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

[vistana101]

Due to uncertainty of car barges, ditching the plans for a car on STT.

Can anyone recommend a jeep rental company on St John? Some of them look pretty shady.

Thanks

We used Oconnor when we went...all was well!

 

[tomandrobin]

We used O'Connor on our trip two weeks ago. No problems, hassles.....easy peasy. We rented a Durango and it was less then 1 year old, in really great shape.

 

[SMHarman]

We used O'Connor on our trip two weeks ago. No problems, hassles.....easy peasy. We rented a Durango and it was less then 1 year old, in really great shape.

We used Oconnor when we went...all was well!

Better than my experience. Really old pathfinder. One key. No central locking. Lots of lose trim.

Finally I get hit with two problems. I return 'late'. I say late in quotes as it was within the 6 days from pick up, but not from the original booking pick up time, so they bill me for an extra day.

Secondly i returned it off hours and they lost it in their own car park at the Westin for 2 days. Which is why I think they late fee me.

Key was in mail box as required, I'm back home getting calls about a no return on their rental. But it's in the parking lot.

At least it was such an old vehicle that there was no panel I could dent or seat I could stain.

 

[bobpark56]

Courtesy Car Rentals has worked for us

Due to uncertainty of car barges, ditching the plans for a car on STT.

Can anyone recommend a jeep rental company on St John? Some of them look pretty shady.

Thanks

We have used Courtesy Car Rentals twice with good results. We have another 2-week rental scheduled for early Oct. Things we liked:
- They will pick you up for your rental and drop you off at the ferry or back at WSJ when you return your vehicle. This works well when using either the WSJ ferry or the commercial one. (We pick up our vehicle a day or 2 after arriving and drop it off a day or 2 before departing, which more than pays for the Westin Ferry.)
- You can park in their lot when in town.
- They offer 10% discounts in the off season, which is when we visit WSJ.
- They offer a 6% discount for paying in cash.

On both of our prior rentals, the vehicles were fairly new, very clean, and in good shape.

 

[ekinggill]

Thanks. Booked with O'connor.

I appreciate everyone's insight. I have previously heard about variability in the quality of vehicles and about the late charges. Going in with managed expectations.

Now I am left with a weeks work to get done before our Wednesday morning departure. 3 nights on Tortola on the front end then our week at the WSJ. I will provide a trip report when we return.

Thanks again.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Thanks. Booked with O'connor.

I appreciate everyone's insight. I have previously heard about variability in the quality of vehicles and about the late charges. Going in with managed expectations.

Now I am left with a weeks work to get done before our Wednesday morning departure. 3 nights on Tortola on the front end then our week at the WSJ. I will provide a trip report when we return.

Thanks again.

About a year ago - St John was allowed to have an increase in rental cars licenses by the USVI Govt. Since then, the quality of vehicles seems to have gotten better for some of the various agencies. My 1st one from Conrad Sutton in 2006 was not safe.

Let us know how it goes - bring proof of insurance (I hear that is now needed, but not sure).

 

[Helios]

About a year ago - St John was allowed to have an increase in rental cars licenses by the USVI Govt. Since then, the quality of vehicles seems to have gotten better for some of the various agencies. My 1st one from Conrad Sutton in 2006 was not safe.

Let us know how it goes - bring proof of insurance (I hear that is now needed, but not sure).

I have rented from O'Connor and I was not asked for insurance. YMMV.

 

[LisaH]

Down to one barge again this week. Made a reservation for this Sat. Will report back...

 

[SMHarman]

I have rented from O'Connor and I was not asked for insurance. YMMV.

I may have been asked but I don't have any so that was my reply.

Used the Signature Visa insurance.

 

[Helios]

I may have been asked but I don't have any so that was my reply.

Used the Signature Visa insurance.

I use the AMEX insurance that costs $25 for 30 days. That works pretty well for me. I don't mind paying $25 for the piece of mind I get knowing I can walk away and AMEX will handle it.

 

[tammymacb]

I use the AMEX insurance that costs $25 for 30 days. That works pretty well for me. I don't mind paying $25 for the piece of mind I get knowing I can walk away and AMEX will handle it.

What do you have to do to get the $25 insurance? Do I call the number on my card?

 

[okwiater]

What do you have to do to get the $25 insurance? Do I call the number on my card?

https://www295.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-coverage/home.do

I personally go for the cheaper $20/mo plan because the limits are only slightly reduced at $75K instead of $100K. I figure the odds are if I cause $75K worth of property damage, I'm already going to be making a personal auto claim since AMEX doesn't cover bodily injury.

 

[tammymacb]

Thank you!

 

[DavidnRobin]

Renovation Update for WSJ

*****
With certain parts of the resort currently undergoing renovations, it’s our priority to make sure you are aware of everything taking place. Rest assured, we will do everything we can to ensure a revitalizing experience.

The first buildings in the new Sunset Bay Villas phase are nearing completion and will welcome its first owners in January 2017. The remaining poolside buildings (10, 11 and 12) will start their renovation, ahead of schedule, in late October. The project will continue through December 2017, but all construction activity will cease during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

While the entire area being renovated will be fully surrounded by safety fencing, you should anticipate hearing intermittent construction demolition and removal as well as other construction-related activity while on the pool deck, in the vicinity of the beach and at Snorkels Bar & Grill. The resort’s villas will not be impacted during this refurbishment with the exception of neighboring buildings 14-16.

We anticipate that the majority of the structural and concrete work, and the new underground utilities, will be completed by the end of March 2017. By summer, we anticipate that the noise should dissipate as the project will be primarily focused on finishing the interior of the villas. In order to maintain our renovation schedule and complete the project by December 2017, the work will occur seven days a week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

We understand the importance of the main pool to your overall vacation experience and regret any inconvenience this may cause. Please stay up-to-date on any special conditions at the resort by visiting vistana.com prior to your arrival.

We sincerely appreciate your patience during this project. Should you have any questions, please contact Owner Services.

Be well,
Mike Ryan, General Manager
The Westin St. John Resort & Villas

 

[Helios]

What do you have to do to get the $25 insurance? Do I call the number on my card?

Yes. You sign up via phone and the insurance kicks in every time you pay for the rental car with your Amex. The $25 charge gets processed automatically by Amex and you are covered.

 

[Helios]

https://www295.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-coverage/home.do

I personally go for the cheaper $20/mo plan because the limits are only slightly reduced at $75K instead of $100K. I figure the odds are if I cause $75K worth of property damage, I'm already going to be making a personal auto claim since AMEX doesn't cover bodily injury.

Thanks for posting this. I didn't know there was an option for $20. I think your logic makes sense. I will probably update my insurance.

 

[Helios]

*****
With certain parts of the resort currently undergoing renovations, it’s our priority to make sure you are aware of everything taking place. Rest assured, we will do everything we can to ensure a revitalizing experience.

The first buildings in the new Sunset Bay Villas phase are nearing completion and will welcome its first owners in January 2017. The remaining poolside buildings (10, 11 and 12) will start their renovation, ahead of schedule, in late October. The project will continue through December 2017, but all construction activity will cease during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

While the entire area being renovated will be fully surrounded by safety fencing, you should anticipate hearing intermittent construction demolition and removal as well as other construction-related activity while on the pool deck, in the vicinity of the beach and at Snorkels Bar & Grill. The resort’s villas will not be impacted during this refurbishment with the exception of neighboring buildings 14-16.

We anticipate that the majority of the structural and concrete work, and the new underground utilities, will be completed by the end of March 2017. By summer, we anticipate that the noise should dissipate as the project will be primarily focused on finishing the interior of the villas. In order to maintain our renovation schedule and complete the project by December 2017, the work will occur seven days a week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

We understand the importance of the main pool to your overall vacation experience and regret any inconvenience this may cause. Please stay up-to-date on any special conditions at the resort by visiting vistana.com prior to your arrival.

We sincerely appreciate your patience during this project. Should you have any questions, please contact Owner Services.

Be well,
Mike Ryan, General Manager
The Westin St. John Resort & Villas

I like they will cease construction during holidays.

 

[SMHarman]

*****
With certain parts of the resort currently undergoing renovations, it’s our priority to make sure you are aware of everything taking place. Rest assured, we will do everything we can to ensure a revitalizing experience.

The first buildings in the new Sunset Bay Villas phase are nearing completion and will welcome its first owners in January 2017. The remaining poolside buildings (10, 11 and 12) will start their renovation, ahead of schedule, in late October. The project will continue through December 2017, but all construction activity will cease during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

While the entire area being renovated will be fully surrounded by safety fencing, you should anticipate hearing intermittent construction demolition and removal as well as other construction-related activity while on the pool deck, in the vicinity of the beach and at Snorkels Bar & Grill. The resort’s villas will not be impacted during this refurbishment with the exception of neighboring buildings 14-16.

We anticipate that the majority of the structural and concrete work, and the new underground utilities, will be completed by the end of March 2017. By summer, we anticipate that the noise should dissipate as the project will be primarily focused on finishing the interior of the villas. In order to maintain our renovation schedule and complete the project by December 2017, the work will occur seven days a week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

We understand the importance of the main pool to your overall vacation experience and regret any inconvenience this may cause. Please stay up-to-date on any special conditions at the resort by visiting vistana.com prior to your arrival.

We sincerely appreciate your patience during this project. Should you have any questions, please contact Owner Services.

Be well,
Mike Ryan, General Manager
The Westin St. John Resort & Villas

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The jackhammers reminded me of NYC

 

[letsgomets]

I like they will cease construction during holidays.

I'm worried about this ambiguity and wrote to WSJ and Vistana to get clarification:

Are they saying that there will be no construction specifically on November 24, December 25 and January 1 (obviously!) or that they will not be doing construction during Thanksgiving weekend, Xmas week and NY week? A few postings here have noted that they said they aren't doing construction during the holiday "weeks" but that's not exactly what they've said. I am hoping they will clarify that that is the case. I'm worried that it isn't given that they moved up the start of construction by 3 months (essentially sacrificing this Xmas season) to try to race toward an early opening by Xmas 2017. We are coming for 12 days in late December and will be upset if it is one massive construction zone.

It also appears that there will no longer be any hotel rooms after October because buildings 10-12 were their last 3 that had not yet converted. We have a 5-day hotel reservation tacked on after our BV week so I don't know what they are planning to do with us.

 

[SandyPGravel]

It also appears that there will no longer be any hotel rooms after October because buildings 10-12 were their last 3 that had not yet converted. We have a 5-day hotel reservation tacked on after our BV week so I don't know what they are planning to do with us.

I would be interested to hear what happens to resolve this. Please post an update when you have one.

 

[SMHarman]

It also appears that there will no longer be any hotel rooms after October because buildings 10-12 were their last 3 that had not yet converted. We have a 5-day hotel reservation tacked on after our BV week so I don't know what they are planning to do with us.

There are no 'hotel room's at Lagunamar but they do fine with hotel bookings.

 

[letsgomets]

Got an update from Vistana -- no construction from December 17 to January 9.

Hotel also reached out to me today to suggest a 2BR villa in place of the two hotel rooms we have reserved.

So all good developments.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Down to one barge again this week. Made a reservation for this Sat. Will report back...

Two barges are now running (both Vics).

 

[DavidnRobin]

Two barges are now running (both Vics).

Two car ferries running - 3rd car ferry soon come
http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com...n-service-general-ii-faces-inspection-friday/

 

[bobpark56]

Anyone else having problems paying taxes via USVI web page?

Is anyone here having problems paying property taxes via the USVI web page? It does not seem to accept any credit card information I provide.

Is there a secret touch? Or should I wait and pay in person after arriving on St John on 25 Sept? I did that once before. It's a bit out of the way, but I found that the nearby grocery store had better prices on some things (and an aged sipping rum I like) than did either Star Market or the grocery near our resort.