Westin St John Virgin Grand vs Coral Vista

[WI GAL]

Which do you prefer for a staroptions booking, studio units in Virgin Grand or Coral Vista at the Westin St. John?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Me? VGV
Because we spent little time at Main Resort, and also rented vehicle for the entire stay.

You? Depends...

 

[ljmiii]

Which do you prefer, studio units in Virgin Grand or Coral Vista at the Westin St. John?

To purchase or stay in?

At VG you are across the street from the beach, taxi stand, and main resort and pool complex. But you have your own separate pools and parking next to the villa.

My understanding from what others have read is that you are more likely to have a good view in a studio at Coral Vista than VG...but that is uncertain (unless you are wanting to buy in which case at VG you will be purchasing a fixed unit/week).

 

[klpenny]

Hi. Which building has the best view of the ones with 2 bedrooms? I would think it would be really noisy by the pool. Thanks

 

[ljmiii]

Hi. Which building has the best view of the ones with 2 bedrooms? I would think it would be really noisy by the pool. Thanks

All of the phases of WSJ have 2BRs.

Two of the six buildings in Sunset Bay are the only ones with 'Oceanfront' views - but there is no way to book them (other than buying or renting one of those very few fixed week/fixed villa OF Sunset Bay deeds). The views from all the other buildings at WSJ will vary based on floor, position, and vegetation growth.

Virgin Grand Hillside would be the quietest 2BRs.

 

[klpenny]

All of the phases of WSJ have 2BRs.

Two of the six buildings in Sunset Bay are the only ones with 'Oceanfront' views - but there is no way to book them (other than buying or renting one of those very few fixed week/fixed villa OF Sunset Bay deeds). The views from all the other buildings at WSJ will vary based on floor, position, and vegetation growth.

Virgin Grand Hillside would be the quietest 2BRs.

Thanks!

 

[SandyPGravel]

We own VG & BV. Definitely prefer VG.

 

[klpenny]

We own VG & BV. Definitely prefer VG.

Hi. Why do you prefer VG?

 

[SandyPGravel]

Hi. Why do you prefer VG?

#1 parking right outside our unit.
We have the option of enjoying the main resort if we want to.
I love our 2BR TH unit vs our 2 BR unit in BV. I like the layout better.
The VG units have a full kitchen including an oven. (Which may sound silly, but the oven comes in handy occasionally. Pizza, garlic bread, baked potatoes to go with the grilled steak etc)
Fewer villa's so it is quieter.

 

[klpenny]

#1 parking right outside our unit.
We have the option of enjoying the main resort if we want to.
I love our 2BR TH unit vs our 2 BR unit in BV. I like the layout better.
The VG units have a full kitchen including an oven. (Which may sound silly, but the oven comes in handy occasionally. Pizza, garlic bread, baked potatoes to go with the grilled steak etc)
Fewer villa's so it is quieter.

Thank you!

 

[WI GAL]

To purchase or stay in?

At VG you are across the street from the beach, taxi stand, and main resort and pool complex. But you have your own separate pools and parking next to the villa.

My understanding from what others have read is that you are more likely to have a good view in a studio at Coral Vista than VG...but that is uncertain (unless you are wanting to buy in which case at VG you will be purchasing a fixed unit/week).

Sorry, I edited to clarify for a staroptions reservation, not purchase.

 

[cmpietrzak]

I am really looking forward to this trip! Couple of questions as this is my first time at this property. 1) I am wondering how useful a car is on the island for someone that can hike and bike. Do you recommend renting a car regardless? 2) Are there bike rentals and is it relatively safe to bike? 3) Do you recommend (and can you) using resort credits with your excess star points? I understand the on-site amenities are expensive. 4) How often does the ferry run?

Answers to all of these questions vary from year to year I figure, so asking what the situation is at present. Cheers!

 

[ljmiii]

Couple of questions as this is my first time at this property...

EDITED...with thanks to @Eric B

If you are staying at the WSJ, renting a car is optional. We had a car the whole time on our first visit to St John (we picked it up and dropped it off at STT because we were also staying on St Thomas) and only used it for visiting the east side of the island (e.g. Coral Bay). Next time we are staying for two weeks and have a car for a week in the middle.

Taxis (really 15-ish passenger open air buses) are more or less ubiquitous on the west side of the island and are usually parked at the WSJ and in Cruz Bay waiting for passengers. The service from the major beaches on the west side of the island is pretty good as well. They do charge per person though...so if you are 6-9 people renting a minivan or SUV might be a good choice.

There is a dedicated ferry service direct to the Westin (if you are staying there) that charges a flat fee for the length of your stay. Good if you intend to go back and forth, expensive otherwise. There are also public ferries that go between Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas and Cruz Bay on St John which are quite inexpensive.

Lastly, there are car barges that travel between Red Hook and Cruz Bay. Depending on whether or not you want a vehicle for your entire stay on St John, it can be less expensive to rent a vehicle at/near STT and take it across to St John.

We've done both the car barge and the passenger ferries out of Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie. But we are planning on taking the Westin ferry next year for various reasons.

Virgin Islands Ferry Schedules

Virgin Islands Ferry Schedules Between (St. Thomas - St. John) (Water Island) (Frenchmans Reef) (Tortola) (Virgin Gorda) (Jost Van Dyke) (Anegada)

www.vinow.com

 

[Eric B]

only used it for visiting the west side of the island (e.g. Coral Bay)

East.

Taxis (really 15-ish passenger open air buses) are more or less ubiquitous on the east side of the island and are usually parked at the WSJ and in Cruz Bay waiting for passengers.

West.

 

[ljmiii]

East.

West.

Doh! TY!

 

[Eric B]

Doh! TY!

You can always go back and edit the post - no one will ever notice….

 

[GrayFal]

Almost all roads are narrow, twisty and hilly with no shoulder - it doesn’t seem very safe for biking.
It‘s scary enough driving or riding in a car (smile)

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am really looking forward to this trip! Couple of questions as this is my first time at this property. 1) I am wondering how useful a car is on the island for someone that can hike and bike. Do you recommend renting a car regardless? 2) Are there bike rentals and is it relatively safe to bike? 3) Do you recommend (and can you) using resort credits with your excess star points? I understand the on-site amenities are expensive. 4) How often does the ferry run?

Answers to all of these questions vary from year to year I figure, so asking what the situation is at present. Cheers!

Nope to biking - way too dangerous especially with rain storms that can come quickly.
Rent a vehicle - pro move is to rent on StT (Amalie) and take car ferry (many disagree, but upside is better than downside... at least in our 15 years of going to StJ and taking every type of transportation (discussed over the years in the WSJ trip reports on the WSJ Threads).

 

[japat]

I am really looking forward to this trip! Couple of questions as this is my first time at this property. 1) I am wondering how useful a car is on the island for someone that can hike and bike. Do you recommend renting a car regardless? 2) Are there bike rentals and is it relatively safe to bike? 3) Do you recommend (and can you) using resort credits with your excess star points? I understand the on-site amenities are expensive. 4) How often does the ferry run?

Answers to all of these questions vary from year to year I figure, so asking what the situation is at present. Cheers!

Great to hear you're excited for the trip! As for your questions: A car can be handy for exploring further, but if you're into hiking and biking, you might manage without one. There are usually bike rentals, and safety depends on traffic conditions. Drive safely on your way there and enjoy the adventure—sounds like a fantastic destination!

 

[DavidnRobin]

Great to hear you're excited for the trip! As for your questions: A car can be handy for exploring further, but if you're into hiking and biking, you might manage without one. There are usually bike rentals, and safety depends on traffic conditions. Drive safely on your way there and enjoy the adventure—sounds like a fantastic destination!

have never seen a bike rental place on StJ in 15 years of going - or anyone on a bike...