Starwood Expands Ownership at St. John

Starwood Vacation Ownership, a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, has announced major expansion plans for the Westin St. John Resort & Villas in St. John, USVI.

The new Bay Vista phase will include a total of 94 two- and three-bedroom villas overlooking the island and the picturesque Great Cruz Bay.

Construction plans call for the conversion of 186 hotel rooms in seven buildings in the hillside section of the resort to become vacation ownership villas.

Construction of the first phase includes 54 villas and began in July, with an expected occupancy in late 2007. The second phase of 40 villas will begin shortly thereafter. Sales of the new phase will also begin in July.

Starwood Vacation Ownership´s portfolio of resorts in the Caribbean includes the recently announced Westin Aruba Resort & Spa and Harborside Resort at Atlantis, next to the acclaimed Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, in the Bahamas.