Jan 11, 2020, 6:10 am
Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the Maldives
Jan 13, 2019, 7:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Texas
Programs: Southwest Companion Pass, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 35
Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the Maldives
Platinum Elite here looking to stay at either W or St Regis this coming September for an anniversary but struggling on which to choose and looking for advice. Wife and I are looking to scuba dive but otherwise low standards and looking for that once in a lifetime experience. I currently have about 200k points but have plenty of Amex/Chase points to transfer to Marriott for the rest.
I have one points advance booking at each hotel: 5 nights beach villa at the W for 240k and 5 night OVW bungalow at St Regis for 440k (would prefer GV prob but no availability). Opportunity cost of the extra 200k pts I put at about $3,000 I could’ve used for other travel, but I don’t want to miss out on St Regis OVW. W seems good enough to me, but anyone have any advice?
I have one points advance booking at each hotel: 5 nights beach villa at the W for 240k and 5 night OVW bungalow at St Regis for 440k (would prefer GV prob but no availability). Opportunity cost of the extra 200k pts I put at about $3,000 I could’ve used for other travel, but I don’t want to miss out on St Regis OVW. W seems good enough to me, but anyone have any advice?
Jan 13, 2019, 8:10 pm
#2
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Welcome to FlyerTalk, Lookoutitzsean!
We were upgraded to the OVW at the W and it was fabulous.
We stayed in a beach villa at the StR and toured the OVW.
For our taste we much preferred the vibe of the W. The coral was betters well.
We would go back to the W but my wife says the Maldives is done. Prefers to explore new places.
We were upgraded to the OVW at the W and it was fabulous.
We stayed in a beach villa at the StR and toured the OVW.
For our taste we much preferred the vibe of the W. The coral was betters well.
We would go back to the W but my wife says the Maldives is done. Prefers to explore new places.
Jan 13, 2019, 10:02 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Texas
Programs: Southwest Companion Pass, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 35
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Lookoutitzsean!
We were upgraded to the OVW at the W and it was fabulous.
We stayed in a beach villa at the StR and toured the OVW.
For our taste we much preferred the vibe of the W. The coral was betters well.
We would go back to the W but my wife says the Maldives is done. Prefers to explore new places.
We were upgraded to the OVW at the W and it was fabulous.
We stayed in a beach villa at the StR and toured the OVW.
For our taste we much preferred the vibe of the W. The coral was betters well.
We would go back to the W but my wife says the Maldives is done. Prefers to explore new places.
Jan 13, 2019, 11:06 pm
#4
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
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I was Platinum with an Ambassador. This was 2015 before the Marriott acquisition. Upon arrival at the property I asked if we could see a villa that was a class above what we had booked so we can consider moving to one for a few nights. They said they weren't sure why I wanted to see that one as we were upgraded into an OWV.
Jun 24, 2019, 7:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 50
JW vs. Westin Maldives, better experience and upgrade chance?
Trying to decide between JW Maldives vs. Westin Maldives in feb/March 2020. I realize JW is not open yet, but do you think the JW will be that much better of an experience? and, does one have a better chance to be upgraded (titanium level) to overwater if booking with bonvoy points? This will be our only visit to the Maldives
Last edited by tkl1992; Jun 24, 2019 at 7:56 pm
Jun 24, 2019, 8:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 655
Trying to decide between JW Maldives vs. Westin Maldives in feb/March 2020. I realize JW is not open yet, but do you think the JW will be that much better of an experience? and, does one have a better chance to be upgraded (titanium level) to overwater if booking with bonvoy points? This will be our only visit to the Maldives
Aug 21, 2019, 12:33 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1
I am planning to go for our honeymoon for 10 days in November. Thinking to go to Westin or W. Looking for some advice which hotel will be best for honeymoon?
Probably more interesting in W as it higher category and reef for snorkeling is very nice according to reviews, but just afraid that is it pretty old hotel compare to Westin, which was opened last year.
I don't care about room price as for me it will be same if I will go to Westin or W.
Appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Probably more interesting in W as it higher category and reef for snorkeling is very nice according to reviews, but just afraid that is it pretty old hotel compare to Westin, which was opened last year.
I don't care about room price as for me it will be same if I will go to Westin or W.
Appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Dec 16, 2019, 9:20 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 655
Didn't want to sidetrack the St Regis thread too much, but does anyone have rumors or details of the potential Ritz Maldives? A poster mentioned 2020 opening, but haven't seen anything on the internet other than one blog that was speculating but didn't have much detail.
Mar 14, 2020, 5:12 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 655
to answer own question looks like one is opening up end of this year or early next year. Speed boat away from MLE and nearby 2 other hotels.
Sep 20, 2020, 8:03 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: MR rewards
Posts: 272
St.Regis vs JW
Any one stayed at both of these hotels in Maldives can tell us more about them ?
Want to surprise my wife next month for her birthday for 3 nights, both looks amazing but want to hear from someone stayed at both for comparing ..
Thanks in advance
Want to surprise my wife next month for her birthday for 3 nights, both looks amazing but want to hear from someone stayed at both for comparing ..
Thanks in advance
Sep 20, 2020, 11:54 am
#12
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To comment briefly on the general question in your thread title and not specifically Maldives properties, a big difference is that JW hotels generally have rather decent lounges while StR generally do not have lounges. JW is legacy Marriott, often larger, with more cookie cutter rooms, while StR is a legacy Starwood brand with hotels that seem more individual and more luxurious IMO. YMMV.
Sep 20, 2020, 7:13 pm
#13
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
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We haven’t stayed at the JW. We have stayed at the W and StR and I would recommend the W over STR.
Sep 21, 2020, 1:41 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Programs: AA EXP / Marriott AMB & LT Titanium
Posts: 377
We’ve already been to the W & StR last year.
Oct 16, 2020, 9:24 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 155
Best Cat 7 or 8 Hotel in Maldives for Families?
We want to travel to Maldives February 2022 for five nights with an energetic daughter. Not sure when the reward booking window will start, 360 days? 350 days?
Anyhow, we have been to St Regis and loved it (OWV).
This time, with a 5 yo, we probably will want a beach villa with its own pool.
We want a place that offers free brekkie (Titanium) for all three us (or, relatively moderate fee for the kid).
Thinking St. Regis might still be our best choice. Any other suggestions (e.g. hotel and room type)?
We'd prefer a King bed and a pull-out sofa or a small bed for her. Two doubles would work too.
Discuss away!
Anyhow, we have been to St Regis and loved it (OWV).
This time, with a 5 yo, we probably will want a beach villa with its own pool.
We want a place that offers free brekkie (Titanium) for all three us (or, relatively moderate fee for the kid).
Thinking St. Regis might still be our best choice. Any other suggestions (e.g. hotel and room type)?
We'd prefer a King bed and a pull-out sofa or a small bed for her. Two doubles would work too.
Discuss away!