St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort [Master Thread]
Jan 12, 2019, 3:03 pm
#2131
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New York
Posts: 39
I would pay cash on that upgrade instead of 200K points any day. People don't realize the standard rate is still 240K for 5 nights (until March).
Thats almost the equivalent of 5 nights at the top Marriott properties in the world for approximately $1232. Its a no brainer.
Thats almost the equivalent of 5 nights at the top Marriott properties in the world for approximately $1232. Its a no brainer.
Jan 12, 2019, 3:20 pm
#2132
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,843
Does anyone know the earliest and latest times I can take a Seaplane to the hotel from MLE?
My flight EY 260 lands at 7:20 AM. There was a later flight that got in at approximately 2PM but I was worried any small delay would derail my trip so Im taking the earliest flight possible out AUH. At these prices, no way I want to miss one night at this hotel. Although I would prefer not having to fly out that early.
My flight EY 260 lands at 7:20 AM. There was a later flight that got in at approximately 2PM but I was worried any small delay would derail my trip so Im taking the earliest flight possible out AUH. At these prices, no way I want to miss one night at this hotel. Although I would prefer not having to fly out that early.
Jan 12, 2019, 8:27 pm
#2133
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
I am the same boat and if you do a little bit of reading it will become clearer.
StR is mostly OVW villas and basic (landside) rooms are fewer which in most likelyhood have already been taken up. Also, Dec is the peak period for the property. That's just my quick 2 bits.
I would love to be proven wrong and save 300K points as well. Can someone else opine as well?
StR is mostly OVW villas and basic (landside) rooms are fewer which in most likelyhood have already been taken up. Also, Dec is the peak period for the property. That's just my quick 2 bits.
I would love to be proven wrong and save 300K points as well. Can someone else opine as well?
My understanding is that the rate at which Marriott compensates hotels for points bookings on peak dates (basically Oct-Feb here) is close to the BAR which may be why the hotel is willing to open availability for OWV book+upgrade points bookings even when the room category that you're upgrading from (GV) is completely sold out.
Jan 12, 2019, 9:49 pm
#2134
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 41
In general, I would say that this is almost definitely not possible, unfortunately. The reason you're seeing the ability to book and upgrade with points (basically booking directly into an OWV) but not the ability to book into the base room (GV) is because there are only 4 GVs on the island and they are likely all booked on the dates you're looking at.
This part isn't true. There is wide availibility on GV with cash. If you read up in this thread, you'll see the discussion about it. The property is playing with points availibility by only pricing the GVs in a package with breakfast. There's no availability at the base cash rate for the GVs, so there isn't points availibility despite there being GVs available.
Before Dec 11, almost every single day in 2019 had availibility. Once they transitioned, there was zero availibility. There have been sporadic moments since Dec 11 where there have randomly been availibility. The availibility of the OVW right now is likely one of these temporary moments, so anyone who might be interested should reserve now before the availibility disappears.
Jan 12, 2019, 10:07 pm
#2135
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: New York
Posts: 39
This part isn't true. There is wide availibility on GV with cash. If you read up in this thread, you'll see the discussion about it. The property is playing with points availibility by only pricing the GVs in a package with breakfast. There's no availability at the base cash rate for the GVs, so there isn't points availibility despite there being GVs available.
Before Dec 11, almost every single day in 2019 had availibility. Once they transitioned, there was zero availibility. There have been sporadic moments since Dec 11 where there have randomly been availibility. The availibility of the OVW right now is likely one of these temporary moments, so anyone who might be interested should reserve now before the availibility disappears.
Before Dec 11, almost every single day in 2019 had availibility. Once they transitioned, there was zero availibility. There have been sporadic moments since Dec 11 where there have randomly been availibility. The availibility of the OVW right now is likely one of these temporary moments, so anyone who might be interested should reserve now before the availibility disappears.
Just one question, are you allowed to book the Garden Villa as a cash booking and then switch it to points? I read that this was possible but did not experiment with it.
Jan 13, 2019, 2:15 am
#2136
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
This part isn't true. There is wide availibility on GV with cash. If you read up in this thread, you'll see the discussion about it. The property is playing with points availibility by only pricing the GVs in a package with breakfast. There's no availability at the base cash rate for the GVs, so there isn't points availibility despite there being GVs available.
Before Dec 11, almost every single day in 2019 had availibility. Once they transitioned, there was zero availibility. There have been sporadic moments since Dec 11 where there have randomly been availibility. The availibility of the OVW right now is likely one of these temporary moments, so anyone who might be interested should reserve now before the availibility disappears.
Before Dec 11, almost every single day in 2019 had availibility. Once they transitioned, there was zero availibility. There have been sporadic moments since Dec 11 where there have randomly been availibility. The availibility of the OVW right now is likely one of these temporary moments, so anyone who might be interested should reserve now before the availibility disappears.
Jan 13, 2019, 2:18 am
#2137
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
I was very lucky to grab a garden villa at 240K points over thanksgiving and right before peak season in December. I hope Marriott investigates these games of using breakfast to remove standard award inventory. They came down pretty hard on the Al Maha for charging outrageous food rates for guests who were booking award reservations. Using breakfast shouldn't be a disqualifier to book a standard room with points. Certainly most platinums like myself would be furious since we should get free breakfast anyways.
Just one question, are you allowed to book the Garden Villa as a cash booking and then switch it to points? I read that this was possible but did not experiment with it.
Just one question, are you allowed to book the Garden Villa as a cash booking and then switch it to points? I read that this was possible but did not experiment with it.
The difference between what Al Maha did and what the StR is doing is that Al Maha ONLY has all-inclusive rates, so even the standard rate is all-inclusive. At the StR, the standard cash rate does not include breakfast, so by charging a higher rate that does include breakfast/discounts/etc. they can avoid releasing full availability at the standard rate. I'd argue that this certainly doesn't follow the spirit of the rules even if it does technically break them, but what do I know.
Jan 13, 2019, 2:28 am
#2138
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,724
I'm at the Vommuli right now! I paid the upgrade fee for a OWV (a little annoyed that as PP I wasn't upgraded into anything from GV booking), and the upgrade fee is totally worth it. The OWV is incredible!!
Are the cans of mixed nuts in the room complimentary? My butler went over it too quickly and I was half asleep and not paying attention.
Are the cans of mixed nuts in the room complimentary? My butler went over it too quickly and I was half asleep and not paying attention.
Jan 13, 2019, 2:51 am
#2139
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,026
I'm at the Vommuli right now! I paid the upgrade fee for a OWV (a little annoyed that as PP I wasn't upgraded into anything from GV booking), and the upgrade fee is totally worth it. The OWV is incredible!!
Are the cans of mixed nuts in the room complimentary? My butler went over it too quickly and I was half asleep and not paying attention.
Are the cans of mixed nuts in the room complimentary? My butler went over it too quickly and I was half asleep and not paying attention.
Nornally gv upgrades into bv
They rarely upgrade into OWV even though next category
Jan 13, 2019, 4:19 am
#2140
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,724
Are the full size Remede toiletry items for complimentary usage?
Last edited by iluvdoco; Jan 13, 2019 at 4:54 am
Jan 13, 2019, 5:48 am
#2141
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,026
Jan 13, 2019, 7:22 pm
#2144
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Texas
Programs: Southwest Companion Pass, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 35
Platinum Elite here looking to stay at either W or St Regis this coming September for an anniversary but struggling on which to choose and looking for advice. Wife and I are looking to scuba dive but otherwise low standards and looking for that once in a lifetime experience. I currently have about 200k points but have plenty of Amex/Chase points to transfer to Marriott for the rest.
I have one points advance booking at each hotel: 5 nights beach villa at the W for 240k and 5 night OVW bungalow at St Regis for 440k (would prefer GV prob but no availability). Opportunity cost of the extra 200k pts I put at about $3,000 I could’ve used for other travel, but I don’t want to miss out on St Regis OVW. Is St Regis worth it??
I have one points advance booking at each hotel: 5 nights beach villa at the W for 240k and 5 night OVW bungalow at St Regis for 440k (would prefer GV prob but no availability). Opportunity cost of the extra 200k pts I put at about $3,000 I could’ve used for other travel, but I don’t want to miss out on St Regis OVW. Is St Regis worth it??
Jan 14, 2019, 12:25 am
#2145
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,724
North unfortunately. A little annoyed since I requested the east facing ones several months in advance. The pool isn't heated by the sun during the day, but the outdoor air temp keeps it fairly warm.