St. John USVI
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
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I did not stay there but we took a ferry to St. John a few years ago from St. Thomas for some snorkeling and the resort looked beautiful, very clean grounds and overall looked like a nice place to stay.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Good for me a few years back recent reviews booking.com priceline.com bidding for me last had great prices .
caneelbay.com is great for lunch there the more upscale property but for the $$$ the Westin cannot be beat. Join spg.com preferred guest program at no charge for perks like club floor suite upgrades all free.Their Amex Credit Card is good for free nights stays too for me in the past.
great snorkel diving off the beach there I LOVE St John.
Happy Trails!
caneelbay.com is great for lunch there the more upscale property but for the $$$ the Westin cannot be beat. Join spg.com preferred guest program at no charge for perks like club floor suite upgrades all free.Their Amex Credit Card is good for free nights stays too for me in the past.
great snorkel diving off the beach there I LOVE St John.
Happy Trails!
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Are you planning to rent a car? While the Westin has very nice pools, their beach is very limited and so if you really want to experience the beaches of St. John, you'll need to go off property. If you're not renting a car, you'll be able to use the taxi/jitneys, which charge by the person.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
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You will definitely want to rent a jeep during your stay at the Westin. We always enjoyed our time staying there, but now that we know the island better we prefer staying at a villa. Here is a post from my blog with pics from the Westin:
http://susannj.travellerspoint.com/9/
http://susannj.travellerspoint.com/9/
#6
Join Date: Aug 2004
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For a first time visit the Westin will be fine, but be sure to hit lots of other beaches.
St John has some fabulous restaurants...personally I don't love Caneel. In Cruz Bay be sure to hit the Beach Bar for drinks, Spyglass for happy hour, Banana Deck, Rhumblines, Morgan's Mango, and/or Zozo's (expensive). If you can get out to Coral Bay Shipwreck is our favorite, Skinny Legs and Aqua Bistro are great.
Can you see the islands on the water somehow? We love Palm Tree Charter, if too expensive maybe rent a dinghy from Noah's Little Arks.
St John has some fabulous restaurants...personally I don't love Caneel. In Cruz Bay be sure to hit the Beach Bar for drinks, Spyglass for happy hour, Banana Deck, Rhumblines, Morgan's Mango, and/or Zozo's (expensive). If you can get out to Coral Bay Shipwreck is our favorite, Skinny Legs and Aqua Bistro are great.
Can you see the islands on the water somehow? We love Palm Tree Charter, if too expensive maybe rent a dinghy from Noah's Little Arks.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
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The Westin is in my opinion o.k. That is based upon walking around the property. It has a good location for the access to the town to dine. You can get to snorkel tour boats, try to go out on DoubleD Charters for they do a good job and do not take 25-35 people but usually 15 and they do a good job. You might go twice if they will go to Norman Island and the Indians one trip and Monkey Point and the Dogs another. Both trips have great snorkeling at least for the Caribbean. As suggested lunch at Caneel though $40+/-/person is lovely or there dinner buffet, dress is up-scale casual is quite special.
Enjoy
Enjoy
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Good- nice property, convenient location, a couple of restaurants onsite, nice pool, good access to activities (boat rentals, trips, etc)
"Bad"- while it's a lovely property, it is commercialized compared to the rest of St John's natural beauty. ie it has a man made beach.
It is certainly fine, especially for a first visit. You'll definitely want to rent a car or plan to take taxis in order to explore the north shore beaches which are breath taking.
I prefer to rent a villa. There are lots that are actually cheaper than the Westin and you get privacy plus the convenience (and cost savings) of being able to make your own breakfasts, cocktails, etc.
"Bad"- while it's a lovely property, it is commercialized compared to the rest of St John's natural beauty. ie it has a man made beach.
It is certainly fine, especially for a first visit. You'll definitely want to rent a car or plan to take taxis in order to explore the north shore beaches which are breath taking.
I prefer to rent a villa. There are lots that are actually cheaper than the Westin and you get privacy plus the convenience (and cost savings) of being able to make your own breakfasts, cocktails, etc.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2011
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My husband and I have stayed at the Westin several times in the past and enjoyed the grounds and rooms. They do have an onsite car rental service which is very convenient. If you use the Westin as a base during your stay, you will have a great time. You can check out my travel blog about the Westin:
http://susannj.travellerspoint.com/9/
http://susannj.travellerspoint.com/9/
#14
Join Date: Jul 2004
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I believe they do stop in St. John on certain trips though they do not "dock' It is based on the number of stops and guests. If they have 10-14 and are willing to make just one other stop ie. Norman Island he was stopping at St.John. But he might make the dtop in the way down so you would have great snorleing in and around Caneel. The cost might now be $125 with a pretty decent lunch.