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

[SandyPGravel]

Well, I'm thankful I checked TUG today. I never paid my taxes because I also never got a bill. I went to the tax site and can see the amount but can't see a way to pay them online. Every time I click around it freezes my computer... What's the best way to fix this. Also, I've been living in a new house for 4 years and they have yet to correct my address although I've mentioned it and changed the address every time I have paid a bill. Is there anyone in the office I might ask for who knows what they're doing?

I would call the VI St John tax office:
Islandia Building
P.O. Box 447
St. John, V.I. 00831
Phone (340) 776-6737
Fax (340) 693-9916

Maybe talking to someone will get your address changed. Good Luck!! (I'm assuming you have tried to change the address online, sorry if I'm mistaken.)

I just went back and looked at the page I copied the above info from...It refers to the 2013 tax bills!!! The link on the page goes to the correct spot for paying, but seriously no one has updated the page since 2013!! http://ltg.gov.vi/office-of-the-tax-assessor-cadastral.html

 

[TravelTime]

thank you, I actually bought in 2016, first year usage in 2017.

So was your 2017 MF only $770 or are you confusing it with the the year when MFs were reduced?

 

[bobpark56]

thank you, I actually bought in 2016, first year usage in 2017.

Did Vistana give you a bankable HomeOptions credit for the 2017 and 2018 usage you missed? Sounds like they should have. We got ours, but we bought a few years ago.

 

[GrayFal]

has anyone purchased Medical evacuation insurance that WSJ is now recommending guests buy before their trip to the island?

I have coverage thru my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card that I used to buy my airfare but friends are asking.
Thx

 

[LisaH]

Well, I'm thankful I checked TUG today. I never paid my taxes because I also never got a bill. I went to the tax site and can see the amount but can't see a way to pay them online. Every time I click around it freezes my computer... What's the best way to fix this. Also, I've been living in a new house for 4 years and they have yet to correct my address although I've mentioned it and changed the address every time I have paid a bill. Is there anyone in the office I might ask for who knows what they're doing?

Call the office ‭(340) 776-6737‬. They took my credit card info along with a copy of my driver’s license.

 

[GrayFal]

Info given by Vistana for air evacuation coverage.
Second one does not seem to be correct

Www.masaassist.com/vi

Www.aeromed.com

Www.medjetassist.com

 

[LisaH]

has anyone purchased Medical evacuation insurance that WSJ is now recommending guests buy before their trip to the island?

I have coverage thru my Chase Sapphire Reserve Card that I used to buy my airfare but friends are asking.
Thx

I have bought trip insurance from Alliance which includes medical evacuation. Not for WSJ but for cruises. Should be similar.

 

[bobpark56]

If you are from the U.S. and travel frequently or stay for extended periods or stay at multiple resorts and/or rentals, you might find one of GeoBlue's annual Trekker plans attractive. (Not sure this is available for folks from other countries.) If you are into your 80's check out the upper age limit.

 

[islandguy]

Now that WSJ has the ferry from Red Hook when you buy a round trip does that include the taxi from Red Hook to downtown for mid week travel. In the past I had to pay taxi from sub station to downtown for mid week travel. I realize the transfer to and from the airport is included in the normal package.

 

[LisaH]

Deleted...

 

[Helios]

For the 3BR pool owners out there, has anyone checked their reservations. I got one emailed today and it says that building 43 villas have a max occupancy of 8, they used to say 10. Did something change bacause of the storm?

 

[sachia007]

Has anyone ever left a message at the check in desk for a future guest (in my case, the next person who will occupy our unit)?

If so, do you know if the future guest received the message? I know people can mail items to this resort, but not sure about leaving personal notes.

BTW, Dave's directions to 'find' the person who owns the unit the week before/after your own is spot on. My problem is that these folks don't have an address... their address is the WSJ address.

 

[controller1]

Has anyone ever left a message at the check in desk for a future guest (in my case, the next person who will occupy our unit)?

If so, do you know if the future guest received the message? I know people can mail items to this resort, but not sure about leaving personal notes.

BTW, Dave's directions to 'find' the person who owns the unit the week before/after your own is spot on. My problem is that these folks don't have an address... their address is the WSJ address.

Yes, I've had success but I also knew the name of the next guest.

Are you suggesting leaving a message to an unknown name? If so, I highly doubt that would succeed. In fact, I would consider it somewhat creepy.

 

[sachia007]

Yes, I've had success but I also knew the name of the next guest.

Are you suggesting leaving a message to an unknown name? If so, I highly doubt that would succeed. In fact, I would consider it somewhat creepy.

I do know their first and last names, but they certainly don't know me. Still kind of creepy, but I guess I'll try it. Who knows, they may even be renting their week out to someone else.

 

[SandyPGravel]

I do know their first and last names, but they certainly don't know me. Still kind of creepy, but I guess I'll try it. Who knows, they may even be renting their week out to someone else.

I don't think it is all that creepy. Address the note to them, with unit number. If they don't check in(i.e. renters check it), they won't get the note. I wouldn't feel creeped out receiving a communication from another owner. Who knows, ask sales to forward your letter. I find it hard to believe they don't know the address of who owns the week on either side of your ownership. Worst case scenario they throw the letter away. Heck maybe you could send a letter to the Westin to be given to the owners the week before your week. If you know their name and the unit number wouldn't be hard to send it for them to receive when they arrive. It would cost the price of a stamp and your time.

 

[mpc5473]

For the 3BR pool owners out there, has anyone checked their reservations. I got one emailed today and it says that building 43 villas have a max occupancy of 8, they used to say 10. Did something change bacause of the storm?

They have been playing games with the occupancy limits for our pool villa weeks for the last couple of years. They have threatened no roll away beds, and i believe they claim to enforce it now. In the past, I called and spoke with them, and eventually, management admitted that we have a 10 person unit per our contract. Before the hurricane, we had no problem getting a roll away and never ran into a problem with occupancy issues regardless of what the website claimed.

For this year, my weeks say the same thing- max of 8 and, likewise, building 42 wont be ready. They are relocating us. The rep had no clue when I spoke to them about the 10 vs 8 issue. However, after complaining and escalating, a supervisor claimed knowledge of the situation. He further claimed that they will be putting us in a 10 person unit as opposed to an 8 person unit because that is what our contract provides. I don't know how it's going to play out when we go down there this year. I would suggest keeping a scanned copy of your contract and deed on your phone/computer.

On an unrelated note, if anyone has unused star options (@160k) they would like to "rent" to me or can point me to a vendor that does, please pm me.

mike

 

[DavidnRobin]

I had their names, and NC county they lived - and (iirc) thru google search found one of their email addresses - and sent email to introduce myself. (now that is creepy... )
I already knew they owned the adjacent week as they had donated the first week that I bought on eBay (during deed transfer - I had their county, but they were set up as an LLC) - so I knew they were potentially open to getting rid of their other week.

I set up the purchase agreement and STT Lawyer.
Two weeks is more than two times better than one week. Math... LOL

 

[DavidnRobin]

They have been playing games with the occupancy limits for our pool villa weeks for the last couple of years. They have threatened no roll away beds, and i believe they claim to enforce it now. In the past, I called and spoke with them, and eventually, management admitted that we have a 10 person unit per our contract. Before the hurricane, we had no problem getting a roll away and never ran into a problem with occupancy issues regardless of what the website claimed.

For this year, my weeks say the same thing- max of 8 and, likewise, building 42 wont be ready. They are relocating us. The rep had no clue when I spoke to them about the 10 vs 8 issue. However, after complaining and escalating, a supervisor claimed knowledge of the situation. He further claimed that they will be putting us in a 10 person unit as opposed to an 8 person unit because that is what our contract provides. I don't know how it's going to play out when we go down there this year. I would suggest keeping a scanned copy of your contract and deed on your phone/computer.

On an unrelated note, if anyone has unused star options (@160k) they would like to "rent" to me or can point me to a vendor that does, please pm me.

mike

Hi Mike
They are not required by CCRs to supply the exact villa - or even resort phase - based on situations such as this (or in our case - bee infestation). They are required to meet your occupancy requirement (related to # of bedrooms/beds) and deeded week/season. Matching SOs can be more challenging as the seasons are different between VGV and other phases.
But... unless you truly need 10 (vs 8), I would suggest giving them a pass for 2019 - especially if resort phase is important. Many owners will not end up in their villa, or even potentially their resort phase.

I think you will find them helpful at WSJ - but if you are talking to Orlando to get answers, then best of luck. On the WSJ front - some adapting may be necessary. Enjoy. We are looking forward to June and hopefully our villa (B24).

 

[DavidnRobin]

Now that WSJ has the ferry from Red Hook when you buy a round trip does that include the taxi from Red Hook to downtown for mid week travel. In the past I had to pay taxi from sub station to downtown for mid week travel. I realize the transfer to and from the airport is included in the normal package.

I would assume the same, but perhaps with the shuttle now having to go thru CA (downtown) anyway they may offer it.

 

[sachia007]

I would assume the same, but perhaps with the shuttle now having to go thru CA (downtown) anyway they may offer it.

I just received an email from Barbara Registe (Barbara.Registe@westinstjohnvillas.com), Room Control Specialist, and she said that taxis from and to C. Amalie from Red Hook did not carry an added cost.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I just received an email from Barbara Registe (Barbara.Registe@westinstjohnvillas.com), Room Control Specialist, and she said that taxis from and to C. Amalie from Red Hook did not carry an added cost.

It seems like Mike (post above) might want to discuss his villa occupancy issue with Barbara.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NNerland]

They have been playing games with the occupancy limits for our pool villa weeks for the last couple of years. They have threatened no roll away beds, and i believe they claim to enforce it now. In the past, I called and spoke with them, and eventually, management admitted that we have a 10 person unit per our contract. Before the hurricane, we had no problem getting a roll away and never ran into a problem with occupancy issues regardless of what the website claimed.

For this year, my weeks say the same thing- max of 8 and, likewise, building 42 wont be ready. They are relocating us. The rep had no clue when I spoke to them about the 10 vs 8 issue. However, after complaining and escalating, a supervisor claimed knowledge of the situation. He further claimed that they will be putting us in a 10 person unit as opposed to an 8 person unit because that is what our contract provides. I don't know how it's going to play out when we go down there this year. I would suggest keeping a scanned copy of your contract and deed on your phone/computer.

On an unrelated note, if anyone has unused star options (@160k) they would like to "rent" to me or can point me to a vendor that does, please pm me.

mike

Mike - PM Me - what are you looking to do with the needed points? Need an additional reservation?

 

[mpc5473]

Thanks

 

[sachia007]

Anyone on St. John now? Or went recently and would know this answer?

Is there is access to Caneel Bay property/beaches - does anyone know if one can walk around their property?

If so, is there parking on the road and you walk in?

 

[carpie99]

Anyone on St. John now? Or went recently and would know this answer?

Is there is access to Caneel Bay property/beaches - does anyone know if one can walk around their property?

If so, is there parking on the road and you walk in?

No access to Caneel Bay property