bhrubin

Construction photos of the new St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on the Vommuli Island:

http://wow.sg/thinking/2014/12/09/st...-construction/

SPG.com has anticipated opening of April 1, 2016. Will be very interested, since this island is in a more remote area that has some incredible diving in the vicinity.

Medved

Cat 8? . Or may still settle for 7 and a modest $1100 a night...

bhrubin

I'll assume Cat 7 for sure.

Like all other top luxe resorts in the Maldives, it will be very expensive...and likely SPG redemptions will be outrageous due to the double point req't for all-suite properties like this one certainly will be (as is true for the W Maldives, StR Bora Bora, etc).

But it's still nice to know that this will offer a truly luxe SPG option in such a great destination--in which we can at least earn points if not easily redeem them.

And it looks fantastic--love the very modern design mixed with an island chic quality in the architecture. Very different from anything I've seen in the Maldives.

3rdworldresident

Definitely cat 7

bhrubin

http://magicofmiles.boardingarea.com...-the-maldives/

Looks quite nice, indeed. Looking forward to including this property in our 2017 Maldives trip--as it's located in a great scuba diving area not accessible from the other top resorts. Here's hoping they finish and open in 2016 on time!

Kagehitokiri

super high density as usual for maldives

http://www.vommulimaldives.com/

not cat 7, but cat 7 suite SU2/3/4 like w et al
there are no rooms, its all villas (all with pool?)

DC777Fan

Likely... and still a sham IMO. The categories are linked to ADR and the all suite nature is already priced into the rate. It's a double penalty against point redemptions.

bhrubin

It's no different than the W Maldives or the StR Bora Bora. We don't have to like it, but it's in no way surprising. The owners know they will have a high demand and very luxe property in an extremely high demand location, and they want to earn as much profit as possible as with any business.

DC777Fan

Having a few exceptions at super-aspirational properties cheapens the program as a whole and erodes trust to an extent that can't possibly be made up for by the extra revenue from a few extra points in locations that have a very high difficulty bar to reach (MLE, BOB). As I said, I'm not surprised--just expressing my sentiment that it's BS given the way hotels are already categorized on price and room quality has a significant impact on price.

Hilton, Hyatt, etc have easily made points millionaires due to tie ups with more generous/stupid banks (Citi->Hilton) or easy to accrue transferable currency (Chase->Hyatt). SPG doesn't have this problem - most Starpoints are hard earned and making a Cat 7 redemption already a significant point load for even a high elite ... A plat 75 needs to spend over $35k w/ SPG (or about $150k on their SPG card ... again, a high bar) just for 5 nights at most St Regis hotels, for instance.

bhrubin

Owners choose which program they wish to affiliate at. We're fortunate that SPG has so many truly luxury properties. That 3-4 SPG properties require double SPG points doesn't diminish the fact that SPG still has far more options at the luxury level in far more locations than any other major chain. That I can stay at the StR or W Maldives or StR Bora Bora and actually earn SPG points vs stay at the comparable FS or other top luxury property makes all the difference for me.

You are entitled to your opinion, of course...but it applies only to you. I'm sure there are many who agree with you, too. But I'm not one.

Hilton has few WA and Conrad hotels that truly approximate the number of SPG luxury properties with StR, W, and LC. Hyatt has PH hotels which easily match StR, but there are very few of them. Because of that, they need to find more customers. SPG is bigger than Hyatt and has far more luxe properties than Hilton. But if you disagree, then feel free to switch over to Hilton, Marriott, or Hyatt. In the end, there are far more StR than PH or WA or Conrads, not to mention W and Lux Collection properties.

The fact that SPG points are harder to earn makes them more valuable...and creates less competition for awards at SPG hotels. Considering that SPG has far more luxury hotels in more locations than any other major chain, I am able to secure award stays more easily. If it were easier to earn SPG points, they would be devalued more akin to Marriott and Hilton and IHG (none of which have that many truly luxury properties from which to choose, anyway).

DPoulnot

Bumping this as the website now says a 1 Sept opening date. Does anyone have any supporting info for this? It's still not bookable through the SPG gold line.

djmac20

A Facebook friend who works for Starwood in Singapore just posted a pic of the St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort saying it will open November 2016. November!!! Wonder what's causing the delays?

drmish1

Can anyone shed any light on when this will be available for bookings...? and, more importantly, how many SPG points it is likely to be per night...?

Since I haven't made any SPG points bookings before, those hotels/resorts that say "limited participation in the programme"... is that because they are all-suite hotels?... and if so, can you actually make points bookings by calling them? Roughly how much premium do SPG put on these places/night.... e.g. W Maldives or W Koh Samui....?

Can you still get the '5 for 4' points deals at these places...?

Thanks!

Starwood Lurker III

Hi drmish1,

We currently have no information on what category the hotel will be or how many Starpoints it requires for Free Night Award redemption.

As for W Retreat & Spa - Maldives and W Retreat Koh Samui, they have Limited Participation in the Starwood Preferred Guest Program because all rooms at these two properties are villas; therefore, Starpoint Award reservations must be booked at a higher Starpoint rate through customer contact center. You may view this information on their websites.

Fifth Night Free Award does not apply to Starpoint Award reservations booked at these two properties.

Best Regards,

Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

drmish1

Thank you v much- are you able to please tell me what the going rate would be for 1 night at each of these properties (points-wise that is)..?