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

[dioxide45]

The ROFR has always existed for WSJ.

So is this sticky incorrect?

 

[DavidnRobin]

So is this sticky incorrect?

Oops - I meant never had ROFR of course...
I will correct


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[alexadeparis]

The rofr (or lack of it) would be in the original declaration and therefore could only be changed by voting, and probably only by an overwhelming majority vote, at that, depending on what the declaration says.

 

[dioxide45]

The rofr (or lack of it) would be in the original declaration and therefore could only be changed by voting, and probably only by an overwhelming majority vote, at that, depending on what the declaration says.

Even with that, I think the lack of ROFR is either a rule or law in the USVI. They simply can't add it even if they wanted to.

 

[cubigbird]

in STT now, and it appears that Gov Mapp has lost the run off election to Bryan. I wonder if we will see any change in legislation that affects timeshares, especially the $25/nt money grab???

 

[TravelTime]

I absolutely hate the term “money grab.”

 

[Theiggy]

So what are 2019 maintenance fees at VGV?


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[cubigbird]

I absolutely hate the term “money grab.”

You may hate the term but it is what it is.

 

[TravelTime]

You may hate the term but it is what it is.

I do not like taxes either but I do not mind supporting the beautiful tourist destinations I visit with $25 a day.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I do not like taxes either but I do not mind supporting the beautiful tourist destinations I visit with $25 a day.

That is not the point. We already pay Property Taxes (at least I do) which are already quite high, and should cover all costs - not some arbitrary MONEY GRAB.
It is suppose to be an ‘environmental fee’ - yet, it is same fee for 4 person and 12 person villa. It will not survive courts IMO.
Glad you like spending my money...

btw - didn’t you post about Disney Aulani wasting money with dollar mailers?
$ = $


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[TravelTime]

That is not the point. We already pay Property Taxes (at least I do) which are already quite high, and should cover all costs - not some arbitrary MONEY GRAB.
It is suppose to be an ‘environmental fee’ - yet, it is same fee for 4 person and 12 person villa. It will not survive courts IMO.
Glad you like spending my money...

btw - didn’t you post about Disney Aulani wasting money with dollar mailers?
$ = $


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Yes, that is a corporate waste of money. I was not complaining about the Aulani mailer as much as pointing it out. Personally, I enjoy the Disney mail, as I mentioned.

I am not super concerned about $25 a day. But if it gets repealed that is great too.

I just hate the term money grab. In the end, someone has to pay for the things the USVI needs.

Hawaii also has a $25 a day tax on top of property taxes.

 

[controller1]

Hawaii also has a $25 a day tax on top of property taxes.

?? Where is this paid and what is it called? If it is the transient stay tax, that is approximately $6-$10 per day in Maui.

 

[TravelTime]

?? Where is this paid and what is it called? If it is the transient stay tax, that is approximately $6-$10 per day in Maui.

When you check out

 

[controller1]

When you check out

But if you are talking about the transient accommodation tax, it is not $25/day as you stated.

 

[TravelTime]

But if you are talking about the transient accommodation tax, it is not $25/day as you stated.

It might be more actually for the average vacationer. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...-hawaii-hotel-stays-could-soon-cost-even-more

 

[controller1]

It might be more actually for the average vacationer. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...-hawaii-hotel-stays-could-soon-cost-even-more

True, but we were discussing in context of a timeshare not a hotel. But yes, even though it is not a burden for me to pay I feel that I'm paying a tax to use what I already own.

 

[TravelTime]

True, but we were discussing in context of a timeshare not a hotel. But yes, even though it is not a burden for me to pay I feel that I'm paying a tax to use what I already own.

I agree with you. It is not a burden. However, we are tourists using other people’s land. We need to be sensitive to that. It is quite normal to overtax tourists. If we can afford it, perhaps we should not complain about petty taxes. My true issues are with California state taxes and US federal taxes, which I believe are really unfair. Also with government spending, which is a disaster. I am not going to worry about $25 a day for 7-14 days a year. Peanuts. If it is too much, it is time to sell your $2600-$3200 a week timeshare.

 

[okwiater]

@TravelTime, would you be okay with the government charging you $25 per night to sleep in your own bed at home in California? This so-called environmental fee is really no different.

If the government needs revenue to fund its programs or maintain the land, it should do so through equitable taxation rather than through arbitrary targeting of people — based solely on their ability and propensity to organize against it — with BS fees.

 

[TravelTime]

@TravelTime, would you be okay with the government charging you $25 per night to sleep in your own bed at home in California? This so-called environmental fee is really no different.

If the government needs revenue to fund its programs or maintain the land, it should do so through equitable taxation rather than through arbitrary targeting of people — based solely on their ability and propensity to organize against it — with BS fees.

I am not okay with the crazy taxes that the California state and the USA government charges me now. All I am saying is $25 a day is peanuts compared to what we pay now. I wish people would get this outraged about state and federal income taxes. Maybe then we would have an accountable government. People seem to worry about peanuts and not the meat.

 

[TravelTime]

Hey, at least California does not have a $25 a day hotel/timeshare tax! Come to California for vacation. LOL

 

[dioxide45]

Also with government spending, which is a disaster.

I suspect the USVI has the same problems with gov't spending as state and federal governments.

 

[cubigbird]

I suspect the USVI has the same problems with gov't spending as state and federal governments.

They do. If you read Bryan's election platform it addresses just that. Looks like Mapp is out on one of the basis of trying to better the island's finances. Doesn't look like finances were well managed while he was in office. It's probably that the $25/nt fee came about as a result to try to bridge that gap. I just hope they repeal it. Why bite the hand that feeds you?? On another note, I am in STT over Thanksgiving, a major holiday, and the MFC timeshare is not at capacity. I can't say the $25/nt is attracting tourism. I can honestly say, because of this nightly fee, I have actually spent less $$ out in town, due to having to pay the fee. Like others, I am able to pay it as well, but I still have to be sensible and control my spending.

 

[tomandrobin]

Hi Tom - Please let us know your opinions. I worry too much out there in the social media is biased as some of the local economy appears to be hurting.
It will be great to be on emptier beaches (from photos I have seen).
We are looking forward to June.
Enjoy!

Got back last night , we had a great and relaxing vacation!

The economy is hurting. The Westin and Caneel Bay closures are a huge impact on the island economy. I was stunned the first few days by the low crowds, which was ironic because locals we talked to were happy to crowds picking up. For example, we went to 362 twice to sit at the bar to watch the sunset. First time, we were there for 2.5 hours and in that time span there were only 6 customers (counting us) upstairs. The second time, we were there for around 2 hours and there were 8 customers.

Beaches have less people, but there is less beach and a lot less shade. Having less beach area and less shade means that people are on top each of each other. We are early beach people, normally arriving by 9am, and getting our choice beach location and shade. Several of the days, we literally had people setup on both sides of us, so close that we had to walk around their gear/chairs to get to our stuff. Casual observers would have thought we were all friends.

The island is recovering, there is green almost everywhere. The beaches are a mess when compared to before the hurricanes. Shade is a premium. Beach erosion is quite noticeable at several of the beaches. Facilities are little to none existent. We snorkeled every day but one. The damage off the beaches is pretty bad in my opinion. Maho is still my favorite beach day. Trunk Bay and Francis were our most disappointing. Cinnamon is a huge mess and needs a bulldozer to clear it out and clean it up.

Any specific questions, let me know.

Oh....Heard that the owners of Longboard were going to be paring up with Westin for running "something" down at the pool area. Consider it a rumor since I had not heard anything otherwise.

Also, we did ride up the the Westin to see what we could. The lower sections look great, except down around the pool. The hillside had a lot of activity going on, lot of trailers along the road going up the hill. Looking into the resort and not seeing the check-in lobby was wierd.....just a empty space.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Thanks so much for the update.
What I heard... bring beach umbrella for shade
LOL
Going to take a while for beaches to recovery. The reefs - considering that hard coral grows a width of dime per year. Sad.
I hear sharks have taken to eating Lion Fish in the Caribbean - hope that is true.
June Soon Come.
Hope all is well.


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[sachia007]

Tom,

I can't remember... do you rent your car on STT or STJ? Any news on car ferries and how packed they are?

We will be there in Feb. and we are still planning on renting on STT and bring over... hope it's a good idea!!!