We're at the resort right now - quick thoughts: 1) As Diamonds, I would recommend getting the free breakfast buffet. It is a full spread (cook to order eggs, waffles, french toast, panackes, fresh fruit station, full bread station, Asian food station, etc) and unbelievably good. 2) You get $50 towards an excursion. We were originally thinking of doing the snorkeling tour but went snorkeling by the deluxe beach villas and there was plenty of fish to see there. Will probably do a sunset cruise. 3)Free wi-fi in your room and it's fast! 4)We are staying on reward nights and got a regular beach villa (lowest level room) and we love it. It's huge with outdoor shower and huge tub. Completely satisfied. 5)When you go workout, there is free water in the refrigerator. 6)We had dinner at Rangali Bar each night where an entree can be had for $20. 7)Having been to Bora Bora, this destination now is my single favorite destination. 8)There is free breakfast at the Hilton Lounge while you wait for your seaplane. Do whatever you can to come to this amazing place!
Was there last August (and my stay seemed to have caused a bit of a stir over in FT-land) and did both the snorkel tour and sunset cruise. The sunset cruise is kind of bizarre. You go out on a Dhoni, cruise to an adjacent resort and back. There's some light snacks (spring rolls?) and soda.I think we preferred watching the sunset from our Spa Villa. The snorkel tour is nice as you see a bit more than what's on the house reef. We're pretty avid swimmers so we stayed in the water for the entire time and swam the length of the reef (much to the disdain of a few folks who got out after 2 min. then sat on the Dhoni). It also includes a boxed lunch. Have fun!
And the Maldivian staff has gone on strike! all but 2 restaurants are closed and no excursions http://minivannews.com/society/staff-strike-at-conrad-rangali-island-resort-17614
thanks for the quick notes, I hope the staff comes back soon from the strike. at check-in was any kind of 'buy up' offered to a higher level room or over the water? also a seaplane transfer is the only way to get to the resort, correct? (from website it looked like The seaplane transfer is charged at US$434.70(US$ 420 3.5%Tax) per person return.) -
So glad the strike is over for you. Have saved up enough HH points to go, but how in the world do you get there.? I think I get overwhelmed with trying to cordinate this. Asheville NC would be our starting point. - have about 300,000 Delta points ready to burn. Delta webpage is no help.
I think (someone please correct if wrong), the Asian cities that offer non-stops to Male are: SIN, KUL, BKK, CMB. So perhaps look into getting to a gateway city, then Male, then the seaplane to the resort.
On my way home now - here is the route we took on Delta. SLC - LAX - KUL - MLE all in business class for 120,000 miles. Bummer is 8 hour layover in KUL but let me tell you, Conrad Maldives is absolutely my new favorite destination hands down! We originally tried to go via Dubai but couldn't get anything from Dubai to MLE and didn't want to buy a ticket @SweetWillie - after we made our reservation, Hilton emailed us with option to buy up to other rooms on estandby upgrades - but we decided to stick with our beach villa. The beach villa is HUGE - outdoor shower and tub, just fantastic. Will post pics, videos, write up, etc.
Sounds fantastic.. I'm a lil envious.. well, ok more than a lil.. & I never get jealous1 Glad to hear it.. thanks so much 4 sharing!
Glad you had an amazing stay, I've been to Bora Bora but not yet to the Maldives. I'm thinking the newly rebranded Park Hyatt. Probably award to CMB (CX F anyone?) and then buying a ticket from there, it's a short flight and cheap ex-CMB even to buy EK F!
... and don't forget Nemo! http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2...he_Conrad_Maldives_Has_Its_Own_Submarine_Nemo
Amazing isn't it! Great addition to the thread thanks Kalboz for letting us know! Hope there will come a time when we // I am and my significant other can stay there and have quality time too!
First there was the undersea restaurant Ithaa ... ... and now you can spend the night with the fishes! Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the restaurant, set approximately 16 feet below the Indian Ocean's surface, offers guests a one-of-a-kind dining experience as thousands of fish swim across the 180-degree-arched glass ceiling. Now, the hotel has worked to turn the restaurant into an exclusive suite for two - talk about a room with a view!
I can never find award availability here. On FT I read that you have to look 365 days out, I keep checking, but nada. Any tips on redeeming points here? Thanks
Hi jmrich - persistence! we had same experience as you but kept checking and emailing Rangali and finally got a tip from them and on FT about availability opening up. Once it did - it was WIDE open and we were able to snag 8 nights with no problem in their beach villa which is incredible.
Thanks, Bigcountry! Did emailing the property help significantly? Or would you recommend just checking the HHonors site and MP/FT for updates?
I would say do all of the above - of course no need to email the property daily, but we just checked in with them from time to time
In fact I just went in to spot check some nights in March 2012 and 5 days all together were wide open on the calendar.
I wish I could go in March! I just don't think it will work with the trips I already have planned. I was checking a few days ago and didn't see anything.... I will just have to keep going back. Are there any bad times to go? Or times that are better than others?
My trip report thus far http://boardingarea.com/blogs/milesquest/2011/05/10/trip-to-the-maldives-the-flights-part-1/
Seaplane was between $350-$400 per person. Very expensive for such a short flight - though I understand that Waldorf Beach House seaplane costs $800 per person
