CPH-Flyer

There is already a 10% service charge added your restaurant bills, which is basically your tip. Of course you can add more if you feel like it, but there is not expectation or requirement to tip additionally.

noeatbutgo

Indeed the resort is fully occupied these days but if you can SOWVs would be much better. Re tipping, you can offer it via bill for sure.

dabrain230

Thanks for the suggestions. I asked one of the staff as well and they said that any tip on the bill or charged during checkout will be evenly distributed. If I want to show my appreciation to a specific staff I can mention their name on the bill or during checkout. Good to know

noeatbutgo

Precisely. I also did the same thing- I payed some with my credit card when I checked out and handed a paper of some staffs' name and their tip.

Jesset8

I’m here now too and could be interested.

——-

I just arrived today to the resort and got assigned OVW 517.

The villa is very nice, however looking at some details it does show it’s age.

The pool has been quite warm all day, which was unexpected after reading the thread.

The villa has a lagoon view, which I think is very undesirable from a privacy prospective. With the naked eye it’s going to be difficult to see anyone, but a cheap pair of binoculars will eliminate any privacy I have.

I’m pretty confused about why the resorts OVWs were laid out on this circular shape rather than in a straight line going into the ocean like at other resorts.

The other thing I’m still getting used to is the sticker shock on the costs of everything here.

Some random prices encountered:
Glass of juice $15
burger and fries $61
chicken breast $59

I guess I’ll get acclimated to these prices in the next day or so.

As far as service quality goes, I’ve found it to be attentive. The butler provided me with a WhatsApp, and everything is done through the butler there.

I just arrived from Amangalla in Sri Lanka, and found the service there to be much better so far. The butler there was very good at anticipating what I might want and offering it to me before I even asked.

—-
I chatted with one of the management and they said it was normal for resorts here to close every 6 and 11 years for repairs.
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Jesset8

I was chatting with the QR station manager at MIA, and they had a sheet that is updated everyday with every passengers destination requirements. She showed it to me and it appeared fully up to date. I was flying to CMB who had just changed the rules on testing that day, and the sheet had the correct requirements.

EK at CMB was also following the new vaccination rules the day after it took effect for me.

jmail1

If you don’t mind me asking what type of reaction? On my first day I developed what looks like ant bites on a 4” area on my arm and on parts of my chest. It’s not painful but they have swollen, also believe I got it when I went snorkeling. Thought it might just be sea lice.

jmail1

Just did this myself and put on my Bonvoy card, attached is a screenshot of the charge, it codes as St. Regis and gets full bonus.

raylee123

I spoke to their reservations department today and they claim nothing is set in stone yet. They expect to have clarity / final decision by March 11th.

As it's only 4 more days of waiting, I plan to at least wait that long before changing our reservations to the RC or WA.

kaptain72

Thanks. IATA is now up to date, too. I’m torn on what to do as I don’t want to throw away $500 on unneeded tests.

noeatbutgo

No one would use a binocular so do not be too much stressed. I just forgot my privacy during my stay when I was on the deck of the villa but some guests might have felt serious pain in their eyes... just a joke.

Yes I also don't like the layout of their OWVs in a triangular shape which causes unfavourable view and privacy issues in the lagoon side. But they clearly wanted to build more villas.

And another yes- every food items are quite pricey even for pizzas and burgers. Instead I brought a lot of food to save my budget- better to pay charge for extra kgs on a seaplane.

MrM2016

Not the same, I'm afraid. I certainly got bitten while snorkelling though, but nothing to the degree you were.

mynameisdmoon

DO NOT CANCEL your test appt. St Regis is still asking for negative PCR results vaccinated or not.

It's possible that the butler that responded to my inquiry was wrong but said despite not requiring a negative test result to enter Maldives, we still require it to enter the resort.

I'm leaving this Friday and was about to cancel my test but I'll be getting it done regardless to avoid any issues. Better safe than sorry!

kaptain72

Wow, thank you. We found a way to get PCR tests covered by insurance so we got tested this morning. Should have results before we leave. I’ll update here what the QR staff says on Wed and hotel says on Fri morning.

friedablass

I've personally never heard of resorts requesting to see your test results on arrival. Your tests are checked by the departure airline's airport staff and maybe by the passport control at arrival in MLE. But that's it.

Don't the resorts want to be as easily accessible ad possible like they were pre-Covid? Why would they want to be more restrictive than their country is being by requiring a PCR that their host country is no longer asking for?