Originally Posted by
ironfist99
Any experience with the beachside villa? We like the idea of having our own private pool, and the hot-tub OWB are significantly more expensive. We already have a FS mountain view OWB booked for the first four nights, so we will have an opportunity to experience OWBs on our trip.
We are trying to make a decision between the beachside villa at StR or the OWB w/ plunge pool at Conrad, so any details/comparisons would be helpful.
In my opinion the StR Beachside Villas are the best kept secret and the best value the resort has to offer. They are huge, incredibly spacious (far larger and many more features than the OWV and the location and views are fantastic). The private beach in front of the villas is amazing and the bugs are not bad at all. If they are a nuisance and bother you the resort will come spray or provide repellent and citronella candles.
Based on the room types (excluding presidential/royal/estate types) between the Four Seasons, Conrad and St Regis here would be my ranking:
Four Seasons Overwater with Plunge Pool
Four Seasons Overwater (with view)
Conrad Overwater with Pool (mountain or sunset view)
St. Regis Overwater with Spa/Hot Tub
St. Regis Beachside Villa with Pool (all of them have pools)
St. Regis Overwater with Mountain View
Conrad Overwater (any view)
All rankings are highly subjective but I think for someone that appreciates the Four Seasons they would be in line.
In my opinion, if you are going to first be at the Four Seasons in any type of their Overwater Bungalows the St. Regis Overwater will be a disappointment in comparison. I would recommend going for the Beachside Villa at the St Regis and perhaps try and get the Four Seasons to upgrade you to a bungalow with a plunge pool. Also keep in mind the Four Seasons and St. Regis are just down the lagoon from one another and the Four Seasons will exceed the St. Regis in practically all categories (service level, villa/accommodations, grounds, spa, most dining - only exception might be the Jean Georges Lagoon Restaurant). The Conrad is on the opposite side of the lagoon and has a much more mountainous landscape so in my opinion it might be a good balancing contrast to the Four Seasons whereas St. Regis will be more of the same but perhaps a small incremental step down in terms of the accommodations (a bit dated) and the resort grounds. Service level at all three is excellent and comparable (albeit in different ways according to each brand's focus).