I would agree with this sentiment apart from to me the W Maldives due to its smaller island and better house reef actually feels more Maldives to me and less international high end resort, the design of the villas are more Maldives style and is just moer intimate. I am not saying that the W would win out over the St.R for me as thats not the case, but outside of the luxury feel /service side I actually think the W wins on some levels from a personal point of view. So depending on the person and what they are looking for its not as clear cut as it shoud be.