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

[SandyPGravel]

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!!!

+1 We're there the first week of March though. (I have our vehicle reserved through Amalie, but will cancel if I need to.)

 

[DavidnRobin]

We have rented on STT (Amalie) for years, but we will probably rent in STJ this June. The Local Folk need the car barges for transport of building materials (etc), and could use the support more locally. Although Amalie/Barge makes it so easy.
Hi Jenn!


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[tomandrobin]

We

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!!!

We rented on St John this time because of the unreliable ferry schedule. Ferries were packed from what I saw. All the rental agencies have brand new cars.

 

[DavidnRobin]

The USVI increased the allotment of Rental Vehicles for STJ before H.Irma.
That is why there are so many new looking ones.


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[tomandrobin]

One thing I did like about renting on STJ is we were allowed to park on their lot when in town. Parking is such the premium.

 

[TravelTime]

NOTE TO VGV OWNERS
We are about to be hit with a 5.6% MF hike
(regardless how much time span is used for comparison).
Add in the BS $25/day ‘environmental fee’ and that we pay our USVI Property Taxes separately - surprised that there are not more delinquencies. Although I suspect it will increase dramatically (especially for low season villas) for 2019.

It is true that MFs have stayed relatively flat since 2012 (but they skyrocketed before that...)
I think (still) that the disproportionate cost for VGV in regards to the entire resort (based on changing # of doors) is UNFAIR!
Especially when the FlatLanders have been up using our pool areas when they do not pay for VGV pool areas between 31-32 and 33-34 - only VGV owners do.

I just re-read the HOA letter and it says 2.8% per year for the next 2 years. Most hotel branded timeshare MFs are increasing 2-5%+ in 2019. As an aside, Disney is increasing by a lot more than that. I got confused when I first read your post and I thought you meant 5.6% in 2019. This increase is a lot given than WSJ already has high MFs, but not nearly as bad as if they were doing 5.6% in one year. This actually changes my opinion on some of my prior posts about WSJ.

 

[dioxide45]

The USVI increased the allotment of Rental Vehicles for STJ before H.Irma.
That is why there are so many new looking ones.


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I also suspect that many of the ones that they already had were destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I just re-read the HOA letter and it says 2.8% per year for the next 2 years. Most hotel branded timeshare MFs are increasing 2-5%+ in 2019. As an aside, Disney is increasing by a lot more than that. I got confused when I first read your post and I thought you meant 5.6% in 2019. This increase is a lot given than WSJ already has high MFs, but not nearly as bad as if they were doing 5.6% in one year. This actually changes my opinion on some of my prior posts about WSJ.

Perhaps you should take time to look over VGV MF history. And Refurbushing costs. And USVI Fee. And PropTax...
And unfair division of WSJ (entire) resort costs...

Since Bob/Phil came aboard - MFs have been flat (since 2012 iirc). That 2.8%/yr x 2 years (5.6%) is projected - I was just letting Owners to prepare for a 5.6% increase (at a minimum... IMO).



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[DavidnRobin]

I also suspect that many of the ones that they already had were destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

True - the large availability may also be due to lack of visitors. I wonder how many were flood damaged. I haven’t read anything about how rental fleets held up.


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[DavidnRobin]

One thing I did like about renting on STJ is we were allowed to park on their lot when in town. Parking is such the premium.

That would be nice - so much parking has been taken away over the years.
My first experience with renting on STJ (2006) was not good - one reason we went with AmalieCar.


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[TravelTime]

Perhaps you should take time to look over VGV MF history. And Refurbushing costs. And USVI Fee. And PropTax...
And unfair division of WSJ (entire) resort costs...

Since Bob/Phil came aboard - MFs have been flat (since 2012 iirc). That 2.8%/yr x 2 years (5.6%) is projected - I was just letting Owners to prepare for a 5.6% increase (at a minimum... IMO).



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I know WSJ esp VGV is expensive. I have been trying to keep up with as much as possible to decide if I want to own there or just take what I can get with StarOptions. I saw a week I like in B33 but it is a low season annual week that does not come with a lot of SOs relative to the MFs. I already have that same week reserved with SOs for next year so I will wait and see.

 

[tomandrobin]

True - the large availability may also be due to lack of visitors. I wonder how many were flood damaged. I haven’t read anything about how rental fleets held up.[/QUOT

All the fleets looked brand new to me. My jeep still had plastic on it.

 

[sachia007]

For those renting at Amalie, what is the benefit over booking at airport? Do they pick you up at airport and drop you off after your rental period?
Is it the Budget in Amalie that we're talking about?

 

[DavidnRobin]

For those renting at Amalie, what is the benefit over booking at airport? Do they pick you up at airport and drop you off after your rental period?
Is it the Budget in Amalie that we're talking about?

AmalieCar rents space at the first Hotel (Emerald something? very close - walkable) down the road - they pick you up at STT Luggage area (they know your flight # therefore they know when you land...) - they usually take the Driver down to Lot (while others wait for Luggage (and buy cheap alcohol, or have free rum shots) - and you go from there. That involves swinging back to STT to pick up others/luggage - but it is close - so less hassle than transferring at STT.

Never used Budget - Budget is on-site. AmalieCar fleet are always new.


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[Theiggy]

Just to add to previous post, I have heard lately that Budget never has enough cars, even if you reserve in advance. When I was in St. Thomas this summer I rented a Jeep from L&L Jeep. They were great, picked us up from airport and dropped us there. You can take their jeeps to STJ too.


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[tomandrobin]

Former Westin Lobby


The iconic tree at the Westin entrance

 

[tomandrobin]

Caneel

 

[tomandrobin]

Maho

 

[tomandrobin]

Trunk

 

[tomandrobin]

Maho from the other end (East)

 

[tomandrobin]

Joe's Rum Hut, Beach Bar and Waterfront Bistro area

 

[tomandrobin]

 

[tomandrobin]

Hawknest

 

[tomandrobin]

Cinnamon

 

[tomandrobin]

Maho