Originally Posted by goliath

We probably spent much more time at the (main) pool than any other guests at the time, so we got this service all the time. They do come by multiple times a day, even with a special solution that is flown in from "overseas".

Originally Posted by Wozza2404

I've never done the Maldives, but I'm booked up for November this year. 5 nights at the Conrad, and 3 nights at the new WA. If reviews of the WA aren't stellar by then, I have enough Marriott points to switch to the St Regis, or I may pay cash somewhere else.

For me, the Conrad is attractive for a number of reasons - Firstly, it costs around £1k a night for an OW villa at a 5* resort in the Maldives, so points save me £5k straight off the bat. Secondly, the snorkelling gets incredible reviews because of the location and the maturity of the reef around island - that's a big part of why I want to be there. Third, I'm not bothered about having a super luxury room - I'm there to be over the ocean and have the tranquillity that comes with that. I don't need mink curtains and a butler to tuck me in at night. A roof over my head if it rains and a comfortable bed is pretty much my entire list of requirements when I've got the ocean underneath me (BTW I understand the people who want absolute luxury at this price point and thus the Conrad doesn't meet their standard, but that's why these other resorts exist, because we're all different. I hate resorts that 'fuss', with butlers and people trying to polish my sunglasses on the beach. Other people love that stuff.).

So for me the Conrad has always been on my list. And being Diamond and having the free breakfast and afternoon snacks and stuff should mean I don't have to spend a fortune whilst I'm there (though obviously I'm aware it's not Eurocamp, either).

I get why some people may consider it a little 'rustic' - but for me that's exactly what I want.

Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak

Agree. For somewhere like Conrad Koh Samui if the room is substandard or outdated I'd be much more concerned. Obviously it has to be in good nick and everything working. In the Maldives we go there to stare at the gradation of the colours of the lagoon and ocean, swim and snorkel, eat quality food, stare at the ocean some more when we eat, walk around the beaches, walk the paths - both night and day - that weave through the islands and admire the natural beauty of the whole place.....then stare at the lagoon some more from an infinity pool, take a jetski for a spin, then eat more great food. Then repeat. For us the room is 10, maybe 20%. When we go to CKS the room is 70, 80%. And hey, call me old fashioned but I'm the only one that cleans my sunglasses..... Furthermore I don't want a slave nor servant to attend to my every need. Makes me feel uncomfortable to be treated like a King.

Originally Posted by CHSDOC

What are the advantages of being on the "quiet island"? I'm torn between a sunset facing RWV or SWV. The cost difference isn't a big concern to me. Is the RWV worth the splurge?

Originally Posted by pinniped

What specifically is it that make the St. Regis OWV's so much better? Just the service level from StR, the physical villas themselves, or the serenity of the atoll and natural surroundings?

I still think the St. Regis is probably out for me because I wouldn't be able to book it for several months after I'd need to have my flights in place. (Even if I can actually get the OWV with some huge number of Marriott points.) I like the fact that I can get the Conrad booked 1 year in advance and then book CX flights 30 days later, knowing that if I have to move it a day one way or the other I probably can. By the time StR opens up for booking, those CX J seats are probably long gone.

Originally Posted by Land-of-Miles

There is no saving if you would never consider paying cash, it is just about the value you attach to points.

The St Regis is better in every respect.

I have only stayed in a DWV at CR but in comparison a standard OWV at Vommuli had twice the effective internal space, something like 3 to 4 times the effective outdoor space, a fab and good sized private pool rather than a token effort. The bikes per villa were a nice touch, service was much better, the smaller number of villas made the atmosphere far nicer (the main island at rangali feels like a tropical housing estate) overall the vibe felt much more luxurious. Fundamentally the Conrad rooms are weak and very poor value on a cash rate and I think for points.

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Originally Posted by llfoster

Anyone currently at CR - any talk about renovations - scope ? timing?

Originally Posted by Land-of-Miles

Adding that to at least $1.5k per night of incidental spend (decent food and drink, room upgrade, spa and a couple of excursions like I would have in any other resort).