St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort [Master Thread]
#3347
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,160
#3348
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: SPG 100 Ambassador, LH M&M Senator, Skywards Silver
Posts: 250
Just finished a 7 days stay, had a confirmed cash upgrade to OWV at $370/nt. Resort was at 85% occupancy so they couldn’t upgrade any further, though for last two nights moved us to beach villa on my request so we could experience something different. Can’t say one was better than the other, though the feeling was completely different.
Pool in the standard owv is so cold that we didn’t use it even once, the sunset villas are the ones getting the sun so now looking back I’d definitely upgrade to SOWV. We greatly enjoyed the pool in the BV.
Weather was good, we had one day of rain and the rest of the week was sunny. There is not much to do on a rainy day so we spent it in the villa watching some tv.
One observation is that it seems like everyone in the resort is at least platinum so status doesn’t matter much, a number of times got to see the guests list (need to sign on a list for water sports etc.) which also displays guests status. Vast majority of other guests on the list were holding some sort of elite status.
Pool in the standard owv is so cold that we didn’t use it even once, the sunset villas are the ones getting the sun so now looking back I’d definitely upgrade to SOWV. We greatly enjoyed the pool in the BV.
Weather was good, we had one day of rain and the rest of the week was sunny. There is not much to do on a rainy day so we spent it in the villa watching some tv.
One observation is that it seems like everyone in the resort is at least platinum so status doesn’t matter much, a number of times got to see the guests list (need to sign on a list for water sports etc.) which also displays guests status. Vast majority of other guests on the list were holding some sort of elite status.
#3349
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Toronto
Programs: HGP Globalist, SPG P100, Hilton Dia
Posts: 425
I came back from the hotel in early November. Flight out of MLE is 920am. Butler collected bag from room at 620am. Pick me up at 640am. Sea plane original ETD was 650am but it got a slight delay, took off at 715am. Arrived MLE at 805am. Rushed to the check in counter and just made it with 5 minutes to spare before the check in closed at 820am. Hope that gives you a rough idea.
#3350
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: Marriott Titanium; Alaska MVP
Posts: 5
Hello. I stayed at the St. Regis for my honeymoon in Sept. 2019. If you're going in July, I'd skip paying for the upgrade and wait for the comped upgrade as a Platinum member for both properties. I booked a garden villa on points and got the upgrade to a beach villa while on the layover in Dubai. BV are fantastic and way more private the overwater villas and the BVs are much closer to everything on the island vs. the OWVs.
#3351
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,837
Hello. I stayed at the St. Regis for my honeymoon in Sept. 2019. If you're going in July, I'd skip paying for the upgrade and wait for the comped upgrade as a Platinum member for both properties. I booked a garden villa on points and got the upgrade to a beach villa while on the layover in Dubai. BV are fantastic and way more private the overwater villas and the BVs are much closer to everything on the island vs. the OWVs.
Regarding BVs being more private than OWVs it entirely depends which villa you have. The northern facing OWVs might have a cold pool but they are more private than many BVs.
#3352
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG-Plat, Hilton-Diamond, Club Carlson-Silver, Cathay-Diamond, Virgin-Gold
Posts: 2,183
Impressions on returning is that generally there is overall a better service level than 12 months ago, however the breakfast is certainly not as amazing as it was. It is still a really good breakfast but the luxury feel given by the extensive menu is now less due to the trimmed down version and the menu items when served are of a slightly less quality/portion. Still superb, just not quite as out of this world as it once was.
Struggling to get motivated to try decanter, just the cost for what is essentially an unknown tasting menu in a cellar that could be anywhere in the world doesn't jump. Whale Bar is still the fav place outside of the ocean view Villa to spend time!
Struggling to get motivated to try decanter, just the cost for what is essentially an unknown tasting menu in a cellar that could be anywhere in the world doesn't jump. Whale Bar is still the fav place outside of the ocean view Villa to spend time!
#3353
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: MR/SPG Plat, HH Gold, DL PM
Posts: 413
I was just looking over my reservation, and it looks like the seaplane transfer has now gone up to $745. Since it's via a third party and the hotel doesn't seem to have much control, I wonder if this is something where a) the amount you're charged is based on what's in effect at the time of the stay, or if b) what's in your original confirmation will be honored.
#3354
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,160
I was just looking over my reservation, and it looks like the seaplane transfer has now gone up to $745. Since it's via a third party and the hotel doesn't seem to have much control, I wonder if this is something where a) the amount you're charged is based on what's in effect at the time of the stay, or if b) what's in your original confirmation will be honored.
#3355
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
We pay the seaplane fee to the hotel, right? They haven’t contacted me regarding any fee increase. I don’t see why I should be paying more than I agreed to at the time of booking. These aren’t taxes.
#3356
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,837
#3357
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
I could be mistaken, but I believe all seaplane transfers are organized and charged by the hotels directly. I find it hard to believe that they've increased their prices twice in such a short timespan. They fly to many other hotels as well, including cheaper ones.
#3358
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Marriott Ambassador , Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 50
Got upgraded to SOWV from GV. Know the new GM from Phulay Bay so he also threw in a few freebies. Favorite spot to snorkel has been right past the whale bar where the reef drops off. Lots of sharks and fish in the morning and evenings. Snorkeled from the reception pier to the JJA and down back to the dive shop and you can't really go wrong anywhere. Probably not for beginners because the water can get quite choppy. Hoping I see a sea turtle but they're pretty rare. Stingrays, eels, and sharks all come up to the beach in front of Alba. All of the dining options are well worth the price considering the location. Interactions with staff have been excellent. Caught a couple lobsters and had them cooked at Orientale that were perfect. They also have a mini mart in the village with prices much lower than the boutique shop. It's mostly meant for the staff who live on the island but if you need to pick up personal items you can do so there without the markup. Had mostly snacks and personal toiletries and cigarettes for prices that you'd expect back in Male. Will take the morning flight to Dubai so I'll miss breakfast on the last morning but our butler said you can just order whatever off room service and they comp it since Alba won't be open. Asked if I could tour the JJA but it's booked out for our whole stay. The bikes seem new and ride very well. Have left the bike around the island and it always shows up parked outside the room by morning. Was told that a majority of guests are actually booked on points and not cash. They open more than 4 rooms per night to deal with low occupancy so people should be able to find availability but not to expect upgrades if you're just Platinum or Titanium. Was invited to join management dinner at Cargo and got to learn more about life running the property. It was interesting to learn that most of them haven't stayed at other Marriott properties so this is the only property they really know. They shared how the Maldives is only getting more resorts and tourism numbers aren't keeping up. Specifically mentioned the other new Marriott family properties and the new WA and how they expect to feel the competition. Ideally they'd like to be at lower occupancy but due to the low award rates and how they get compensated by corporate they are booking as full as they can go so don't expect upgrades if you're not Ambassador or maybe Titanium. They do upgrade based on status but because most members with the points to stay here are Ambassador or Titanium, I wouldn't expect to get anything as a Platinum which is a common question I see mentioned. Wi-Fi is great out here so ask any questions and I can get specific answers.
where about is the Village located that has the mini mart on the island ?
#3359
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,232
I believe that the cost of seaplane transfer will be the same as shown when booking was made.
that means they will honor the old rate. It used to be this way before.
that means they will honor the old rate. It used to be this way before.
#3360
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Marriott Ambassador , Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 50
looking for recommendation for private dinner experiences between StRegis and Conrad
If you have done a Private dinner at both locations which one was better, in terms of service and location etc ?
If you have done a Private dinner at both locations which one was better, in terms of service and location etc ?