In general Marriott Bonvoy’s switch to dynamic pricing of free room nights has been a huge devaluation but here are still sometimes genuine opportunities with the currency. Right now overwater villas with a private pool at the St. Regis Maldives – an aspirational property if there ever was one – can be redeemed starting at just 88,000 points with wide open availability.
Actually finding room nights here is what’s great, since Marriott doesn’t require ‘all suite’ properties to release a minimum number of their rooms for redemption. And fifth night is free, making the cost start at just over 70,000 points per night for a five night stay. And if you’re going to come all this way, you’re not going to want to be here just for a night or two.
There’s even good availability during peak season for just a few more points (98,000 – 110,000 points per night for January – March 2024) however that will often book into a garden villa.
Like the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, all gloves are now off on St. Regis Maldives pricing, and the hotel often runs 150,000 points per night. That’s against an overwater villa that starts at $2450++, so you’re getting at least double what I normally expect for a Marriott point compared to room rate. And while Marriott lets hotels charge resort fees on redemption nights (Hilton and Hyatt do not), there is none at this hotel – just about $6 per night in taxes.
Here’s the nightly redemption cost calendar for September as an example:
In general you’re going to want to be in the Maldives November through March for the best (driest) weather. I’ve usually gone in February but I once went in May, which pushes into rainy season, and had an outstanding time – but there were some storms that would last for an hour or two and then the rest of the day would be great.
Bear in mind that the cost in the Maldives isn’t just the room – you’re going to pay for seaplane transfers and meals as well, though of course Platinum members and above receive free breakfast.
(HT: Thrifty Traveler)
When I think of exciting places that I’ve visited, the Maldives do not come to mind. After 3 nights we were ready to move on.
Add $50 for a plate of fries
Just noticed this on the site’s front page
“New Year’s Eve Dinner on December 31, 2023 mandatory supplement of USD 1,400 for adults and USD 445 for children.”
just WOW at the price, such a great deal (and this supposedly a “supplement” so might be on top of the food menu price)!
@Luke that includes the meal – yes it’s insane – also common for remote resorts at peak of peak times
Hi,
How much does the food cost there to know what total costs might be?
Thanks,
Dale.
@Dale Reardon — An arm and a leg. To have actual food prices, you might wish to search for menus on the websites of restaurants within the isolated atoll.
I can only comment on Conrad Maldives, but we spent $3300 total for our 8 day stay. This included excursions, sea plane, and food on the island. We had free breakfast and only had lunch maybe 2 days, so it’s going to be pricey.
Here’s some perspective on that.
I booked a 5-night award stay for December at Conrad Maldives Rangali @ 120K HH points/night, with 5th award night free. As it turns out, 120K HH points are virtually identical to “just” 88K BonVoy or BVY points:
88K BVY points * (32.0 HH poins/23.5 BVY points) = 120K HH points (exactly 119.8k)
Throw in the 5th award night free that both programs offer and the per-night award cost drops 20%:
BonVoy: from 88K/night to 88K * 0.8 = 70K/night w 5th night free
HH: from 120K/night to 120K * 0.8 = 96K/night w 5th night free
Either of the equivalent redemptions is a steal, and that’s why the 4th or 5th award night free is the surest “devaluation buster” and, quantifiably, the most valuable perk in hotel loyalty. 😉