We stayed at the W Maldives 4 times previously, the last time being 17 months ago and it was the first time we did not rebook for the following summer.

Considering how good this property was and the management team that were there its so sad to read a statement like that and not be able to argue it! The staff I am sure are all very nice as they were when we were there but it had changed from previous years and just not what it was which is such a shame as it was stunning and while I am sure it still appeals to some we found the new management team to just be invisible last time we were there which had never been the case previously!! Dont know when the next rotation happens but hopefully things will get back to the standards they were once it does because the resort and the reef are stunning!

I can't invalidate anyone else's experiences but my wife and I just got back from there and the service was spectacular and "anticipatory" to steal another poster's word.

Perhaps word of mixed service reviews have been forwarded to management (though I didn't run into the manager on this trip) and they are doing their best to address it.

From welcome to farewell the staff there made our trip amazing. They offered buggy rides when it rained (and even as they saw us leaving restaurants). The staff on the entire island seemed to call us by name (though we are easy to spot...lol). They suggested great food, cocktails, checked in on us regularly to ask if we needed anything.

If they keep this attitude going forward reviews will continue to be positive I'm sure. I also prefer the aesthetic and feel of the W brand to others such as the Four Seasons or Conrad so I suppose that was our best option in the Maldives anyway but I wouldn't be opposed to checking out the Conrad.

W Maldives - Using StarHot Rate
 

Does anyone have experience using the StarHot rate at the W Maldives? Do they honor the 50% Food and Beverage Discount?

Thanks.

Best bet is to just email the general info address on their site.

I was able to get the Starhot F&B discount at W Vieques Retreat though

Maldives resort where to stay? Boras Maldives OR W Retreat & Spa Resort Maldives??
 

I have been to Maldives before and its such a great place and planning to go again within a few months time or so but I am struggling to choose the 2 resorts as titled to help me decide which one I would go for in the end

I had a bit of a look for both resorts and for Boras Maldives, I would be interested in Water Pool Villa room which has just been renovated and released a couple of months ago and looks nice.

And as for W, I am planning to go either Ocean Oasis or Ocean Oasis With Lagoon View. I see they are both the same area size, just that they have a Lagoon view for the differenceb but is it worth to pay for upgrade? Is that right, BOTH room has glass seethrough in the living area which is quite large according from the picture I saw?

And also, my partner loves snorkelling and I am not sure if either resort has a great house reef or has good coral for doing these activities since not every resorts in Maldives may have them

Your advices and suggestions would be appreciated if it can help me lead into my final decision to choose which one. If there are any questions that I need to consider, please ask me and I will answer you in case there's something I may have missed any important factors

Thanks in advance

YES, they do honor the 50% off F&B Discount at the W Maldives when I stayed there last year. It was still pricey but at least it makes the price a little more reasonable considering you are stuck eating all your meals at the inclusive resort.

can someone tell me what the Starhot discount is, I have press club set account and when they first opened they offered 50% off food and drink, but havent seen it since, am now Lifetime platinum and the only thing holding me back from staying at this hotel is the huge cost of food and drink (particularly drink a glass of wine is $40) can justify the $1500 cost per night for the room but with another 700 or so dollars for dinner, lunch wine etc cannot work for me.

I think Starhot is for employees. As to the cost of food and drink, I actually didn't find it to be outrageous while I was there... my only frame of reference in the Maldives is the Conrad, but I actually found the W to be significantly less expensive once we were there. As mentioned upthread, if you're a wine drinker, the fact that they'll store any bottles of wine (and apparently liquor) you don't finish and deliver them wherever you'd like is a really nice touch. And I don't recall spending $40/glass (pro-rated or otherwise), though I suppose if you're ordering $200-250 bottles, maybe that's what you're alluding to. Also, there are water/soda/ice cream stations all over, so if you're thirsty or feel like a diet coke (or 3) in the middle of the afternoon, it doesn't cost you anything.

what is the difference between the ocean oasis and the one with the lagoon view?? how does it compare to the other rooms?

Same room-- one looks across the lagoon back at the resort, the other away from the resort out at the ocean. It's a lot windier and the sea is a little rougher on the ocean side. on the plus side, it's more private on the ocean side, as you have less risk of snorkelers bothering you on your deck. Beach Oasis is larger, but not overwater.

Never got to take a look into the Seascape Escape or Ocean Haven... waaaaay out of my price range.

Anyone stayed overnight at Sheraton
 

Am considering to go to W, but my flight arrives at night, so the seaplane is not available.


There is an offer to stay overnight at Sheraton.

Has anyone done that before? Does the seaplane fetch you at Sheraton?

Or is it better to stay at Male for the night?

Am not keen to take a 2hr speedboat to W in the dark!

The Sheraton Full Moon is very close to the airport. We were at the hotel and checking in within 15 minutes of getting on the boat, and within 30 minutes of collecting our bags.

It would probably be ideal for a transfer since we used it for a two day transfer hotel prior to heading off to the Park Hyatt Maldives.

However, if you are wanting to avoid the $125 boat transfer fee, the Hulhule MLE Airport Hotel also appears to be a spot where all the flight crews stay. The property is 2 km from the airport on the airport island itself. I've spent some time at the Lounge where while in between flights.

Have stayed at both the Sheraton and Hulhule hotels for a night each (on late night SQ arrival into MLE, separate trips). Sheraton was much, much nicer IMO... never stayed in Male, but I didn't really like the city much, so it wasn't tempting.

Seaplane won't fetch you at the Sheraton... gotta take the boat back to the airport for that, but it's not too difficult/time consuming.

I am debating between the Sheraton, W, Conrad and Hyatt, although the price and point recemptions (even with the current 35% off promo) seems way too high. Does anyone have any experience upgrading the room using cash like you can do at the other resorts?

My experience with the W. Maldives is that it is annoying.

I asked a question about getting seaplane because arrival was scheduled at 2:45 and was worried what would happen if it were delayed until 3:30 (the time that flights need to be booked by). I asked if it could be held for 10-15 minutes in that scenario because I did not want to overnight in a local hotel, whether it be the Sheraton or the Four Seasons. I stressed that a seamless transition was more important than price, and that I was willing to pay extra.

Response:

Hey "There," "cut-n-paste of people need to arrive by 3:30 PM... you need to contact SPG with further questions.

So alas, I booked elsewhere.

I just don't get such crappy, ignorant answers to someone who's about to spend $15,000? So my response: "Whatever." I'll go somewhere else where my name is not "There." All the other hotels I contacted, COMOs, O&O, Cheval Blanc and FSes were all much better.

I guess it's 50/50 whether this place is good. Those odds shouldn't command high room rates.