Westin St. John [Master Thread]

[DavidnRobin]

This is the info that was included with my resevations .I'm wondering if these prices on my reservation are still good or are they going to hit me with the increase. ........ The Westin St. John Resort & Villas offers round-trip transfers to and from the resort and airport via their private ferry. As a valued owner, you will receive a discounted rate of $60/adult and $50/childm which entitles you to unlimited ferry trips during your stay at The Westin St. John Resort & Villas. After gathering your luggage, proceed to the reception desk for The Westin St. John Resort in the airport. The staff at the airport will greet you, assist with luggage, and arrange a private taxi to take you to Crown Bay Marina. Our private ferry will pick you up there for the 45-minute ride directly to the resort dock. The taxi and ferry run on a set schedule coordinated around primary flight times. After booking your flight, please contact Owner Services to book your transfers on The Westin St. John ferry.

That wasn't the price last year - knowing WSJ and STJ - it probably has not been updated. I would double-check as not to be surprised. If you contact them to arrange the ferry - they wil likely give you the updated price - which sounds like it is $85 (still worth it...)

 

[DavidnRobin]

the new staroption chart has come out for 2009 and wsj has been adjusted just like they said it would be. both sections have been readjusted. so now all you wsj owners start trading within the SVN so we can have a chance to visit wsj.
there are no more excuses!!!!

you all must be so happy.

the chart does not include svr fountains section os vistana beach club. i wonder what's going on with that?

Wow - it is really happening! Our 2Bd WSJ villa just went to 81K SOs (from 67.1K SOs) - yippee! The downside is that I can't use the studio side of our WKORV or WPORV villas to do a SVN exchange into a 2Bd at WSJ, but I couldn't anyway since there was never any availability.

Now I can exchange our 2Bd WSJ villa for a 1Bd at WKORV... what a minute - I still wouldn't do that either...

I wonder if they will update the weekly SO chart - this info comes from the Daily SO chart on MSC.

 

[Transit]

Everythings arranged thats the Info they sent me. A couple of more bucks in kitty. I can't wait...

 

[Transit]

I wonder if they will update the weekly SO chart - this info comes from the Daily SO chart on MSC.

If you look at it closely it's combined into one chart now.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Everythings arranged thats the Info they sent me. A couple of more bucks in kitty. I can't wait...

It looks like I'd better hurry-up and arrange our transportation while they still are listing the lower price - and then use their response when we get to the WSJ office at STT... but be prepared to pay $85pp.

Things on the USVI islands are slow - they haven't even sent out the 2006 tax bills...

 

[DavidnRobin]

Everythings arranged thats the Info they sent me. A couple of more bucks in kitty. I can't wait...

yes - that info is on the reservation confirmation (I just looked at ours), but if you go to the WSJ website - you will see a different price.

However, I will play ignorant (easy to do) - and show the nice folks at the WSJ office at STT - our reservation confirmation that shows the $60pp RT price. Our confirmation showed $60pp last year - but we were charged more ($75pp) - I recall this price was on an email that I received from WSJ.

Let's try and hook-up for a PainKiller (or 2) at the Pool Bar.

 

[Transit]

yes - that info is on the reservation confirmation (I just looked at ours), but if you go to the WSJ website - you will see a different price.

However, I will play ignorant (easy to do) - and show the nice folks at the WSJ office at STT - our reservation confirmation that shows the $60pp RT price. Our confirmation showed $60pp last year - but we were charged more ($75pp) - I recall this price was on an email that I received from WSJ.

Let's try and hook-up for a PainKiller (or 2) at the Pool Bar.

Sounds good to me ...

 

[transamdoc]

WSJ advice seeker

We are considering purchase of new bay view timeshare 2wks(14&15) at 80k/wk for 2br in unfinished villas. We have never purchased a timeshare.

We love St John. Have never been any where else in Carib. We are on a two week vacation pkg now.

How is Starwood doing in general( upkeep,etc)? The prices seem high and the units have not sold as fast as they anticipated, so the prices are the same this year as last year.

We are in a new unit, shower door handle came off, bathroom tissue roll holder fell off wall, loud sound of air conditioner unit from hotel bldg below.

We called " Catered To" rentals and it seems plenty of homes and villas available in Apr and May when we like to visit.

We are from SC, USA. We are in our mid 50's with 2 20 something year old children that accompany us occasionally.
Our impression is that the $160k is pretty pricy for these units, and we might do better just renting a house on the island with a chef and maid at these prices. Seems availability is not an issue.
But the Westin resort amenities are nice, and we have stayed here yearly for 13 years attending a medical conference.
Is Timeshare the way to go? Will we always be able to come to St John? We worry about the fees, taxes, etc with Timeshare purchase. Starwood points seem to offset some of this.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

JT and HT

 

[DavidnRobin]

I have already given feedback to JT/HT via a private email. Of course the words RESCIND, RESEARCH and RESALE - were part of my email, but it would be good for others to chime in as so they can make a more balanced decision on a $80K/VOI purchase (yikes!).

 

[Starwoodnewbie]

Thanks for the warning!

As a new Starwood member and a new member of this forum, I appreciate the insight regarding the St. John propery. My wife and I own weeks at Maui and Kauai and have been seriously considering St John. Living in the Pacific Northwest makes it harder for us to get to the Carribean than it is to get to Hawaii, so we have been giving the matter a lot of thought. Knowing that the property is not being well maintained makes me question whether we should look elsewhere for our next ownership week.

Thanks again for the heads up.

 

[SDKath]

$80,000 is pricy. Everyone here will tell you to buy resale or if the StarOptions/StarPoints are important to you, buy another week resale FIRST and THEN retro that week with a new Starwood purchase (see the retro thread on the sticky at the top of the forum).

St. John is gorgeous (spent 2 weeks of our honeymoon there) but the older units are having trouble now with upkeep. MFs are very high. The new units are supposedly lovely but why purchase from Starwood what you can buy for 1/2 price through resale? Trading into St. John is difficult so if you go there yearly for conference, you may want to buy that fixed week through resale to guarantee your spot. Fixed weeks I believe are only sold in the older units; I think the new units float in seasons. Someone correct me if I am wrong on this.

Take a look at Redweek and other resale sites for availability and resale prices. Most of those are VERY negotiable too and you will have substantial savings buying that way. I think the older units will eventually undergo refurb and the current issues will resolve. It's just all on "island time."

Katherine

 

[DavidnRobin]

We live in the SF Bay Area - and own at WSJ (resale on eBay - Virgin Grand). While things tend to be on a negative/jaded side of SVO/SVN/WSJ ownership at times here on TUG (me included) - we do love our WSJ/STJ vacations, and would buy another week if we could find another resale bargain and adjacent week to our week. 14 days in STJ is better than 7 days - especially with the long trip - 13-14 hours door-to-door.

I would only consider buying resale at WSJ, but that comes as a fixed week (VG villas) and therefore that fixed week must fit your vacation needs. It will be a while before the BV villas show up on the resale market. BV villas are both float and fixed. Also, VG is Mandatory while BV is Voluntary (refer to the FAQs for more details in what this means and implications)

They bumped up the SOs for the VG section (nice).
Yes, there are maintenance issues - but after all this is STJ - and that comes with the package - no excuse - just reality.

 

[mariawolf]

Our friends who own at St John just came back--they are multiple weekowners of the pool villas (5) plus a couple of studios.
Their pool villas are both renovated and not renovated. For the third year in a row the microwave has not worked--(and this is in a renovated unit)--this year the counter top microwave had been removed--the older, unrenovated unit got a new sofa--although that was it and apparently it doesn't really go with other things in the unit.
Just thought I would post this--don't know the unit numbers but we have stayed with them the last 5 years (didn't go this year as we are going to our first stay at Frenchman's Cove which we just purchased)and they are the last two units on the right as you drive over the bridge--so thought I would post this for those of you wondering about any improvements!

 

[Beaglemom3]

Refurbishment/Renovation Costs - WSJ Questions

1. Does anyone know what the reburbishment assessment was/is for a 2 bedroom at the WSJ ?

The unit I am waiting to close on (3319) has not been done over yet - still has the formica kitchen counters, etc. Or least this is what's been described by the owner.


2. Is there a department or name or number that I can contact who can tell me if/when my unit is slated for upgrading ?

3. Is there a timetable or phase plan that anyone knows of ?

Thank you all once more.
B

 

[Beaglemom3]

I spoke to the sales manager at WSJ and got my answer.

 

[jerseygirl]

Hi J --

I have a letter that says my unit will be totally refurbished, using existing reserve funds, by November -- with the exception of the kitchen.

Is that consistent with what you were told?

Hope all is well,

- B

 

[Beaglemom3]

Hi J --

I have a letter that says my unit will be totally refurbished, using existing reserve funds, by November -- with the exception of the kitchen.

Is that consistent with what you were told?

Hope all is well,

- B

Hi JerseyGirl,
Yes, exactly !
Mark said that they were "required" (his words) to have all renovations completed in buildings 31, 32, 33 by November 1st (per the board) and that there was no assessment.
The old kitchens are areas that could stand an upgrade IMVHO.
I wonder if there'll be an assessment for the upgrade for the public areas (the main lobby) as mentioned by my salesperson, Dan.
Thanks,
B.

 

[Carolyn]

Hi JerseyGirl,
Yes, exactly !
Mark said that they were "required" (his words) to have all renovations completed in buildings 31, 32, 33 by November 1st (per the board) and that there was no assessment.

What about Bldg 34? I thought it was also to be refurbished by Nov. 1??
Thanks.

 

[DavidnRobin]

That is 32,33, and 34... not 31
31 is in 'Westin' style and was redone previously (4 years ago?) - wghile the other buildings are original (late 90s - pre-SVO)

I wrote about the cost and detail in the WSJ Maintenence thead (if I recall correctly)

 

[Beaglemom3]

He may have mentioned 34, but I was selectively listening for bldg. 33.
Apparently, there are a couple - few? units in 31 not completely done yet.
His name is Mark and he's the sales manager. Very nice.

 

[Beaglemom3]

That is 32,33, and 34... not 31
31 is in 'Westin' style and was redone previously (4 years ago?) - wghile the other buildings are original (late 90s - pre-SVO)

I wrote about the cost and detail in the WSJ Maintenence thead (if I recall correctly)

I did read all that I could find before the OP, but I may have missed your info as my search words were renovation/refurbishment/upgrade, but not maintenance.
There is a lot of wonderful & helpful info given by the nice Starwood owners here, I just have to search better.

Thanks.

 

[DeniseM]

This is good info., and I'm going to add it to our WSJ refurbishment thread that is linked in Owner Resources.

 

[jerseygirl]

The old kitchens are areas that could stand an upgrade IMVHO.
I wonder if there'll be an assessment for the upgrade for the public areas (the main lobby) as mentioned by my salesperson, Dan.
Thanks,
B.

The kitchens in the pool villas are really bad -- but they're not getting redone because the SA didn't pass -- I assume that's the same for all buildings requiring renovation. They're able to refurb everything but the kitchens with existing reserves, but I think they told me 2-3 years before the reserve funds would be built back up enough to do the kitchens.

I hope Starwood has at least some responsiblity for public areas since the resort has both timeshare units and hotel rooms.

It's strange that so many Vistana Resort owners are complaining about huge SAs without a vote, yet WSJ required a vote (as I understand it, the majority of owners who did vote voted FOR a SA, but not enough owners voted). It seems odd that Starwood would proceed without a vote at one resort, but require a vote at another resort. Maybe it's the way the original docs were written or something ...

I'm all for keeping a resort in tip-top shape, but something is not quite right with the Special Assessments at VR. Some are stating that the high $ amounts of the SA are because the original developer didn't fund the reserves properly, but I don't buy that argument. Starwood bought Vistana out in 1999 --- plenty of time to get the finances in order. I hope there are enough non-Starwood owners on the board at WSJ to keep Starwood honest. I think we should get DavidnRobin elected next time around!

 

[OCsun]

I hope there are enough non-Starwood owners on the board at WSJ to keep Starwood honest. I think we should get DavidnRobin elected next time around!

I second that!

 

[DavidnRobin]

Update for Property Tax Bills:

http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/

what a mess - the USVI can't collect property taxes and only have themselves to blame

Please remember (esp if you are buying WSJ) - property taxes were last paid in 2005

Other useful USVI and STJ websites:
http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/
http://barnako.typepad.com/news_of_st_john_usvi/
http://vinow.com/
http://www.on-stjohn.com/
http://www.stormcarib.com/
http://gotostjohn.com/live/index.htm