I’ve been to the Maldives twice and it’s truly Heaven on Earth. The overwater bungalows there are the stuff that dreams are made of. You can jump right out of your villa and into the bathtub warm ocean while swimming with incredible sealife.
Historically it’s always been very expensive whether paying with points or cash, but all of that has changed this year.
Hilton opened up the Conrad overwater villa for base rate points and Marriott shocked everyone when they announced that all hotels, even all-suite hotels, would be bookable without paying triple of quadruple the points as SPG had done in the post.
I often have dozens of trips booked at any given time. Most of them wind up getting cancelled, but having them available is also fun 🙂
I just booked 5 nights in an overwater villas with a private pool for at the Conrad Maldives for 380K Hilton points, or 76K points per night thanks to the 5th night being free. It’s 95K points per night otherwise.
I value Hilton points at about 0.45 cents each, so that’s a “cost” of $342 per night instead of spending $1,000-$2,000 per night on paid rates.
Alas the seaplane to the resort can’t be paid with points. That adds $589 per person after tax.
I also booked 5 nights at the W Maldives. I called up SPG (888-625-4988) to book a stay here with points. There should be a room here for just 60K Marriott points per night, but currently cheapest option appears to the an overwater lagoon view oasis villa for 85K points per night. With a 5 night stay the total was just 340K points or 68K Marriott points per night. That’s equal to just 22,667 Starpoints per night, an insane bargain compared to the old rates of 90K-120K Starpoints per night!
I stayed here in 2013 and was amazed at the overwater villa and the snorkeling.
I value Marriott points at about 0.8 cents each, so that’s a “cost” of $544 per night instead of spending $1,000-$2,000 per night on paid rates.
Alas the seaplane to the resort can’t be paid with points. That adds $235 per child or $475 per adult after tax.
I also booked 5 nights at the S. Regis Maldives. I called up SPG (888-625-4988) to book a stay here with points. There should be a room here for just 60K Marriott points per night, but currently cheapest option appears to the an overwater sunrise view villa for 85K points per night. With a 5 night stay the total was just 340K points or 68K Marriott points per night. That’s equal to just 22,667 Starpoints per night, an insane bargain compared to the old rate of 90K Starpoints per night!
It’s even less than the opening glitch rate that I paid when I stayed here last year.
I value Marriott points at about 0.8 cents each, so that’s a “cost” of $544 per night instead of spending $2,000-$4,000 per night on paid rates.
Alas the seaplane to the resort can’t be paid with points. That adds $695 per person after tax.
The W is the more laid back property and offers better snorkeling.
The S. Regis is more luxurious and is newer, though I wasn’t a big fan of the constant butler golf cart traffic on the island.
I haven’t been to the Conrad, though DDFers who have been there say it’s amazing as well.
Hopefully Marriott will add 60K redemption options at these hotels as well, as they promised.
Other previously insanely priced Starwood redemptions, like the Al Maha in Dubai, can also be booked for thew new dirt cheap rates, though I wasn’t able to get the Bora Bora hotels to price out at any reasonable rate yet, so hopefully that’s still being rectified.
Where will you book with your points?
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126 Comments On "I Just Booked 3 Ridiculously Amazing Overwater Villa Point Bargains In The Maldives!"
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Seems that I have to call SPG instead of Marriott?
That’s what I did.
Can use Hilton points?
Read the post.
Ritz carlton bal harbour
Nice, enjoy!
Selling your house in CLE?
LOL
Sell the points and stay at the four seasons.
On a 4th night free it will still he over 1k a night, but points hotels don’t compare to the best hotel in the maldives… Landaa Giravaruu… Use chase points for 1.5c value… totally worth it!!!
But half the fun is getting the bargain and the thrill of the hunt 😉
We’re leaving next week for Thailand and then 5 nights at the Conrad. Can’t wait!
Awesome, write a trip report on DDF 🙂
Dan – What does the availability look like? Was it difficult finding 5 nights to book it? For Marriott rewards, do you need to stay before Feb 2019 to get it for 60k in points, or just book it before then? Thanks!
Was not hard at all.
You just need to book before then, not stay before then.
Dan, is this true for the tier 3-5 7 night certificates as well? Will they allow me to book it at a soon to be category 8 property, but stay mid next year? Thank you!
Me on my next date: “so I got this overwater villa booked 18 months from now, no pressure”
ALOL!
Time to change my username, didn’t realize it was a year now.
Can we book 18 months from now?
Just booked s regis bal harbor 120k for 2 nights. Is that a good deal?
Sure!
How do you get to the Maldives with points?
Why didn’t you use your 5 night travel certificates you got few days ago to book one of the 2 properties above?
Lots of ways, maybe I’ll make a post.
They weren’t able to process certificates when I called.
Dan, which one is the most private? W or St Regis?
The base overwater is much more private at the W than the SR, but the upgraded sunset overwater at the SR is more private, though you’ll have to pay extra for that or hope for a upgrade.
is there any where else that is closer that has over water bungalows?
Bora Bora is closer.
Other than that, not much with points.
-1
Couple places in Mexico/Caribbean have, eg Sandals Resort.
Which points program do they belong to 😛
Sandals Resort is a ripoff. You can have an over water villa in Port of Prince……but you will still be in Haiti. Location is a great part of the beauty of those hotels in Maldives and Bora Bora
Dan –
Finally realizing ny wife’s dream – vacation in an overwater bungalow! Rented a pontoon boat on the reservoir…
yes there are. cant recall names, so google.
not with points
I want to upgrade my category 6 travel package to a category 9 travel package….. can I do that?
Nope. Complain as I wrote yesterday.
Correction. Should read “I value Hilton points at about 7 cents each”.
Huh?
You booked a $2500 stay for 380000.
I Booked this per merger, any idea how to get a refund on the extra points?
Call?
They keep saying it can’t be done
Cancel and rebook?
Problem is, theres no availability for those days haha, i tried telling them there would be availability if i cancelled and they keep saying no…i guess ill wait a few more days
Are you set on one of these hotels versus the other?
And thats why your the man! Currently booked at SR, will try the other 2. thanks
You should plan this sunny trip to warm up after Antarctica
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is reachable by a 30-minute scenic seaplane flight over the Indian Ocean, or a short domestic flight to a nearby island followed by a speedboat transfer to the resort.
Dan why not short domestic flight & speedboat ?
Because that’s more annoying and won’t be any cheaper?
Can u also get a beach villa by any of these 2 properties
And for how much points?
You’re going to the other end of the world for a beach villa? Why?
I don’t think those are bookable yet, but they should be 60K when they get the kinks worked out.
I did both at the CM – wife & I actually preferred the beach villas. Thought they were more private and loved the outdoor showers
I’m sure they’re great, but can’t you find another beach villa or outdoor without needing to travel for 2 days to get there?
Same reason you’d fly all the way to Australia and not to the Sydney Bridge climb. Many people (like yourself) are cheap by nature.
too bad cant book more then 12 months out. want to plan 2020 trips 🙂
Dan, are the SPG Maldives properties typically bookable 365 days out? Do they release new inventory every day for the 365th day, or some other frequency/routine?
I think 350 days. Released daily.
Thank you.
Hi can I use the 7 night certificates to any of these hotels?
Call and try. Probably too soon.
dan when will u be where ?? Let’s get a minyan together…
I am probably missing something basic, if there are theoretically no blackout dates, how come there is tones of revenue availability, but basically no award availability for the Maldives properties
There’s plenty of space, need to call to book as I wrote.
Dan, if you decide to stay there for a minimum of 3 months, I found a job you can apply for. 🙂
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/maldives-bookseller-job/index.html
Waiting for Bora Bora. Wonder if they’ll release any for 60k like they said
Same here. I was quoted an insane amount. Makes no sense.
They said that hotel has not yet populated in their system (not fully integrated yet) but that it will.
Thanks Dan.
What time of the year is best, ie quite and nice weather, for Maldives and Bora Bora?
The Maldives dry season is our winter.
Bora Bora dry season is our summer.
Thank you
Was I supposed to transfer my spg to my Marriott account for it to triple? I was under the impression that it would happen automatically, but it doesn’t seem that it did.
You should have 2 accounts now that need to be merged, but the merger process is still messed up.
Merged my accounts earlier today.
You can use the links below.
https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/merge-my-accounts
Where do you fly to to take the seaplane?
Zug Dan Hanavi, shlita:
“I’ve been to the Maldives twice and it’s truly Heaven on Earth”
MLE.
what days of the week are optimal for a 5 day visit?
I don’t see why that would matter.
The 5 days where the weather forecast looks best.
The 5 days you can get off work.
The 5 days that align best with frequent flyer flight availability.
Do they check your bags all the way through to the seaplane? Or can I pick up my bags and not take the seaplane flight? What about an infant? I called the airline to find out if this was the real deal but the hold time was too long.
You need to take the seaplane to get to the hotel!
Hey Dan I’m on the phone with SPG rep and she said we can’t book st Regis Maldives yet. And I told her that you booked it today. She said she can match your reservation by knowing your full name or reservation number. Can you please provide it?
HUCA.
any zika issues in the maldives?
Possibly some isolated cases, see the CDC site.
If I book before Jan, can I changed the dates after Jan for the same rates?
what about using your 7 night certificates that you attached to the domes of elounda are you able to use those yet?
See comments above.
Conrad showing beach villas at 95k points per night and superior water villa at 466k points per night on their website. Am I missing something or do I need to call?
You need the regular water villa. Try different dates.
what about cert that had been attached to a hotel at cat 9 and needs to change location? when will they allow the change?
What option do you have with the food in Maldives or Bora Bora?
BYOF.
Do you actually do this? I think platinum members can select the breakfast for free, but eating there for every meal seems outrageously expensive.
So, assuming can find space, can book these up until feb 2019..with stays up until feb 2020?
Yes.
Dan, you wrote once about your over water villa how amazing it was…
Is this what you booked now the same?
Or that was over water villa and this is hotel?
If so what is better the hotel or villa ?
Read the post?
I read the post still don’t know the answer…
Is there ever a Minyan in Maldives?
No.
Dan, did you book Conrad online or via phone? I am trying January 1919 but only see 1,017,000 points per night there.
You need the regular water villa. Try different dates.
Dan I cancelled one of my old reservation for a hotel to get enough points for St Regis Maldives and the rep told me it’ll take 25 min for my points to show up. I called again after 25 min and another rep told me it’s 24-48 hrs, and after got transferred to their supervisor who told me that it takes 7-10 days….
Do you think I should HUCA or should just wait it out
In which month did you reserve the St.Regis Maldives? I called different agents for different dates July-beginning of August and they tell me they don’t see any availability, that probably those months have not been uploaded yet
@Dan- Approximately what dates did you book for Maldives? Thanks
Hi Dan. I know someone already asked this, but would you be able to write a post about how you’re getting to teh Maldives via points? I’ve saved up enough Hilton points for the Conrad in the Maldives but can’t figure out how to get us there (we’re coming from the tri-state area, but obviously you can write your advice form any airport in the USA and I’d find it extremely helpful). Thanks. Enjoy your vacation!
Can this be booked using starwood points?
Hey Dan,
What flight do you take to the Maldives?
Is there minyen?
Ye there’s a minyan factory.
How does the hilton compare to the W or SR?
are you still seeing availability for the st regis maldives? I called several times and they said no availability from January all the way through March. Not sure if it’s a glitch or not, being that I called earlier in the day and they said they had tons of availability
What are the food options like when staying on one of these islands? Are these all inclusive?
Love all the tropical stuff, but I decided to go with the RC in NYC for New Years as a bucket list. 5 nights 240,000 pts instead of $6000.
Hey Dan I see you booked the spectacular overwater Lagoon Oasis I don’t see any mention of this on the w website(they only show the fabulous ocean Oasis) I am curious as I just booked this room as well (thanks!! ) If it has a private pool ?
Hi Dan,
Do you know if toddlers or infants can stay with their parents in any of these overwater villas?
They just said that it’s going to be 170 points per night for overwater villas … Book them quick
Dan, i just called Marriott and they said the pverwater bungalow at the St Regis Maldives is 170k/night. How are they doing this? Am i doing something wrong or is that what it is now?
I asked them what category the hotel is in and they said 7 but gave me an excuse saying “this is an upgraded room”.
Hello,
thanks for the great post
I tried calling SPG to book a St. Regis, Maldives, overwater villa.
However, they said that the only room available for booking through points is the garden room for 60k points a night. They said that no overwater rooms were available for booking through points. How did you book an overwater villa for 85K points?!?
I am planning to book the base category rooms for 5 nights and upgrade 2 nights with cash to the cheapest overwater villa at either W or St R. As you have been to both, which woyld you recommend for base category (beach villa at W vs garden villa at St R) and for OW villa? We are not diving or snorkelling enthusiasts but do want to see decently good reef and beautiful fish while snorkelling not too far from the beach / villa.
Really can’t decide on either St Regis or W Maldives. Currently booked at st Regis on points because it’s newer and more expensive but I want the better beach and overall beauty and might consider the W. Thoughts on which is better for my honeymoon?
Thanks for the post Dan. For the W, are there other fees other than the seaplane?
Hi Dan,
Trying to decide between the St Regis and the W. Do you have a clear preference? I’ve heard so many rave reviews on the Regis I’m afraid I’ll be disappointed if I go to the W, but the dates for availability work much better for me at the W.
Also, how does breakfast compare at the W vs the Regis?
Thanks!
How did you get from one hotel to the other? I am planning on a trip to the Maldives and would like to stay at both locations (W and St. Regis) while I am there, but I am concerned with how to move between the hotels.
Is there a flight between conrad maldives and st regis maldives? Or did you gave go fly back to Male?
Hi Dan
I’m piling up now with Hilton points for the conrad. Which points besides the few hilton honors points can be used ? Can I combine other amex points ?
& now the billion dollar question how do you do it with kosher food? Going to the Maldives will be an amazing luxury dream coming through but can’t have a overwater bungalow with rice cake and tuna….
What’s the best way to fly from NY? Where should I stop over ?