From the JW Maldives thread, here is an intriguing comparison/contrast summary between the StR, New WA, and the soon to be opened JW (formerly the Viceroy). Credit again to
worldtrav for this!
Originally Posted by
WorldTravl
Villas :
WA is JW villas looks about the same. WA has much bigger pools. JW has bigger area feeling (what I can tell from videos). Bot are susceptible to small-medium waves. STR is much better, very premium looking, with pool on par with JW. STR fewer waves do to the shape of the lagoon.
Lagoon/Natural Beauty :
It all comes to what you value.
WA is man-made and lacks the endless shallow clear water. JW also has the same "problem", clear water doesn't extend out much. JW and WA have this hybrid color that you would find in carribean when clear water gets deeper. STR lagoon has a pretty large extent of shallow clear water, nothing near Gili Lankansuhi, Soneva Jani, Rihiveli.
WA Sand is reported to be rocky and sand-paper like in some areas (fake sand). JW is would suspect to have the nice norm sand in the Maldives. STR sand is the same but I learned that there were some things added to brighten the color when the resort was built.
Food: WA looks very good but extremely pricy (At least 80$ for dinner, $40 for Lunch). Buffet breakfast is more limited than that at STR. The menu is limited to simple everyday breakfeast foods. Not the variety that you would find at STR.
Service: STR can be spotty here and there. WA has some problems but sounds like they are working very hard on resolving them.
Price : I have stayed at STR. Planning on staying at WA next year.
This is what I would expect to pay for 3 people (non-drinkers) for 10 days.
STR : 2400 (Seaplane)+ 1100(3rd person breakfast)+5000-7000(food and drink and activities) = 8,500-9,500
WA : 2700 (Yacht Transfer, STRICTLY NO THIRD PARTIES) + 700(I don't know how much buffet breakfast is) + 7000-9000 (food and drink and activities) + 4800 (Grand reef upgrade) = 15200-17200 (I am actually debating canceling this trip and changing to Lux* North Atoll for 1350 a night (including taxes)+325(transfer) for full board, 4 3people.
JW : 1600 (seaplane) or even less with the opening of a new airport (SOUND OPEN TO PEOPLE WANTING TO SAVE MONEY AND FLY TO DOMESTIC AIRPORT UNLIKE WA)
food should be less than both STR and JW (Based on Viceroy menus)