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Possible routings to MLE and costs:

JFK-AUH-MLE (EY) -- 45/67.5/90 AA
JFK-DOH-MLE (QR) -- 45/67.5/90 AA
JFK-FRA-SIN-MLE (SQ) -- East Coast: (Including 15% off booking online) 46,750/91,375/116,875; West Coast: 89,250/144,500/229,500
JFK-DXB-MLE (EK) -- 42.5/82.5/150 AS
JFK-IST-MLE (TK) -- 42.5/70/90 UA (United routing allows a stopover in TLV)
JFK-VIE-MLE (OS) -- 42.5/80 UA
JFK-LGW-MLE (BA) -- 45/90/135 BA
JFK-ICN-CMB-MLE (KE) -- 60/107.5/137.5 KE
JFK-HKG-MLE (CX) -- 57.5/85/112.5 AA
JFK-HKG-MLE (CX) -- 50/70 AS
TLV-IST-MLE (TK)-- 20/35 UA
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It's pretty simple, y'all. No pork, no porn, and no alcohol. Those are the rules. -AJK
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Blah blah blah. -AJK
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Park Hyatt MLE + Diamond Suite Upgrade gets you nothing as all are considered suites. -AJK



Conrad Upgrades:

Upgrade from King Beach Villa to King Water Villa US$ 200 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from King Beach Villa to King Deluxe Beach Villa US$ 210+ 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from King Beach Villa to King Superior Water  Villa US$ 250 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from King Beach Villa to King Retreat Water Villa US$ 400 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from King Beach Villa to King Deluxe Water Villa US$ 480 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from King Beach Villa to Family Water Villa US$ 720 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night. ( 2 bedrooms)

Airport transfer fee: $560 including tax

PH Upgrades:

Upgrade from Park Villa to Park Pool Villa $USD 252.56++ per villa per night
Upgrade from Park Villa to Park Water Villa $USD 405++ per villa per night ( Villa Number 38-44)
Upgrade from Park Villa to Park Water Sunset Villa $USD 610++ per villa per night ( Villa number 45-51)

Airport transfer fee: $520 RT per person

SR:
Airport transfer fee: $745 RT per person

Author Topic: Maldives Master Thread  (Read 1111647 times)

Offline iluv2travel

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5480 on: December 29, 2020, 07:50:43 PM »
Most. Full service hotels in the Maldives actually go out of their way to improve their food offerings as there are few alternatives for guests, and they have a reputation of poor F&B.

There are quite a few hotels that earn most of their revenue from the F&B.

Sorry, I wouldn't say most. In the Maldives specifically, yes. (And I already said multiple times that they rely on F&B revenue.)

 But all over the world you have hundreds if not thousands of hotels that have no restaurant on premises to speak of, some offer a bare bones breakfast, while others none at all - think Springhill suites, Fairfield Inn, Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn, just to name a few. Any low category hotel (i.e. Hyatt 1, Marriott 1 to 3) has practically no food offerings.

I know we're talking luxury resorts here which I agree they will always have vast food offerings, but to say all hotels worldwide = restaurants is just not accurate.

Offline Traveler718

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5481 on: December 29, 2020, 08:43:38 PM »
Any recent DP's whether Conrad is also charging to warm up meals, and if so, how much? Any chance these fees will be rescinded post-COVID? And any other points options in the Maldives that don't charge for heating up?

Offline iluv2travel

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5482 on: December 29, 2020, 09:00:58 PM »
Any recent DP's whether Conrad is also charging to warm up meals, and if so, how much? Any chance these fees will be rescinded post-COVID? And any other points options in the Maldives that don't charge for heating up?

Try contacting the resorts via email directly and hopefully they'll respond. Not sure anyone here has tried Park Hyatt but that's another option if you have Hyatt or Chase and you can try reaching out to them.

Offline aisrael

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5483 on: December 30, 2020, 06:56:58 AM »
Any recent DP's whether Conrad is also charging to warm up meals, and if so, how much? Any chance these fees will be rescinded post-COVID? And any other points options in the Maldives that don't charge for heating up?

they donnt allow u to bring in outside food now as per email from hotel

Online tavster

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5484 on: December 30, 2020, 10:57:21 AM »
According to FT, WA is now charging $650++ for the boat transfer. As if $600++ wasn't insane enough :-)

Offline Dan

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5485 on: December 30, 2020, 11:01:56 AM »
According to FT, WA is now charging $650++ for the boat transfer. As if $600++ wasn't insane enough :-)
So ridiculous.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline AJK

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5486 on: December 30, 2020, 11:57:09 AM »
No one has tried renting their own boat? I know people talked about it, but has anyone tried?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5487 on: December 30, 2020, 12:00:41 PM »
No one has tried renting their own boat? I know people talked about it, but has anyone tried?
Apparently they won’t allow a 3rd party transfer.

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5488 on: December 30, 2020, 12:02:40 PM »
No one has tried renting their own boat? I know people talked about it, but has anyone tried?
I remember reading somewhere that they treat the boat as a compulsory charge, justified by 'security concerns' etc. So I'm assuming that even if you show up in your own boat you will still get charged

Offline KSMH

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5489 on: December 30, 2020, 12:35:10 PM »
I remember reading somewhere that they treat the boat as a compulsory charge, justified by 'security concerns' etc. So I'm assuming that even if you show up in your own boat you will still get charged
You should be able to take a local plane and a short boat hop.
I asked St Regis about this and they said they would charge the same... I wonder what would happen if someone just shows up, would they charge?
Always praying for delayed baggage.

Offline iluv2travel

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5490 on: December 30, 2020, 12:36:54 PM »
I remember reading somewhere that they treat the boat as a compulsory charge, justified by 'security concerns' etc. So I'm assuming that even if you show up in your own boat you will still get charged

I read this too. But I also read that they won't accept you as a guest if you arrive on a boat that doesn't belong to them. Crazy. But no point in trying to get it cheaper. You are just forced to use them and that's it.

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5491 on: December 30, 2020, 12:40:31 PM »
I read this too. But I also read that they won't accept you as a guest if you arrive on a boat that doesn't belong to them. Crazy. But no point in trying to get it cheaper. You are just forced to use them and that's it.
I'm sure you can find a significantly cheaper boat from MLE to WA. And while I highly doubt they will reject you when you show up, I'm also 99% sure you'll get charged
« Last Edit: December 30, 2020, 12:47:40 PM by tavster »

Offline iluv2travel

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5492 on: December 30, 2020, 01:17:09 PM »
I'm sure you can find a significantly cheaper boat from MLE to WA. And while I highly doubt they will reject you when you show up, I'm also 99% sure you'll get charged

I don't know if anyone actually tried to physically show up at their dock or beach on another boat, but from what I read here it indicates that they are very strict about this. These people canceled because they were explicitly told the boat transfers they booked would no be allowed:

https://travelupdate.com/waldorf-astoria-maldives-boat-transfer-debacle/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298335-d15618284-r763371766-Waldorf_Astoria_Maldives_Ithaafushi-South_Male_Atoll.html

Offline Danlover111

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5493 on: December 30, 2020, 01:31:00 PM »
According to FT, WA is now charging $650++ for the boat transfer. As if $600++ wasn't insane enough :-)
Yup.

Delighted to inform you that we have luxury yacht transfers for all our guests and it will take around 40 to 45 minutes from Velana International airport which can be arranged 24/7 according to your international flight arrival time. Our shared luxury yacht transfer fee is at US$650+23.2% Tax and service charge per adult on a return basis.

To ensure the safety of all, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has made it mandatory requirement for all tourists to present a negative result for a nucleic acid test (PCR Test) for Covid-19 on arrival effective 10th September 2020. The sample for the said test must be taken not more than 96hours prior to the scheduled time of departure from the first port of embarkation en route to Maldives. However, please be informed that infants aged less than one year old are exempted from the aforementioned testing requirements.

 

We are committed to safeguarding guests' safety, health and wellbeing through our Hilton CleanStay programme. We have taken extra measures to reflect the advice and guidance of the World Health Organization, Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the local authority.

 

Effective from 15th November until further notice, you are required to present a PCR test result as a part of your departure requirements; our resort can facilitate this process. We have partnered with private hospitals in Male City to provide this service at US$ 80 per person per test. An advance notice of 72 hours before the departure date is required.

 

Testing will be done in the privacy of your villa, and samples will be sent immediately to the laboratory for analysis. The test results will be provided within 48 hours.

 

A changes has been made to the general entry requirements to Maldives due to Coronavirus (Covid-19), effective from 16 JULY 2020.

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5494 on: December 30, 2020, 01:54:35 PM »
I don't know if anyone actually tried to physically show up at their dock or beach on another boat, but from what I read here it indicates that they are very strict about this. These people canceled because they were explicitly told the boat transfers they booked would no be allowed:

https://travelupdate.com/waldorf-astoria-maldives-boat-transfer-debacle/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298335-d15618284-r763371766-Waldorf_Astoria_Maldives_Ithaafushi-South_Male_Atoll.html
I've read similar stories as well.
But I still can't picture someone with a valid booking being physically bounced at the gate - they are just trying to discourage ppl from doing it.

It's easier to justify this by saying 'we care about your safety etc', than saying 'we will charge you no matter what so don't bother' - IMHO

I still haven't heard about the guy who showed up and wasnt let in

Offline Danlover111

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5495 on: December 30, 2020, 01:57:33 PM »
I've read similar stories as well.
But I still can't picture someone with a valid booking being physically bounced at the gate - they are just trying to discourage ppl from doing it.

It's easier to justify this by saying 'we care about your safety etc', than saying 'we will charge you no matter what so don't bother' - IMHO

I still haven't heard about the guy who showed up and wasnt let in
And don't forget about the $80 covid test you need to take!

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5496 on: December 30, 2020, 02:02:40 PM »
And don't forget about the $80 covid test you need to take!
$80 is a rounding error for many ppl staying there :-)

I recently read a TPG review where the guy got a private yoga session which was charged $450++. Why not

Offline myb821

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5497 on: December 30, 2020, 03:02:13 PM »
No one has tried renting their own boat? I know people talked about it, but has anyone tried?
There was a conversation on FT about this. Someone asked the hotel and they said they wont allow 3rd party. It is pretty ridiculous.

Offline myb821

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5498 on: December 30, 2020, 03:04:16 PM »
There was a conversation on FT about this. Someone asked the hotel and they said they wont allow 3rd party. It is pretty ridiculous.
Honestly this was the biggest negative for me. over $1300 for 2 people for 45 minutes each way.

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Re: Maldives Master Thread
« Reply #5499 on: December 30, 2020, 03:05:22 PM »
Also if anyone who lives in northern NJ needs, I brought my 220V toaster back. Its Fleishig only used to heat up G&E meals. But if anyone wants to borrow, they are more than welcome to. It really worked perfectly for heating up the meals.