WKORV and WSJ/STJ Photos

[DavidnRobin]

Here is a photo link to WKORV (1Bd and studio-side) Ocean Front Deluxe Villa, and photos of Westin St John and St John. For WSJ, I don't have too many interior photos, but did load some St John Island shots. (I will load some more later)

http://davidnrobin.shutterfly.com/action/password/show?re=http://davidnrobin.shutterfly.com/action/?

Password is TUG

Enjoy.

 

[mesamirage]

David,

Thanks for the pictures! On the studio side is the fridge a mini fridge? Looks like the fridge is to the right of the dishwasher in picture?

BTW... very Kierland like feel to the pixx.. its a Westin for sure. We are staying next late May-June for 12 nights... 7 nights in a 2 bedroom and then 5 nights in the studio via a preview package. We are VERY happy we could get these booked back to back for 12 straight nights... I'm guessing after we stay in the 2 bdrm that we will have wished we had stayed in the studio first!! We are taking our 2 boys... and that studio looks a bit small!

Steve

PS I did sell my EOY Kierland Plat unit... under contract and have received $2000 non-refundable deposit from buyer. Guess the move to 100% Hyatt is on...

 

[LisaRex]

Thanks for the photos, David. I'm curious; which floor were you on? I'm kind of disappointed that there is so much foliage in front blocking the view...I heard that they had to keep the trees, but geesh.

 

[DavidnRobin]

David,

Thanks for the pictures! On the studio side is the fridge a mini fridge? Looks like the fridge is to the right of the dishwasher in picture?

BTW... very Kierland like feel to the pixx.. its a Westin for sure. We are staying next late May-June for 12 nights... 7 nights in a 2 bedroom and then 5 nights in the studio via a preview package. We are VERY happy we could get these booked back to back for 12 straight nights... I'm guessing after we stay in the 2 bdrm that we will have wished we had stayed in the studio first!! We are taking our 2 boys... and that studio looks a bit small!

Steve

PS I did sell my EOY Kierland Plat unit... under contract and have received $2000 non-refundable deposit from buyer. Guess the move to 100% Hyatt is on...

Yes - just a small fridge. The studio-side is only for 2 adults for sure. The studio is larger and better laid out than the Premium studio. Congrats on the sell. Enjoy Hyatt.

I like the Westin look. The new WSJ units will have the same Westin design - that would be out of place.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Thanks for the photos, David. I'm curious; which floor were you on? I'm kind of disappointed that there is so much foliage in front blocking the view...I heard that they had to keep the trees, but geesh.

That was the 2nd floor - we bought from someone who had reserved Thanksgiving week and was 17th (if I recall correctly) on the waiting list. This year we were the 1st to call, but going low season (early December).

The view wasn't as blocked as the photo showed, but 3rd or higher would be better.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

Great pictures of St. John, I can't wait to visit there!

 

[DavidnRobin]

I just added Westin Kierland (WKV) photos
1Bd Premium Layout.

 

[LisaRex]

Great pix. Thanks!

 

[DavidnRobin]

I am on a TSing photo frenzy - I uploaded more WSJ/STJ photos

 

[oneohana]

I just added Westin Kierland (WKV) photos
1Bd Premium Layout.

Did you notice the nice cabinets where the oven should've been?

 

[DavidnRobin]

Did you notice the nice cabinets where the oven should've been?

Yes - there is no full oven in the WKV units. We didn't really need an oven at WKV because we ate out mostly - or reheated food we brought home. Reasonably-priced restaurants are very close by - along with some very expensive ones.

The WSJ and WKORV (1Bd side) units do have a full oven - and we do use them while we are there. There isn't much food in a reasonably priced range at either location - especially STJ - where going out to eat is an adventure (stay left!). We did use the BBQs at WKV once - and used the BBQs twice per week at WSJ. The BBQs at WSJ are great because they are just around the corner from our door - next to the pool that has a great view of the surrounds.

 

[Transit]

Great pics. What was the animal in the pic labled "beast"

 

[califgal]

Thanks for the pics! Hey is that a picture of the 2 of you on the beach in St. John?? The ocean there looks gorgeous!!

 

[DavidnRobin]

Great pics. What was the animal in the pic labled "beast"

That is a mongoose - they were brought in to hunt/kill rats - unfortunately, rats are nocturnal - mongoose are not...

 

[DavidnRobin]

Thanks for the pics! Hey is that a picture of the 2 of you on the beach in St. John?? The ocean there looks gorgeous!!

The is a long stretch of various beaches of different sizes, shapes, and personalities on the north-side of STJ - they are all incredibly beautiful and protected as part of the National Park system - plus that water that you see probably runs around 86F.
This is why we go - you would be hard pressed to find a stretch of beaches like these anywhere in the world. We spent an entire day just a one beach - Honeymoon, the one with the incredible crystal clear water - that was just so incredible fun and relaxing - we cant wait to go back.

 

[Catazog]

David & Robin,

Great pictures! I saw your book "St. John Off the Beaten Track." My husband and I are thinking of going to WSJ, but we are not the type to sit by the pool or on the beach all week (as lovely as those beaches are -- we'd definitely spend some time there!). Are there interesting hikes or other things to do on St. John? One reason we like Maui so much is because there are so many things to do there.

We own at WKORV and yes, I know it's very hard to trade into WSJ from 8 months out, but I'm hoping that by being flexible and traveling during the off season we can do it!

Dee Dee

 

[DavidnRobin]

David & Robin,

Great pictures! I saw your book "St. John Off the Beaten Track." My husband and I are thinking of going to WSJ, but we are not the type to sit by the pool or on the beach all week (as lovely as those beaches are -- we'd definitely spend some time there!). Are there interesting hikes or other things to do on St. John? One reason we like Maui so much is because there are so many things to do there.

We own at WKORV and yes, I know it's very hard to trade into WSJ from 8 months out, but I'm hoping that by being flexible and traveling during the off season we can do it!

Dee Dee

STJ has excellent hikes - but you must be able to endure hot/humid conditions - or stay close to the water. Somewhere - someone posted a video log of different hikes on STJ - including underwater - that you can find using a Google search. A tour of the Reef Bay Trial (labeled RBT in my photos) by the NPS is the best deal on the island - a guided 3 mile hike downhill that takes you back by boat for around $25pp.

If you go - I would definitely send away for hiking trial books - 'Off the Beaten Path' has been redone with topo maps (vs hand drawn maps).

Also - go to the BBS on VINOW.com (the above video link is listed there somewhere) - tons of info from locals and people who travel to the USVI often. Also, to get in the mood before we go - I listen to the daily 'Podcast from Paradise' and local streaming music from WTSA on my computer.

 

[DavidnRobin]

on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdCgZ1VhCL4

Simply beautiful. The creator of this (Andrew Burnett) is the one (I believe) that created the hiking and underwater videos also.

 

[DavidnRobin]

Here are the STJ videos that I was discussing (hikes and underwater) - I had them bookmarked...

http://www.travelistic.com/places/6235/United-States-Virgin-Islands/order_by-top_ranked

The ones done by 'The Reluctant Tour Guides' - by Andrew Burnett

 

[Catazog]

Thank you so much! I'll have fun researching this.

 

[OCsun]

David and Robin,

I am trying to look at your pictures but it keeps requesting a password for me to view them. What am I doing wrong? Pam

 

[califgal]

He had said the password was TUG, use the caps it worked for me.

 

[OCsun]

Got it! Thanks, Pam

 

[Ken555]

Nice pictures! I hope you don't mind sharing the thread... I just arrived at WKORV North yesterday. I've uploaded two collections at Shutterfly, one from May 2006 at WKORV (South) and the other from WKORV North.

I have an Island View unit. With a view of the ocean. From the living room. And the bedroom.

WKORV North pictures:
http://ken555tug.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0Cct3Lhq2bsXLA&notag=1

From WKORV South, except last four pictures - which contain two pictures of WKORV South from a helicopter as I returned to Maui (you can see construction of the North property) and two art photos I tried to take which I thought I should share (can't all be about t/s, can it?):

http://ken555tug.shutterfly.com/action/?a=0Cct3Lhq2bsXHw&notag=1

Password is "TUG".

 

[Henry M.]

What room number did you have Ken? That looks like a pretty nice view for Island View!