St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort [Master Thread]
May 21, 2019, 1:06 am
#2836
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 114
I would like to get re-confirmation about this price from someone on FT who has been to Cargo recently because I suspect you received bad information from the hotel. I cannot imagine they would have doubled prices - unless I remember wrong it was 250 USD per couple back in October.
May 21, 2019, 1:29 am
#2838
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
May 22, 2019, 5:43 pm
#2840
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 141
May 23, 2019, 10:04 am
#2841
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
Can't comment re whether or not upgrade prices would be the same on arrival (I would assume the answer is yes) but keep in mind that it seems to not be unheard of for OWV/SOWV to get booked out in peak season so keep an eye on the availability on Marriott's site/accept the possibility that upgrading on arrival might not be an option.
May 23, 2019, 10:41 am
#2842
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
That is a difficult question to answer. I don't think posters here who upgraded prior to arrival ask at check-in what the rate would have been that day for an upgrade, nor do I think posters who upgrade at check-in ask what the upgrade rate would have been had they requested it prior to arrival. You may be looking for a datapoint that doesn't exist.
Inventories change daily. If you are set on an upgrade, inquire beforehand. Otherwise, be prepared to enjoy the room booked or accept the upgrade price at check-in, IF available.
James
Inventories change daily. If you are set on an upgrade, inquire beforehand. Otherwise, be prepared to enjoy the room booked or accept the upgrade price at check-in, IF available.
James
May 23, 2019, 1:14 pm
#2843
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: CPH
Programs: SAS Gold, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 162
Can't comment re whether or not upgrade prices would be the same on arrival (I would assume the answer is yes) but keep in mind that it seems to not be unheard of for OWV/SOWV to get booked out in peak season so keep an eye on the availability on Marriott's site/accept the possibility that upgrading on arrival might not be an option.
May 23, 2019, 7:53 pm
#2845
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,838
Absolutely, well worth $250 per night. And I am fairly sure you even have chances of an upgrade to SOWV as an additional perk. I got that upgrade last year but as Amb not Titanium.
May 24, 2019, 4:26 am
#2846
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: AS 100k, BA GGL, UA 1k, DL DM, AC SE, B6 Mosaic4, Hyatt/Hilton/Wyndham/IHG Diamond, Marriot Ti
Posts: 1,248
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.
May 24, 2019, 5:29 am
#2847
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6
Upgrade datapoint
I stayed there just a week ago for 5 nights on points. I am a Titanium member and decided to roll the dice on getting an upgrade from my booked GB.
Requested an upgrade through email about two weeks prior to arrival and received the standard response people have posted before about "upgrades are not guaranteed" and was offered a cash upgrade option.
When I arrived in the St. Regis lounge in Male, I asked about the upgrade again after I saw I had been booked to a GV. I was told that their records show I requested an upgrade but they weren't able to accommodate at this time but my butler would check to see if it's possible after I got to the island.
Upon arrival and check in to my room, the butler mentioned that he was notified about my desire for an upgrade and he will try to accommodate it but may take a few days.
In the end, they did upgrade me on my last night from a GV to a SOWV which was a nice gesture. However, when I was at the resort, it was during Ramadan and the occupancy was very low. I have no hard numbers but I had been told by multiple staff that their current occupancy was lower than normal and I could see it as well just based on the number of people I saw at Alba breakfast. (When we showed up about 30 minutes after opening, we were usually the first ones there. After staying for an hour, we would see maybe 5-7 other tables occupied total).
Also, I did check the Marriott app and confirmed that they had rooms available in almost every category available during my stay (GV,OWV,BV,etc).
So all data suggests that even if there is ample availability and you are a Titanium member, you cannot always expect an upgrade. If you absolutely need an upgrade then paying cash is the best way. For me personally, I was ok with the GV. It actually had a lot more privacy than the BV and I was traveling with my young daughter, so being more centrally located to the pool and Kids Club was nice.
Requested an upgrade through email about two weeks prior to arrival and received the standard response people have posted before about "upgrades are not guaranteed" and was offered a cash upgrade option.
When I arrived in the St. Regis lounge in Male, I asked about the upgrade again after I saw I had been booked to a GV. I was told that their records show I requested an upgrade but they weren't able to accommodate at this time but my butler would check to see if it's possible after I got to the island.
Upon arrival and check in to my room, the butler mentioned that he was notified about my desire for an upgrade and he will try to accommodate it but may take a few days.
In the end, they did upgrade me on my last night from a GV to a SOWV which was a nice gesture. However, when I was at the resort, it was during Ramadan and the occupancy was very low. I have no hard numbers but I had been told by multiple staff that their current occupancy was lower than normal and I could see it as well just based on the number of people I saw at Alba breakfast. (When we showed up about 30 minutes after opening, we were usually the first ones there. After staying for an hour, we would see maybe 5-7 other tables occupied total).
Also, I did check the Marriott app and confirmed that they had rooms available in almost every category available during my stay (GV,OWV,BV,etc).
So all data suggests that even if there is ample availability and you are a Titanium member, you cannot always expect an upgrade. If you absolutely need an upgrade then paying cash is the best way. For me personally, I was ok with the GV. It actually had a lot more privacy than the BV and I was traveling with my young daughter, so being more centrally located to the pool and Kids Club was nice.
Did you catch them with your bare hands? 
May 24, 2019, 6:36 am
#2849
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467