Minnie Xu

Review of W Retreat Spa & Maldives

Unprofessional service, substandard hotel, careful...

Unprofessional service, substandard hotel, careful with tourist traps
Unprofessional services, substandard hotels, beware of tourist fraud
We spent 4 nights at W hotel for a family vacation, were expecting a high quality stay as W s good reputation and reviews. However, the whole experience turned out to be annoying and disappointing!
We stayed at W Hotel for 4 nights, it was a family trip. W Hotel has a good reputation and evaluation, so we are looking forward to a high-quality trip. However, the whole trip was so irritating and disappointing!
We booked a sea fishing trip at cost of 1,232 USD (tax inclusive), was told by front desk staff that there will be charge of 30 USD per fish if we bring back fishes to cook. We also double confirmed this cost with staff while we were as well. However, after we brought two fishes back to hotel restaurant, was suddenly informed the cost is 30 USD per dish, ie: if the fish is cooked in three ways, they will charge 90 USD. Also, if we'd like to order Sashimi, the cost is 75 USD. We were quite confused and complained this to another staff via message, and was told the cost is 25 USD per fish. Apparantly, there is no fixed standard in this hotel and staffs are not well trained. As a tourist, we are fine with paying the reasonable amount for cooking the fish, but will not accept paying a variable price.
We booked sea fishing at a cost of 1232 USD (tax included). Before departure, the front desk staff informed us that the fish processing fee was 30 US dollars per piece. We confirmed the price with the staff again when we were on the ship. Then, when we brought two fishes back to the hotel restaurant, we were suddenly told that the charge for each dish was $30. In other words, if there were three ways to make a fish, it would cost $90. By the way, if you want to make sashimi, the cost is $75. We were completely confused and sent a message to another employee to ask about this. The employee told us that the processing fee was $25 per piece. Obviously, there is no clear standard within the hotel, and there is no good staff training. As tourists, we are willing to pay processing fees at reasonable prices, but do not accept payment of "variable" prices.
During the lunch, I ordered kids pasta for my kid, the price in the menu shows 7 USD, however, the price in the final bill shows clearly 14 USD. My friend realised there are two menus, exactly the same, only differ in price . Please refer to pictures of these two menus. Hotel staffs explained this is by mistake, the menu showing 7 USD was actually old version, they didn't throw it because the papers can be used to be draft papers. We cannot take this explanation as even a fast food restaurant will be able to replace all menus overnight, how come this luxury hotel was unable to do it? It seems a tourist trap to us!
I ordered children's pasta for my child at lunch. The price on the menu was 7 dollars, but when I paid the bill, the bill showed 14 dollars. My friend found out that there were two menus, except for the prices, they were exactly the same. I have attached two photos of the menu. The hotel staff said that this is food, the 7-dollar menu is the old version, and none of them throws it away because the paper can be used for drafting. We do not accept this explanation, after all, even a fast food restaurant can change all the menus overnight! Can't such a luxurious hotel do it? This looks like a trick to deceive tourists!
In addition, there are supposed to be apples in the supply depot , however, there are no apples for the whole day. We feel disappointed about this. Also, my request for a scissor was never replied by staff.
In addition, every supply station is supposed to have apples, but for one whole day, we did not see apples, which was very disappointing. By the way, I also asked for a pair of scissors, but no one has given it to me.
Overall, I would never recommend this hotel to guests as the whole experience is disappointing. I was expecting a enjoyable experience and high standard luxury hotel service, but was quite turned down by all the above. I hope W hotel would get your staff well trained to reach the luxury standard. Hope guests here be careful with scams like two menu versions!
In general, because of these disappointing experiences, I do not recommend this hotel. I originally thought it would be a pleasant journey and the service of luxury hotels would be of high standard, but I was really disappointed. I hope W Hotel can train its staff well, so as to reach the standard of "luxury" hotel. I also hope that visitors here can be careful of scams such as Yin Yang menu!