The Westin St. John Resort Villas is the easiest choice on St. John for couples who want a beach, a big pool and a kitchen in one place. It covers 47 acres on Great Cruz Bay, about 10 minutes by car from Cruz Bay, with roughly 1,200 feet of white sand and a quarter-acre pool at its center. Accommodation is in villas rather than hotel rooms: studios, townhouses and larger villas with full kitchens, washers and dryers and private balconies or patios.
That setup makes it practical for longer stays. You can make breakfast on your terrace, spend the day at the national park beaches and come back for a swim before dinner. The resort is part of Marriott Bonvoy, so points can cut the cost of a stay sharply.
It suits couples who want independence, resort comforts and good value by island standards. It is a family-friendly property with a kids' club, tennis courts and a busy pool in school holidays. Couples who want a quiet, kid-free retreat or a boutique feel should look elsewhere. Those who want an easy, comfortable base for a week of exploring will find it works well.
Highlights at a glance
- About 1,200 feet of white sand on Great Cruz Bay
- Quarter-acre pool with a hot tub
- Villas with full kitchens and washers
- Private ferry from Red Hook
- Marriott Bonvoy points accepted
Why Couples Choose the Westin St. John
The Westin gives you the two things that are hardest to find together on St. John: a real beach at your door and full resort facilities. Most of the island's lodging is hillside villas without sand or small inns in town. Here you can walk from your villa to the water in a few minutes.
Great Cruz Bay is sheltered and calm, good for a slow morning swim. The quarter-acre pool and its hot tub are free to use. Cabanas can be rented for a half or full day if you want shade and service. In the evening, Cruz Bay's restaurants and bars are a short taxi or drive away. The combination works well for couples who want flexibility without giving up comfort.
Villas to Book
Every unit has a full kitchen, a washer and dryer and a furnished balcony or patio. The choice comes down to space and privacy.
- Studio villas: compact and the most affordable. Fine for a short stay, though the kitchen is small.
- One-bedroom townhouses: the best choice for most honeymooners, with a separate bedroom and living area.
- Two- and three-bedroom villas: larger than a couple needs, but some have private pools and up to 2,850 square feet of space.
For a honeymoon, book a one-bedroom unit with an ocean view. Ask for a location away from the main pool if you want quiet. If budget allows and you want true privacy, a pool villa is a splurge worth considering.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The resort has three dining outlets. Lemongrass Restaurant and Bar serves Caribbean and American dishes at dinner, plus weekend brunch. Mango Deli handles coffee, pastries and casual meals. Snorkels Bar and Grill, the beach and pool bar, has been marked temporarily closed, so ask at check-in if it has reopened.
Most couples cook breakfast in their villa and eat dinner in Cruz Bay, which has a much wider choice of restaurants. Stock up at the town's grocery stores on your first afternoon. La Plage Spa offers massages and treatments if you want a quieter afternoon. There is a 24-hour fitness center and four lighted tennis courts for anyone who wants to stay active.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
The Westin is a good base for the whole island. Rent a jeep and drive the North Shore Road to Trunk Bay for its underwater snorkel trail, Maho Bay for green turtles and Cinnamon Bay for a long beach walk. Hikers can take the Reef Bay Trail to petroglyphs or climb to Ram Head for late light.
Closer to home, an early swim in Great Cruz Bay before the pool fills up is a fine way to start the day. Day sails to the British Virgin Islands leave from Cruz Bay, so bring your passports. In the evening, take a taxi to town for a drink and dinner, then come back to a quiet villa. If the two of you have different energy levels, one can hike while the other lounges by the pool.
Getting There
Fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas, about 15 miles from the resort. There is no hotel shuttle from the airport. Take a taxi to Red Hook, then either the private Westin ferry directly to the resort or the public ferry to Cruz Bay. Fees apply to both, so call the resort for current times and prices.
A rental car or jeep gives you the most freedom on St. John. Rent on the island rather than taking a car across on the barge. Book early for winter. Driving is on the left and the roads are steep. Parking at the resort carries a daily fee per vehicle. The resort is smoke-free and has no resort fee.
Is It Worth It?
The Westin St. John is good value for a beachfront honeymoon on an expensive island. Expect roughly $500 a night and up for a studio in winter, more for one-bedroom units and pool villas. Marriott Bonvoy points can bring the cost down sharply, which is the strongest reason to choose it.
The trade-off is atmosphere. This is a family resort. School holidays bring children to the pool. The buildings are practical rather than romantic. Couples who want a quieter, more intimate stay may prefer Gallows Point Resort in Cruz Bay or the treehouses at Lovango. Those who want a private pool villa on the East End should rent one directly. For a comfortable week on the sand, it does the job well.
Insider tips
- Book a one-bedroom unit away from the main pool for a quieter stay.
- Call ahead for Westin ferry times from Red Hook and book a taxi to meet you at the airport.
- Shop for groceries in Cruz Bay on arrival day; resort food adds up quickly.
- Avoid school holiday weeks if you want a calmer pool.
