The Weston is great but you might want to think about a private villa I've been to both Aruba and STJ and I won't go back to Aruba just my opinion

I agree. The Westin is nice but you're 'space' is still a hotel room. The thing about a villa is you've got your own place with room to stretch out and 'live in the islands'. Most have washers and dryers so you don't need to pack a ton of stuff and you have all the privacy of your own house. I'd look for a villa for sure over a resort/hotel.

The Westin does have private villas which give you total access to the resort facilties; some even have private pools. You can then choose to cook in your own villa, have dinner at Chloe and Bernards, or use the "discounted" taxi service into Cruz Bay. I should say, however, that depending on the time of year, there might be alot of kids at the Westin. You should still be able to have privacy, if you choose, just like any other hotel which is not exclusively "adult".

I cannot say enough about the wonders of St John. We've been going there around 8 years (we're owners at WSJ), both before and after having a child. Thanks to the Kid's Club, we can still enjoy our child, but have time alone if we choose. St John has some of the most spectacular beaches in the world concentrated on one small island. I don't think you can go wrong on St John, provided you understand that it overall tends to be a "quiet" spot.

If you have more specific questions regarding the Westin, please feel free to email me.

Lori

Whether you stay at the Westin OR a villa (which I am partial to), you should certainly try St. John as it sounds you have never been in the VI's before!! After living in St. Thomas for many years, I was fortunate to get to spend a whole summer in Aruba. There is NO comparison and the kids and I could not wait to get back home! Aruba was nice, but I couldn't get used to the flatness of it! I like the hills, the view, always seeing the ocean from every angle! The beaches here to me, are much nicer! I really think you should give it a try at least once! Hope you go for it!!!! 🙂

Several of my friends have honeymooned at the Westin. My husband and I stayed at the String of Pearls Villa on the same beach as the Westin but less and private. It was great. One of my friends that honeymooned at the Westin also went back this year for a trip and stayed at the String of Pearls--they won't go back to the Westin after staying in the Villa. It is great--private, romantic--made my honeymoon 2 1/2 years ago the best trip ever!

Enjoy!

St. John would be my vote. After having been to Aruba once, I have never dreamed of my next return. I have been to St.John, St.Thomas and Water Island often ...always anxious to return. Lived on St.John for 6 months and still saddend to leave and anxious to return ALWAYS!! There is no place I enjoyed more other than St. Lucia. Good luck with your decision and congratulations to you both.

After having been to about 10 different islands, both coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica, St John is it for me. One of our favorite things to do if you are nautical is to rent a private 28 foot boat and explore all of the Virgin Islands. Caneel Bay is the pricey exclusive romantic hotel on island with many fabulous beaches, Westin you will find lots of families and some honeymooners and the beach is not that nice, it is a swimming pool hotel, there are a few inn's you could check out, or the option of renting a villa. Most villas have prices for 2, even if it is a 4 bedroom. Check a few out
http://www.vrbo.com/57926
http://www.vrbo.com/76505
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/cocolobo/cocolobo.html
http://www.caribbeandays.com/stjohn/3bedroom/latitude.shtml
http://www.caribbeandays.com/stjohn/3bedroom/latitude.shtml

prices vary, and there are 100's more to choose from

Good luck

The beach at the Westin isn't that great, at least not compared to the rest of the island. So if you do stay there, make sure to check out the north shore beaches.

We honeymooned in STJ at the Westin Vacation Villas- it was wonderful... We also stayed in a villa on our second trip down. STJ is so wonderful, we can't imagine any other place could compare. If you do decide to stay at the Westin, be sure you go to other beaches. The Westin beach is ok if you want a cocktail delivered to you on your beach chair, but all other beaches we've been to have been a million times better and more secluded.