USVI-On-Line

Found out today that due to flight changes there are no flights on USAir from CLT to STT on Wed's or Thur's (off season). So our Wed. departure has now been moved to Friday thus we are canceling the Virgin Gorda portion of our trip.

This now puts us on STJ on Friday with a villa check in Sunday. I was just about to book Grande Bay when Westin popped in to my head since we are Starwood members. With limited points and some cash I can get a really good deal for 2 nights at the Westin but have no idea what to expect.

Has anyone here stayed in the hotel portion? I assume the rooms are on the beach side of the property not up on the hillside. Have those rooms recently been renovated?

Thanks for any info if you have it!

Mary Beth

Perhaps I should have looked at TripAdvisor first. I think I just answered my own questions

I stayed there last September for one night. The rooms were clean and the beds were extremely comfortable. The bathroom hadn't been updated, but it was clean and nice enough. The pool was great!

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Cant help you with any westin info, but thats a PITA about your flights being changed like that, ugh!

Bummer on the flight cancellation..I am just waiting for American to pull the bottom out of our flights in November. I hope the reviews on Trip Advisor were promising for the Westin Hotel....

Can you leave a day earlier?

Have you checked Sail View in Coral Bay? They rent for 2 days when they need to fill the calendar. Pia gives them two thumbs UP!

http://www.sailviewstjohn.com/

adding an extra day was just not doable so we had to shorten our time. I thought of Sailview but I'd like to avoid the extra days with a car if possible.
I think I'm really down to Westin or Grande Bay.

I vote for Grande Bay, as far as convenience without a car goes.

We have only stayed at the Westin once, in May 2010 after our sailing trip. It was very nice (especially after a week on a sail boat). I think it is nice for a day or two, but I could not imagine a week there. The drinks are very expensive and our room did not have a refrigerator, so plan accordingly. We were upgraded to a ocean view room which was nice.

I can help you out with the Westin hotel question. We stayed there using points and were upgraded to beachview, which are really nice. They have not been renovated, but are in really good shape. The beds are extremely comfortable and the patio was nice.

Well worth using the points.

Sorry to hear about your airline issues. Have an excellent vacation!

TW

i vote for grande bay also.close to the ferry dock,beach
bar and banana deck.

I think the Westin is perfectly fine for a few days especially if you are using points. The rooms were of good size, the bed is comfy, the pool area is quite nice, the beach is not so great but they are running shuttles to the North Shore beaches for now. I think it is completely overpriced but with points it can be a great deal. It is actually a great way to start your vacation...total relaxation...no cooking...no cleaning...bliss

Let me preface this with the fact that we are "glass half full" people on vacation (and try to be in real life!)...meaning it is going to take a lot to upset us and we will let little things (like maybe some tiny ants in the bathroom) roll off our back.

We have used points at the Westin many times. After a villa experience I would agree with the other poster who said a week would seem long. But for a couple nights and for "free" it is a great deal. We will often stay at a villa and then tack on a few extra days at the Westin.

The rooms are a little tired (then again, some may be remodeled) but the beds are great. You can ask for a fridge for your room and it is either free or a very small charge. We do that all the time.

Restaurants expensive, but the little poolside one has a great lunch.

The only other thing is that if you have trouble with anything, just call maintenance and they always send someone right over. We have probably done this about 6 years and only one time I think we thought the hotel was not being managed well and that was a long time ago.

I would be bummed if I paid top dollar for the Westin, but for the miles...no brainer for us.

We also like the Westin ferry. It is expensive but really convenient and we often use that when our trip is extended like that.

I will add to the Westin rooms aren't as out dated as you would think. They are very nice! They are remodeling the whole resort and for what you would pay full price for, I would always try to pay as little as possible or use your starwood points. You will be extremely happy with using your starwood points staying a couple of days. They do have a small fridge and free ice. An awesome refurbed pool.

I would use my points again.

FWIW, when we were looking for a two day stay ahead of our villa being available last fall we were able to get a unit at the Battery Hill Condos that we rented from the owner through VRBO. A slightly longer walk to town than it would be from Grande Bay, but not much. Just another option you can consider.