platinum plus season. However, if I did it, I'd try to exchange for a week PRIOR to my fixed week, so that if I failed to get an exchange, I could still lock in my fixed week before the 10 month deadline.

This is what I am hoping to do, my week is 9, that is first week of March next year. I think I have until early May to confirm. My question is ANY 2 BR available to me or only the two BR townhouse VGV?

Contrast this to "Bill" who also owns a 2 bdrm fixed week for the 2nd week of April. He has until mid-February to decide whether to lock in his unit, which gives him 6 weeks to try and lock in another reservation with no risk to his fixed week.

Wouldn't he(Bill) have until mid June to confirm? I assume I have to be 12 months out to be able to see the "OPEN", so I wouldn't see any availability until late February?

 

[lizap]

Thanks for the info.

My understanding of the answer to this question (I asked pretty much the same thing via MSC before we went last summer) is the only thing you can "count on" is that your unit will hold at least the number of people it says on your booking (i.e. you won't end up in a unit that sleeps less than what you booked), and the unit you get will cost at least as many SO's as you redeemed (i.e. you won't end up in a unit that costs less SO's to book than what you booked).

If you book a 3BR sleeps 8 (i.e. VG), you could end up in a 3BR sleeps 10 unit (i.e. BV), as long as the BV unit doesn't cost less SO's than the VG unit.

If you book a 2BR sleeps 6 (i.e. VG), you could end up in a 2BR sleeps 8 (i.e. BV or CV), as long as the BV/CV unit doesn't cost less SO's than the VG unit.

 

[LisaRex]

Wouldn't he(Bill) have until mid June to confirm? I assume I have to be 12 months out to be able to see the "OPEN", so I wouldn't see any availability until late February?

Yes he would. Sorry, I went the wrong direction on the calendar.

Even better for Bill cause he has almost the entire platinum season open to him to try and exchange before he loses his fixed week. Compare that to poor Alan.

 

[lizap]

When I called SVN, I was told by the representative (after checking with someone), that all the 3 BR units were VG, which I knew wasn't true. Maybe he meant all the 3 BRs with pools. The only way to guarantee that you get a 3BR with a pool is to buy a VG unit there? My guess is that using SOs, your chance of getting a 3BR with a pool are not great.

You should not get a villa that sleeps less or costs less SOs than what you reserved. However, there is the possibility of unforeseen things happening...

Regarding 3 BRs:

- CV has villas rated for 12 people
- BV has villas rated for 10 people
- VG has villas rated for 8 people but it also has villas rated for 10 people. Don't bother calling Starwood to ask about them, they will not be able to help you because their website only shows the 8 people villas. Obviously, their configurations and number of beds are different.
- During some months of the year, you can tell if you are booking a BV or VG 3 BR villa rated for 10 people because the seasons are not aligned.

If you manage to exchange into a 10 people 3 BR villa, most likely it will be a BV.

 

[vistana101]

Interesting article regarding WSJ timeshare conversions and expansions: http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/westin-shifts-model-but-ownership-remains-same-1.1993137

There also is space for the resort to expand in the future, possibly in 2018-2019

 

[Helios]

When I called SVN, I was told by the representative (after checking with someone), that all the 3 BR units were VG, which I knew wasn't true. Maybe he meant all the 3 BRs with pools. The only way to guarantee that you get a 3BR with a pool is to buy a VG unit there? My guess is that using SOs, your chance of getting a 3BR with a pool are not great.

This is correct. If you want to stay in a pool villa you would need to rent from an owner (or buy one). But it could happen. It happened to me once before buying my two consecutive weeks pool villa interval.

 

[okwiater]

Interesting article regarding WSJ timeshare conversions and expansions: http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/westin-shifts-model-but-ownership-remains-same-1.1993137

The article is a bit confusing and/or misleading when it states that 48 of the rooms will remain hotel rooms. They will only remain that way temporarily during the conversion of the other buildings and are ultimately slated to become timeshares. I also LOL'd when the guy stated that they're not "timeshares," they're "vacation ownerships."

 

[jillandboy]

take your bug repellant to St. John

Are you experiencing them now? We are headed there the end of February and hoping to av,oid them.

I don't think we did experience them, (sea lice) canesfan, but two of our group of 5 (me and my spouse) got tore up by something. These bumps lasted all week and beyond. ->Scratching in between sentences right now.

We're home now. Pictures cannot do the place justice. It's beyond spectacularly beautiful.

You definitely want to have a vehicle for the full week. There's just too many good beaches to go to and restaurants to eat at. It was one of our best vacations ever. We definitely want to go back.

And gotcha DavenRobin about the jellyfish larve. Since this was a St. Thomas girl born and bred we thought she'd probably know what the 'sea lice' thing is. I had been concerned after reading the forums. As it turns out something else got us (sand fleas? avoid the beach early morning and dusk, we were told, to avoid them. blister bugs? these bites are bad. Seems many locals have opinions about that as well. Most people seemed to believe some folks are more susceptible than others. ) We had even checked our bed....twice....for evidence of bedbugs. We don't believe that was it.

Preview/owner update: They'll give back whatever you purchased in the system already, (meaning you turn in your current Starwood TS ) and take that amount off of the purchase price ($$$$$) of one of their units. The Coral-Vista units are compact- two previous hotel rooms make up a 2br unit, but nice. We do have a couple concerns, that will be forth-coming in the review. The model unit for the hotel rooms they are converting around the pool (Bay-Vista) was, as you would expect, gorgeous.

They say that there's an 80 year agreement w/ Marriott to preserve the spg points system. I hope that's true. We have really enjoyed our SPG rewards.

My favorite day was when we went to Salt Pond/Salt Pond Bay and later had dinner at Miss Lucy's (overall a very good meal-with a couple minor complaints- and the location was awesome). We went home via 108 and got to experience true dirt road off-roading at 1100/1200 feet. In the dark. And the rain. It's all a fond memory now.

 

[YYJMSP]

They say that there's an 80 year agreement w/ Marriott to preserve the spg points system. I hope that's true. We have really enjoyed our SPG rewards.

I don't see how that can be true as 1) the sale of the Starwood timeshare division to Interval hasn't gone through yet, and 2) the sale of the Starwood hotel group to Marriott hasn't gone through yet, so 3) how can there be a deal between Interval and Marriott about points yet...

 

[jillandboy]

I don't see how that can be true as 1) the sale of the Starwood timeshare division to Interval hasn't gone through yet, and 2) the sale of the Starwood hotel group to Marriott hasn't gone through yet, so 3) how can there be a deal between Interval and Marriott about points yet...

I can't say it's true. That's what they said. And you know you would never hear anything inaccurate in a TS presentation, lol.

RESTAURANTS
Extra Virgin Bistro may be our new favorite place. Its... wow.

We had excellent Pad Thai and amazing drinks at Rhumb Lines. Some of the items we got we would not get again but the Pad Thai and that Fillipino pork roll were very good.

The sliders at the Beach Bar were surprisingly good.

Morgan's Mango is excellent.

Indigo Grill is very, very good.

Miss Lucy's has the benefit of being the only restaurant around for a long stretch on the east side. We had a good meal and an amazing view there. I dined barefoot. They don't put any alcohol in the frozen drinks. However they only charge a dollar difference between virgin and high octane. I also doubt they would care if you brought your own. That would not be a good idea if you are the DD. There's 'miles to go before' you sleep.

The Longboard is solid.

Ocean Grill does some things better than others. Their apple pie was one of my favorite desserts.

The Tap Room had great beer and horrid food. Don't eat there!

Is this the bar that's supposed to be hard to find? hmmm. had a great pic. can't seem to up load it right now. I'll try again later

Oh, and the fried chicken at the Marketplace across the street is the absolute bomb! that was our picnic food one day.

 

[YYJMSP]

Oh, and the fried chicken at the Marketplace across the street is the absolute bomb!

MMMMMM!

That just brought back a very good memory of our trip to WSJ last summer...

Kinda funny, as we have (had?) a buffet restaurant chain in Canada called Uncle Willy's, and I could live off the fried chicken they had.

 

[jillandboy]

Thank you

Okay. Is this the elusive establishment that was referred to in forums?
I believe I've uploaded it now.

I also wanted to thank everyone who posts useful info here. It made a huge difference for us, and we are quite appreciative.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Thanks for the update and reviews.

That photo is Angels' Rest.

Sand fleas can be brutal - they are actually gnats. (They call them noseesums for a reason) Like mosquitoes - they affect people differently. They are small red bumps that itch/hurt like crazy below the knees (unless you unfortunately laid on sand at sunset). Noseesums only jump up about a foot over the sand surface. Many people suspect bedbugs as same areas get bit. If on beach at sunset - make sure you are standing/sitting on blanket - and use bug protection. Also, be careful up against the foliage, as it cools down the noseesums come to life looking for blood.

In 1991, I was on backside of Tortola watching the sunset from the beach the evening before we left - a long/brutal and itchy flight home - had no idea what it was at the time.

 

[happymum]

My daughter had similar bites on St. Thomas when we were there in August . Since we had not been on sand at all we also suspected bedbugs. A thorough inspection by an exterminator assured us that was not the case. I had used the same bed and was totally untouched.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Gas Prices on St. John

Has anyone been on island lately? I am just curious what the gas prices are looking like. I saw on the news yesterday that gas was $.54/gallon somewhere in Michigan yesterday. (Best I have seen in WI is $1.71) Last time we were on island it was over $4/gallon. I am not expecting Michigan prices, but under $3 would be nice.:whoopie:

 

[sachia007]

availability of studios

I was going to list my week 8 VG studio timeshare for rent through a company on island that just rents out Westin timeshares.

They suggested that perhaps I should wait and try to swap within Starwood. They believe that since there are more studio villas available, now with CV, that a studio villa will be readily available. Thoughts?

 

[LisaRex]

I was going to list my week 8 VG studio timeshare for rent through a company on island that just rents out Westin timeshares.

They suggested that perhaps I should wait and try to swap within Starwood. They believe that since there are more studio villas available, now with CV, that a studio villa will be readily available. Thoughts?

Why not give it a test run for this year on the Online tool?

 

[DavidnRobin]

I was going to list my week 8 VG studio timeshare for rent through a company on island that just rents out Westin timeshares.

They suggested that perhaps I should wait and try to swap within Starwood. They believe that since there are more studio villas available, now with CV, that a studio villa will be readily available. Thoughts?

Is this for 2016 or 2017?
If 2016, you are within 60 day window.

What do they mean by 'swap within SW'? What does this have to do with renting your W8?

SO/MF value is good for your Plat+ studio - so you do have SVN exchange availability.

True - they added studios to CV (and SB as well?), BUT they took away hotel rooms that small groups of 4 or less (couples) that used to be able to readily book via SPG (etc). So... if anything, they reduced the number of 'small' units as they added larger units. Plus, there are not as many places to stay on STJ for couples (compared to larger places. IMO

Surprised they didn't want to try and rent - is there a glut of studios at week 8 on RedWeek (or their site?).

 

[DavidnRobin]

Has anyone been on island lately? I am just curious what the gas prices are looking like. I saw on the news yesterday that gas was $.54/gallon somewhere in Michigan yesterday. (Best I have seen in WI is $1.71) Last time we were on island it was over $4/gallon. I am not expecting Michigan prices, but under $3 would be nice.:whoopie:

Around $3.30 per gallon on StJ

 

[okwiater]

Around $3.30 per gallon on StJ

Remember, a huge portion of the price for gas on a small island is transportation costs. So, it's not realistic to expect equivalent % drops.

 

[sachia007]

Is this for 2016 or 2017?
If 2016, you are within 60 day window.

What do they mean by 'swap within SW'? What does this have to do with renting your W8?

SO/MF value is good for your Plat+ studio - so you do have SVN exchange availability.

True - they added studios to CV (and SB as well?), BUT they took away hotel rooms that small groups of 4 or less (couples) that used to be able to readily book via SPG (etc). So... if anything, they reduced the number of 'small' units as they added larger units. Plus, there are not as many places to stay on STJ for couples (compared to larger places. IMO

Surprised they didn't want to try and rent - is there a glut of studios at week 8 on RedWeek (or their site?).

Hi,

It's for 2017 reservation. I means exchanging with SVN when I said swap.

They will rent for us if we want to, but they thought perhaps with the re-working of the hotel rooms, there may be SVN opportunities to exchange a P+ studio for a P+ studio.

There is not a glut of studios for week 8. However, for 2017, week 8 Sunday start is President's Week.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Hi,

It's for 2017 reservation. I means exchanging with SVN when I said swap.

They will rent for us if we want to, but they thought perhaps with the re-working of the hotel rooms, there may be SVN opportunities to exchange a P+ studio for a P+ studio.

There is not a glut of studios for week 8. However, for 2017, week 8 Sunday start is President's Week.

Sorry - I still do not follow. How does an exchange a P+ studio for a P+ studio impact a decision to whether to rent your week 8 VGV studio?
What am is missing? Is your intent to try and go another week, and not rent your week 8?