St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort [Master Thread]
Dec 27, 2017, 10:02 am
#826
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
There are sunrise villas effectively facing 360 degrees it is a nonsense to say they are all facing a floating structure they simply are not, some are effectively facing exactly the same direction as the sunset villas. Some of the sunset villas have a terrible location being in close proximity to the whale bar and relatively loud music late into the evening too.
But, on the other hand, I am wondering if booking a base overwater might be sufficient. First of all, one will not actually choose to be in the villa at sunset every night, so it’s not necessarily worth the premium. Furthermore, on a fully paid standard overwater booking of seven~ten nights, I would imagine one would have a fair shot at either a prime room allocation within category, or even an upgrade. I’m just thinking that for a premium of $400~++ per night or so, it might not be worth it just to book an identical suite on the opposite side of the jetty. For a short stay, I would go for it, but for a week plus, that adds up to thousands of dollars that are probably better spent on F&B, spa, or excursions.
Dec 27, 2017, 5:28 pm
#827
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
Is there a consensus about the best overwaters to book? I think the overwater suites look like the best option for only slightly more in rate than the Sunset overwaters.
But, on the other hand, I am wondering if booking a base overwater might be sufficient. First of all, one will not actually choose to be in the villa at sunset every night, so it’s not necessarily worth the premium. Furthermore, on a fully paid standard overwater booking of seven~ten nights, I would imagine one would have a fair shot at either a prime room allocation within category, or even an upgrade. I’m just thinking that for a premium of $400~++ per night or so, it might not be worth it just to book an identical suite on the opposite side of the jetty. For a short stay, I would go for it, but for a week plus, that adds up to thousands of dollars that are probably better spent on F&B, spa, or excursions.
Dec 27, 2017, 5:49 pm
#828
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I would absolutely concur, for me it would be the worst $400 per night ever spent and that will buy you a lot of in resort drinks or a dinner for one. To be fair though much as I liked the resort it would have to be quite a bit better for me to feel that the room rate of even the basic overwater villa represented good value. At the 27k SPG points per night or thereabouts I paid it was a no brainer but cold hard cash in high season maybe not. I might be tempted by an Ocean retreat at the W instead.
The larger overwaters at W look amazing at the end of the jetty, but the standard ones with private pools (like St.R) are already perfect for double occupancy.
Dec 27, 2017, 5:53 pm
#829
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
There are sunrise villas effectively facing 360 degrees it is a nonsense to say they are all facing a floating structure they simply are not, some are effectively facing exactly the same direction as the sunset villas. Some of the sunset villas have a terrible location being in close proximity to the whale bar and relatively loud music late into the evening too.
Dec 27, 2017, 6:54 pm
#830
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
There are sunrise villas effectively facing 360 degrees it is a nonsense to say they are all facing a floating structure they simply are not, some are effectively facing exactly the same direction as the sunset villas. Some of the sunset villas have a terrible location being in close proximity to the whale bar and relatively loud music late into the evening too.
Dec 28, 2017, 6:38 am
#831
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
Dec 29, 2017, 10:19 am
#832
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Dec 29, 2017, 6:29 pm
#833
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
It is at least half the size of a villa. It looks like a tool shed but bigger because I see 3-4 guys walking around it.
Anyway, thought it was funny because that thing emits a constant noise right in front of 2 beach villas. It is like that episode of the Sopranos where Tony tried to get out of the rea estate deal and set up a small boat to blast loud music all day and night.
Late last night, they pulled it away. So must be there for at least 4 days.
Jan 7, 2018, 12:36 am
#835
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 60
I think that’s what I’ll do. I’ve actually come to like the W too, even though I previously didn’t “get” the idea of their retreat concept in the Maldives. But, the more I look at it, it seems fantastic. It’s in the North Ari atoll with an amazing house reef, and I noticed that they have Thomas Vaucouleur de Ville d’Avray on board as GM. I remember him from Peninsula hotels and he also was previously at One & Only Reethi Rah. So, I have no doubt based on my past experience dealing with him that the W must be extremely well run. Just like the St.Regis seems to be as well. Starwood really has a great presence in the Maldives now. Both W and StR Vommuli are high on my list of places to go.
The larger overwaters at W look amazing at the end of the jetty, but the standard ones with private pools (like St.R) are already perfect for double occupancy.
Jan 7, 2018, 7:13 am
#836
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,773
I don't get it either as they actually seem smaller. The only upsides I can see are beach access and a bit lower density.
Jan 7, 2018, 7:26 am
#837
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Some people prefer on land accommodation to overwater.
Jan 7, 2018, 7:57 am
#838
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
In my experience, (myself, with clients and speaking with resort management) many of those who are returning guests that have already done the "Over Water" experience actually much prefer the beach accommodation. Once the novelty is worn off.
Many cases, it offers more space. I believe when I visited the Beach Accommodations at St. Regis, it was a duplex, thus, more space and direct beach access. Closer to the pool, whale bar and Aba restaurant as well, or at least it felt like it.
Cheval Blanc often sells their beach villas more than the overwater option as well.
We also visited One & Only prior to St. Regis Maldives and it was a no brainer for us to stay in the beach villa over the over water option there, based on our personal taste.
But I hope you'll enjoy it, no matter which you end up in!
Many cases, it offers more space. I believe when I visited the Beach Accommodations at St. Regis, it was a duplex, thus, more space and direct beach access. Closer to the pool, whale bar and Aba restaurant as well, or at least it felt like it.
Cheval Blanc often sells their beach villas more than the overwater option as well.
We also visited One & Only prior to St. Regis Maldives and it was a no brainer for us to stay in the beach villa over the over water option there, based on our personal taste.
But I hope you'll enjoy it, no matter which you end up in!
Jan 7, 2018, 2:08 pm
#839
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,083
In my experience, (myself, with clients and speaking with resort management) many of those who are returning guests that have already done the "Over Water" experience actually much prefer the beach accommodation. Once the novelty is worn off.
Many cases, it offers more space. I believe when I visited the Beach Accommodations at St. Regis, it was a duplex, thus, more space and direct beach access. Closer to the pool, whale bar and Aba restaurant as well, or at least it felt like it.
Cheval Blanc often sells their beach villas more than the overwater option as well.
We also visited One & Only prior to St. Regis Maldives and it was a no brainer for us to stay in the beach villa over the over water option there, based on our personal taste.
But I hope you'll enjoy it, no matter which you end up in!
Many cases, it offers more space. I believe when I visited the Beach Accommodations at St. Regis, it was a duplex, thus, more space and direct beach access. Closer to the pool, whale bar and Aba restaurant as well, or at least it felt like it.
Cheval Blanc often sells their beach villas more than the overwater option as well.
We also visited One & Only prior to St. Regis Maldives and it was a no brainer for us to stay in the beach villa over the over water option there, based on our personal taste.
But I hope you'll enjoy it, no matter which you end up in!
Jan 7, 2018, 3:57 pm
#840
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
In my experience, (myself, with clients and speaking with resort management) many of those who are returning guests that have already done the "Over Water" experience actually much prefer the beach accommodation. Once the novelty is worn off.
Many cases, it offers more space. I believe when I visited the Beach Accommodations at St. Regis, it was a duplex, thus, more space and direct beach access. Closer to the pool, whale bar and Aba restaurant as well, or at least it felt like it.
Cheval Blanc often sells their beach villas more than the overwater option as well.
We also visited One & Only prior to St. Regis Maldives and it was a no brainer for us to stay in the beach villa over the over water option there, based on our personal taste.
But I hope you'll enjoy it, no matter which you end up in!
Many cases, it offers more space. I believe when I visited the Beach Accommodations at St. Regis, it was a duplex, thus, more space and direct beach access. Closer to the pool, whale bar and Aba restaurant as well, or at least it felt like it.
Cheval Blanc often sells their beach villas more than the overwater option as well.
We also visited One & Only prior to St. Regis Maldives and it was a no brainer for us to stay in the beach villa over the over water option there, based on our personal taste.
But I hope you'll enjoy it, no matter which you end up in!
Also if you have kids etc., may be less complicated.