This Community Review covers everything you need to know about the newly renovated and refined W Maldives, from airport transfers and redesigned overwater villas to house-reef snorkeling, dining venues, and the exact Marriott Bonvoy award math and credit card strategies you'll need to make the trip happen. But first, a little context. In the 2020s,…
@ 1990_ -- What an absolutely stellar and detailed review! I hadn't realized the W Maldives had been renovated, and this actually looks great. I really appreciate the time you took to write this!
Splendid review! I've typically shied away from W properties as they're not quite my taste, but I must admit this refresh looks smart. I'd consider a stay here if I ever make it back to the Maldives. Since you've been to a few different properties around the islands, can you give a quick gut check on where the W sits in comparison to the others you've experienced in terms of room product, service, F&B (particularly breakfast)?
Thanks, Khan! I'll admit, before this, that was my perspective on the 'W' brand as well. (Like, for whatever reason, I just remember lots of neon and bright colors. Maybe that's more of a 'Moxy' brand thing, nowadays) If W in the Maldives is any indication, I think it's a good shift for them.
As far as room product, focusing on points-redemption options in the Maldives, other than the W, I'd specifically recommend any newer (or newly renovated) luxury properties, like Ritz-Carlton Maldives and Fari Islands or Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, because you get such a 'grand' villa, overwater or beach. For Hyatt enthusiasts, and perhaps at a lower total points cost, I'd actually recommend Alila Kothaifaru Maldives (over Park Hyatt), because it is newer (opened 2022), even though its villas are not as 'grand' as the RC or WA.
On service, I must say, nearly all these properties are pretty top-notch, compared to almost anywhere else in the world. While the W did not have a dedicated 'butler' for each villa, I personally don't really need that level of attention, so it didn't bother me. (Like, I can unpack my own stuff.) At properties like RC, WA, St. Regis, etc., you do get that individual attention, which can be helpful for those who seek it.
As far as breakfasts go, the standouts to me are the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli (I couldn't resist their lobster omelet with crab and caviar, daily) and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi (best buffet and a la carte ordering, overall), namely because of the complimentary breakfast benefits with their respective program's status, for Marriott Platinum and Hilton Gold (and above). You're right to focus on breakfast because you can basically load-up on that first meal, skip lunch, and make it through to dinner (a la carte), saving a lot of money that way. F&B is how they 'get' ya.
If Ben hasn't already covered some of those other properties, I can dig up my photos and notes, maybe make this into a running, monthly 'community review' topic on the other spots. I've been a lot of other places, but the Maldives is one that I keep wanting to go back to, especially since I like snorkeling and also because it can be outsized value for the points redemptions. Hope this helps!