USVI-On-Line

OK, so I just bought a house and I am poor. And my brother, the time-share king, calls me the other day and tells me has a week that he needs to use before the end of the year and did I want to use it at the Westin.

I'm not much of a resort person, especially on St. John. But seriously, it's like 10% of the cost of a crappy villa. Cheap.

So, I need people who have stayed at the Westin, specifically in the timeshares (isn't there a difference?) to give me the low-down. I know some of my friends did it and said they didn't even have to rent a car. It would definitely be St. John on the cheap.

I am curious about the accommodations, set-up, etc.

There is a difference in the timeshares and the hotel. The timeshares look nice but I have only stayed at the hotel. In my opinion the hotel wasn't up to usual Westin standards, but still was very nice.

Take him up on this in a heartbeat. You would be a fool not to.

I think I would still get a car for part of the trip.

We have a time share at the Westin.

In my opinion, you really need a car, there are taxi's that will get you to/from Cruz Bay but the challenge is getting to the beaches or to Coral Bay.

The timeshares have a full kitchen and access to a grill, so eating in is certainly do-able.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions...

I don't think I can go without a car. And I think Anthony posted that Courtesy is having a sale in October.

Seriously, it's cheaper than dinner for two on lobster night and Morgan's Mango. I would be stupid to say no.

And I do agree the hotel part is not really up to Westin standards, but I think places like that focus on the timeshare business.

You'll be sorry if you don't take it.

If you invite me, I'll pay for the car

are you sure you can exchange for STJ? assuming he doesn't own there? all I have ever heard is it is really hard to get in there as an exchange. so I'd be sure of that first but if you can get in do it for sure!

He said "his guy" said it was no problem getting in to St. John. I figure that the time share industry was taking a hit just like the rest of the travel industry. I will have him double check. I know my brother seems to have a lot less restrictions than most people gripe about.

Connie, I thought you liked St. Thomas? As long as you won't take the car and abandon us for Maegans Bay, you can come That would definitely force me to give STT a try.

I will have my brother double check. You know what they say about things that sound too good to be true...

Ditto mbw. Starwood is really persnickety on booking the week- so make sure he really has it booked before you get your hopes up. We have one of the "older" ones up on the hill- there are some pretty nice new ones on the resort side- but we like our "cheaper chicken"- perfectly great as a place to rest your head- and we have grilled out by the little pool up there. Kitchen is big enough and stocked for basic cooking and full size fridge for storing beverages and breakfast food. We usually bring a thermos and bag to bring our own drinks and snacks to the pool so we don't have to pay $12 a pop for painkillers (plus good for the beaches too). Totally fine- take it! But def get a car.

Lulu ... go for it, as long as your brother can do the trade for STJ. We have stayed in the hotel as well as the newer time share units, and visited the older hillside units. If the price is right, any of the time share units are perfectly fine. I would deem a car as a necessity... you may not need it to go to town but anything else, absolutely!!!

Lulu76 wrote:He said "his guy" said it was no problem getting in to St. John. I figure that the time share industry was taking a hit just like the rest of the travel industry. I will have him double check. I know my brother seems to have a lot less restrictions than most people gripe about.

Connie, I thought you liked St. Thomas? As long as you won't take the car and abandon us for Maegans Bay, you can come That would definitely force me to give STT a try.

I will have my brother double check. You know what they say about things that sound too good to be true...

Hey Lulu...I'm not a Magens Bay kind of gal. I like the snorkeling end.

BTW...I also love STJ, but STT is just the place we end up at. I've had alot of fun on STJ and it has so much to offer.

Lulu...make the decision and just do it! Think about what has been lost on this forum. I think about it everyday.

Did he mention to you what size villa it is....1BR, 2BR, etc? The 1BR and larger have washer/dryers and full kitchens.

We have stayed in Westin Timshares on St John before. Clean and safe, you already know your way around. So if the Price is Right just do it. Rent a car and go have fun.
Jay

Toured the timeshares a few months ago.. not the best view an a bit far from the parking/beach. Also the one's with a loft have no windows! Upper floors, due to they converted hotel rooms into timeshares instead of building new from scratch. Wouldn't buy one compared to Marriott STT. But for the right price stay in a heart beat. Get a jeep and when on the westin beach go to the far west side .....The water is still a bit murky but your away from the crowd.....
Ps I enjoyed the room I had in the hotel.... I'm not sure if the "Weston standard's" really matter on island time......Have a Great Day..............

DELETED

Have stayed at the Westin in the hotel quite a few times and stayed in the timeshares a few times. I would take either one any day. I guess we've been lucky and have always been happy with our rooms and accomodations at the Westin Period. I personally love the resort and am very sorry we probably won't be seeing it at all in 2011. We've always had the best service and the best Painkillers at the resturant there...they are huge and tasty. Also going back about 10 years of experience for us.

Oh yeah, beds are beyond comfortable. Go for it.