I'm going down Bluebeard's next week. We have stayed there twice. The rooms were OK (large rooms and bathrooms), but I know what you mean regarding the property. We basically use the place to sleep, have a beer on the balcony before dinner, and watch the cruise ships. It's essentially a stepping stone if you are going to spend your time elsewhere everyday. We stayed at the Westin in St John three times, and we could always relax at the pool there with drinks a couple of the days. No can do at Bluebeard's.

Anyway, how bad is it this year so I have an idea, even though I don't expect much of the place.

Where to start? No shuttles to downtown, or to the beach club. not a problem if you have a car( we did), but still a nuisance. Beach towels are a scarce commodity, grab yours and turn them in ehen they have fresh towels. We spentconsiderable time with the staff about towel availability. the pool deck could use a good scrub with bleach close to the pool, and the grounds were finally being groomed during our stay. You shouldn't have to deal with weed wackers at 7:30 each morning. our unit had problems with an inoperative cook surface that weren't resolved during our stay. There is a roving security groupon duty, but security doors are in bad shape in hilltop II, and there are numerous units that were not onhabitable, we met one couple that was on a rant for all of one evening and the next day over four legged critters in their unit, and i don't mean skinks or land crabs. I agree sunset, and watching the cruise ships arrive and depart is nice, but getting a chaise on the pool deck requires typical early morning maneuvers. As you said off campus is far more enjoyable, but it's nice to come back to a pleasant location without annoyances.threfore a week away from the winter weather was enjoyable.

NEPOSTER: Would you mind relaying your experience when you get back? We are staying there for one night before heading to St. John and I'm just trying to prepare myself for what to expect for that night. Can deal with most anything other than it not being safe or being over run with bugs.

Thanks!

I'll relay to you my experience this year when I get back. In my previous two stays there, I have never had any problems with bugs or anything. I stayed in Pirate's Pension, which is one of the buildings that face the harbor. I also stayed it what I believe is one of the Hilltop Buildings, which face downtown. Someone can correct me about Hilltop if I am wrong.

The Hilltop room was large with a large bathroom (two sinks and bathtub with shower). Pirates Pension was a little smaller, but had a washer/dryer, sink, and microwave. I'm sure there are variations of these two rooms though. Each room had a balcony.

For the price, I don't think Bluebeard's is bad at all. I stayed at the Westin on St. John for my honeymoon and two other trips. It is much nicer of course. But as we continue to come year after year, things add up. However, we got our handle on what to see and do during our Westin trips, so where we stay can now be comprised. We know how to make the most of our time on both islands, and still have some money for the dinners which add up.

Bluebeards is perfect once you get to know your way around, or spend a lot of time at the beach and stuff during the day. There are two good restaurants on site (typical Virgin Island ones in a good way). They all are the same with a different twist after awhile, although we still love the Lime Inn and Fish Trap on St. John, and a smoothie on Centerline Road.

Also, there's plenty of parking at Bluebeards and your a little remote from the hustle and bustle of town at the top of the hill. There's always cabs and little convenience store for basic stuff. Of course, the workers on Island time as expected, but hey , someone's got to slow you down on vacation. Like everything, there is good and bad. Overall, I think Bluebeards can use some renovation, but it's perfect in a lot of ways as it is. The price keeps us able to keep coming down and enjoy the natural beauty and climate which attracts everyone.

I went on more than I thought. I'll let you guys know about this year when I get back. Don't hold me to everything though, because things can happen anywhere. For example, I love the Westin, but go on TripAdvisor and you can read bad reviews. My experience is not everyone's, but I've never had any problems down there and focus on enjoying everything there is to do.............................and relaxing...................the most important thing!! 🙂

Hey when is your trip? We got a great deal thru the military web site and staying a week this July. I am curious on what you find........ This will be our second trip to STT (once by a cruise so that really don't count). The pictures look great but I hear not to expect much...... My boys will have to sleep on the pull out couch but for $43 a night I cant complain.......

We have owned at Blue Beards since 2000.

I believe there are 5 different groups (elected boards) that comprise the ownership of Blue Beards. Two groups use the Developer (Equivest, I think ) as their property manager, and the other three groups hired a different property manager. There was a big law suit and injunctions and legal battles. The front desk was divided into two areas. Property manager A on one side and property manager B on the other side. So depending on which unit you are staying in, you have to complain to a different property manager. So who cleans the pool deck and hot tub area, obviously no one.

We have stayed in 3 different types of units. Pirates Pension, we got the penthouse unit last year, WOW what a great unit. Full kitchen, washer and dryer, nice finishes. Security gates didn't work, but never had a problem. Hilltop II facing downtown, older unit, more hotel style, (adjoining rooms) two front doors, two balconies, two bath rooms, but only had a bar frig, microwave and a toaster. We have never had a problem with cleanliness or with security.

The common areas leave something to be desired, but we don't spend our days there, we go to the beaches.

We will be there March 10th - 17th

Rusty

Rusty said: I believe there are 5 different groups (elected boards) that comprise the ownership of Blue Beards. Two groups use the Developer (Equivest, I think ) as their property manager, and the other three groups hired a different property manager. There was a big law suit and injunctions and legal battles. The front desk was divided into two areas. Property manager A on one side and property manager B on the other side. So depending on which unit you are staying in, you have to complain to a different property manager. So who cleans the pool deck and hot tub area, obviously no one.

Just a correction to the above. It was Fairfield who was the Managing Company, they walked out on the Castle last Sept or Oct. (they still own the property). The entire property is being managed by SPM (the other managing company) and doing a good job. They have done more (and better) for the Castle than Fairfield.

There are still the lawsuits, etc., but all in all the Castle is doing well. I own 3 units at the Castle and as many others, I use it to sleep.

It seems to me that there should be a consensus in who has the say over decisions that affect the property as a whole; and the common areas, that the public sees, should take a priority. The main road up to the castle needs work, as I mentioned the pool deck needs a good bleaching and scrub job. The security doors need to be addressed, and the other house keeping items need to be addressed by the various managers. If I just wanted a place to lay my head, I might have ,to my wife's consternation, picked a flop house, but as I mentioned our previous stay at Bluebeards was a far different experience. The apparent divisivness is apparent in the thread of these posts and in the excerpt of the 2006 board meeting seen on UTUBE.

Neposter, how was your stay? I wrote to the management firm SPM and have not as yet heard back from them, however RCI has responded. Our conversations with other owners have confirmed that they have had problems as well.

Sandman1,

Our stay was fine and as expected. We stayed in Hilltop 2, nice view of town and the harbor from the balcony. The room was clean and we had no problems with anything. It's a little outdated but fine. As I mentioned before, we only use the property mainly to sleep, or hang at the pool a couple hours here and there during any lull in our daily plans. We always rent a car also. Believe it or not, I love driving down there and moving around. I know many people make a fuss about driving. Compared to our previous visits, nothing has changed in Hilltop 2. However, the older buildings opposite of Hilltop 2 and the main lobby are getting worse. One of the front desk people said one whole building is not used and is behind repair.

The property was never anything stellar, so that particular side always looked older and abandoned to begin with. The only noticable difference this year was the exercise room and internet room were closed. It looked like for no other reason than neglect. They did paint the short wall surrounding the pool deck an old Wildwood, NJ hotel style blue I didn't like, but it at least they showed effort in painting it!

We were moved to a different room in the oldest building facing town, because our flight was delayed for 5 (FIVE) days by USAIRWAYS. That room was smaller, and I didn't like the layout. The bathroom was worse. You might as well have taken a bath under the sink faucet, but the hot water didn't run out and it eventually got the job done with a long shower. The toilet was slow but flushed after well after holding the lever longer. The bathroom in our first room was excellent, large and everything worked efficiently -- no complaints.

My wife and I shared our room with her parents, due to lack of space with people being stranded by the airline delays, which made things worse. As bad as the second room was, rooster sounding right outside all day and everything, my wife and I probably would have been just as fine realistically -- WE WERE IN THE ISLANDS -- if by ourselves. Everything worked. There was a cigarette smell coming from the A/C vent, which we never encountered there before. Again, this was one of their older buildings.

Finally, there is nothing drastically new to report about the place. The delay did put a little of a damper on everything, so the next time I would like to try somewhere different for a new experience. If weren't for the delay, I probably would go back to Bluebeard's. Who knows? Hope this helped.

I just got back from a short stay at Bluebeards. I'm not an owner, just booked a few nights through expedia.com. We stayed in one of the pirates pension units. This was not my first time here - previously I stayed in Hilltop II. This is definitetly a no-frills type of place. Its an ok place to stay for a short vacation, but I would definetely be dissapointed if I chose this place for my honeymoon! But anyway, as mentioned from the other posters, it does its job, as a place to stay in that beautiful island. Some things to mention: one of the front desk girls told us that the property was just purchased by Wyndham??? And the entire 1st floor of hilltop II was closed due to mold problems. Here are some of my pros and cons:

Pros:
In waking distance to the town's shopping area and restaurants; great views of the harbor; inexpensive; clean rooms; ample parking; washer and dryer available; felt safe; 2 good restaurants and a small convenience store on site; has a historic landmark!

Cons:
needs remodeling; pool is undesirable; grounds need landscaping; employees not so friendly; the outside bar area is usually empty and boring; no beach access; activities desk was non-functioning; no internet availability; future is questionable.

Thanks

Until the final hearing (trial) in Spring 2008, there will likely be little done to significantly improve the quality of life, maintenance and service at the Castle. This is because several of the previous Developer-Owner companies used it as a piggy bank to help build the Elyssian and Bluebeard's Beach Club. Some $22 million dollars in owner maintenance fees are missing and considerably more that can't be tracked due to poor (deliberately faulty?) book keeping. The current Owner-Developer is Wyndham Vacation Resorts (previously doing Business as Fairfield Resorts) and they don't want to pay anything. So it's basically up to the judge now. Ive been a unit-week owner there since 1983 and I've watched this property go from a full-service 4-star resort to a Motel-6 (meaning NO disrespect to Motel-6) and I'm eagerly awaiting the judge's ruling. That being said, it's a great place to be based out of for a St. Tomas vacation. Great views of the harbor, wonderful breezes (even when the other resports aren't getting them) and a short walk downtown (gotta work off those pounds before I bring them home). By-the-way, if you're a diver or snorkler, be sure to call on Homer while you're there. Best diving on the north shore and a great Wednesday cook out after the night snorkle.

My husband and I are staying at Blubeards the end of this month. RCI just sent us a letter saying that a roof construction project would be in progress June 1 through July 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sounds like there doing something with the property, maybe this is progress! The hours won't bother us we will be at the beach or on our way to a beach!

we will be staying there this next week also through RCI and have not received a phone call. Who is Homer? and how do we reach him?

Val, the letter we received from RCI was regarding Villas III roofing project. Homer does a great night snorkel. Hope this helps.

Contact Homer via e-mail on his website.
www.nightsnorkel.com
You'll definitely enjoy the evening.

If possible, can you tell me what web site you used? I am retired military and have caught the VI bug after we visited last year.

Barbara Dean, are you out there? Or anyone with the needed info. My husband is also military and I was wondering what military website you were referring to, as we have planned a much more expensive stay, but still looking forward to a wonderful trip.

Hey! Try www.AFVClub.com and look at high demand and key in the months you want to go and you will find alot plus you will find several for Bluebeard's Castle and the week is only $299 ..... let me know if you need any other information!