Several years ago there used to be sporadic availability for the "Ocean Villa" which was an OWV. Here is the confirmation from our stay in 2021 where I was able to book it.

https://imgur.com/a/5PRTPcR

Very interesting. Well, I stand corrected then, as this was my own misunderstanding. The OWV is not the standard room, but the "Ocean Villa" as flyertalkenjoyer stated, seems to be some fake category they used to sell off distressed inventory during COVID times. I see it mentioned in this review:
https://theluxurytraveller.com/2021/...g-ocean-villa/

When they said "Ocean Villa" I presumed that was just shorthand for Overwater Villa, never imagined that was the actual name of a fake subcategory they created in the inventory at times. Given that, I was very wrong indeed.

I have not seen this in inventory even when the resort has flooded availability with reef villas like they did some months ago for the Jan-Apr period, so I don't expect it to come back. It sounds like they might just be overselling reef villas instead at this point which is better for them as they aren't guaranteeing anyone an "Ocean Villa" depending on how things play out.

those are good prices. Will need to remember this for my next stay one day, see if similar exists

no doubt, will cost me $1300 Canadian to buy the points vs $2700 out right paying for the transfer for my wife and I for our trip in October…I guess I have availability to check everyday again lol

Some observations from our last stay (3rd time), during easter time.
-The week before easter, occupancy was below 70%, even the easter weekend, hotel wasn´t fully booked.
- vegetation more dense compared to first visits
- despite daily spraying , mosquitos were an issue, especially in the inner island areas like tennis court, paddel court or Ledge restaurant.
- better snorkeling than before, usually 2 turtles and a sleeping nurse shark at the reef near Lilong.
- some cost cutting,
- welcome champagne replaced by really cheap white or red wine
- not a single managers reception during a 12 day stay
- Welcome cocktail at the 450$++ easter gala dinner was exactly 1 glass p.P. of the Piper Heidsieck Champagne, a rather cheap champagne that is not even on the wine list. Probably a few $ cheaper than the house champagne
- most of the time, when someone of management team or restaurant manager approached, the conversation was like: Good morning/afternoon, how are you, what are your plans for today, tonight we have a special dinner event at wine cellar/Terra..., do you want to join?
- ridiculous priced water a Ledge restaurant, when ordering just still or sparkling, they will automatically give you a 24$++ New Zealand water. You have to specify , if you want the "cheap" San Pellegrino
- useless butler system, whereas the butler at the RC brought every other day a fruit platter, 2 bottles of champagne, bottle of red wine , some sangria or at the SR where the butler organized a private champagne sabering on our terrace, there is absolutely nothing that the butler did for us at the WA. We made all the restaurant reservations 2 weeks before arrival.

Some rumors, we heard from the staff:
Glow restaurant will be replaced by an Indian restaurant.
Stella Maris villas are out of inventory at the moment, they are very unpopular by the guests, empty most of the time, have very high maintenance cost. There are plans to tear them down and built a smaller private island.
Managment is a bit nervous about the opening of some small ultra luxury properties in the near future. Like Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental. Also o an all inclusive Rixos resort not far away from WA will open in the future, you can see the swimmimg cranes and artificial sand banks from the ocean facing reef villas. And a Bulgari Hotel (iirc same owner as WA) is coming.

This place always seemed like a money making operation and not much has changed apparently.
though they were worried about those resort opening early last year too so construction must be happening on island time…

It’s a pity because you’d think they would improve their offering to compete, rather than trying to bleed you of every dollar while there. It’s the same approach as Conrad Maldives, and I suspect their occupancy is suffering badly.

It's available now, go quick!

Does anyone know if the yacht transfer can be cancelled and the points refunded if we need to cancel our trip for any reason? Have a trip scheduled in July but hesitant to purchase the points for the transfer if the transfer purchase will be non-refundable. TIA.

Thanks for the heads up, appreciate it!

It did not go well though. I missed a few points so I purchased them, the points did not post.
I contacted Hilton Honors (I am not diamond, only gold) they were truly unhelpful and did not want to do anything, repeating like a broken record that points are not guaranteed to be deposited into the account and that 48 hours or more might be necessary. Now of course, the yacht transfer is sold out again and I missed out, whilst purchasing points for nothing. I am fuming against Hilton Honors. What is the point of points purchase for dynamic redemptions if you cannot get what you buy straight away? This is completely ridiculous. I purchased HH points before and never had this issue. I wonder when the points will show and if/when the yacht transfer will be back available as an experience to redeem.

Honestly, this has nothing to do with Hilton. Points are purchased through a 3rd party points.com and Hilton cannot do anything about the speed of the transfer or purchase. Almost all hotel loyalty chains use this service as well for their points transactions

Yes, points.com. Where it becomes more tricky is that points.com blames Hilton Honors, and Hilton Honors blames points.com. So either way you cannot do anything but wait, whilst your redemption has gone. It makes no sense to sell points for a dynamic pricing product if they are to be credited with a delay. Usually I have not had any issue but with this I would urge everyone to be cautious as it is not a guarantee to have those in a timely fashion and you might end up to miss out on the redemption.

Also from a customer service point of view, third party or not this is still Hilton shop front and it is not great to bounce customers, without even trying to make an internal claim or anything to speed up the process, especially as I cannot do this myself with points.com - the latter clearly say you have to contact your loyalty membership, not them as a provider.

I agree. Points should be instant. I have been stung by late arrival of points on a Aeroplan where I lost the seats.

Just wanted to check a few things,
1) afternoon tea aka just drinks is still going on for Gold at Peacock Valley?
2) Kids eat free for under 6 - any data points if you go for lunch and only kid eats?
3) the "water park" in the kids club is open at the moment?

I think the 'official' line is that you're supposed to be eating as well. In reality, that wasn't the case when my friends were there with their little ones. The kids ate from the beach bar kids menu every day whilst they had a beer/cocktail/whatever and the drinks were the only thing ever charged.

Now, if you rocked up at The Ledge for a sit down lunch and just ordered kids pizzas they might have more to say about it!

I don't know about 2 or 3.

But when I was there in January the afternoon tea (aka free drinks) had been moved to 9 PM - still in Peacock Alley.