How To Guides

Different people can have different vacation paradises. The image of an overwater villa floating above turquoise-blue waters is what many people associate with vacation paradise. The JW Marriott Maldives resort & spa is a great example, but the Maldives isn’t short of stunning overwater villa resorts.

The Marriott Bonvoy property is unique in a few ways. It’s here. The standard room category is the one that can be redeemed with loyalty points. Premium rooms will cost more points. The most expensive villas in resort destinations like the Maldives can be quite costly. But not here.

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa considers its overwater villas to be one of their standard room categories. This means that you can use points to redeem for one and not have to worry about upgrading or paying an extra. The resort’s beach villas are highly sought-after because of the beautiful sandy beaches and the possibility for children to play. Some guests choose to split their stay among the two types.

You might be thinking about a trip to Maldives, and staying at JW Marriott Maldives. This JW Marriott Maldives review will provide you with the essential information about what to expect in this paradise. Your points could unlock a postcard-perfect vacation.

The resort is located in the north of the country, about an hour away by seaplane from Male International Airport. This property is located on Vagaru Island, Shaviyani Atoll.

The cost of a seaplane trip is included in the rates for cash or award redemptions. Although the cost is high, it makes arrivals much easier as you no longer have to make separate arrangements. A van will transport you to the terminal for your seaplane. You will be taken directly to the resort by the seaplane.

The resort opened in October 2019 but has yet to make a splash due to the recent travel pause. Now is the best time to book a hotel room before the amazing Marriott Bonvoy redemption opportunity becomes public.

As guests get off the seaplane, tropical pomp and ceremony begins. A host of staff members greets them, including the villa manager and their private thakuru (like butlers). While guests are being escorted to their rooms, there are flowers and welcome drinks. This is an amazing experience that happens multiple times per day. The reception area is air-conditioned, but guests must check in at their rooms.

If you are worried about getting hungry, or if the food is too bland for you, you are wrong. This resort is small but offers many dining options. Aailaa offers three different meals and is open all day. Breakfast buffet features several prepared-to-order eggs and Indian dosas stations. You will also find a Maldivian Indian, Chinese, and Chinese station as well as a fresh juice stand, and many options for vegetarians or vegans.

You can eat indoors or outdoors on the deck overlooking the water for breakfast. Excellent staff. Executive and pastry chefs often check on every table and sometimes bring trays of freshly baked goodies. Later on, the menu expands to include everything from local curries and burgers to salads and even salads.

Fiamma, an Italian restaurant that serves freshly made pasta and pizza in a brick oven.

Kaashi Thai Restaurant offers beach seating and a treehouse where diners can take in the aerial view of the island. Open-plan cooking allows for a wide variety of Thai dishes, which are then paired with craft cocktails.

Two Japanese restaurants share the same building, one featuring a teppanyaki and one featuring steakhouses. You can enjoy a sunset cocktail at the alfresco bar, before you choose between the two menus. Hashi offers fresh sushi and teppanyaki prepared right in front of guests. There are also a variety of Japanese teas and whiskey options.

Shio is a steakhouse that serves prime cuts of beef as well as smoked cocktails.

You can choose to dine at the beach in a romantic setting. They can also opt to sleep in and have a floating Champagne breakfast delivered to their private pool. It is an eye-opening experience that will delight the senses and satisfy the palate.

This wine-pairing dining experience is another highlight of the Wine Room. It’s hidden away in Aailaa. The menu includes 1,620 bottles and 320 labels. There is something for everyone.

Every villa on the beach and overwater has a private pool, so no matter where you’re staying, you can take your plunge. This resort is small and intimate with only 60 accommodations.

Your thakuru can be reached via WhatsApp or phone at any hour. They can help with any of your special requests, such as making reservations at the spa or restaurant, delivering items to the room, or assisting with other activities.

They all look the same regardless of what type of accommodation they are. The modern design features a wooden deck and an outdoor swimming pool. Inside, the rooms have soft sofas and duvet-covered beds.

The bathrooms are large and come with a variety of Aromatherapy Associates toiletries. In addition, the primary bathroom has a separate tub and shower. Each unit has an outdoor shower, which adds to the feeling of being on an island in the Indian Ocean.

There are many types of accommodation, starting with the overwater villas. If you need more space, there is an upgrade option: duplex overwater villas.

The accommodations are situated on stilts above the water and can be accessed by foot or via a golf cart transfer. You can choose from sunset or sunrise views. There is a wooden deck that you can use to jump into the water below. All units come with day and sofa beds. Duplexes have an upstairs lounge area that has separate bathrooms and sleeping areas.

On the island are the beach villas and duplexes. These villas are identical in design and layout to the ones above the water, but they have a wooden deck that gives direct access to the beach. There you will find lounge chairs and umbrellas.

You will find a wetbar with a coffeemaker, closets with complimentary flip-flops and beach bags in your accommodations. The resort offers bottled water in all rooms. It is currently creating a glass bottling plant to reduce single-use plastics and offer water in glass bottles.

There are many things to do, whether you want to relax and unwind or get lost in the natural world. The modern fitness center has a refrigerator with bottled water, chilled towels, and sits on stilts above the water.

The Spa by JW is located nearby. It floats above the water and has six treatment rooms. There’s also an additional couple’s area with its plunge pool and sauna. Each morning, guests can participate in free yoga classes in the pavilion. Spa services include massages, body wraps, scrubs, facials, and many other salon services.

Two swimming pools are available, one of which is a newly renovated pool with mosaic tiles. It is located in front the Italian restaurant. You can order refreshments or snacks from the pool while you gaze out into the aquamarine infinite.

An adult-only pool is located on the opposite side of the island. It has an infinity edge. A lounge is available for guests over 18 with a variety of activities, including a shisha room, karaoke, billiard tables, and a cigar room. There’s also a library with boardgames.

You can also relax on the beach or in the lounge chairs and umbrellas that line the waterfront. There are many other options at the watersports centre. There are:

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  Stand up paddle boarding.
  

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  Kite surfing.
  

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  Snorkeling, and more.
  

Parents can enjoy the Little Griffins Kids Club while their children are there. It has multilingual staff and separate areas to cater for older and younger kids. There are many educational and entertainment activities. A separate pool has a playground. The pool is surrounded by adorable little cushioned lounge chairs and umbrellas.

This property doesn’t charge any resort fees.

American Advantage has 2 partners (Etihad & Qatar) that make it easy to reach the country, which is classified as part of the Indian Subcontinent region.

American Airlines partners Etihad Airways, which connects passengers to Abu Dhabi from U.S. cities. Flying from the U.S.A to Male in Economy or Business class costs only 40,000 AAdvantage points each way.

Qatar Airways is another popular way to travel to the Maldives from the U.S.A. They often have award space, including on their enclosed Qsuites. These Qsuites are available in business class and can be booked from several U.S. cities at similar prices to Etihad. However, flights go through Doha, Qatar.

The redemption rates at JW Marriott Maldives resort & spa are different now that Marriott Bonvoy has moved to dynamic pricing. For an overwater villa, the lowest rate was 62,500 points on the dates that we checked. This is a great deal in the Maldives, even considering the high cost of a seaplane.

Featured photo courtesy JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa.

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