Westin St. John Resort
Hotel Information: The Westin St. John Resort and Villas is a 47-acre, campus-style resort with spacious lawns, forested hillsides, and tropical gardens, and views of turquoise Great Cruz Bay sheltered on both sides by more green hills. The resort attracts active families and celebrating couples.
Amenity highlights: A 1,200-foot beach provides entry into calm Great Cruz Bay, where there are "iceberg" slides and trampoline rafts. The main pool complex adjoins the beach and includes two spa tubs. Isolated on a hillside in the villa section are two pools with decks for quiet relaxing. The resort supplies complimentary nonmotorized water-sports equipment. Snorkeling gear, motorized water sports, and scuba/snorkeling excursions are available for surcharges.
Insider tip: Although the National Park Service's snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay attracts lots of visitors, experienced St. John snorkelers head to less populated spots such as Waterlemon Cay on the north shore. Reaching the site from a parking lot requires a mile hike on loose rocks, so shoes or hiking sandals are recommended.
The Westin St. John offers 282 guestrooms in 13 two- and three-story buildings (no elevators) arrayed around the pool complex and on a forested hillside about 150 yards from the beach. The resort also offers 60 studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom villas in eight two-story buildings on forested hillsides about 200-300 yards from the beach. Buildings' khaki-colored masonry and cedar-shingle roofs and accents blends into the natural setting.
Both rooms and villas feature Westin's signature Heavenly Beds and Heavenly Baths. Heavenly Beds consist of custom-designed, foot-thick, pillowtop mattresses; all-white bedding; triple sheeting; tropical-weight comforters; and multiple pillows. Heavenly Baths include shower/tub combinations with curved curtain rods for extra elbow room and one or two massage showerheads, oversized bath sheets, and bathrobes.
Complimentary high-speed Internet connections are available in both rooms and villas.
Best Caribbean Resort
Mexico's Beach Resorts For DummiesŪ
Want to relax and bask on sun-drenched beaches or dive in and enjoy great water sports? Drink in Mexico's rich history and heritage or drink up margaritas? Shop for Huichol art, Oaxacan textiles, Taxco silver, or precious gemstones or explore an eco-park?
Merchant: eBooks
Frommer's® Caribbean 2005
Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Caribbean features gorgeous color photos of the stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and colorful coral gardens that await you.
Merchant: eBooks