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The JW Marriott and The St. Regis Maldives are part of the Marriott brand, so you can earn and burn Marriott Bonvoy points at both resorts. We look at which is better below, but overall, the JW Marriott is usually slightly less expensive and caters for families particularly well. St. Regis is more exclusive and luxurious and has a better reef but the reef requires a swim to get to it so may be less suitable for families.
1. Location: JW Marriott Vs. St. Regis Maldives
To get to the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, you need to take a seaplane from Malé, which takes approximately 90 minutes. The transfer costs around $500 USD per adult, with reduced rates for children.
St. Regis Maldives is a scenic 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé operated by Trans Maldivian Airways.
2. Style & Character
The JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa masterfully Mixes contemporary design with traditional Maldivian aesthetics. The resort’s style emphasizes harmony with its natural surroundings, featuring elegant thatched-roof villas and suites that combine modern comforts with rustic charm. The interiors showcase warm wood tones, plush furnishings, and expansive windows that flood the spaces with natural light, offering breathtaking ocean or lagoon views.
Similarly, the St. Regis seamlessly combines contemporary design with traditional Maldivian architecture, featuring sleek modern lines and luxurious details. Upon arrival at either resort, guests are warmly welcomed by senior resort staff at the seaplane jetty.
3. Beach & Pools
Both resorts boast pristine white-sand beaches. JW Marriott Maldives boasts several stunning pools catering to different preferences and needs. The main infinity pool, located near the beach, provides a serene and picturesque setting, allowing guests to swim while enjoying unobstructed views of the turquoise waters. The family pool is designed with younger guests in mind, featuring shallow areas and playful elements to ensure a fun and safe environment for children.
Both islands offer similar activities, but the St. Regis offers a more sedate atmosphere. The St. Regis boasts an impressive infinity pool that blends with the ocean horizon alongside private pools. However, both the pool and the beach are located in the same area of the resort, which limits variety. Since beach and pool activities are the primary attractions on the island, the St. Regis can feel a bit monotonous with only one main area to visit.
Snorkeling at the St. Regis is decent, but the reef’s location presents a challenge. You need to swim quite a distance from your bungalow to reach the reef’s edge, which drops off 100 feet. This can be daunting for beginners and young snorkelers. Additionally, the water around the villas can be fairly rough, making it difficult to swim or snorkel directly from your accommodation. This roughness may be intimidating for children.
5. Rooms
JW Marriott has a mix of overwater and beach villas. Because of safety issues, younger children are not allowed to stay in the overwater villas. They are perched above the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Their architecture combines traditional Maldivian elements, such as thatched roofs and wooden structures, with contemporary design features, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and modern comfort. Each overwater villa is spacious and meticulously designed, featuring high ceilings and expansive windows. Many of these villas also offer separate living and dining areas, providing ample space for relaxation and socializing.
One of the standout features of the overwater villas is the private outdoor deck, which includes a personal infinity pool, sun loungers, and direct access to the lagoon. This outdoor space allows guests to soak up the sun, take refreshing dips in the pool, or descend a few steps into the warm, turquoise waters for a swim or snorkel. All the villas at the JW Marriott have private pools.
There are 77 private villas at The St. Regis. The rooms are luxurious villas with a contemporary design, high-end amenities, and private pools, providing a sense of grandeur and exclusivity. They offer high-end marble floors and fixtures but lack Maldivian charm.
The base room here is not overwater but on the edge of the beach, and some of the rooms are tired and worn in places. If you book a standard overwater villa at St. Regis, it may also overlook other villas and lack privacy. We suggest requesting a room as far from the Whale Bar as possible to avoid unwanted noise.
6. Price
JW Marriott Maldives tends to be cheaper than St. Regis Maldives to be similarly priced. Book either of these hotels via our luxury travel concierge to get a better deal. We can gift you free breakfast for two, along with priority room upgrades, hotel credit, and more. You also get your usual Marriott Bonvoy points when you book via our agency.
8. Conclusion
While both resorts offer luxurious experiences in stunning locations, the JW Marriott is better for families with children as it offers a great kids club, a kids pool, and snorkeling just off the beach. The St. Regis offers a more sedate and exclusive experience.
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