posted 01-24-2005 18:04               

Mailing ahead is a GREAT idea...lessen the load traveling with a young one. I think we will chance the ferry too.If something goes awry then we will improvise! sounds great if it works.

I'll check out the car rental site, too. Our challenge, I imagine, will be finding a car big enough for 5 adults plus a child seat.

posted 01-24-2005 18:28               

I called the Westin hotel concierge and she directed me to the resident car rental agency. We reserved a 7 passenger Durango for three of our days. Don't remember the price but I think it was about $70-80 per day.

There may be places to rent for less but [1] my sister-in-law is paying for it to thank us for taking them! and [2] it's on-site and just so easy.

posted 01-25-2005 17:03               

Wow, your trip is getting near. You mustbe getting excited!

Mine is still quite a ways out, but this may be the most stress free planning ever since there has been so much great advice here!

posted 01-26-2005 15:30            

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet---

Renting a car might not be a good idea, and the reason being-- Yes they are American made cars with the steering wheel on the left side but in the USVI they drive on the wrong side of the road and there not very wide streets either!!!!
So, if your not familiar with driving on the wrong side of the road you could be asking for trouble or getting hurt!!! So, lets be careful it's your vacation!

You might consider using the Taxis.... there everywhere!!!

posted 01-26-2005 17:35               

------------------
Cheryl

posted 01-27-2005 20:22               

Sheesh, is parking really that bad?

posted 01-30-2005 17:58               

The weather was 1 full day of rain. The rest was mostly sunny and 80's. There were storms each day but they only lasted a few minutes. It was a lot better than the 35 inches of snow we got in new england this week.

We stayed in a 1 Bed room villa, building 31. I was really nice with lots of room and everything looked brand new.

If you want other information let me know!

posted 02-14-2005 19:04            

Some information that may be useful:

1. The ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay may be cheaper, but the Westin arrangements directly from the St. Thomas airport are definitely more convenient. No hassle with the luggage or connections. The bus takes you from the airport to the ferry, and then the boat directly to the resort. A note: as soon as you arrive at the St. Thomas airport, go to the Westin desk, get your transfers and find out the time the next ferry leaves. If the time seems short (i.e., you have less than 45 minutes), try to identify your luggage at the airport and be ready to board the Westin bus as quickly as possible. Delay could result in your having to wait till the next ferry, which could entail a 2 hour wait. I believe there's a 2 pm ferry and that the next ferry is at 4.

2. It takes quite a while for housekeeping to turn around the villas (especially the 3 bedroom units). Bring a change of clothing in your carry-ons. If the room delay is excessive, the Westin people may comp you lunch. They try to make the "welcome" experience a pleasant one.

3. The three bedroom villa buildings beginning with 41 and 42 are the older units. They're quite wonderful. The master bedroom is downstairs, and has been noted, there are two bedrooms upstairs with a folding partition. While not soundproof, we've used these units for seven years, with family and friends, and they are fine. The newer three bedroom villa buildings beginning with 43 and 44 have permanent partitions upstairs. The newer units have better kitchens, more luxe amenities and are more sleekly designed. While they are truly beautiful, they look more like super-elegant hotel accomodations than the more funky "tropical" themed older units. You can't go wrong with either. The new units have DVD players and gas grills outdoors (as well as full kitchens). The older units have VCRs and Weber charcoal grills outdoors (as well as full kitchens).

4. If you have a lot of people, and want a car, arrange through O'Connor rentals at the Westin (call ahead) for a Dodge Durango, which has space for seven people. The car I got was very new (only 500 miles on it). If O'Connor is all booked, try Conrad Sutton or one of the other Cruz Bay rental agencies. They may be able to deliver cars to the hotel.

5. We generally plan to have dinner in Cruz Bay on the day we arrive (it avoids the need to shop immediately). The next day we go to the Starfish market in Cruz Bay (the largest on St. John)to stock up on food. Other markets are Simple Feast at the Palm Plaza (a five minute walk from the villas), which has only a limited number of items, and the Dolphin in Cruz Bay. Make a careful shopping list, and be sure to get charcoal (instant light) and matches if you have the charcoal grill in the older units, as well as laundry detergent, and other basics. (I believe the units already have dishwasher detergent), and should have salt and pepper- but check. The units also have Starbucks coffee, filters and sugar and stirrer packets).

6. Please let me know if you want other information. A quick comment: the beaches on the north shore (the prettiest) have had poor snorkeling these past few weeks because of surges. If you want good snorkeling, visit the beaches on the south shore (Salt Pond Bay at the far east of the island is one), or arrange for a snorkel trip. Cruz Bay Watersports at the Westin runs two-tank scuba in the mornings and one tank scuba and snorkeling in the afternoons. This year we did a full-day snorkel on the Sadie (Sea?) out of Cruz Bay. The boat and the people were very nice.

posted 02-15-2005 06:49               

Thanks for the great report and suggestions. We leave for St. John Friday morning and couldn't be more excited. As I stated earlier in the thread, we'll have a 3 month old infant and would love a solid wall upstairs. Do you think it makes sense to call on Thursday and see if we can be preassigned? If so, is there a separate office for the timeshares or do I just ask for the resort's front desk?

Many thanks.

posted 02-15-2005 17:43               

WOW...the dialogue just keeps getting better. THANKS so much for the thoughtful and thourogh review of the questions!!!

stevens397--- HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

posted 02-15-2005 19:28            

I'd phone the resort front desk and make the request. It probably makes sense to call the 340 number directly to St. John..I think the 800 number goes to Orlando (or somewhere else), so its less likely you'll get personalized service.

Enjoy your stay! We first visited the Westin when our daughter was one, and its kid-friendly atmosphere is what captured us. She's now eight and cherishes her visits more each year.