Author Topic: Maldives Master Thread (Read 1141984 times)

Chapshnell · « **Reply #2380 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:32:22 AM »

Quote from: BarryLincoln on February 25, 2016, 10:22:52 AM

Looking into a midsummer trip to Maldives. Highly considering PH given the accumulations of UR points and free nights available via CC sign-up and other. Net points for 5 nights would be roughly 25k. Am also a Diamond if that makes any difference. Would consider upgrading to OWB.

Reading through the last few pages, seems as though people are recommending Conrad over PH (primarily AJK). Can anyone who's been to both comment? Those speaking about PH make it sound like a Holiday Inn.... is it really that bad?

read the wiki:

"Park Hyatt MLE + Diamond Suite Upgrade gets you nothing as all are considered suites. -AJK"

benjie1305 · « **Reply #2381 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:33:20 AM »

Quote from: Dan on February 25, 2016, 10:31:54 AM

PH isn't bad. It's just that the upgrade to OWB isn't cheap and the owbs don't have pools.

So if - for whatever reason - you would not care for a OWB, PH is as good a choice as Conrad?

Dan · « **Reply #2382 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:35:07 AM »

If you don't care for an OWB then what are you flyng 35 hours for?

Chapshnell · « **Reply #2383 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:37:10 AM »

Quote from: Dan on February 25, 2016, 10:35:07 AM

If you don't care for an OWB then what are you flyng 35 hours for?

Oy, we had this discussion already (I'm with you Dan).
Some people fly for the airline metal experience.

Remember that thread?

benjie1305 · « **Reply #2384 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:44:53 AM »

Quote from: Chapshnell on February 25, 2016, 10:37:10 AM

Oy, we had this discussion already (I'm with you Dan).
Some people fly for the airline metal experience.

Remember that thread?

Not true. I am not going to the Maldives for the travel. I can go to Australia to get myself 40 hours in F. The same way that not everyone that goes to the Maldives has to be fully into snorkeling. There are other things people enjoy there. Whether it is "worthwhile" is solely up to the person going IMO.

AJK · « **Reply #2385 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:49:45 AM »

Quote from: benjie1305 on February 25, 2016, 10:33:20 AM

So if - for whatever reason - you would not care for a OWB, PH is as good a choice as Conrad?

Beach villas are much nicer at Conrad.

Dan · « **Reply #2386 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:50:30 AM »

Nothing else is unique to MLE. There are far nicer and closer islands to visit if you don't care about OWB.

AJK · « **Reply #2387 on:** February 25, 2016, 11:29:46 AM »

I'm not sure I agree with that.

For some people the seclusion alone warrants a trip out to MLE. Combine that with the beauty, excellent and varied F products, varied points hotels, and it's significantly more attractive than, say, Turks (which I'm also wanting to go to pretty badly).

Dan · « **Reply #2388 on:** February 25, 2016, 11:52:47 AM »

There are a lot of secluded places in this world. I just don't see the value proposition without the owb but we've argued this one before.

eliteflyer · « **Reply #2389 on:** February 25, 2016, 11:55:38 AM »

Agree that I'm not so sure I would put up with the long travel time and expensive transfers/hotels were it not for being able to book it in aspirational F (Jetihad excluded). Though if I was only going for that, I'm sure I could settle for some fun around AUH/DXB for a couple of days and fly right back rather than continuing on to the Maldives.

Ask me when I'm back, but, for now I side with AJK that there is more to the Maldives than getting an OWB.

Interestingly, I wrote to Chuchem's (to the exclusion of all others) travel agent to see what he could get within the general price range (but willing to go higher) of what I have at the Shangri La/Park Hyatt, but in an OWB, and he responded:

Quote

Hi Eliteflyer,

I have had a look at the islands that are available within your given budget and in all honesty there are no islands that will provide you with the quality and level of luxury that you already have booked.

Either of the options you have secured will make for a fantastic holiday in the Maldives.

I hope you have a fantastic trip and hopefully we can help you with your next trip to the Maldives.

Many thanks,

Shangri La, meanwhile, indicated that front desk reception would upgrade me to an OWB (they have 60 of them out of a total 132 villas, only 15 of which are the base level pool villas) as an FHR guest, though the benefit is officially only a one category upgrade to a premium pool villa (16 of those). It's the southernmost resort resort in the Maldives (Maldivian flight times are blocked at about 1:30 each way to Gan, then a 5 minute boat ride from there) as well as the largest (not sure this is a good thing) and the only one with a golf course (Who goes to the Maldives to golf

?). The most raving reviews on TA are from folks who were thrilled to be able to land their private jets in Gan and hop the quick boat ride to the resort.

Dan · « **Reply #2390 on:** February 25, 2016, 12:32:17 PM »

Quote from: eliteflyer on February 25, 2016, 11:55:38 AM

I side with AJK that there is more to the Maldives than getting an OWB.

Namely?
Most hotels are on tiny islands. No views like BOB has.
Snorkeling/Diving is great, but you can also find that closer to home.
Seclusion can be found closer to home as well.

Emkay · « **Reply #2391 on:** February 25, 2016, 05:08:28 PM »

Quote from: AJK on February 25, 2016, 11:29:46 AM

I'm not sure I agree with that.

For some people the seclusion alone warrants a trip out to MLE.

My basement is pretty darn secluded. Shut off the lights and you got a real party

damaxer91 · « **Reply #2392 on:** February 25, 2016, 05:15:33 PM »

Quote from: Dan on February 25, 2016, 12:32:17 PM

Namely?
Most hotels are on tiny islands. No views like BOB has.
Snorkeling/Diving is great, but you can also find that closer to home.
Seclusion can be found closer to home as well.

I'm with you on this one

AJK · « **Reply #2393 on:** February 25, 2016, 05:21:53 PM »

Quote from: Dan on February 25, 2016, 12:32:17 PM

Namely?
Most hotels are on tiny islands. No views like BOB has.
Snorkeling/Diving is great, but you can also find that closer to home.
Seclusion can be found closer to home as well.

Not many places offer the degree of seclusion, the world class diving, the number of points hotels, ease of customs, and the varied and excellent F products.

ETA: Not to mention the sheer beauty,

Aerial Dag · « **Reply #2394 on:** February 27, 2016, 05:36:40 PM »

Which places close to home offer Maldives like seclusion?

Chapshnell · « **Reply #2395 on:** February 28, 2016, 02:27:30 AM »

Quote from: Aerial Dag on February 27, 2016, 05:36:40 PM

Which places close to home offer Maldives like seclusion?

http://www.overwaterbungalows.net/punta-caracol-acqua-lodge-panama

"maybe"

TimT · « **Reply #2396 on:** February 28, 2016, 02:34:41 AM »

Quote from: Chapshnell on February 28, 2016, 02:27:30 AM

http://www.overwaterbungalows.net/punta-caracol-acqua-lodge-panama

"maybe"

Ever been there ?

Chapshnell · « **Reply #2397 on:** February 28, 2016, 02:40:34 AM »

Quote from: TimT on February 28, 2016, 02:34:41 AM

Ever been there ?

no, but its been discussed here on DDF. Will give you a poor mans feel compared to the Maldives.. its an embarrassment compared to the Maldives but its that style & type.

TimT · « **Reply #2398 on:** February 28, 2016, 02:47:00 AM »

Quote from: Chapshnell on February 28, 2016, 02:40:34 AM

no, but its been discussed here on DDF. Will give you a poor mans feel compared to the Maldives.. its an embarrassment compared to the Maldives but its that style & type.

From a quick google search it does look like a poor copy.

Aerial Dag · « **Reply #2399 on:** February 28, 2016, 06:11:17 AM »

Quote from: Chapshnell on February 28, 2016, 02:27:30 AM

http://www.overwaterbungalows.net/punta-caracol-acqua-lodge-panama

"maybe"

Is that what dan was referring to? I don't think secluded places need to be owb...

Topic Wiki

Author Topic: Maldives Master Thread (Read 1141984 times)