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

[LisaH]

Doesn't look too impressive. Guess I won't be bidding...

 

[SandyPGravel]

Those are the MFs...
The closing costs are ridiculous. Agreed

Interesting to see Fractionals listed - do they not get SOs? Good question!! 6k to 12k in mf and no network option? Ick

Overall - nothing of interest. Agreed


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[Helios]

Completely forgot about this. Looks like I did not miss anything good.

Still wonder why they were not purchased by the resort. I guess they saw no value in the inventory.

 

[EnglishmanAbroad]

Anyone know if they have done or intend doing a similar 'sale' to existing owners for other resorts? I suppose for places like WKORV and WKORV-N there are enough people (who don't frequent this site) willing to pay the developer prices?

 

[bobpark56]

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[bobpark56]

Without check-in dates, I find the listing of offerings useless.

 

[cubigbird]

Looks like the MF for Sunset Bay will be around $3,080 for a 2 bedroom week.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Looks like the MF for Sunset Bay will be around $3,080 for a 2 bedroom week.

Ouch!

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[bizaro86]

Does anyone know how the fractional deeds work? A month at WSJ sounds pretty good, but WHICH month makes quite a big difference...

 

[DavidnRobin]

Does anyone know how the fractional deeds work? A month at WSJ sounds pretty good, but WHICH month makes quite a big difference...

You could email Phil and ask?

It was odd to see Fractionals and have no date info...
(also - lack of check-in date as pointed out)

How hard would have this been to add these? arg...

 

[Snowonbeach]

We are 3 star owners (Lagunamar and Atlantis) who will be visiting St. John for the first time. We have a 2 bedroom villa booked. Would someone please give some advice on the difference in the various buildings? Are there specific sections we should ask for or avoid?

 

[SandyPGravel]

We are 3 star owners (Lagunamar and Atlantis) who will be visiting St. John for the first time. We have a 2 bedroom villa booked. Would someone please give some advice on the difference in the various buildings? Are there specific sections we should ask for or avoid?

How many people in your group? Some two bedroom options only sleep 6 (4 comfortably) some sleep 8, some sleep 10.
Do you cook in room a lot? Some have full kitchens. Some have partial kitchens (4 burner cooktop and convection microwave.) Some have light kitchen 2 burner cooktop and microwave.
Are you resort people, like to be in the center of things? Or would you prefer a more laid back, quieter, some distance from main resort?
Are you renting a car for the entire stay?

Gina

 

[Snowonbeach]

Hi Gina

There are only two of us. We do like to cook our own meals so we definitely want a full kitchen. Most of the time we are pretty laid back and don't need to be near the centre of things. We will want to rent a jeep for a couple of days as we like to snorkel. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[SandyPGravel]

Hi Gina

There are only two of us. We do like to cook our own meals so we definitely want a full kitchen. Most of the time we are pretty laid back and don't need to be near the centre of things. We will want to rent a jeep for a couple of days as we like to snorkel. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I would ask to be put in a VGV hillside villa buildings 31 - 34(If available) since you will only have two people(max of 6 people in those units). The units have full kitchens, including an oven. It is a walk to the main resort especially if you are in building 33 or 34, but the views can be spectacular. You can request a shuttle up to the building if you venture down to the main resort. Parking is directly outside of your unit, so that is handy.

If you have time, pick up a copy of "St John Off the beaten track" by Gerald Singer. Lots of info on St. John. I found it very helpful the first time I visited so I could pick which places to visit. Great descriptions of the island trails, beaches and history.

Any of the North shore beaches are spectacular. This year we visited Honeymoon for the first time and loved it(saw some squid for the first time). The first time we were there, we went to Maho, very calm bay great for turtles. The best (IMHO) snorkeling is at Waterlemon but that will involve a drive, a hike and a swim to get to Waterlemon. But it is worth it. Hawksnest beach has great snorkeling too. You really can't go wrong with any of the north shore beaches.

I would recommend a trip to the east end. The east end has free roaming goats and donkeys that are fun to see. Plus we love going to Skinny Legs, nice bar in Coral Bay. We have driven all the way to the end of the road, mile marker 12.8 just for the heck of it.

Last year we did the hurricane hole kayak trip through Arawak Expeditions. Very enjoyable. Great snorkeling along the mangroves to see the baby fishes.

Have fun-
Gina

 

[bobpark56]

The best (IMHO) snorkeling is at Waterlemon but that will involve a drive, a hike and a swim to get to Waterlemon. But it is worth it. Hawksnest beach has great snorkeling too. You really can't go wrong with any of the north shore beaches.

Actually, the best snorkeling is at Haulover North (I think). But it's not for beginners and you should only do it when the wind is from the south, otherwise waves. No beach to speak of, and awkward entering the water, but once in and swimming to the left, it's like a coral garden with lots of fish. Waterlemon is 2nd on my list.

 

[Snowonbeach]

Thanks for all of the suggestions for snorkelling and buildings. Any advice for jeep rentals?

 

[SandyPGravel]

Thanks for all of the suggestions for snorkelling and buildings. Any advice for jeep rentals?

We rent from Amalie on St Thomas. Love the convenience of airport pick up / drop off. Has an added cost/hassle of using the Car Ferry. We've never rented on St. John, but it has some advantages. Some offer parking in Cruz Bay, which can be challenging.

 

[Helios]

+1, thanks to @DavidnRobin for pointing it out.

 

[cubigbird]

Looks like Sunset Bay is set up as a 40 year RTU with an option to renew by owners vote after the 40 years has ended, no deeded weeks on a Home Options platform like Coral Vista.

 

[DavidnRobin]

VGV... Tough hill? I think that is relative to fitness level...
but then again - we get a vehicle (Amalie on STT) for the entire time and spend little time at the resort (if any). Not sure why spending big $$$ vacationing on StJ - and then going cheap on getting around (limiting access) this beautiful island. But, that is IMO and IME...
I enjoy getting the car at STT and the car barge - an immediate start to our vacation.

I think prime snorkeling/beach spot is where I am at the moment - however, the best I have seen on-island is off of Blue Cobblestone beach (Nag Head/Salt Pond), and backside of Watermelon (careful...) - otherwise places like Carval Rock and Congo Cay (weather permitting) - but need boat. We are going to forego the BVI for future trips - unfortunately.

 

[farsighted99]

Looks like Hurricane Irma is now a Cat 4 and may be heading near the Virgin Islands. Wish you all luck... hopefully it will veer away....

 

[DavidnRobin]

Looks like Hurricane Irma is now a Cat 4 and may be heading near the Virgin Islands. Wish you all luck... hopefully it will veer away....

Cat 5 now - and USVI is directly in Irma's path. Still moving West with no Northward movement yet.

 

[SandyPGravel]

My 2019 week is on the Dashboard for confirmation already!! 18 months out.

 

[lizap]

Cat 5 now - and USVI is directly in Irma's path. Still moving West with no Northward movement yet.

Looks like the eye may pass to the north of USVI. If this track continues, USVI will get some wind, but nothing like the east side of the storm. Hard to imagine the kind of devastation if USVI takes a direct hit with 185 mph winds and gusts over 200 mph.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Looks like the eye may pass to the north of USVI. If this track continues, USVI will get some wind, but nothing like the east side of the storm. Hard to imagine the kind of devastation if USVI takes a direct hit with 185 mph winds and gusts over 200 mph.

"The NHC also said Irma became the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic basin outside of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico in recorded history." Hard to believe it is this strong before it gets to the warmer water. Can't imagine the strength it will gain. Hope it steers clear.