lauramsgarden

With Gratitude to everyone for your advice we returned tired but happy from our 5 year delayed honeymoon. Our visit to St. John was all we dreamed about. The Westin on the whole was very comfortable - bed was great, room was comfortable, staff for the most part very friendly. Only complaint (and this is being picky) is that the towels were a bit threadbare for a 4 star hotel. Also did not appreciate the heavy pressure to go to a time share presentation.

Beaches - never made it to Trunk or cinamon Bay but adored Leinster and Francis Bay and Hawksnest and Salt Pond. Fell in love with snorkeling.

Strongly advise renting a car so you see the real island - but beware, the roads are crazy hairpin turns at 75 degree angles. Only for the brave of heart. If you are not up for it find out about the taxi system - we used it at night to go to diner as Cruz bay has no parking.

Restaurants: Loved Morgan's Mango, Miss Lucy's and had the best desert I've ever had at Ocean Grill. less thrilled with Rhumb Lines and Waterfront Grill. Also highly recommend the Westin's new upscale restaurant Cruz Bay Prime - best steak I've ever had.

The only other down note - I was distrubed by the racial division on the island. Coming from a well integrated community I was distressed by the lack of interaction between black and white communities. This was our first trip to the caribeann so I don't know if this is true throughout the area. I've decided that from now on when I travel I will try to always contribute to local charities - hopefully mitigate any negative impact my visit might have.

virginia

glad you had a wonderful trip.
snorkeling has become one of my favorite activities.

we took stuff to a tiny school in mexico when we visited there a couple years ago. they had an a site that listed what might be useful. i know i felt good about it.

i'd like to think some of what you saw as racial division has at least some to do with the served vs server thing and the fact that the locals see so many tourists come to their home for such short periods of time. i worked at ski areas in colo when i was younger and i know we were not intended to socialize with the customers. plus there were lots of jokes made about "the tourists". my point is none of that was about race.

Kristen1206

I agree about the Westin's towels...they are awful. Glad you had a great trip!

ladynora

We actually have a time share at the Westin and have been going there for the past 14 years. If poor towels were the only disappointment, that is not too bad. We have always found the staff to be extremely friendly and accommodating. Many of the same people have worked there year after year. Did Cruz Bay Prime replace Chloe and Bernard's in the main dining room at the Westin?? Anyway, it is definitely a place to relax. The beautiful pool, beach, etc. Each year is a new adventure as you never know what business and restaurant has made it from one year to the next as the island is so reliant on the tourist trade. We love the jewelry store Versace in Cruz Bay and have been know to drop a few dollars there every year as well as Little Switerland at the Westin. I will be interested to see what has replaced Chilly Billy's/Dinner with Andre in Cruz Bay. Always was our favorite breakfast and dinner spot. Anyone know what has replaced that and if it is any good? Paradiso, ZoZo's, Roma's, and Fish Trap were great but would also like to know if anyone has been there recently. We leave on January 30 for 2 weeks and can hardly wait!

lauramsgarden

I certainly understand what Virginia is saying about tourists/locals. What I observed was more the division amongst the people who lived there - the wealthy home owners/ "ex-patriots" and the local black population who seemed to live mostly in fairly stark poverty. But of course I only saw the surface. there may be more sense of community away from the tourists. Happy travels all.

brenandg

Sounds like you had a nice time on St John. Just wanted to clarify that while limited, there is parking in Cruz Bay. The is a lot called Slimman's across from Wharfside Landing that you can park in all evening for $10. I didn't check out the daily rates. I also think there is a new lot where the old Front Yard Bar used to be.

Sorry to disagree with you, but I would hardly call how the local West Indians live there as "stark poverty". I have seen far worse on other islands.

CaneelBay

lauramsgarden, your comment about "fairly stark poverty" of the "local black population" is so wrong. I'm not sure what you saw on St. John, but the native St. Johnians are far from poor! Don't let the size of the homes fool you, we take vacations, support children in college, send our children to private school, own property, etc. We are very blessed, happy and are rich in many areas other than what you see on the surface!