St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort [Master Thread]
Jan 25, 2022, 1:56 am
#5161
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: OZ Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ti/LTP, Hilton Diamond, Sixt AC, Hertz PC
Posts: 122
The Bonvoy Asia F&B discount offer gets updated ever so regularly. It is always set with an expiration date of 31.12. and 30.06., and they reserve the right to change properties that participate without notice. All the Maldives resorts were included pre 31.12.2021, none are included right now. I suspect they will come back after the remainder of peak season.
Jan 25, 2022, 3:43 am
#5162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
Jan 25, 2022, 11:57 am
#5164
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seoul, KR
Programs: MAR Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 572
Got the quote re upgrade during Dec 25-30. 490++ per night to upgrade GV to OWV. So they charge exactly the same gap in the cash rates.
Last edited by noeatbutgo; Jan 25, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Jan 25, 2022, 9:59 pm
#5165
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 222
Ooph, that's rough. Was there any hint on what the generic "OWV" actually books into (sunset, panoramic, or lagoon)? My guess is lagoon because the cash rates are exactly the same. But, if it's really just a cash price difference on the upgrade, you could upgrade to panoramic OWV for ~$121/night?
Jan 25, 2022, 10:51 pm
#5166
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seoul, KR
Programs: MAR Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 572
Ooph, that's rough. Was there any hint on what the generic "OWV" actually books into (sunset, panoramic, or lagoon)? My guess is lagoon because the cash rates are exactly the same. But, if it's really just a cash price difference on the upgrade, you could upgrade to panoramic OWV for ~$121/night?
I will continue to check non-GV availability for Dec 25-30 until late Feb (when I will be in the resort). If nothing comes up, then I will go with my OWV on Dec 22-27 as it can save US$3k.
Jan 26, 2022, 12:52 pm
#5167
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 192
StR vs RC
I have booked StR BV for two for 425k points and just made a points advance booking for OWV in RC for 400k. I am a Titanium member, so breakfast is free regardless. Don't really care for swimming/snorkeling. Which resort should I choose?
Jan 26, 2022, 1:00 pm
#5168
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 222
Should be the RC, right? From what I've read in both threads, the RC has superior hard product in the villa and island, comparable service given the variability at both locations, and comparable cost. The only detractions of the RC are much worse reef (no impact for you), potential for more children given the better childcare services (if that bothers you), and lack of status recognition (not an issue). I've read opinions that skew both ways for food, so I guess that's a YMMV situation.
Jan 26, 2022, 2:53 pm
#5170
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
Should be the RC, right? From what I've read in both threads, the RC has superior hard product in the villa and island, comparable service given the variability at both locations, and comparable cost. The only detractions of the RC are much worse reef (no impact for you), potential for more children given the better childcare services (if that bothers you), and lack of status recognition (not an issue). I've read opinions that skew both ways for food, so I guess that's a YMMV situation.
As YYJMSP pointed out, the breakfast benefit does not apply at the Ritz. You do get complimentary non-alcoholic drinks in your minibar plus afternoon tea, which helps make up for the lack of free breakfast.
The TL;DR is that the Ritz has a better, newer hard product and much better privacy (if you care about that). The StR beach villas are a big gamble due to erosion of the beach in front of many of them, making them more of half-overwater villas. Based on what I've read, the choice is pretty clear for you: save the 25k points and go with the RC.
Jan 26, 2022, 3:06 pm
#5171
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seoul, KR
Programs: MAR Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 572
I have a similar choice and opted for the RC, thanks to lagunas2k's really helpful advice here. My choice was a bit tougher because I actually do want to do a fair bit of diving and the reef at the StR is apparently much better, plus the diving is a lot cheaper since you don't need to take a boat to get to a dive site.
As YYJMSP pointed out, the breakfast benefit does not apply at the Ritz. You do get complimentary non-alcoholic drinks in your minibar plus afternoon tea, which helps make up for the lack of free breakfast.
The TL;DR is that the Ritz has a better, newer hard product and much better privacy (if you care about that). The StR beach villas are a big gamble due to erosion of the beach in front of many of them, making them more of half-overwater villas. Based on what I've read, the choice is pretty clear for you: save the 25k points and go with the RC.
As YYJMSP pointed out, the breakfast benefit does not apply at the Ritz. You do get complimentary non-alcoholic drinks in your minibar plus afternoon tea, which helps make up for the lack of free breakfast.
The TL;DR is that the Ritz has a better, newer hard product and much better privacy (if you care about that). The StR beach villas are a big gamble due to erosion of the beach in front of many of them, making them more of half-overwater villas. Based on what I've read, the choice is pretty clear for you: save the 25k points and go with the RC.
Jan 26, 2022, 3:17 pm
#5172
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,880
Jan 26, 2022, 3:45 pm
#5173
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seoul, KR
Programs: MAR Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 572
Fair point, thanks for the reminder. I did see that the Ritz's is 90 days vs. 30 days for the StR, but I figured that difference wouldn't matter. I do plan to get insurance to cover unforeseen issues. The RC hasn't sent an email with details of the cancellation policy other than the boiler plate "we will assess a fee if you must cancel after this deadline." What are the details?
Jan 26, 2022, 10:13 pm
#5174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,178
It was over the Christmas New Year period that it has been set to 90 days, for January peak season for me the cancellation period was 21 days, and one night penalty after that. If you go to off peak it even be more generous. You always need to check, different seasons different rules.
Jan 26, 2022, 11:27 pm
#5175
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,350
It was over the Christmas New Year period that it has been set to 90 days, for January peak season for me the cancellation period was 21 days, and one night penalty after that. If you go to off peak it even be more generous. You always need to check, different seasons different rules.
