W Maldives [Master Thread]

My original booking says 90 days but it looks like if I book now it's 30 days, but redemptions are higher than what I booked now

Why would you prefer W over St. Regis?

We're thinking about to stay at W or St. Regis in March, not sure which one to pick or even move to the Ritz..

Its a really tough choice and feels like you cant go wrong with any of the top tier marriot properties in the maldives, but what it came down to for me was the following:
- the W OWVs have a more unobstructed view of the ocean vs the st regis where the OWVs on points redemption typically face the island/resort unless you upgrade for a pretty hefty fee
- Better house reef at the W, im not a big snorkeler but it seems like the house reef at the W cant be beat
- I'd prefer the more laid back/friendly vibe at the W vs the fancy vibe at the St Regis
- Lots of reports of feeling nickeled and dimed at St Regis, im going in expecting to drop a good amount on F&B but feel like my buck will go a lot further at the W with F&B and excursions and spa unless they jack up the costs after reopening
- The menus at the W seem like they have more local/maldivian cuisine on offer vs the st regis which is very international. There are several michelin star restaurants i can go to locally if I wanted international food.
- Personal preference but I don't like the butler model, i find it awkward and makes me feel obligated to tip.While St Regis trip reports are generally pretty solid the ones ive seen that are not good usually there is butler issues so it feels like a potential point of failure.

Anyone know if the seaplane transfer payment is processed by the W Hotel themselves or the Seaplane company. Need to pay mine via their email link soon and wondering which card to use.

How significant are the renovations?

21 million dollars. Chances are it�s significant.

That's it? Obviously a ton of money, but feel like in terms of building something on an island in quite the middle of nowhere, it doesn't go as far as you'd want it to.

it showed up as travel lodging and under W MALDIVES for AMEX.

Well, I was wrong. They just emailed me saying that they STILL wont be open, now projecting end of March. I gave them the benefit of the doubt that they wouldn't dare push it further too.

They offered the new JW to rebook. A WEEK OUT from my stay.... Insane. So excuse me while I scramble to figure out my bucket list trip last minute.

Which dates?

Wow that's weird, their instagram looked pretty safe starting early in March

Same. Updates every day. I was actively talking to multiple people planning things while I was there. None of them said a word about the possibility of it not opening. My last email from one of the activities people was 3 hours before I got the one from the reservation agent.

I was booked the 4th - 10th. I just checked and they already changed my reservation in the app to JW Kaafu....

Can�t believe I�m getting news here first hand before them - I still have not receive the bad news as of this writing and my booking is next week.

Yeah, still no email back from them either... I was even booking a vow renewal with the head of F&B, have a meeting with her on the 4th, and have had ZERO contact about this.

Email said end of March is their new projection. Offered either JW property as a property change or I can rebook anytime before end of October..

I called and opened a case with Marriott proper for compensation as this is nuts less than a week before check in. Amex Concierge couldn't really help since it was booked with Bonvoy points and they have no insider contacts.

I emailed yesterday and asked if opening has been delayed, they said there was nothing to share about a delayed opening and my reservation was secure. I emailed back to confirm if they are reopening on March 1 and im waiting to hear back

Lol they've removed several social media posts on Instagram about the March 1 date and also have turned off commenting. Probably started getting backlash online.