Dec 7, 2018, 8:29 am
Last edit by: razflyer
Post #515 is an EXTENSIVE review w/ pics. Link
Food menus: Kitchen, In-Room Dining, Fire, Fish
Prices may change (sometimes substantially) so not necessarily up to date.
Excursions and activities pricing
Food menus: Kitchen, In-Room Dining, Fire, Fish
Prices may change (sometimes substantially) so not necessarily up to date.
Excursions and activities pricing
W Maldives [Master Thread]
Oct 31, 2019, 11:41 pm
#724
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 88
Be aware, Dec isn't whale shark season and while South Ari is one of the few places in the world where they are fully endemic, chances go down significantly. Check out https://maldiveswhalesharkresearch.org/our-app/ for live reports; the MWSRP is a very cool organization and Dhigurah is a great day trip as well (no idea if the W offers it, but other resorts in Ari do).
Last edited by darnold; Oct 31, 2019 at 11:47 pm
Nov 5, 2019, 2:22 pm
#725
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold, UA Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 342
does anyone know if they’re still using the “makeshift” airport lounge in the maldivian terminal or if they’ve switched back to their older, nicer one?
ive seen pics and lately it seems like the seaplane flights r being operated by trans maldivan rather than maldivian which indicates that they might have switched back to the old lounge?
ive seen pics and lately it seems like the seaplane flights r being operated by trans maldivan rather than maldivian which indicates that they might have switched back to the old lounge?
Nov 5, 2019, 10:51 pm
#726
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: NY
Posts: 40
At the W now. Lounge is in the seaplane terminal. Clean and on-brand. Nothing fancy. Would not want to spend more time than necessary there, though.
Last edited by infrequentfliermiles; Nov 5, 2019 at 10:52 pm Reason: Spelling
Nov 8, 2019, 10:06 am
#729
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Brazil
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat, KE elite, United Gold
Posts: 36
Does anyone know the email address of W maldives??
all the other email adreess posted here doesnt work.
I still cant decide between W and St. Regis..
STR does look nicer/ more luxurious, but is definitely more expensive.
all the other email adreess posted here doesnt work.
I still cant decide between W and St. Regis..
STR does look nicer/ more luxurious, but is definitely more expensive.
Last edited by xrapidox; Nov 8, 2019 at 11:42 am
Nov 9, 2019, 10:05 pm
#730
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: USA
Programs: Alaska MVP, Marriott Lifetime Titanium (United Silver), Hilton Gold
Posts: 779
Nov 15, 2019, 7:03 am
#731
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NY
Programs: Delta Diamond 360, Bonvoy Plt, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 18
Hello. I posted something similar in the StR forum. I’m about to make my first trip to the Maldives this July for 3 nights. I am Bonvoy Platinum and will use points. I’m torn between the W Maldives and the StR. They are both 80K points per night, and I will use cash to upgrade to an overwater room. Interestingly, the W wants more to upgrade. The W wants $500 (including taxes/fees) for a Specular Lagoon Oasis. However, the StR wants $250 (including taxes) for OWV and $370 for an OWV Sunset.
I was initially concerned about the W owing to my experience with its spotty service in the US. But, after reading reviews of the W, I was convinced otherwise. Plus, supposedly, it has a more Maldivian feel (thatcher roofs, etc), a better Reef and more reasonable F&B. But, with the upgrade, the F&B difference is more than accounted for.
I was initially concerned about the W owing to my experience with its spotty service in the US. But, after reading reviews of the W, I was convinced otherwise. Plus, supposedly, it has a more Maldivian feel (thatcher roofs, etc), a better Reef and more reasonable F&B. But, with the upgrade, the F&B difference is more than accounted for.
Nov 15, 2019, 7:34 am
#732
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,051
Hello. I posted something similar in the StR forum. I’m about to make my first trip to the Maldives this July for 3 nights. I am Bonvoy Platinum and will use points. I’m torn between the W Maldives and the StR. They are both 80K points per night, and I will use cash to upgrade to an overwater room. Interestingly, the W wants more to upgrade. The W wants $500 (including taxes/fees) for a Specular Lagoon Oasis. However, the StR wants $250 (including taxes) for OWV and $370 for an OWV Sunset.
I was initially concerned about the W owing to my experience with its spotty service in the US. But, after reading reviews of the W, I was convinced otherwise. Plus, supposedly, it has a more Maldivian feel (thatcher roofs, etc), a better Reef and more reasonable F&B. But, with the upgrade, the F&B difference is more than accounted for.
I was initially concerned about the W owing to my experience with its spotty service in the US. But, after reading reviews of the W, I was convinced otherwise. Plus, supposedly, it has a more Maldivian feel (thatcher roofs, etc), a better Reef and more reasonable F&B. But, with the upgrade, the F&B difference is more than accounted for.
Nov 15, 2019, 8:00 am
#733
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NY
Programs: Delta Diamond 360, Bonvoy Plt, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 18
That is a higher upgrade price than has often been quoted for the W in the past, but it's possible they're busy the days you're planning to visit. At those rates personally I'd probably go for the St. Regis, but up to you. Keep in mind the St. Regis seaplane transfer is also a good deal more expensive.
Nov 17, 2019, 4:18 am
#734
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: NY
Posts: 40
Just returned from W Maldives and wanted to share few things.
Titanium provided for 20% F&B discount. I was told at check-in that Platinum & Titanium also received a 15% discount for spa services. Fast forward to check out and that was not the case. Apparently the discount ended with the launch of Bonvoy and some staff members were confused 8 months later. It got resolved but just something to be mindful of.
Booked this 5 night award (at the 60k/night rate) into a wonderful beach oasis and was upgraded to overwater lagoon view. Room was ready when we arrived at the island around 10am.
The resort's doctors were very helpful and kind. The clinic stocks antibiotics and many common medicines all of which were provided free of charge.
Our flight into MLE was about 30 minutes earlier than expected and my partner and I were the only arrivals at that time headed to the W. The W employee who greeted us was amazing! Rather than have to wait in the lounge for another 1.5 hours she got us set up on the next Seaplane departure 10 minutes later. It never felt rushed and somehow we still had time for a drink in the lounge. She stressed that it was not going to be a direct flight, that it involved a boat ride, and it would be a longer travel time, and that the decision was ours. We went with it and we're glad we did. After a short flight the plane landed at a remote floating dock in the middle of the ocean just as a speedboat from the W pulled up. It was just us, the captain and skipper and they appeared equally as excited about the adventure. Fuel efficient the journey was not, but no complaints here. We changed course and even stopped a few times to interact with dolphins along the way.
Titanium provided for 20% F&B discount. I was told at check-in that Platinum & Titanium also received a 15% discount for spa services. Fast forward to check out and that was not the case. Apparently the discount ended with the launch of Bonvoy and some staff members were confused 8 months later. It got resolved but just something to be mindful of.
Booked this 5 night award (at the 60k/night rate) into a wonderful beach oasis and was upgraded to overwater lagoon view. Room was ready when we arrived at the island around 10am.
The resort's doctors were very helpful and kind. The clinic stocks antibiotics and many common medicines all of which were provided free of charge.
Our flight into MLE was about 30 minutes earlier than expected and my partner and I were the only arrivals at that time headed to the W. The W employee who greeted us was amazing! Rather than have to wait in the lounge for another 1.5 hours she got us set up on the next Seaplane departure 10 minutes later. It never felt rushed and somehow we still had time for a drink in the lounge. She stressed that it was not going to be a direct flight, that it involved a boat ride, and it would be a longer travel time, and that the decision was ours. We went with it and we're glad we did. After a short flight the plane landed at a remote floating dock in the middle of the ocean just as a speedboat from the W pulled up. It was just us, the captain and skipper and they appeared equally as excited about the adventure. Fuel efficient the journey was not, but no complaints here. We changed course and even stopped a few times to interact with dolphins along the way.
Nov 17, 2019, 7:10 am
#735
Join Date: May 1998
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,531
Sounds wonderful. I leave a week from Tuesday, get there a week from Friday, and am quite looking forward to it. I’m actually hoping I do NOT get upgraded to an OWV, I think I would prefer sand and beach access.
Just returned from W Maldives and wanted to share few things.
Titanium provided for 20% F&B discount. I was told at check-in that Platinum & Titanium also received a 15% discount for spa services. Fast forward to check out and that was not the case. Apparently the discount ended with the launch of Bonvoy and some staff members were confused 8 months later. It got resolved but just something to be mindful of.
Booked this 5 night award (at the 60k/night rate) into a wonderful beach oasis and was upgraded to overwater lagoon view. Room was ready when we arrived at the island around 10am.
The resort's doctors were very helpful and kind. The clinic stocks antibiotics and many common medicines all of which were provided free of charge.
Our flight into MLE was about 30 minutes earlier than expected and my partner and I were the only arrivals at that time headed to the W. The W employee who greeted us was amazing! Rather than have to wait in the lounge for another 1.5 hours she got us set up on the next Seaplane departure 10 minutes later. It never felt rushed and somehow we still had time for a drink in the lounge. She stressed that it was not going to be a direct flight, that it involved a boat ride, and it would be a longer travel time, and that the decision was ours. We went with it and we're glad we did. After a short flight the plane landed at a remote floating dock in the middle of the ocean just as a speedboat from the W pulled up. It was just us, the captain and skipper and they appeared equally as excited about the adventure. Fuel efficient the journey was not, but no complaints here. We changed course and even stopped a few times to interact with dolphins along the way.
Titanium provided for 20% F&B discount. I was told at check-in that Platinum & Titanium also received a 15% discount for spa services. Fast forward to check out and that was not the case. Apparently the discount ended with the launch of Bonvoy and some staff members were confused 8 months later. It got resolved but just something to be mindful of.
Booked this 5 night award (at the 60k/night rate) into a wonderful beach oasis and was upgraded to overwater lagoon view. Room was ready when we arrived at the island around 10am.
The resort's doctors were very helpful and kind. The clinic stocks antibiotics and many common medicines all of which were provided free of charge.
Our flight into MLE was about 30 minutes earlier than expected and my partner and I were the only arrivals at that time headed to the W. The W employee who greeted us was amazing! Rather than have to wait in the lounge for another 1.5 hours she got us set up on the next Seaplane departure 10 minutes later. It never felt rushed and somehow we still had time for a drink in the lounge. She stressed that it was not going to be a direct flight, that it involved a boat ride, and it would be a longer travel time, and that the decision was ours. We went with it and we're glad we did. After a short flight the plane landed at a remote floating dock in the middle of the ocean just as a speedboat from the W pulled up. It was just us, the captain and skipper and they appeared equally as excited about the adventure. Fuel efficient the journey was not, but no complaints here. We changed course and even stopped a few times to interact with dolphins along the way.
Last edited by chazas; Nov 17, 2019 at 10:35 am