Funny you say that. I was debating whether to refer to our room change as an upgrade in my post — of course that's how the hotel positioned it. My partner and I discussed the switch on arrival and weren't sure we really wanted to accept it. After touring the room that we were offered we stuck with it, but I can 100% understand your pov. The beach rooms indeed look pretty fun with that swing, they're two levels, have a bit more of a rustic jungle feel due to all the greenery, definitely seem to be more private, and yeah... direct beach access.

Surprisingly, when I compared, F&B at STR seemed around the same, or a bit more reasonable. Though W does give the platinum/titanium F&B discount.

I sent them an email requesting NOT to be upgraded but to be put into a beach villa with privacy, sandy front and easy access to the house reef, and got an affirmative response. We’ll see what they do. Probably one of the first times they’ve had a no-upgrade request. :-)

I arrive a week from today, and am so looking forward to the trip.

After doing some research, thats what I thought. not much difference in F&B except for the 20% discount
I'm thinking around 2,000 dollars on F&B spending for 5 days. It would be around 400 difference. (+ 17.5p/$ return on points * $875/100Kp = $61)
+ 500 seaplane fee.

Would I pay 840 more for st.r?
Yes. Because the upgrade for OVW is cheaper at St.r
OVW upgrade was just $1K for 5 days + tax for St.R in Dec.
whereas in W, $1,750 for 5 days + tax.

Plus, TV looks so much nicer at St.R.
We are planning to do an old movie night but not on old TV :)

It’s definitely is. it’s B&O.

Got back from a 5 night stay & stayed in Beach villa 126 (right in front of the house reef) for 3 nights and then an OWV for the final 2 nights (we actually got offered to upgrade earlier but wanted to try both types of accom).

It is really hard to say which we liked better - the beach villa is so nice being able to walk out onto the sand and snorkel at the house reef, you can hear the waves at night too :) ...it's also not far to Wet and where you have breakfast, no need for buggies etc. We did really enjoy being in the OWV also however (we stayed on the lagoon side)!

Soap opera effect is annoying though...looks very unnatural.

I just arrived this morning. Despite arriving at 7 am and the resort being at 100% occupancy I was promptly escorted to beach “retreat” 114, which is directly beside the spa. I had asked for a room with privacy (no one to the spa side of my room, just vegetation), a nice sandy beach front (done) and easy access to the house reef (the entrance is right in front), so I’m pleased.

The rooms are not in any way “new” but overall are very nice. I had problems with the slightly aged Bose sound system that took two visits from a very nice gentleman to fix, but it’s all working now - you can stream Spotify from the excellent WiFi over speakers both inside and out (by the plunge pool and in the upstairs lounge area). Communication with staff via WhatsApp is super easy, they gave me the contact number at the seaplane lounge.

I had to ask for restaurant and fitness activity schedules - they were not in the room, but promptly sent by WhatsApp. Golds are still entitled to a 15% F&B discount. Breakfast this morning was a $25 plus tax and service, which I think is an excellent price for such an extensive buffet with included brunch drinks. There is a manager’s reception tonight (Friday) for Marriott elites. In addition to the expected 500 point welcome amenity, my room had a huge bowl of fresh tropical fruit, a young coconut, a bottle of Malbec, a stack of chocolate chip cookes and an Acqua Panna. I have been thanked numerous times for my Marriott loyalty, a first for me as longtime SPG/Marriott gold only.

Now if it would just stop raining! Yesterday in Male they said it was the heaviest downpour they’d seen in years.

I check in on Sunday. Please let us know if the weather starts to clear up!!!

No sign of it so far, unfortunately.

Arrived yesterday and weather has been great! Did some snorkeling by my villa and have seen so much. Watched two turtles eating a giant bright purple jellyfish this morning. Also, fish bigger than my arm, and schools of colorful reef fish.

Manta Ray season!
 

Anyone at the W right now interested in the manta ray snorkel trip on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday?

Apparently it is the start of the season and there have been some great sightings! Saw video from one of the guys at Wave from recent trip. Short boat ride to see these majestic creatures.

So far we have 2 people but need 4 to make the trip happen.

How was the coral? Was it as colorful as the fish?

There are small spots of coral with color but for the most part, no.

By far the fish are the winners here. Many types of colorful fish, also small black tip reef shark and, of course, the three sea turtles that are regulars here. I'm finding the best stuff to see is just right in front of my villa between the spa and the floating dock. There are a few giant clams that are pretty cool along the house reef too.

Good luck. My biggest negative was not getting to go on the Whale Shark excursion because they couldn't get any other guests to do it. I even offered to pay a bit extra but they never went for it, despite keeping our hopes up every day for 5 days. The GM and the Spanish woman who ran the dive shop both knew that it was the #1 thing we wanted to do and didn't make it happen.