mjc

We are thinking about St. John, and were wondering about the Westin resort. Has anyone been there? Wth kids?

Paul

With kids the Westin may be your best choice. It's a pretty resort albeit commercial and not extremely "Caribbean". They have a very well run kids program and a terrific pool. The beach on the other hand is man made and only so - so in my view. Also the view up into the surrounding hills is not very pretty either. For my money staying at Caneel is worth the xtra $$ when traveling that distance and spending that much $$ anyway. Either way you'll still be in a little bit of paradise. <BR> <BR>Good luck!

lp

We stayed at the Westin last summer with our kids, ages 4 & 7 then. They loved it, as did mom and dad! They loved the pool and the beach was small and child friendly. We spent several afternoons at Trunk Bay....they have restrooms, showers, and snackbar which was nice with kids. We just got back from Aruba with our kids this year and stayed at the Hyatt, I would highly recommend this resort for kids, as well. By the way, used the kids camp two afternoons at both resorts and kids had a blast. Good luck!

Karen

If Caneel is a budget buster and a villa won't do but you must go to St. John, the Westin is the only other choice. If you stay there, plan to rent a vehicle to commute to the lovely northshore beaches (or taxi - but they do charge per person per trip). The Westin's manmade beach is far from the best on St. John and there are many! Not sure when you are going but the Westin will often have some super deals, especially in the summer, that makes the wonderful island a bargain but you do get what you pay for! The standard rooms are very small so not sure how many kids you are taking and if you can crowd in one room and that would make a villa much more comfortable and appropriate. It is a lovely manicured property and there is a very large pool on property. <BR>There is a multitude of villas for rent (a few beachfront) which families seem to enjoy and the 7 beaches on the Caneel property make it very attractive for a great vacation!

Karen

There are some really horrendous stories re the Westin on St. John. There is also a terrific website www.usvi-on-line.com that you should visit and post your question. This is where I read all the cons on the Westin. Unequivocally, everyone says that Caneel is much nicer, more service oriented and has better beaches on-site. <BR> <BR>You may want to rent a villa, which is what we do each year. You would be surprised how reasonable they are with pools and hot tubs often included. Since you are probably traveling with children off-season (from May til mid-December), the cost is half in-season rates. The villas are absolutely beautiful, fully appointed with every amenity you could want and the realtor meets you at the ferry dock, takes you to pick up your vehicle and on to the villa with full tour of villa and there to answer any questions you might have. There are also some condos at Gallow's Point that everyone seems to like and they are within walking distance to Cruz Bay. Feel free to e'mail direct with any questions you might have.

Hans

Although it has been three years since my visit to the Westin, I would have to agree with some of the previous posts and say that I was very disappointed with the Westin. We had booked a beachfront room usiung our United Airlines certificates giving us 50% off so I think the rate came down to about $200 which, given the room, I thought was still too high. The room was a very standard motel room--nothing fancy and certainly a step well below other Westin's I have stayed at. Although the beach was righ out the door, the beach is manmade is not that great--especially compared toany of the other beaches on the island. The service was particularly slow and given that it was July and off-season, they only had one restaurant open each evening. Notwithstanding that, the public areas are very nice and the pool is great but overall, I can not recommend the hotel. I think you should conisder staying at Caneel Bay which is a much nice property or even staying on a neighboring island--St. John is not to be missed--it is one of (if not the) most beautiful islands I have been to in the Caribbean. Hope this helps!

Diana

I stayed at the Westin last summer. I enjoyed the hotel, but was disappointed with the beach there. Had to rent a car and travel to local beaches. Wouldn't return again, just for that reason alone.