Ah, I assumed that they would have eliminated the mistake rate from both properties around the same time. I didn't inquire about the W because I already had my OWV upgrade at the StR locked in at 20k per night.

I guess it's still worth a try then, although I'd be very surprised if that rate is still available at the W today.

240k
 

my ambassador claims there is no such thing as category 8 for 60k a night. Says it was a mistake. I’m sure she is wrong but it’s frusterating.

She's technically right. Category 8 doesn't exist yet. It's Category 7 for 60k a night.

Ok, then her manager was misinformed.

Anybody been to the W and St R Maldives both? In cash rates, St R is much more expensive but on Googling I see most people recommend the W over St R as a better property.

I am looking to redeem points at either of these hotels and upgrade 2 nights to a OWV with cash. Can somebody suggest which would be a better choice and why?

Any data points on the arrival/departure experience here?

I'm looking at possibly staying here with a departure on the Cathay flight to HKG which leaves after 10pm, and I understand that the seaplane transfer would have to be much earlier in the day. I emailed the hotel and it sounds like apparently it is not possible to use the W lounge at MLE on departure, which is quite annoying as there are a number of late flights out of the airport. It sounds like there may be an option to go to the airport later in the day by boat, has anyone done that?

I've seen some horror stories of experiences getting to/from MLE at off times, so wondering if it would be worth taking a connecting flight to HKG in order to be able to leave MLE during the daytime.

Thanks for the idea, but unfortunately won't work with my trip timing.

W offers a speedboat transfer option to/from the airport outside of seaplane operating times ... for $1725 one way for up to 3 people. (Not sure if it's ++ or not, but at that point does it even matter?) From my emails with the W it appears they also will not let you use the MLE airport lounge upon departure. (StR proactively offers the lounge stay option, and also offered the option of a tour of Male, which I don't know that I would take advantage of, but at least it's an option; W didn't offer the tour in my initial communications with them though I do see at least one reviewer suggesting that it is an option with the W as well.)


I'm also curious for any general recent views of the W vs. the StR? I've seen a few perspectives on this thread and the StR thread (and I've read both in full), but there is a surprising dearth of good FT reviews of this W in general. From what I've been able to gather at this point:

1. Would be (for now) the same number of points at both hotels, but OWV buy-up cost--which we would pay at either place--is higher at StR; StR is also more expensive for the seaplane, and F&B appears to be generally more expensive at StR on its own and doubly so since W gives Plats 20% off while StR does not. So StR would probably end up costing a few thousand dollars more.
2. OWVs appear to be larger and more luxurious at StR, though lots of complaints about cold plunge pools at StR, unless paying an even greater upcharge to secure a sunset villa at StR. How's the temperature of the plunge pools at the W?
3. Not universal, but quite a few reviews of the StR food as being objectively good, not just "good for the Maldives". We're foodies so I do value that.
4. No kids at the W, which would suit us, and we do generally like city Ws (I know many don't, but we do)
5. Coral at StR is not good, which is unfortunate but not a major priority for us
6. It's not a major priority, but fitness center at the W looks nice, whereas there are complaints about the one at the StR.
7. Service at the StR gets mostly good reviews, though some bad ones as well; service at the W seems to elicit less extreme views in both directions.

Am I missing anything? Would appreciate any other thoughts on the quality of food in particular at the W. I've read many reviews saying that, for example, the Park Hyatt's food is mediocre, but there are not nearly as many thorough trip reports on the W (probably because historically it was too many points for the bloggers to bother with). How is the W breakfast? People rave about the one at the StR.

Also, I assume the 20% off on F&B for Platinums is something that is well-known by the hotel and not a hassle to take advantage of? I ask only because the hotel did not mention it when listing what Platinum benefits they offer, and it is kind of a substantial one. I see they are still listed on https://marriottmembersdinemore.com/en so assuming other people have gotten the 20% off with no issues I'll assume it's still readily available.

I can't comment on either resort except to say that your summary of reviews online seems dead on. That is why I (and others) seem to be perplexed as to why the StR is so much more expensive than the W. I think you might be right about the reason why bloggers didn't bother with the W pre-merger.

As to the 20% specifically, I have taken screen shots of that and the web page that advertises free breakfast. Having now planned my entire vacation with those web pages publicly available, I'll be a bit miffed if they try to reject the 20%. I should be Plat by then, so if I get breakfast and have to sacrifice an alternative Platinum amenity, I'll make the sacrifice. (If breakfast is included, do you get a different Plat amenity? If so, what?)

I should add to my summary: though I saw some reviews suggesting the W may not allow kids, I did then see a few other reviews talking about people bringing kids. So I guess that's not a distinguishing point between the two properties, though the W may be less kid-friendly.

And the food prices upon further review are also less conclusive. The St Regis does seem to have lower food prices in many categories, though it's hard to know how comparable anything is. The W sent me the menu for Kitchen restaurant with prices, with the pages attached below. There are also links to some St. Regis menus on that thread. Overall prices appear to be pretty similar between Kitchen at the W and Orientale at the St Regis, but I don't know if those are necessarily comparable quality levels and portion sizes.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8a325919e0.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2d97e733fb.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9073a3b3ee.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7fe3273d25.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2a7a7ba19f.jpg

Thanks for posting that! That's USD? I have to say, wow, now really get how free is not free!