The long-awaited Westin Beach Resort in St Thomas has officially begun welcoming guests in a soft opening phase, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The US Virgin Islands’ largest resort is currently open for bookings, as confirmed on the Marriott Web site. 

It’s a hugely important boost for the tourism industry in the US Virgin Islands, which has already been seeing record-breaking numbers since the onset of the pandemic — success driven by what was arguably the best-managed reopening process of any Caribbean destination.

The project is a transformation of the former Marriott Frenchman’s Reef resort. Its debut follows the opening this past spring of the new Buoy Haus, Autograph Collection at Frenchman’s Reef. 

Both properties represent a dramatic transformation of a property that was largely destroyed by Hurricane Irma back in 2017 — their reconstruction and redesign represented a $350 million project. 

The 384-room resort is perched on a striking cliffside setting above Morningstar Beach in St Thomas. Of those, 28 units are suites. 

The resort is home to five dining concepts: Shorebird, a sea-view eater (with a morning breakfast buffet); Luna Mar, a Mediterranean-style eatery; an Asian fusion spot called Sugarfin (with rums on offer, too); a cafe called Frenchman’s Roast; and a poolside bar called Edge. 

As with its predecessor, the pool is the property’s centerpiece, with stunning views around the green hills of the Virgin Islands. 

The hotel will also have a strong events focus; this November, a major Caribbean hotel investment summit will be hosted at the resort, the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit. 

As the resort is in soft opening, its spa will not be ready until the end of this month. In the interim, guests can book in-room treatments, according to the property. 

Both the Westin and the Buoy Haus are managed by Aimbridge Hospitality. 

For more, visit the Westin Beach Resort in St Thomas.