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Re: Westin St John
[Re: windward2c]
#109190
10/04/2016 02:02 PM
10/04/2016 02:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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I'd rather spend the time on a cat too But if you want to just have time on land, the Westin is nice. I don't know what villas they have, but we stayed in a 3 bedroom condo like unit and it was nice - friends have a time share there. But we didn't spend too much time at the resort. We rented a jeep and went to a different beach each most of the days we were there.
Matt
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Re: Westin St John
[Re: Cleobeach]
#109192
10/04/2016 03:11 PM
10/04/2016 03:11 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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We did swim at the beach there once. It's my understanding they have their own desalination plant and it pumps right back in there which is the only explanation I could see for the incredibly salty water - far more so then normal.
They do have a nice pool though and its easy enough to drive to other much better beaches.
Matt
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Re: Westin St John
[Re: FrenchLaundry]
#109195
10/05/2016 12:18 PM
10/05/2016 12:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454
Virginia wishing STJ
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My wife and I love STJ, and like mentioned above we tend to head towards private villas vice the resorts. Why... because that is what we like, and we realize many like the resort environment.
However, I think the Westin gets some unfair knocks over their “Beach”. I just looked at what they say on their website about the beach. “Our St. John beach hotel is situated along the shores of Great Cruz Bay, just steps from the Caribbean. Great Cruz Bay is a calm, tranquil bay with a pristinely landscaped white sand beach. Spend the day relaxing and taking in the view, or wade in the bay's smooth waters.” All of which is true. A very scenic man made beach just steps away from many of the rooms. BUT - I think the keyword in that sentence is - wade.
One just has to look at all the boats in Great Cruz Bay, and they will know it is not the place to swim. Neither is Cruz Bay, Frank Bay, or Coral Bay. Chocolate Hole is pushing it also. They are lovely bays and are also homes for many boats and/or ferry traffic. I am pretty sure that the only regulations about pumping waste water off boats is one of: Please be a good steward and dump while underway not in the harbor. As in any marina in the USA, even with dump laws, I personally do not swim in harbors/marinas.
There are some beautiful beaches and VERY few resorts on STJ - So it would be my recommendation to anyone if staying at the Westin get a car, taxi, or walk/hitch hike to STJ’s wonderful beaches. Then come back to the Westin, enjoy the pool, the view of boats, and WADE out to listen to the clanging of the sailboats with a rum punch in hand. Once again the "keyword" - Wade. You will not be in paradise, but you can see it from there.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Westin St John
[Re: TomB]
#109196
10/06/2016 09:59 AM
10/06/2016 09:59 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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Great Cruz Bay has liveaboards, but the much bigger problem is runoff from Guinea Ghut into Great Cruz Bay. There is water running much of the year, there is a dump at the top of the hill that leaches into the Ghut and septic tanks routinely overflow into the Ghut. When there is a heavy rain all of that washes into Great Cruz Bay.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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