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

[NNerland]

Actually, went back and looked at my Nanea folio from last May and actually there was no resort fee charged. However, after we left Nanea we drove to the Fairmont Kea Lani (love this place) and stayed for 4 nights and that's where we paid the resort fee. Noticed they raised their fee this year to $40 too. Sounds like it's contagious. $40 is pretty outrageous. So why does Vistana show it as $25? We booked a Studio Villa from the the timeshare company, not Westin.

Okay, so on my confirmation from Vistana: it says:

"Effective May 1, 2017, the USVI government will assess a $25 per night, per villa Usage Fee to vacation ownership guests. This fee is based on the villa being occupied and will be added to the guest folio at check-out."

so what to make of this? They just haven't updated it and we get a surprise when we check out?

And what is this "vacation ownership guests"? I haven't stayed at any other resort except my home resort. I "own" mine, but am I an ownership guest at another Vistana resort?

----------------------

Okay, so I read something else on the confirmation:

"Click here to review important resort information, including any resort conditions that may affect your stay, as well as complete terms and conditions that apply to this reservation."

I read this:

Environmental/Infrastructure Impact Fee
The USVI government assesses a US$25 per-night, per villa Environmental/Infrastructure Impact Fee to vacation ownership Guests, as implemented in 2016. This fee is based on the villa being occupied and will be added to the Guest folio at check-out.

So is this $25 plus $40 per day ??? That IS a bunch of bullshit!

It is as simple as this
$40 is RESORT CHARGE, common these days and covers towels, wifi, etc and is charged to any reservation made through Marriott Directly; profit for Marriott

$25 is exactly what you quoted and read - the Environmental/Infrastructure Impact Fee. Completely separate - a TAX by the USVI, collected by the Hotel

It appears when you make the Hotel booking into these Villas (as there are no longer hotel rooms) you will absorb/incur both fees.

If you book through Vistana with ownership or staroptions, you will only pay the $25/day fee to USVI.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Actually, went back and looked at my Nanea folio from last May and actually there was no resort fee charged. However, after we left Nanea we drove to the Fairmont Kea Lani (love this place) and stayed for 4 nights and that's where we paid the resort fee. Noticed they raised their fee this year to $40 too. Sounds like it's contagious. $40 is pretty outrageous. So why does Vistana show it as $25? We booked a Studio Villa from the the timeshare company, not Westin.

Okay, so on my confirmation from Vistana: it says:

"Effective May 1, 2017, the USVI government will assess a $25 per night, per villa Usage Fee to vacation ownership guests. This fee is based on the villa being occupied and will be added to the guest folio at check-out."

so what to make of this? They just haven't updated it and we get a surprise when we check out?

And what is this "vacation ownership guests"? I haven't stayed at any other resort except my home resort. I "own" mine, but am I an ownership guest at another Vistana resort?

----------------------

Okay, so I read something else on the confirmation:

"Click here to review important resort information, including any resort conditions that may affect your stay, as well as complete terms and conditions that apply to this reservation."

I read this:

Environmental/Infrastructure Impact Fee
The USVI government assesses a US$25 per-night, per villa Environmental/Infrastructure Impact Fee to vacation ownership Guests, as implemented in 2016. This fee is based on the villa being occupied and will be added to the Guest folio at check-out.

So is this $25 plus $40 per day ??? That IS a bunch of bullshit!

Correct.
I do not follow what this has to do with Nanea or any other resort.

Lots of hotels have resort fees - like every Vegas hotel. I have paid resort fees for our NYC hotel (Starwood) stays - also Westin Napa Verasa.
All around $40/nite.

Bottom line - as a hotel stay - there is a $40/day fee. This has always been the case - even before H.Irma.

Everyone in USVI - including Non-WSJ STJ stays - pays the ripoff ‘environment’ fee.

Suggestion - do not stay at WSJ as a hotel reservation.


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[farsighted99]

Correct.
I do not follow what this has to do with Nanea or any other resort.

Lots of hotels have resort fees - like every Vegas hotel. I have paid resort fees for our NYC hotel (Starwood) stays - also Westin Napa Verasa.
All around $40/nite.

Bottom line - as a hotel stay - there is a $40/day fee. This has always been the case - even before H.Irma.

Everyone in USVI - including Non-WSJ STJ stays - pays the ripoff ‘environment’ fee.

Suggestion - do not stay at WSJ as a hotel reservation.


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Sorry, I guess I didn't make myself clear. I know I have to pay the $25 fee.

I booked thru Vistana using my timeshare points.

However, I looked at the Westin.Marriott.com web site, and noticed they have the reservation I booked through Vistana on their site. They show I owe $360 on the reservation. ($40/day plus $5/day frivolous tax) I'm staying 8 nights. I didn't book it through Westin/Marriott. I read somewhere that other people saw their timeshare reservations on the Marriott site (something about getting credits for staying at Westin/Marriott to get Gold)...

It doesn't seem clear as mud to me that I don't have to pay that $40 fee too. I guess I should call Vistana. Sorry to bore you all.

 

[carpie99]

Sorry, I guess I didn't make myself clear. I know I have to pay the $25 fee.

I booked thru Vistana using my timeshare points.

However, I looked at the Westin.Marriott.com web site, and noticed they have the reservation I booked through Vistana on their site. They show I owe $360 on the reservation. ($40/day plus $5/day frivolous tax) I'm staying 8 nights. I didn't book it through Westin/Marriott. I read somewhere that other people saw their timeshare reservations on the Marriott site (something about getting credits for staying at Westin/Marriott to get Gold)...

It doesn't seem clear as mud to me that I don't have to pay that $40 fee too. I guess I should call Vistana. Sorry to bore you all.

If you booked using StarOptions it is only $25 a day ... ignore the Marriott Hotel Site

 

[cubigbird]

What’s interesting is we recently stayed in STT in a condo using VRBO and no $25 nightly “environmental” / money grab fee applied. Granted, it was somebody’s personal condo and not a hotel or timeshare.

 

[farsighted99]

It is as simple as
$40 is RESORT CHARGE, common these days and covers towels, wifi, etc and is charged to any reservation made through Marriott Directly; profit for Marriott

$25 is exactly what you quoted and read - the Environmental/Infrastructure Impact Fee. Completely separate - a TAX by the USVI, collected by the Hotel

It appears when you make the Hotel booking into these Villas (as there are no longer hotel rooms) you will absorb/incur both fees.

If you book through Vistana with ownership or staroptions, you will only pay the $25/day fee to USVI.

If you booked using StarOptions it is only $25 a day ... ignore the Marriott Hotel Site

Thanks for the info, NNerland and carpie99. BTW, called Vistana and the guy I talked to really didn't know either. But he thought probably $25 was it.

 

[NNerland]

What’s interesting is we recently stayed in STT in a condo using VRBO and no $25 nightly “environmental” / money grab fee applied. Granted, it was somebody’s personal condo and not a hotel or timeshare.

The $25 "Environmental Fee" is charged at CHECKOUT. All secondary market rentals should include the disclaimer that there will be a $25/night charge on your bill when you check out from the hotel. The fee is collected by the HOTEL and paid to the USVI. You will have the "money grab" on any night rental at the Westin St John, regardless of method of rental.

We can all hope this is overturned in the courts as many have pointed out the unfair nature and unequal nature of the tax. 1 door, 2 door, Studio, 2 Bed, 3 Bed - all the same. It is not an equal and proportional tax, not to mention an attack on the very resort and visitors that worked their tail off to reopen, while others lag behind. The tax did come before the hurricane, but none the less the Westin has been a tremendous partner with the region and I can only hope it gets over turned in due time.

 

[DavidnRobin]

A SO exchange is not a hotel reservation - therefore no $40/day resort fee.
Only the Environmental Fee that everyone pays.

 

[LisaH]

Does anyone know if buildings 31-34 have opened?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Does anyone know if buildings 31-34 have opened?

No for B33-B34

I have heard reports of people staying in B31-B32.


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[DavidnRobin]

The $25 "Environmental Fee" is charged at CHECKOUT. All secondary market rentals should include the disclaimer that there will be a $25/night charge on your bill when you check out from the hotel. The fee is collected by the HOTEL and paid to the USVI. You will have the "money grab" on any night rental at the Westin St John, regardless of method of rental.

We can all hope this is overturned in the courts as many have pointed out the unfair nature and unequal nature of the tax. 1 door, 2 door, Studio, 2 Bed, 3 Bed - all the same. It is not an equal and proportional tax, not to mention an attack on the very resort and visitors that worked their tail off to reopen, while others lag behind. The tax did come before the hurricane, but none the less the Westin has been a tremendous partner with the region and I can only hope it gets over turned in due time.

The WSJ reservation confirmation (needed for a HomeResort or SO Reservation) states the $25 fee.


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[SandyPGravel]

We are in unit 3210.(our unit) Might be the first to stay. Some items missing, pitcher, wine opener. Nothing major. When we arrived HK was here and a box of shower curtain rings were sitting on the counter. Thermostat in master wasn't working said "balcony door open " and it was closed. It's working after calling for maintenance to look at it.

So far so good. Ate at Dog House Pub Friday night. Wanted to try the long board but it was packed with a 1.5 hr wait. Everything seems busy. Did an all day Charter with flyaway charters. Circumnavigated the entire island. Went to Skinny's, the entire staff and a lot of the patrons sang along to Bohemian Rhapsody when it came on. It was spontaneous and fun. Wish I would have thought to capture a video.

That's all for now.

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[SandyPGravel]

GOOD NEWS!! I forgot to mention the sleeper sofa is wonderful! The mattress is 6-8 inches thick and you cannot feel the bar down the middle like the previous one. We have an adult friend using it and she was pleasantly surprised after I had warned her ahead of time. She was prepared to sleep on the cushions if the mattress was bad.

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[Gibber161]

GOOD NEWS!! I forgot to mention the sleeper sofa is wonderful! The mattress is 6-8 inches thick and you cannot feel the bar down the middle like the previous one. We have an adult friend using it and she was pleasantly surprised after I had warned her ahead of time. She was prepared to sleep on the cushions if the mattress was bad.

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Sandy, do you know if O'conner car rental is back on site? Thanks.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Will check on O'Connor.

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[SandyPGravel]

What's the opinion on if I should where a TUG shirt to the VGV annual meeting tomorrow? Is that rude?

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[SandyPGravel]

Wow, I might have you come pack for me!! I tend to take everything but the kitchen sink. (Last trip to St. John one checked bag contained an inflatable 2 person kayak.)

I did the same and left it under our villa - I hope someone was able to use it post Irma.

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I'll hike up to your building & look for it & let you know if it's there in March.

No kayak under Bldg 34, contractor storage. See photos.




Another point of interest the Re-Store bldg for VGV is currently a contractor job trailer. (Probably because it is air conditioned.)

 

[farsighted99]

I'll be there in about 10 days... is there anything I should bring along that I can't get there?? I'll be in the studio villa....

 

[SandyPGravel]

Concierge Teri is still here.

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[DavidnRobin]

What's the opinion on if I should where a TUG shirt to the VGV annual meeting tomorrow? Is that rude?

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I wouldn’t.

No kayak under Bldg 34, contractor storage.


Another point of interest the Re-Store bldg for VGV is currently a contractor job trailer. (Probably because it is air conditioned.)

Thanks for looking. Hope someone got use of the kayak. Probably going to bring another since going 1st class outbound.
We are at <100 days.

 

[SandyPGravel]

O'Connor is back according to Teri.

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[GrayFal]

Gina, happy to hear that you are in your “home”

 

[SandyPGravel]

I will type up some key points from the BOD meeting today. I did audio record the meeting. Not sure of the quality, the recording is approx 3 hours long. If anyone wants a copy, and I can figure out how to share it, I will. We stayed for some of the Q&A section until it got too contentious.

 

[DavidnRobin]

I will type up some key points from the BOD meeting today. I did audio record the meeting. Not sure of the quality, the recording is approx 3 hours long. If anyone wants a copy, and I can figure out how to share it, I will. I stayed for some of the Q&A section until it got too contentious.

Contentious?
That sounds like the good part - what happened? Or just people not adapting to STJ reality?

Be interested in what you heard.


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[GrayFal]

Contentious?
That sounds like the good part - what happened? Or just people not adapting to STJ reality?

Be interested in what you heard.


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Meeeeee too!