July 31–ST. THOMAS — The Westin St. John Resort and Villas is getting a makeover.

Beginning in August, the resort will spend about $12 million for renovations during the next year.

The bulk of the spending will be going towards improving 96 beach and poolside rooms.

The renovations will not include improvements for the remaining 76 rooms and 146 villas on the property.

“We try to update on a regular basis,” said Dawn Parisi, director of sales and marketing for the resort.

The carpeting and the wallpaper are the main indoor aesthetics that will be replaced. The exterior “shake,” or the wood siding that covers the outside of the building, also will be replaced.

“It’s mostly things you can see and touch,” Parisi said.

“There will be no structural improvements.”

The renovations will not disrupt the operation of the resort, which will not close. It is hoped that the work which will take place during the day will not disturb any of the guests.

The renovations will occur in waves, with up to three buildings being affected at one time, Parisi said.

A second phase may be in store for the hotel, though funding for it has not been approved by the hotel’s owner, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Second phase improvements would be to shared spaces, such as the lobby, recreation center and spa.

For now, the hotel is focusing on the first phase, which is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks because of the current slow season.

The improvements may create some congestion for guests with additional vehicles going in and out, but the disruption is hoped to be minimal, Parisi said.

Once complete, however, the improvements are hoped to boost the hotel’s reputation and business.

“As we look at the competitive landscape, the maintenance of these properties is critical,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty.

Nicholson-Doty said that all hotels in the territory needed to keep their facilities in tip-top shape to maintain the steady flow of guests to their establishments.

“I think it’s tremendously important,” Nicholson-Doty said.

– Contact Jenny Kane at 714-9102 or email [email protected].