We're thinking of taking our 2 children, 9 and 12, to St. John for a week. From reading these boards, the Westin seems more family oriented than Caneel Bay. Would we be better off in 2 adjoining rooms or the 1 bedroom villas? How far away are they? Has anyone stayed there? Thanks for any feedback you can provide. Also, how's the weather late June-early July? Thanks!!

The Villas are across the road--I'd opt for rooms on the pool(which is near the beach). We stay at the Westin every year and love it. Weather will be in the 80's. Rain should not be a problem. Good Luck !!

Ezron, thanks for replying so quickly. Since you've stayed at the Westin, I wonder whether you could tell me whether it pays to splurge for the beachfront or oceanfront rooms, or are the garden view sufficient? Did you travel there with kids? Any suggestions on what to do? Thanks!

Garden is not bad, as long as you're not up the hill---but, we try to get a 1st floor poolside room, which works out great with kids, as they can come and go by the patio door(beach is only steps away). The oceanfront rooms are just a building over. So, to answer your question, if it is not too much $$, yes-- I would pay extra to be either pool, or ocean front. Anymore questons, I'd be glad to answer.

We stayed in one of Westins garden rooms last September and thought it was very nice.<BR>Seemed like there was a lot of stuff for kids to do.<BR>Here's a link to some of our pictures.<BR>Bill<BR>http://www.pbase.com/bill_l

Hi--we were at the Westin last August with our 10-year-old and thought it was terrific. We stayed in the hillside rooms because that was all that was available when we booked but we loved being on the hillside. We actually would request those rooms again as they felt a bit more peaceful and seemed more quiet that those closer to the pool and beach. I agree that the villas across the street are too far away. Your kids will love the pool and be sure to rent a car/jeep to go snorkling and explore the rest of the island.

I concur with all of the replies. We jsut returned last night from the Westin St. John. I was also trying to decide between a villa or a gardenview room. I'm so glad we picked the gardenview room. The villas were a little far away, but more importantly they were uphill (and I mean a steep climb). I would definitely opt for a regular hotel room. We booked a gardenview room and wound up with a poolview room. I would have enjoyed any room because they are all fairly close to the main lobby and all have good views.<BR><BR>I definitely agree that the Westin is the place to go with kids. They have tons of activities for kids including, iguana feedings, pool raft races, sandcastle building contests, two water trampolines, a plastice iceberg you can climb up and slide down in the ocean, etc. This is just to name a few! We went to Caneel Bary briefly and it was fairly stuff and not very kid-oriented.