Westin St. John [Master Thread]

[olivias dad]

Trip Recap and pics:

Day 1 - Had a quick bite at Tickles at the St. Thomas dock while waiting for the Ferry. Didn't do much, since we didn't arrive to St. John until 6pm. Went to the new St. John market, picked up some (pricey) groceries and after unpacking went in the villa pool (our 16 month old was dead tired by this point).

Day 2 - Picked up our truck rental at O'Connor's (on the property) then did a "real" grocery shopping at Star Fish market, picked up some steaks and Virgin Island Mango Ale to grill, then headed to the beach and pool at the Westin for the day. Grilled the steaks and stayed at our pool later that night.

Day 3 - Took a shuttle down to Cruz Bay and took the ferry to Jost Van Dyke and hung out at the Soggy Dollar Bar at White Bay for the majority of the day.

Day 4 - Hung out mostly at the Westin again, the went to Mongoose Junction for some beers, met Tim and Kevin at the Tap Room and bought some merchandise. That night as part of the owners update, we went to the BBQ Beach Jam where there was entertainment.

Day 5 - Went to Trunk Bay for the day then later, my parents stayed with my daughter at the villa and my wife and I went to Asolare for a sunset dinner.

Day 6 - Took the truck downtown, did some shopping in the morning, then did some driving to the other side of the island (Coral Bay), took some pictures at Chateaux Bordeau, then continued on to Skinny Legs and took a drive to find where Sweet Plantains was located. Drove back downtown (Cruz Bay), picked up some Uncle Joes BBQ (the best btw) then hung out at the Westin pool. My parents did dinner at ZoZo's that night.

Day 7 - Our last full day here we went to Hawksnest, which in my opinion was refreshing, not as many people, and a better beach to walk into for my daughter than Trunk. Later that night the whole family ate dinner at Morgan's Mango downtown.

Day 8 - Took the 11:15AM ferry back to St. Thomas and headed to the aiport only to arrive back in Boston at 12:50AM greeted by Tropical Depression Danny and heavy rains...boo!

Below I have posted some pics of our trip (most of my daughter, she's cuter!)

 

[olivias dad]

 

[islandguy]

Just got back from another great trip to WSJ. Left on 4 Sep and returned last night (12 Sep).

Stayed in a 3 Bdr Bay Vista Condo in bldg 24. While I own here I traded within SPG for this trip. My second trip this year. Bay Vista was very nice and the resort staff was great in all respects. Tremendous service.

Extended my stay by one night in the hotel/resort rooms. Stayed on SPG hotel points for the one night. Was in bld 16 with an ocean front room. The hotel stay I was charged a $ 40.00 resort fee. Last time I stayed on points they waived the resort fee -- not this trip.

Once again I rented a car at the airport and took the car ferry over. Very easy way to go. Note: Avis doesn't have a line for perfered service like they used to -- so waited with 4 or 5 folks to get my keys. Oh well island time started early. The gal at the resort desk at the STT airport told me the car ferry was not running. It was the day after Erika and the storm remnant was still around -- just rain. So I took the rental car to Red Hook and thought I would leave it there and take the passenger ferry if the car ferry wasn't running then come back the next day to pick it up. I remembered reading that morining the Caribbean Hurricane Network web site said the harbor master gave the go ahead for all ferries to run in STT and STJ. Lo and behold when I got to Red Hook the car ferry was running and the staff said they were running all day. So it all worked out. $50 RT on the car ferry for car and passengers.

The desk clerk in STJ Westin told me they called the day before and they were told that they wouldn't be running. I caught the 5:30 PM ferry -- and Westin checked 6 PM the day before. Bottom line don't count on correct ferry information from Westin agents.

Food -- number 2 reason to go to STJ was very good even with many closures due to low season. Best meal we had was at Morgan Mango (Lobster stuffed with Crab) was the best I've had in the Caribbean. Rub Lines had great tuna ahi and tremendous appetizers. Chloe and Bernard's had half price appetizers and they were the best on the island. If you haven't eaten at Chloe you have missed a great meal. One dissapointment in food was Paradiso -- just average food -- not worth the time or money. Bar mixed drinks at Wesitn were average -- got much better island type drinks in town. We brought some food with us for the barbecue and the microware (remember no oven just a microwave-which has a oven setting and stove top). The grills in the back of bay vista are OK but not as nice as the ones in the condos up the hill. Westin needs to work on the grills in Bay Vista -- average at best. Maybe someone from Hawaii can show them how to do the grills. Some residents said they stopped working later in week and they we not fixed.

Beach Time/Snorkle -- Spent most of the time at Hawksnest. Wonderful coral and sealife. Saw a sand shark, turtle, sing ray and assorted small and large fish. Saw a local snorkle lady go down and pet the shark. Took some newcomers in our party to Trunk Bay and they enjoyed the park and beach but I don't like to pay the $4 each for snorkling when all the other beaches are free, plus I don't use the facilities there. Oh well the DW said everybody has to say they have been to Trunk. Spend lazy afternooons in the Westin Great Cruz Bay and pool to unwind after returning from the beach. Very relaxing week. Water warm and very clear (yes even Great Cruz Bay was clear -- however, not as clear as the north shore beaches). Note: Only rained the 1st day and all other days clear and warm-hot and humid.

Return: US Air flight was different -- less the half full and we pushed back 35 min before schedule departure-- doors closed 40 min prior. Could it be that everybody showed up early? Walked thru US customs in STT -- no one in line. Flight was at schedlue to leave at 5PM yesterday.

STJ is just heaven on earth. Planning another trip in a few months if I can get a reservation.

 

[tlpnet]

I was just poking around MSC looking for the ferry reservation page in anticipation of heading to St. John next week, and came across this renovation schedule. I don't remember seeing it posted before.

-tim

 

[OCsun]

The pictures in the renovation schedule are not titled correctly. The picture listed as the three bedroom is actually the two bedroom. The three bedroom pool villas do not have the laundry located next to the kitchen and they have windows which open to the outside courtyard.

They do look awesome - I can't wait to see the finished product. Pam

 

[tlpnet]

Yeah, I noticed that as well, but was much more interested in the fact that the renovations seem to be a little ahead of schedule as of this month.

-tim

 

[DavidnRobin]

as a large part of the 3 year special assessment (~50% of MFs) - the roofs and sidings were supposed to be replaced - what is the schedule of that...?

 

[Carolyn]

We will be leaving on Nov. 7th. We own a 1 BR Premium (3424) and was told it would not be available due to renovations. I originally requested Bay Vista but have been in contact with Carolyn Nunes. Knowing that we would really like a water view, like we have in 3424, she offered us 3327 as I was assured all the renovations were done in Bldg. 33 (not sure about the roof). I will see what I can find out when we are there. Any WSJ 3327 owners out there?

Carolyn

 

[DavidnRobin]

Let us know about the roofs and sidings - this was a major part of the SA.
Enjoy your trip - we may end up going to WSJ in 2010 after all (hopefully)

 

[Carolyn]

Let us know about the roofs and sidings - this was a major part of the SA.
Enjoy your trip - we may end up going to WSJ in 2010 after all (hopefully)

Will do.

Carolyn

 

[keepgoing]

Westin St John 3bd hilllside Week of July going price

Can someone provide a fair market price for a 3bd villa hillside section for a week in early Aug (purchase price)? There are not much of sales history for st john, especially 3 bd one. I was offered by a seller but don't know a fair market value since ebay does not have tons of them to reference. I own some other starwood resort in Haiwaii but never can get anything in St John in Summer even booking at 8 months mark at 9am. My kids are still small (3 years old the youngest old), so I have to stick with summer holiday for quite a while.

Thanks in advance.

Chun

 

[DavidnRobin]

IMO-IMO-IMO
Fair Value
$35-40K

also - there are 2 types of 3Bd Hillside villas (one has a moving wall between two of the Bedrooms)

be aware that these are fixed villa and fixed week (incl checkin day) villas
- and that property taxes have not been billed since 2005 (so owed for 2006 on - at some point - prepare for them to double when they are billed)

 

[keepgoing]

Fair market price for 3bd room hill side- Early Aug week

David,

The unit is 4210. The the seller said he would credit me the owed taxed in the formular of .014070 x Seller’s aggregate 2006 Notice of Revaluation since he can't tell exactly what it is if the government have not sent the bill. So they have unit with sliding wall and fixed wall?

Honestly, I like fixed unit/fixed week. So there is no begging for other type of units I wanted during reservation. Fixed week is great for me when I don't have much flexibility.

I do see one and only one ebay ad now for 3 bdrm with 5 bids around 15K. let see how high it will shoot up in the last min before closing.

Thanks again for your valuable opinion.
Chun

 

[Loriannf]

We own a week 17 4210

So if you have any specific questions about the unit, please feel free to email me.

It does have a sliding wall between the upstairs bedrooms. Also, it is the unit closest to the parking in that particular building.

Lori

 

[Loriannf]

WOW! WSJ Maintenance Fees Climb!!

Moderators:

Feel free to merge into the WSJ thread, but to get the topic noticed, I started a new thread.

Just received our notice of the BOD meeting. Curious item on agenda - Revision of Due Dates for 2010 Dues and Taxes.

Also, the meeting is being held in November; in the past they've been in April.

The maintenance fees for the various units are as follows:

Studio: $1,200.46/ replacement reserve $519.07 total $1719.53
Townhouse Suite: $1600.76 mf/ repl. rsv. $692.12 total $2292.79
2 bedroom Townhouse: $2000.88 mf/ rr $865.17 total $2866.05
2 bed Premium Unit: $2400.92 mf/ rr1,038.15 total $3,439.07
3 bedroom Pool/Premium Unit: $2,401.92 mf/ rr $1038.22 total $3,439.31

Ok, now I think my husband's right and we need to sell one of our weeks. Last year, our maintenance fees for the 2 3 bedroom pool units were about $6,000 including the special assessment. This year it looks as if our maintenance fees have gone up $500/wk/unit. And they've been cutting services. All I can say is that the Replacement Reserve fee better'd be the same thing as the Special Assessment. By calling it a Replacement Reserve fee, I'm afraid they're making the 3 year special assessment permanent.

Lori

 

[keepgoing]

MF hike goes across the board in Westin

Lori,
MF hike is pretty much across the Westin resort. One good aspect for St John owner is that the resale price is not sliding down as fast as other, such as those in Maui. But this increase probably is not helping it. May be the seller would take my offer because of this huge increase in MF for his St John 3 bd.

Chun

 

[keepgoing]

Would it be harder to get St John from SVN after MF increase?

Is it logical to think that it would be even harder to get SVN exchange into St John after the increase? The owner of St John would lose value in any exchange they get b/c of the high MF, so they would not give it up.

 

[James1975NY]

David,

The unit is 4210. The the seller said he would credit me the owed taxed in the formular of .014070 x Seller’s aggregate 2006 Notice of Revaluation since he can't tell exactly what it is if the government have not sent the bill. So they have unit with sliding wall and fixed wall?

Honestly, I like fixed unit/fixed week. So there is no begging for other type of units I wanted during reservation. Fixed week is great for me when I don't have much flexibility.

I do see one and only one ebay ad now for 3 bdrm with 5 bids around 15K. let see how high it will shoot up in the last min before closing.

Thanks again for your valuable opinion.
Chun

I would agree that the fair price would be around the mid-30's. I do not have a lot of data to go on but my opinion is based on what I have sold in the studio, 1-bd and 2-bd villas.

What week number is the e-bay ad for?

 

[keepgoing]

the ebay one is unit 4113 week 26

James,
This is the only ebay ad with 3 bd still active and with 3 more day of bidding to go. I could not find any completed auction from ebay for 3 bd.

Thanks,
Chun

 

[DanCali]

Is it logical to think that it would be even harder to get SVN exchange into St John after the increase? The owner of St John would lose value in any exchange they get b/c of the high MF, so they would not give it up.

Yes, it is logical that an exchange would be harder because owners are more likely to use or rent their week. On the other hand, this will lead to lower rental prices...

 

[fillde]

Wow is right. All inclusive resorts are probably less expensive.

 

[keepgoing]

Can I use a closing agent like those recommend by TUG for St John Property?

I purchased a couple TS using the closing agents recommended by TUG and everything get done fine. Now I am getting a TS in Westin St John thru a realtor, they strongly suggest me to use an attorney on the island rather than those in the State. Of course the cost is about double and I still not able to get a clear estimate of the total cost (what is included, what's not, etc) from the island's attorney. I don't want to commit into them, then given a surprise bill at the end.

I hope to get a 2nd opinion from here.

The realtor told me if I use a closing agent in the state: 1) The agent would not be provided the seller info because the seller is represented by the island attorney whom will take my info to do the closing?? (I was thinking if that is the case, then why I even need the same attorney to prepare the same thing for me?) 2) My agent need to do a tax clearance but the realtor told me that is responsibility of the seller's attorney to provide. 3) My agent also request the seller's deed but again, the realtor said the seller's attorney would handle the deed and not giving to my closing agent.

If they don't provide anything, how do a my closing company I choose do their work? So far my commonsense telling me something is not right.

Please advise,
Thanks in advance.
Chun

 

[DavidnRobin]

I purchased a couple TS using the closing agents recommended by TUG and everything get done fine. Now I am getting a TS in Westin St John thru a realtor, they strongly suggest me to use an attorney on the island rather than those in the State. Of course the cost is about double and I still not able to get a clear estimate of the total cost (what is included, what's not, etc) from the island's attorney. I don't want to commit into them, then given a surprise bill at the end.

I hope to get a 2nd opinion from here.

The realtor told me if I use a closing agent in the state: 1) The agent would not be provided the seller info because the seller is represented by the island attorney whom will take my info to do the closing?? (I was thinking if that is the case, then why I even need the same attorney to prepare the same thing for me?) 2) My agent need to do a tax clearance but the realtor told me that is responsibility of the seller's attorney to provide. 3) My agent also request the seller's deed but again, the realtor said the seller's attorney would handle the deed and not giving to my closing agent.

If they don't provide anything, how do a my closing company I choose do their work? So far my commonsense telling me something is not right.

Please advise,
Thanks in advance.
Chun

I used Tom Bolt (and Associates) on St Thomas, but I believe their rates went up. I did contact JRA (TUG associates) and they can do it just as well - just choose Tom Bolt because I was doing the deed transfer directly with the Owner (wrote agreement myself).

My first week was done thru Rescort Closings - but I was forced too (eBay-Donate for a Cause- Tarpey Bros...) - it went fine.

I transferred Robin's name onto Title using a Tugger that passed away (warning - use a Company that has a back-up)

So the answer is that you can use a mainland title company - or on STT - just make sure the Title Co has closed USVI properties (has track record).

PS - do not forget about the Property Taxes.

 

[LisaH]

Jim Tarpey is an attorney. The company did a good job closing one of my timeshare purchases. They made a slight mistake on title and corrected in a very timely fashion with no additional cost to me.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Jim Tarpey is an attorney. The company did a good job closing one of my timeshare purchases. They made a slight mistake on title and corrected in a very timely fashion with no additional cost to me.

This was discussed in a thread in the Buying/Selling forum... Jim Tarpey may be an attorney, but is not licensed to practice law in Montana. Jim says otherwise (he is 'advising'...), but the Montana State Board does not agree (it did cause him to change his association).

Given this - Resort Closing did a fine job for me also - however, I was unhappy to be forced to use RC - and the association with his brother on the Title Co end (and Donate for a Cause) bothered me - thus why I contacted Montana State Board since this was an eBay purchase with an very poor ad.