I think that’s what I’ll do. I’ve actually come to like the W too, even though I previously didn’t “get” the idea of their retreat concept in the Maldives. But, the more I look at it, it seems fantastic. It’s in the North Ari atoll with an amazing house reef, and I noticed that they have Thomas Vaucouleur de Ville d’Avray on board as GM. I remember him from Peninsula hotels and he also was previously at One & Only Reethi Rah. So, I have no doubt based on my past experience dealing with him that the W must be extremely well run. Just like the St.Regis seems to be as well. Starwood really has a great presence in the Maldives now. Both W and StR Vommuli are high on my list of places to go.

The larger overwaters at W look amazing at the end of the jetty, but the standard ones with private pools (like St.R) are already perfect for double occupancy.