St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort [Master Thread]
May 1, 2019, 7:33 pm
#2791
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 65
Should I do Waldorf Astoria Maldives or St Regis Maldives?
WA:
Pros: 480k Hilton + 2 FN Certs = 7 Nights. Cheaper Transportation to Resort. Sometime in April or May. Will be able to take Biz class flight.
Cons: Reef might have not recovered. Unknown pricing about service/food costs.
SR:
Pros: Reserved for 240k before category deval. During December. 5 Nights.
Cons: Need to travel in Economy. Losing Platinum status after this year. So probably last time to get Free Breakfast. Super Expensive for Resort Transport.
WA:
Pros: 480k Hilton + 2 FN Certs = 7 Nights. Cheaper Transportation to Resort. Sometime in April or May. Will be able to take Biz class flight.
Cons: Reef might have not recovered. Unknown pricing about service/food costs.
SR:
Pros: Reserved for 240k before category deval. During December. 5 Nights.
Cons: Need to travel in Economy. Losing Platinum status after this year. So probably last time to get Free Breakfast. Super Expensive for Resort Transport.
More nights, more restaurants, flying biz (20+hrs in econ to get to and from MLE is no joke)
May 1, 2019, 8:16 pm
#2792
Join Date: May 2018
Location: HOU/IAH
Programs: NH Platinum; UA Silver; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 64
- SR will never again be available at the excellent 60k price that the OP got. It is already 85k now, and it will go to 100k very soon (for a December stay that is, which is what the OP booked). This is in contrast to the WA; Hilton was forced to create a new price point for it, so it stands as the only 120k property so far. Therefore, it is unlikely that the WA's price point will increase above 120k in the next several years. Point being, if the OP only has a limited number of points available, it is unlikely for the OP to be able to go to the SR in the future should this opportunity be given up, and it is much more likely for the OP to be able to go to the WA in the future.
- WA will still be less than a year old next April/May, which means that there might still be a little bit of lingering 'new resort roughness' (although one would normally expect this effect to be minimal at a WA...)
- I personally think the SR's location is superior.
- The OP is apparently concerned about minimizing OOP cost, given the "Super Expensive for Resort Transport" comment. In that case, the OP would do much better at the SR, where the transfer fee is much lower ($695.00 RT incl. tax, compared to WA's $911.68 RT incl. tax), and the OP's Platinum status would provide the best breakfast spread and menu I have ever seen. Of course, WA will offer free breakfast to Gold/Diamond members too, but the OP didn't say anything about that...
Ideally, stay at the SR this December, then try the WA a couple years later (or save those points for somewhere else, e.g. Conrad Bora Bora?).
May 1, 2019, 10:56 pm
#2793
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
I disagree, unless the OP does not plan on returning to the Maldives in the future.
Ideally, stay at the SR this December, then try the WA a couple years later (or save those points for somewhere else, e.g. Conrad Bora Bora?).
- SR will never again be available at the excellent 60k price that the OP got. It is already 85k now, and it will go to 100k very soon (for a December stay that is, which is what the OP booked). This is in contrast to the WA; Hilton was forced to create a new price point for it, so it stands as the only 120k property so far. Therefore, it is unlikely that the WA's price point will increase above 120k in the next several years. Point being, if the OP only has a limited number of points available, it is unlikely for the OP to be able to go to the SR in the future should this opportunity be given up, and it is much more likely for the OP to be able to go to the WA in the future.
- WA will still be less than a year old next April/May, which means that there might still be a little bit of lingering 'new resort roughness' (although one would normally expect this effect to be minimal at a WA...)
- I personally think the SR's location is superior.
- The OP is apparently concerned about minimizing OOP cost, given the "Super Expensive for Resort Transport" comment. In that case, the OP would do much better at the SR, where the transfer fee is much lower ($695.00 RT incl. tax, compared to WA's $911.68 RT incl. tax), and the OP's Platinum status would provide the best breakfast spread and menu I have ever seen. Of course, WA will offer free breakfast to Gold/Diamond members too, but the OP didn't say anything about that...
Ideally, stay at the SR this December, then try the WA a couple years later (or save those points for somewhere else, e.g. Conrad Bora Bora?).
Flying economy (if that's truly the difference between the two properties) will ruin any trip once landed due to jet lag. If that really is his trade-off, I would absolutely go WA.
May 3, 2019, 3:11 pm
#2794
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 159
I still don't know what to do. This is such a tough choice right now.
May 3, 2019, 4:14 pm
#2795
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Programs: OZ *G, HHonors Gold, Aclub Plat
Posts: 1,025
First post; have read the entire thread.
Some tips I’ve compiled; what am I missing?
- Accept the unpacking and packing; it seems worth it.
- Complimentary bottled water in the room that will be stocked heavily upon request.
- Try to join the weekly manager’s reception at the whale bar. Unfortunately it is on Tuesdays so that means we’ll have only one rather than two opportunities due to the aforementioned Tuesday night dive.
- The beach near Alba is picturesque but unpleasant on the feet; a better beach option is that which stretches from Orientale past the check-in lounge through to the GVs.
- SPF 30 and 50 available at the main pool. There was a comment that it may also be brought to the room upon request; is this correct?
- Book in advance for any dining and activities; bear in mind you can reschedule them if needed.
- If booking a massage request some time in the Blue Hole as part of the service and they may provide it at no charge.
- Whale Bar is the best location for sunsets but try to arrive early.
Some tips I’ve compiled; what am I missing?
- Accept the unpacking and packing; it seems worth it.
- Complimentary bottled water in the room that will be stocked heavily upon request.
- Try to join the weekly manager’s reception at the whale bar. Unfortunately it is on Tuesdays so that means we’ll have only one rather than two opportunities due to the aforementioned Tuesday night dive.
- The beach near Alba is picturesque but unpleasant on the feet; a better beach option is that which stretches from Orientale past the check-in lounge through to the GVs.
- SPF 30 and 50 available at the main pool. There was a comment that it may also be brought to the room upon request; is this correct?
- Book in advance for any dining and activities; bear in mind you can reschedule them if needed.
- If booking a massage request some time in the Blue Hole as part of the service and they may provide it at no charge.
- Whale Bar is the best location for sunsets but try to arrive early.
May 3, 2019, 5:50 pm
#2796
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
Not an answer to your question but considering the relatively significant plat benefits at the StR (breakfast alone is a $65 per person per day benefit) I figured it'd be worth mentioning that for those who don't travel quite enough to earn platinum under normal circumstances, it could be worth looking into a status challenge. Marriott offers a Plat status challenge that will give you Plat status after 16 nights in a 90 day period (really you get until the end of the 3rd month, so often closer to 110 days).
May 4, 2019, 3:05 am
#2797
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 464
Yes, I'm here now and attended this past Tuesday on the main (Alba) beach (5:30p-6:30p). My guess is it's open to all since it's out in the open for anyone to walk up to.
May 4, 2019, 3:24 am
#2798
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,025
May 4, 2019, 8:45 am
#2799
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Programs: OZ *G, HHonors Gold, Aclub Plat
Posts: 1,025
May 4, 2019, 8:59 pm
#2800
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 14
From the hotel:
Dear Mr. XXX,
Sunny Greetings from The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort!
Thank you very much for your email.
We regret to inform you that the resort policies have now changed and the maximum occupancy for a Garden Villa with Pool is fixed at 2 persons. We are unable to accommodate your family of 4 in a Garden Villa with Pool. The only option is to upgrade to a higher category that can accommodate your family.
Furthermore, please be advised that we do provide complimentary upgrades in appreciation for the loyalty from time to time. However, these upgrades cannot be guaranteed in advance and is only confirmed at the time of check-in. Therefore, the only way to guarantee an upgrade is with a paid upgrade as offered in our previous email.
Trust the above information proves helpful and we remain at your disposal for any further assistance that you may require.
Dear Mr. XXX,
Sunny Greetings from The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort!
Thank you very much for your email.
We regret to inform you that the resort policies have now changed and the maximum occupancy for a Garden Villa with Pool is fixed at 2 persons. We are unable to accommodate your family of 4 in a Garden Villa with Pool. The only option is to upgrade to a higher category that can accommodate your family.
Furthermore, please be advised that we do provide complimentary upgrades in appreciation for the loyalty from time to time. However, these upgrades cannot be guaranteed in advance and is only confirmed at the time of check-in. Therefore, the only way to guarantee an upgrade is with a paid upgrade as offered in our previous email.
Trust the above information proves helpful and we remain at your disposal for any further assistance that you may require.
May 4, 2019, 11:13 pm
#2801
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 114
May 5, 2019, 12:33 am
#2803
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Marriott LTP
Posts: 138
May 5, 2019, 2:09 pm
#2805
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 14
Was trying to upgrade my GV to the OWV and based on the site's availability, all sorts of OVW/SOVW were all available a couple days before I called them. Called in and was told they were completely out of OVW for my dates and was offered the St Regis Suite, so I offered to move my dates around and they were like saying how there is no GV so I can't change my dates even though OWV was available. After more requests for other dates, she suddenly came back saying that she "found" a OVW for me to upgrade into on my original dates. It's almost as if she was trying to see if I were going to bite for the much more expensive upgrade.
I have to say though, for a property like this, the upgrade cost is quite reasonable.
Anyone visiting towards the end of May? Or any advice for visiting around this month? Heard that weather is not ideal but I don't really have a choice with my work schedule.
I've read most of this thread and it seems that Titanium benefits are not very consistent and service in general might not be very consistent, any specific things do I need to keep in mind?
I have to say though, for a property like this, the upgrade cost is quite reasonable.
Anyone visiting towards the end of May? Or any advice for visiting around this month? Heard that weather is not ideal but I don't really have a choice with my work schedule.
I've read most of this thread and it seems that Titanium benefits are not very consistent and service in general might not be very consistent, any specific things do I need to keep in mind?
