slice

Hmm..should my 7 day policy concern me? Still not fully confirmed on making the trip.

Mr. Vker

Is yours an award stay? I think most award are 7 days and paid are 30.

Mr. Vker

Someone really flamed the property on TA. They found out their wife is pregnant and want to cancel due to Zika worries. They are not in the free cancel period. StR has offered 1/2 the money back or to reschedule with no charge. The guest is unhappy they are not getting all money back. Unrealistic IMHO. As someone points out, paid stays are not "last minute" bookings at this place.

jaycis

My award reservation shows 30 days, though it's the 80k OWV mistake rate that I booked last August.
I was under the impression that most award reservations were also 30 days, though.

Mr. Vker

Mine is 7 days. Could be a couple of things. 1) depending on time of year, they could extend if its high season. 2) A few months ago the cancel time frame was way out of whack. I looked at an award stay that you couldnt cancel. Who knows? I'd def go with what any individual reservation stated.

aznyc

Hi all,
Since I'll be there in August and the weather isn't predictable: either rain or shine....I don't want to pay for the upgrade from GV to OWV now and be in the situation when it rains all week and I'm pretty far from restaurants and even overpaid for this
I also hold Gold elite through AMEX card. Does it make sense to ask for an upgrade on arrival depending on the weather or in hopes to get a free upgrade (I'm funny, yes) instead of risking and doing it now?
What's the chance if I ask for an upgrade on arrival (and the weather is good), I won't be able to get anything or get, but not a good one (in terms of privacy)?
Looking for opinions and thoughts.
Thanks!

meehgz

For any dates I looked at in Jan/Feb (award bookings), the terms were 30 days. When I was looking at a few dates that had popped up in December (right before Christmas), the terms were 90 days (also award bookings). With those (admittedly limited) data points, I'd support the idea that time of year is a factor in what the cancellation window is - ex they don't have as much of a loss if a room in May goes unsold (since I'd assume occupancy is normally lower then), but they do during the holidays (when occupancy is probably at or close to 100%).

CPH-Flyer

This made me read all of the negative reviews (5 in worst category). In this specific case I do think the hotel did quite well with their offer. Anywho, they should get a letter from their doctor at home recommending cancelling and take it up with their travel insurance. The other negative reviews are interesting, it does mainly read as some teething pains of a very newly opened hotel. This is why you'd often want to wait 6 months or so before going to a new property

Mr. Vker

We are going in August for our 25th. I read this thread every day. My wife reads TA.

Too bad you can't reply to TA reviews. I doubt he'd get much sympathy.

Anndr000

CPH-Flyer

Of course you are not getting complimentary champagne on a daily basis. But it is not uncommon to get a bottle upon arrival.

Check out time is sort handled automatically, you give them your departure time from MLE, and they arrange the seaplane with Trans Maldivian. And check out is then managed to match the flight. We had an 8pm flight from MLE and left the room around 2pm. Can't remember the exact time.

jjakobv84

I'd make restaurant reservations in advance just so you have something; you can then adjust with the butler when you're there as you find out what you like / dislike. I personally didn't like Alba for dinner much, but think Cargo is definitely worth a visit (or two depending on how long you're there). The menu at Whale bar is pretty good on paper; we unfortunately skipped dining there as we didn't trust our son that close to the water at night (an active 2 year old!).

Someone else answered on return flights; it's mostly driven by your seaplane departure which the hotel doesn't control. We had a 6.15pm flight and left the resort at 3pm and had late check-out. I think it just comes down to whether they need the villa for someone else arriving or not -- not your level of status.

jjakobv84

For us, everything except sea plane counted as Marriott spend for points including activities and discretionary tips (butler).

Cll1881

Gudetama

Sorry just saw this - not sure who my ambassador escalated to. Sounds like it wasn't the hotel but instead through the corporate Marriott Rewards side? Apparently since the point redemption went up, the hotel is unable to adjust since the system will automatically charge more for any modifications to existing reservations.

I think if you just ask for your concern to be escalated, it'll be routed appropriately.