Villas and Resorts

The Westin Resort received approval to conduct dredging operations around the hotel’s dock as well as to convert seven building to timeshares, expand the pool deck, build a guardhouse and modify the kitchen at the pool bar, according to the St. John Source.  The St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee unanimously approved the hotel’s requests. 

The dredging is necessary, the hotel said, because ferries using the dock have filled in the area. CZM required the resort to complete certification of acceptable water quality, which reportedly has already been done.  The CZM action now goes to the VI Senate and then the Governor for final authorizations.

Both Caneel Bay Resort and Westin Resort and Villas are reporting record occupancy rates during the first quarter of the year.  Matt Balcik, at the Westin, said "we’re running at 92% occupancy," while Caneel’s chief, Rik Blyth said the resort has had occupancy in the high 80s to low 90s during the first three months of the year.  Favorable publicity in mainland media, including Conde Nast’s Travelers Magazine and The New York Times is credited for some of the strength in business.

The third quarter looks iffy, however. Caneel’s Blyth said last year’s September and October were much worse than in 2004, according to the St. John Trade winds.  "My gut feeling  is that it has to do with all the hurricanes. and the threat of them this year," he said.

The Westin Resort has asked approval from the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee to convert a third of its hotel buildings to timeshares.  Matt Balcik, the hotel manager, said timeshares are "hot" so converting four buildings on hotel grounds makes sense, according to the St. John Source.  Balcik said the rooms  will be offered as hotel accommodations when owners are not in residence.  The Resort’s original timeshare buildings are on the left side of the south shore road, as you’re headed away from Cruz Bay.

Julien Harley, CZM chairman, said the hotel needs only a minor permit to make the move.  A spokesman for CZM said the committee would meet April 13 for what he said would be "a decision and modification meeting" on the Westin’s request.

On the job as managing director of Caneel Bay Resort for the past 16 months has taught Rik Blyth the place is one of a kind. "You could not recreate this resort in today’s world."  He told the St. John Sun-Times the greatest challenge in running the 175-acre, 166-room, 7-beach facility is "playing the role of caretaker to a place of such age and setting." 

That also means observing tradition.  Even though rooms at Caneel range from $400 to $900 a night, there still are no phones or television. But that doesn’t mean he’s a luddite.  Technology, in the form of GPS systems, is incorporated into treasure hunts on the property, and some rooms have powerful telescopes.  "I discovered I could see beaches on St. Thomas as clearly as though I was standing right in front of its windows."

The recent purchase of Caneel by Rosewood resorts has brought new investment in the property.  The tennis courts are being resurfaced, furniture in the terrace and bar is being replaced, and construction is underway on a new seaside bar which will feature brick oven pizza.  Plans are also to refurnish the guest rooms, but only after letting long-time guests see them and make comments.