Westin St John Master Thread - Part 3 [Dec. 2017 and forward]

[KeithR]

Thanks, everyone. We are now booked for late June Now that we are in Dallas (vs LA), it's an easy direct flight. We can return to Princeville (or do WKV for Spring Break) in 2026.

fyi, 2BR availability 8 months out on the islands included Nanea, Princeville, and WSJ. Maui must be getting a little bit better.

 

[ljmiii]

Attended the Tuesday morning owners focus meeting and learned a bunch of useful information. Renovations are happening (weather permitting) this and next hurricane seasons.

August 18 through November 3, 2025
Virgin Grand Phase 1: buildings 31-34 - Hard Case
Bay Vista - Soft Goods

Roughly same dates 2026
Virgin Grand Phase 2: buildings 41-44 - Hard Case
Coral Vista and Sunset Bay - Soft Goods

Roughly same dates 2031
Virgin Grand Phase 1: buildings 31-34 - Soft Goods
Bay Vista - Hard Case

Roughly same dates 2032
Virgin Grand Phase 2: buildings 41-44 - Soft Goods
Coral Vista and Sunset Bay - Hard Case

Despite the "Soft Goods" designation they are considering replacing the blue tile/glass/chrome sink surround at Bay Vista and will be doing so in the 'model unit' they will be showing the Bay Vista board in March.

As for Virgin Grand, they will be moving to lighter colors and replacing the dark wood. They are removing the storage areas to the left and right of the TV and replacing some of the chairs in the dining area with bench seating. None of this pleased any of the VG owners present.

Also, they are replacing the ~25 year old reverse osmosis and wastewater reclamation systems as well as the stone pool deck area (which will be replaced with tile). According to the GM, MVW will be paying for this and not the owners of the four phases.

For those who want an onsite spa, the search continues. They selected three contenders a little over year ago and sent out RFPs, selected a winner (which operates a spa on St Thomas) a little under a year ago, and nothing since. They are contemplating sending out another round of RFPs. Similarly, nothing happening with the old lobby or restaurant space.

(Personally I was thrilled to learn that this means no Hard Case renovation of Bay Vista until summer 2031...which means that our lovely soaking tub and pebble floor stand up shower will remain for us at BV until at least 2033.)

 

[SandyPGravel]

VG Board meeting today March 5, 2025
Photos of proposed hard goods update.

 

[cubigbird]

We own WSJ-SB Diamond season 176,000 equivalent HomeOptions. There is currently no HomeOption inventory showing available 2026 until now, even at 12 months out. What is Vistana’s home resort solution if inventory is not available for home resort booking usage? They can’t just tell you “no, sorry?”

 

[YYJMSP]

We own WSJ-SB Diamond season 176,000 equivalent HomeOptions. There is currently no HomeOption inventory showing available 2026 until now, even at 12 months out. What is Vistana’s home resort solution if inventory is not available for home resort booking usage? They can’t just tell you “no, sorry?”

There are as many week units as owner VOIs, so there is a week some time in your use year for your unit type in your season that you can book 12-8mos out.

Might not be the one you want though...

Right now, you can see until May 28, 2026, so there's still a lot of 2026 left, just not bookable yet

 

[GrayFal]

There are as many week units as owner VOIs, so there is a week some time in your use year for your unit type in your season that you can book 12-8mos out.

Might not be the one you want though...

Right now, you can see until May 28, 2026, so there's still a lot of 2026 left, just not bookable yet

Not sure of when you can book using home options outside your season? Likely 8 months?
Resort Season is 19-50.
I no longer own there so can’t access the booking info.

We own WSJ-SB Diamond season 176,000 equivalent HomeOptions. There is currently no HomeOption inventory showing available 2026 until now, even at 12 months out. What is Vistana’s home resort solution if inventory is not available for home resort booking usage? They can’t just tell you “no, sorry?”

Diamond Season is 51,52,1-18 at SB.
Weeks 1-4 are already available for SO reservations at 8 months.
What happens if you haven't reserved yet?
You will need to check with Vistana but don’t see how they can accommodate you if no Resies remain.
Other than constantly checking for cancelations or taking less than a weeks stay? (HO can book lessor more than a weeks stay even at 12 months out)
Or waiting for 51,52 to become available.

 

[ljmiii]

We own WSJ-SB Diamond season 176,000 equivalent HomeOptions. There is currently no HomeOption inventory showing available 2026 until now, even at 12 months out. What is Vistana’s home resort solution if inventory is not available for home resort booking usage? They can’t just tell you “no, sorry?”

I'm not sure what happens with Vistana. I know that MVC usually offers (as a 'one time favor') a phantom II deposit when there are no longer any reservations available for the season you own.

 

[GrayFal]

I'm not sure what happens with Vistana. I know that MVC usually offers (as a 'one time favor') a phantom II deposit when there are no longer any reservations available for the season you own.

Marriott uses previously deposited (bulk) units from your resort/season to add to your II account.
I have never seen any bulk deposits from WSJ

 

[Red elephant]

We own WSJ-SB Diamond season 176,000 equivalent HomeOptions. There is currently no HomeOption inventory showing available 2026 until now, even at 12 months out. What is Vistana’s home resort solution if inventory is not available for home resort booking usage? They can’t just tell you “no, sorry?”

This happened to us last year when I tried to book home resort for April. Nothing was available then it opened up. Seems to have been a glitch.

 

[cubigbird]

This happened to us last year when I tried to book home resort for April. Nothing was available then it opened up. Seems to have been a glitch.

I don’t believe it was a glitch. I do believe MVC, can, and actively does hold back inventory to anticipate demand for various inventory buckets. This can negatively impact owners wanting to reserve within their various ownership seasons.

 

[Eric B]

I do believe MVC, can, and actively does hold back inventory to anticipate demand for various inventory buckets. This can negatively impact owners wanting to reserve within their various ownership seasons.

That sums up fairly well the provisions of the VSN Rules in Section 4.2.c.

c. Bulk Banking for Anticipated External and Marriott Bonvoy Program Exchanges. Network Operator has the
right, but not the obligation, to reserve a number of Floating Vacation Periods from time to time at any time after the
beginning of the Home Resort Reservation Period, and any unreserved Vacation Period after the Home Resort
Reservation Period, for the purpose of depositing the reserved Vacation Periods with an External Exchange Program
on behalf of Network Members based on Network Operator's determination, in its sole discretion, of anticipated Network
Member demand to access an External Exchange Program or the Marriott Bonvoy Program. Network Members may
request an external exchange company assignment based upon the resort, unit and season being assigned by the
Network Member for an external exchange request.

 

[cubigbird]

That sums up fairly well the provisions of the VSN Rules in Section 4.2.c.

That's right.....at the expense of owners booking home resort usage 12 months out from check in.

 

[Red elephant]

That's right.....at the expense of owners booking home resort usage 12 months out from check in.

Wow that is terrible. I did not experience the same problem this year as I own every other year. That does not seem right for them to do that before week 18.

 

[dioxide45]

That sums up fairly well the provisions of the VSN Rules in Section 4.2.c.

They also have similar language in the Abound Exchange Procedures.

 

[Eric B]

They also have similar language in the Abound Exchange Procedures.

Probably in the resort-specific documentation (e.g., CC&Rs), too. It shows the value of fixed weeks, particularly at WSJ. I did manage to score a Christmas SO reservation there in a 1 BR this year, but only by booking 2 weeks straight when the 8 month window opened for week 50. I don’t think that would work for a floating resale with HOs, though.