ExploreSTJ.com

Let’s be honest, if you are reading this it’s because you love St. John. Chances are you have vacationed here at least once, although most people who visit us have come multiple times over the years. Some of you are even lucky enough to come yearly.

Vacationing in St. John is not inexpensive, but there are ways to save money. One of those ways is to purchase a deeded week at the Westin Resort. Deeded weeks are great people looking for a guaranteed stay at the Westin, St. John’s only true resort. Purchasing a deeded week typically costs less annually when compared to renting a hotel room at the Westin or at other spots around the island.

With these deeds weeks, you care guaranteed a specific vacation week in a specific unit every year, or every other year if that’s what you choose to purchase. This simplifies vacation planning. Many of these timeshares can also be exchanged for stays at other locations around the world. It’s a win-win of sorts.

Here is what I currently have available for sale at the Westin:

• Enjoy an early October vacation in St. John every even year. Week 41 typically falls over Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. Spend a week is this beautiful three bedroom, three bathroom townhouse villa that has its own private pool. This is unit 4215. The asking price is $1,000, and the annual fees are $2,387.51.
• Vacation in St. John every other year in this beautiful, three-bedroom, three bathroom unit at the renowned Westin Resort. This unit is a float during Platinum Season, which is from Week 19 through Week 33. Sunday, September 27th through October 4th is already reserved for you for 2025. This is unit 2623. The asking price is $3,000, and the annual fees are 2,130.98.
• Spend a month on St. John! Enjoy slow season in your very one one bedroom, two bathroom townhouse. Enjoy less crowds, near-empty beaches and more for an entire month! This is unit 3422. The asking price is only $4,000. The annual fees are 13,528.86.
• Enjoy a March vacation every year in this two bedroom, three bathroom hillside unit. This hillside unit is located in the highest part of the resort, and the views are absolutely incredible. It’s an annual Saturday to Saturday rental, making travel arrangements that much easier. This is unit 3228. The asking price is $8,000, and the annual fees are $3,290.
• Spend Labor Day 2025 in St. John! This deeded, three-bedroom, three bathroom unit – week 35 – is located on the waterfront section of the resort and is a short walk to the resort’s sandy beach. Watch the boats come and go in the harbor from your very own private balcony! This is for unit 2723. The asking price is $8,000., and the annual fees are $2,988.96.
• Enjoy the first week of June in this beautiful three bedroom property at the Westin St. John! Avoid the high season crowds, but enjoy everything the island has to offer. This is for week 22, unit 2423. The asking price is $11,000, and the annual fees are $2,988.96.
• Enjoy the first week of March in your very own St. John vacation rental! This two bedroom, three bathroom townhouse is top-notch! It is beautifully decorated, well-appointed, and its balcony has incredible sunset views during this time of the year! This is week 9, unit 3110. The asking price is $12,000, and the annual fees are $3,489.41.
• Enjoy a Spring vacation in St. John every year in this very private, three bedroom villa that has its own pool and hot tub. Week 18 typically falls at the beginning of May, which is a great time to visit St. John. (**Week 19 is also available to purchase.**) This is for week 18, unit 4313. The asking price is $15,000, and the annual fees are $4,775.02.
• Enjoy a Spring vacation in St. John every year in this very private, three bedroom villa that has its own pool and hot tub. Week 19 typically falls at the beginning of May, which is a great time to visit St. John. (**Week 18 is also available to purchase.**) This is for week 19, unit 4313. The asking price is $15,000, and the annual fees are $4,775.02.

Several of these owners are very motivated to sell, so please contact me to make an offer.

If you are interested in any of these units or if you have a question, please feel free to email me at jenn@explorestj.com.

Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour

See the island of St. John with a resident. See the nooks and crannies that many visitors miss. Explore the beaches, historical sites, perhaps a tiki bar or two, and much more. Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Click Here to Book Now. 

Well this is good news! The new ferry has arrived in the US Virgin Islands! It hasn’t been put into service yet, but I’m sure that will happen soon!

The new ferry – named Spirit of 1733 – holds 300 passengers, which is more than our current ferries. It arrived in the St. Thomas last week, per Government House. The Spirit of 1733 is a state-of the-art ferry that is ADA-complaint and has eco-friendly technology. It even has a dedicated space for luggage, so no more worrying about your bag getting drenched in a rainstorm.

Spirit of 1733 – The Historical Connection 

Some of you who aren’t as familiar with St. John’s history may be wondering the significance of 1733. That year marks an integral part of St. John’s history.

Denmark settled St. John in 1718 and brought enslaved people from Africa’s Guinea Coast for the purposes of working the sugar plantations. A large number of those enslaved people came from the Akwamu tribe, a tribe that ruled present-day Ghana for decades. The Akwamu often traded with the Danes, selling their fellow Africans into slavery. Eventually the Akwamu was defeated and was sold into slavery themselves. Many were subsequently brought to St. John.

The Akwamu was a tribe that had numerous strong warriors, and those warriors eventually planned a revolt here in St. John. Led by King Kanta, King Claes, King Juni and Queen Breffu, the Akwamu entered a fort in Coral Bay carrying bales of wood. (This occurred at Fortsberg, which is the area of land on the east side of Coral Bay harbor.) The warriors acted as if they were initiating a normal delivery of wood, but once they were inside the mostly-unmanned fort, they branded cane knives and killed the soldiers who were present. The tribe moved plantation to plantation, killing colonists until they held most of the island. The 1733 Slave Insurrection was the first time that enslaved people took control of a colony. This was a major historical event, and it is remarkable that it took place in St. John.

The insurrection lasted nearly six months. The Danes eventually made a deal with the French, and troops from Martinique arrived to quell the uprising. The Akwamu fought, but could not hold off the forces, so they were left with few options. Rather than be recaptured and tortured, many chose suicide. In April 1734, a number of freedom fighters ritualistically took their own lives on Ram Head. A plaque now sits there to honor this integral part of St. John’s rich history.

Hopefully the new ferry will be put into service soon. I will let you know when that happens.

Win a Week at Monarch Cottage, A Brand-New Waterfront Rental – Proceeds to support the Animal Care Center & St. John Rescue 

Explore STJ is holding a raffle! The cost is only $25 a ticket! Proceeds will be split between the Animal Care Center and St. John Rescue. Here is what you can win:

• A seven-night stay at Monarch Cottage – A brand-new, waterfront home with a pool & hot tub near Cruz Bay.
• A $500 VISA gift card courtesy of Explore STJ
• A sunset sail for up to six people with Island Roots Boat Charters
• A $100 gift certificate to Cruz Bay Landing
• A $100 gift certificate to The Tap Room
• A $100 gift certificate to The Windmill Bar
• A Trunk Bay puzzle courtesy of Explore STJ

This raffle has an estimated value of $8495! The raffle period will end on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 9 p.m. AST. The winner will be announced on or about April 8, 2025.

You will receive one entry for every $25 donation you make.

(Click here to read more about Monarch Cottage.)

Cruz Bay has yet another new hotel!

The Saint is a brand new resort and day club that’s located directly across from Gallows Point Resort. The Saint features two suites, one penthouse, and three traditional hotel rooms. Rates begin at $368 and vary based on season.

The Saint is the newest endeavor by John Yob, a part-time resident who also owns Maho Crossroads, Lovango Rum Bar, Colombo’s Smoothies, and News of St. John. While I haven’t had the opportunity to walk the property yet, it really looks beautiful when passing by.

The Saint also features a day club. Guests can purchase a day pass to enjoy the pool, sun deck, pool bar, and gym among other things. Passes cost $35 a day. You can upgrade to a pergola, which costs $460. The pergola can accommodate up to six guests and includes a large sofa to relax on. The $460 fee includes day passes for all six people. Food and beverages are available for sale.

This property is for adults who are ages 18 and over. That includes the day club portion, as well. Check out a few more pics:

Looking for more information on The Saint? Click here to visit their website. 

Explore STJ is holding a raffle! The cost is only $25 a ticket! Proceeds will be split between the Animal Care Center and St. John Rescue. Here is what you can win:

• A seven-night stay at Monarch Cottage – A brand-new, waterfront home with a pool & hot tub near Cruz Bay.
• A $500 VISA gift card courtesy of Explore STJ
• A sunset sail for up to six people with Island Roots Boat Charters
• A $100 gift certificate to Cruz Bay Landing
• A $100 gift certificate to The Tap Room
• A $100 gift certificate to The Windmill Bar
• A Trunk Bay puzzle courtesy of Explore STJ

This raffle has an estimated value of $8495! The raffle period will end on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 9 p.m. AST. The winner will be announced on or about April 8, 2025.

You will receive one entry for every $25 donation you make.

(Click here to read more about Monarch Cottage.)