The Westin St. John Resort Villas has formally reopened after struggling vital harm from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The resort is Marriott’s solely property on St. John, an island within the U.S. Virgin Islands, and it’s a simple trip vacation spot for Americans trying to depart their passports at house in trade for some UV rays.
Not like most different Westin resorts and resorts, the St. John property was designed as a timeshare property. All through my keep, I used to be impressed with the property itself, however don’t count on every little thing to be accomplished for you right here.
In This Submit
Reserving
The Westin St. John is open to each commonplace company and timeshare house owners. For those who don’t personal a timeshare, you possibly can e book rooms and villas straight via Marriott’s web site. The resort is a Class 7 property within the Marriott Bonvoy program, so a free evening prices 50,000, 60,000 or 70,000 factors, relying on whether or not you’re staying throughout off-peak, commonplace or peak dates, respectively.
TPG values Marriott factors at zero.eight cents a bit, making a free evening vary from $400 to $560 in worth. Throughout the winter months, it is smart to redeem factors at this resort since charges can usually exceed $700 for a base room.
Throughout the low season, it undoubtedly doesn’t make sense to redeem factors, as I’ve seen charges drop to $300 or so per evening. Be aware that Marriott award stays embrace the fifth evening free, so this might tip the steadiness to redeeming factors, even throughout an off-peak date.
Location
As its identify implies, the resort is positioned on St. John within the U.S. Virgin Islands. Though there’s “U.S.” within the identify of the island, getting there isn’t almost as simple as one would possibly count on.
Most vacationers ought to fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas, which is the principle airport of the U.S. Virgin Islands. When you’ve landed at STT, you’ll must catch a ferry to the island of St. John (there’s no business airport on St. John). You’ll have two decisions for the ferry: the “do-it-yourself” public one or the (rather more costly) personal ferry.
The principle marina for ferries to St. John known as Pink Hook, which is about 40 minutes by automobile from the airport in St. Thomas. A taxi from STT to Pink Hook ought to value round $20, and the 20-minute ferry from Pink Hook to St. John prices about $eight for the experience and $four per bag. Ferries run on the hour, each hour, so you might have a while to kill on the Pink Hook Marina earlier than your ferry.
The opposite departure level for ferries to St. John is the Crown Bay Marina, which is 5 minutes by automobile from STT. Given the proximity to STT, I made a decision to catch the ferry from Crown Bay. The taxi solely value me $10, however the ferry was $20 for the experience and $5 for my bag. The 30-minute experience is a bit longer than the Pink Hook ferry, however it was extra handy than the 40-minute drive to Pink Hook.
The one difficulty with the Crown Bay ferries is the restricted frequency. There are day by day departures to St. John at 9:30 a.m., three:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
All public ferries dock at Cruz Bay in St. John, which is a couple of 10-minute experience from the Westin St. John. There have been loads of taxis — which have been really open-air transformed vehicles geared up with bench seating beneath a roof — ready on the ferry dock. The experience value $7 from Cruz Bay to the Westin. Not one of the taxis or ferries took bank cards, so be sure you bear in mind to convey money.
The resort additionally presents a personal ferry service straight from Pink Hook to the resort’s dock. You’ll be taken from the airport to the Pink Hook Marina in a resort automobile the place you’ll meet the personal resort ferry which can take you on to the resort. For those who’re in search of probably the most handy possibility, that is it. The personal ferry service prices $120 round-trip for adults; $90 round-trip for youngsters ages four to 17.
There’s additionally an O’Connor Rental Automobile workplace on the resort’s property, so it’s possible you’ll wish to wait till you’re in St. John to lease a automobile.
Examine-in
There are two lobbies on the resort. One is subsequent to the resort’s dock (for all these arriving by way of personal ferry), and one is inland close to the principle resort amenity complicated.
As a result of I’d taken the general public ferry, I used to be dropped off on the principal foyer, and there wasn’t a lot of a wait to be checked in. The check-in agent thanked me for my Bonvoy Gold membership (due to the Platinum Card from American Specific) and defined the resort format.
Regardless that I used to be checking in at four:40 p.m. (40 minutes previous the said check-in time), my room wasn’t prepared but. I politely pushed again and a front-office supervisor came visiting and apologized for the delay. She gave me my room however informed me that the pillows on the mattress have been lacking pillowcases, which might be offered shortly.
Sadly, my 2 p.m. late-checkout request was denied (#Bonvoyed), as a result of, because the resort said, they have been bought out the subsequent day. In my expertise, Marriott’s implementation of the late checkout profit pales compared to Hyatt’s constant supply of the assured late checkout.
Though most rooms are inside strolling distance of the foyer, I wasn’t acquainted with the format, so opted for a golf-cart experience to my room. All through my keep, I observed most company walked to their rooms, although some completely used golf carts to get round.
Room
Provided that the property was designed for timeshare house owners, there aren’t any “commonplace” resort rooms right here. As an alternative, the bottom room class is a studio room. My 481-square-foot studio was positioned within the first ground of Constructing 22.
The principle characteristic of the studio was the king-size Westin Heavenly Mattress — a favourite of mine.
There was a lounge chair within the nook, a dresser, and a TV mounted on the wall throughout from the couch.
There was a small closet alongside the hallway, which led to the kitchenette.
The kitchen was well-equipped with a sink, full-size fridge, microwave and dishwasher. There was additionally a blender, toaster and Hamilton Seashore BrewStation in your caffeine wants.
I used to be impressed that the kitchen had loads of dishes and utensils. The one lacking equipment was an oven, and the one lacking characteristic was a minibar.
Probably the most family-friendly characteristic within the room was the washer and dryer. I used to be there for just one evening, however it may turn out to be useful throughout an prolonged trip, particularly with youngsters. I significantly appreciated that the resort left laundry detergent and dish cleaning soap in your use throughout your keep.
The lavatory was small. The only vainness was massive sufficient for 2 folks however would undoubtedly get tight if you happen to’re sharing the room with pals or kids.
The bathroom and bathe have been all in the identical room. The bathe undoubtedly didn’t go the TPG bathe take a look at, and the water strain was noticeably weak.
The room neglected Nice Cruz Bay, and the balcony was the proper place to take a seat and benefit from the sundown.
Wi-Fi was accessible within the room and all through the resort. There was no login required and the speeds measured about 100 Mbps obtain and add.
My room was the smallest on the resort and can be nice for a pair. The resort additionally presents family-friendly one- and two-bedroom villas and townhouses. Some even have their very own personal plunge swimming pools.
Meals and beverage
A sign of how the Westin St. John is a do-it-yourself (DIY) trip spot, the on-property meals and beverage choices have been extraordinarily restricted. There was one restaurant, Snorkel’s Bar & Grill, which was open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Menu web page 1
Menu web page 2
I had dinner there the night I arrived, in addition to breakfast the subsequent morning. I appreciated (however didn’t love) the grilled salmon with rice and veggies that I had for dinner, which was fairly affordable (all issues thought of) at $25.
The omelette, breakfast potatoes and fruit I had for breakfast have been additionally simply high-quality, although nothing significantly memorable.
Regardless that the meals wasn’t superb, you possibly can’t beat the views from the restaurant.
For those who don’t wish to eat on the resort’s solely restaurant, you’ll must go off-property or prepare dinner in your kitchen. There have been additionally grills positioned across the property if you wish to go that route.
Apart from Snorkel’s Bar & Grill, there was a small comfort retailer, referred to as Mango Deli, positioned close to the principle foyer. Mango Deli was open day by day from 6:30 a.m. till 9 p.m. and bought packaged and ready meals, drinks and sundries.
Costs have been exorbitant — $eight for a bag of pretzels, $7 for a field of Cheerios and $three or extra for a bottle of water. There have been a couple of loaves of bread, some spreads, pastas and meats that you can buy and prepare dinner in your personal kitchen.
It’s clear that the resort caters to these trying to both prepare dinner their very own meals or go off-property. Snorkel’s was good, however would undoubtedly get boring after a couple of nights with the identical meals.
Facilities
The spotlight of the resort’s facilities was the pool and seaside. The resort has only one average-sized pool, which acquired crowded throughout the hottest hours of the day.
Many lounge chairs surrounded the pool, however they weren’t significantly comfy for sitting for lengthy stretches of time.
Cabanas might be rented for $90 for a full day or $45 for a half-day. Other than assured seating, cabanas included bottles of water, further towels, a TV, fridge and private secure.
There was a small whirlpool tucked away within the nook of the pool deck.
The seaside was lengthy and slender and the swimming zone prolonged 50 yards into the Nice Cruz Bay.
When checking in, every visitor acquired a towel card that may be redeemed on the towel hut between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. In trade for the cardboard, you obtain two towels. As soon as you employ the towels, you have to convey them again to the towel hut to get one other towel card. In any other case, you’ll be charged $20 for a lacking towel card at checkout.
Along with the seaside and pool, there have been a couple of different on-property actions.
There was an outside jungle gymnasium for kids, as nicely a Westin Household Membership open day by day from eight:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
There have been additionally 4 synthetic grass tennis courts, 4 pickleball courts and one full-size basketball courtroom.
Hammocks have been positioned randomly across the resort for just a little further leisure and there was additionally a sundeck with numerous plush seating overlooking the central space of the resort.
The resort’s gymnasium and spa are close to the principle foyer. The 24/7 gymnasium was cut up between a cardio and strength-training room. The cardio room featured a great assortment of brand-new Life Health gear, together with 4 ellipticals, six treadmills and two bikes, in addition to a TRX resistance coaching zone.
The strength-training room had some weight machines and loads of free weights.
Fitness center
Fitness center
The resort’s spa is outsourced to the Sugar & Spice Spa and is positioned in the identical complicated because the gymnasium. The spa isn’t open day by day, so it’s best to undoubtedly make a reservation. The service menu was displayed on the wall within the reception space.
For those who’re in search of marine sports activities or boat journeys, there was a marine heart positioned close to the resort’s dock. The marine heart was outsourced to Cruz Bay Watersports. The corporate presents a wide range of day by day actions (for a price), comparable to a tour to Jost Van Dyke within the British Virgin Islands for $190 an individual or a tour to The Baths of Virgin Gorda for $220 an individual. For those who intend to take any excursions of the British Virgin Islands, convey your passport.
Service
All through my keep, everybody I met was pleasant and well-intentioned. Nevertheless, the service was extremely gradual, even after adjusting my expectations for the relaxed “island time.” As an example, there have been solely three waiters at Snorkel’s throughout dinner service. The restaurant was packed, and it took them greater than 20 minutes to convey me a menu and ask me what I needed to drink.
Equally, it took greater than 25 minutes from once I referred to as for further towels to get them delivered. I perceive that the resort is sort of unfold out, however that’s no excuse for taking 25 minutes to ship towels.
With the spa and marine sports activities outsourced to third-party firms, the resort isn’t straight liable for these companies. Nonetheless, I used to be impressed by how useful the marine sports activities clerk was in explaining all the completely different choices. Nevertheless, the spa was completely unresponsive to my request for an appointment.
General impression
The Westin St. John isn’t for everybody. For those who’re in search of a full-service resort with tons of facilities, it’s best to take into account staying elsewhere.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re touring with household or pals, this might be the proper resort in your Caribbean trip. The rooms are massive, and there’s lots to do: the pool, seaside, tennis or gymnasium space. For the reason that resort solely has one restaurant, you’ll most likely must do some cooking and grocery buying. However if you happen to’re comfy performing some work on trip, then the Westin St. John is the place for you.
Featured picture by the creator.
