St John experts ~ Should I do this?
Jan 4th, 2007, 03:56 PM
#21
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Owa,
Yep, that's me. Still love Grand Cayman, but STJ has stolen our hearts.
The snorkeling is great at both, but I'd have to give the nod to STJ. There are close to 40 beaches to choose from, so there is MUCH more variety. I think timing is crucial, because we had rough seas, and northern winds, so it did make for some stirred up conditions at some places. The beauty of STJ is that you can drive around and find sheltered coves that have better conditions.
The island itself is almost majestic comparing it to GC. Cayman is flat & scrubby, where STJ was hilly & lush.
Food was good, but I think GC has better restaurants. Both places can be pricey depending on where you dine of course.
We stayed at Gallows Point condos, which is an easy stroll into town. Great ocean views, pretty good snorkeling right there on site. The convenience to town was great. We don't drink & drive, so being able to walk home at night was great. It's weird as you are actually allowed to have an open drink while driving, but they'll pull you over for no seatbelt!! I spoke to a lawyer at one of the beach bars, and he said there isn't a breathalizer on the entire island....scary!!
We might try Anguilla this year, but almost positive we're headed back to STJ for 08.
Yep, that's me. Still love Grand Cayman, but STJ has stolen our hearts.
The snorkeling is great at both, but I'd have to give the nod to STJ. There are close to 40 beaches to choose from, so there is MUCH more variety. I think timing is crucial, because we had rough seas, and northern winds, so it did make for some stirred up conditions at some places. The beauty of STJ is that you can drive around and find sheltered coves that have better conditions.
The island itself is almost majestic comparing it to GC. Cayman is flat & scrubby, where STJ was hilly & lush.
Food was good, but I think GC has better restaurants. Both places can be pricey depending on where you dine of course.
We stayed at Gallows Point condos, which is an easy stroll into town. Great ocean views, pretty good snorkeling right there on site. The convenience to town was great. We don't drink & drive, so being able to walk home at night was great. It's weird as you are actually allowed to have an open drink while driving, but they'll pull you over for no seatbelt!! I spoke to a lawyer at one of the beach bars, and he said there isn't a breathalizer on the entire island....scary!!
We might try Anguilla this year, but almost positive we're headed back to STJ for 08.
Jan 4th, 2007, 05:13 PM
#22
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Kristen - we stayed at the Westin summer of 2005. The resort was beautiful and comfortable, but not at all what I expected for the price. Another couple that went with us actually purchased a timeshare and have returned each year since. St. John, no matter how long the "talk", is worth it in my opinion. Contact [email protected] for a wonderful sailing experience. That was the hightlight of our trip!
Jan 4th, 2007, 07:55 PM
#23
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Kristen,
When are you planning to go? If during the high season (winter), it will prove to be a fantastic deal. During the rest of the year, you might be able to get a very good deal without doing a timeshare presentation.
Starwood will oftentimes market discounted rates after the winter season. I was just there in late Oct 06 on a regularly published promo rate of $189 per night (excl $25 daily resort fee) for 5 nights; plus ferry transfers of $85 each (for 2); ended up in a pool view room rather than a garden view. Something to consider.
By the way, you can find my review of the Westin St John at: http://tinyurl.com/y2s5vh
And a detailed St John trip report here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34901134
But from what I hear, a SVO (Starwood Vacation Ownership) presentation is very low pressure, and you don't necessarily have to attend for their 5-night packages. But you do get quite a bit of SPG points if you decide to attend.
That's why I signed up for a SVO presentation at the Princeville on Kauai for 5-nights for $789 incl Avis car rental...too good to pass up. I hope I hear from SVO for the same WSJ offer as yours so I can return to St John
.
When are you planning to go? If during the high season (winter), it will prove to be a fantastic deal. During the rest of the year, you might be able to get a very good deal without doing a timeshare presentation.
Starwood will oftentimes market discounted rates after the winter season. I was just there in late Oct 06 on a regularly published promo rate of $189 per night (excl $25 daily resort fee) for 5 nights; plus ferry transfers of $85 each (for 2); ended up in a pool view room rather than a garden view. Something to consider.
By the way, you can find my review of the Westin St John at: http://tinyurl.com/y2s5vh
And a detailed St John trip report here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34901134
But from what I hear, a SVO (Starwood Vacation Ownership) presentation is very low pressure, and you don't necessarily have to attend for their 5-night packages. But you do get quite a bit of SPG points if you decide to attend.
That's why I signed up for a SVO presentation at the Princeville on Kauai for 5-nights for $789 incl Avis car rental...too good to pass up. I hope I hear from SVO for the same WSJ offer as yours so I can return to St John
.
Jan 5th, 2007, 05:55 AM
#24
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Bluefan... I think i will opt to travel in March as I always travel in low season (April, May, early December) when I pay for it myself!
They told me when I called we did not have to attend any time share talks. But I have some people who did got $$ off excursions etc. I would do it if I got aomething for it. Woudl i just ask to see if I would get anythin extra for attending or do they have to make the offer to you?
They told me when I called we did not have to attend any time share talks. But I have some people who did got $$ off excursions etc. I would do it if I got aomething for it. Woudl i just ask to see if I would get anythin extra for attending or do they have to make the offer to you?
Jan 5th, 2007, 07:11 AM
#25
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I would go for that deal! We went to St. John in 2002, and I'm headed back in 29 days. Villa both times, but we did go take a drive and check out the Westin. We even asked to see a room, and they were very nice about it. Very typical hotel rooms, but a beautiful property, with nice amenities, pools, and kid friendly.
Jan 5th, 2007, 07:13 AM
#26
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ej,
Hi! Yes, started working again in November.I do like being in the *work force* again
, plus my 4 year old loves preschool.
We are hoping to be able to go to Jamaica in May or June.It's so hard though because I love St John and Grand Cayman and would love to go back to those places also..maybe later this year.
Jamaica looks to be a beautiful country,so I am looking forward to it.I just hope that I can get my mom or someone to watch the kids as we (esp. me) need a trip without the kids.
Bluefan,
What a lucky person you are, to stay at the Princeville Resort on my favorite island.......if only I lived closer to the West Coast! I guess I'm lucky to be close to the Caribbean though.
The Princeville Resort looks to be really nice.
I hope that you do a trip report when you return.When are you going?
Christie
Hi! Yes, started working again in November.I do like being in the *work force* again
, plus my 4 year old loves preschool.We are hoping to be able to go to Jamaica in May or June.It's so hard though because I love St John and Grand Cayman and would love to go back to those places also..maybe later this year.
Jamaica looks to be a beautiful country,so I am looking forward to it.I just hope that I can get my mom or someone to watch the kids as we (esp. me) need a trip without the kids.
Bluefan,
What a lucky person you are, to stay at the Princeville Resort on my favorite island.......if only I lived closer to the West Coast!
I guess I'm lucky to be close to the Caribbean though.The Princeville Resort looks to be really nice.
I hope that you do a trip report when you return.When are you going?
Christie
Jan 5th, 2007, 04:45 PM
#27
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kristen,
at least get a verbal confirmation that you can stay in March at the timeshare promo rate before putting up the amount; it would suck to put up the full $899 and not get the dates you want
from what I understand, a SVO rep will contact you after checking in for your stay and offer you $$ off excursions or SPG points (depending on the resort) for attending a time share presentation; you should then decide to attend if it's worth spending 90 minutes or more of precious vacation time on (even if it's low pressure). for me, it would have to be a min of $250 or 10,000 SPG points.
christie,
i'm returning to kauai in the last week of Sep. i'm jealous of you...debating between StJ, Cayman and Jamaica in May or June. i'll be looking forward to your usual insightful trip report and beautiful photos as well.
at least get a verbal confirmation that you can stay in March at the timeshare promo rate before putting up the amount; it would suck to put up the full $899 and not get the dates you want
from what I understand, a SVO rep will contact you after checking in for your stay and offer you $$ off excursions or SPG points (depending on the resort) for attending a time share presentation; you should then decide to attend if it's worth spending 90 minutes or more of precious vacation time on (even if it's low pressure). for me, it would have to be a min of $250 or 10,000 SPG points.
christie,
i'm returning to kauai in the last week of Sep. i'm jealous of you...debating between StJ, Cayman and Jamaica in May or June. i'll be looking forward to your usual insightful trip report and beautiful photos as well.
Jan 6th, 2007, 05:47 AM
#29
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Wow. If you don't want to use your deal, I know about alot of people who would gladly snap that up! A night at the Westin usually costs about $300 (cheap) to $700 a night! The little dog and pony show they put on for you only takes about 75 minutes and it's actually kind of fun. I would schedule the talk as early in your trip as possible so you can just relax the rest of the time. We scheduled ours at breakfast time (which is complimentary) and they gave us a kind of low key pitch and then a tour around the grounds. Definitely not painful, and you might actually find yourself seriously considering it because the Westin is very well-run and the timeshare is considered very desirable in terms of exchanges. Oops, I think I just repeated half their shpieel (sp).
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