Just finished our trip last week. Our butler Alina was phenomenal. Can’t say enough great things about her. Afternoon tea, snacks, fruit, chocolates, evening baths, etc. on top of the other butler services. Very proactive and if we needed anything she gave us her What’s app number and it was a quick text to her. It was nice that she met us at breakfast every morning and confirmed our agenda, reservations, tea time, and anything we needed for those (eg rides, timing).

StR lounge at seaplane terminal was great both ways. Fast WiFi and lots of drink (nonalcoholic) and snack options. Staff was super helpful there as well.

We had room 529 on the north OWV. Was worried about water temp of the pool based on some reviews here but it was plenty warm. Great privacy as well (529 is next to the JJA estate and nobody was staying there). Stayed on points (300k for 6 nights) and it was a free upgrade to the OWV. Was confirmed the day before we arrived.

Spent lots of of time in the spa and did lots of water sports. Sea bob was a blast; never done that before.

Free beer and wine at the Tuesday reception. HH at whale bar until 530pm and after 830pm (I think that was the time)...20% off. 20% off at spa at certain times as well.

Breakfast buffet has been well documented on here and lives up to expectation. Even asked for a few items “off menu” and they made it for us. Decanter I thought was fantastic. Decent value as well, relative to other food/drink prices on the island. There were three other couples that joined us for the dinner and I saw them open 11 bottles of wine/bubbles for us. And we drank it all. Would have been a dicey walk back to the villa if Alina didn’t pick us up.

Had a lot of success at the sunset fishing. 8 fish between the two of us; they cooked up half of them for us and we had a late lunch/early dinner the next day. Then spent the rest of the night at the managers reception and then the whale bar after.

Did a complimentary tour of Male organized by StR. on the way back home while we waited for our late evening flight. Not really a ton to see in the city but glad we did it.

Not sure what else to add but it was a hell of a trip.

Also, I know it’s been asked a few times on here...here is the response I received when asking about points earning:

“Earnings not eligible are Tax, Service charges, Seaplane transfer, gratuities, retail shop charges, watersports & Diving.”

Can anyone comment on the quality of the snorkel gear? Debating on bringing my own. Snorkel have a dry top? Fin quality?

For anyone who has done the Sea Bob, is it worth it? Any way to attach a GoPro to the Sea bob? Thanks

Fins they provided are fine, but brought our own snorkels (no dry top as far as I can tell on theirs) and masks and glad we did.

Sea bob was a lot of fun. I did the shortest session and that was enough to see two sharks, a sea turtle, and tons of fish. Kind of pricey though, it was enough for me to get to experience it.

I didn’t see if there was/was not a way to connect a go pro to it. If you have a mount for your snorkel mask, I’d use that.

what are the settings on your camera for
something like this? I’ve never been able to get a clear shot without stars tracking on long exposure.

I’ve read some recent reviews that stated the airport lounge by the seaplanes was under renovation. Can anyone confirm this has been completed and the lounge is open? TIA