Author Topic: Maldives Master Thread (Read 1297029 times)

AJK · « **Reply #40 on:** June 07, 2012, 12:20:40 PM »

Quote from: chuchem on June 07, 2012, 04:29:48 AM

I have 150k hh myself, very tempting to go again, but probably would not stay at the waldorf

reading through tripadvisors feedback, it has to many small complaints, trip via seaplane is much more then other resort and way to long. The resort is very high in the north atoll. The chances of rain in the north atoll during this season is much higher. Dont ask me why, but history shows it.
Is it cheap, yes. But if I go for a few days the diffrence to a other resort (after the seaplane difference) is not that big. During low seadon one can get a good deal at other places as well.

Yeah, that's what the locals on my island told me as well, and it was borne out, at least from the satellite imagery during our stay.

brytch · « **Reply #41 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:11:49 PM »

WOW!! Qatar Airways business on a 777 two class, is out of this world... Puts Cathay to shame... Seat massage, lie flat bed, pajamas, great service, and great fresh kosher meal...

At the Premium terminal in Doha now, another WOW! definitely better than most other lounges I've been to cathay included. This is a huge lounge, very quiet, lots of drinks, showers, massage (chairs, real ones are in first lounge)...

Overall great experience!

aussiebochur · « **Reply #42 on:** June 11, 2012, 12:15:13 PM »

Quote from: brytch on June 11, 2012, 12:11:49 PM

WOW!! Qatar Airways business on a 777 two class, is out of this world... Puts Cathay to shame... Seat massage, lie flat bed, pajamas, great service, and great fresh kosher meal...

At the Premium terminal in Doha now, another WOW! definitely better than most other lounges I've been to cathay included. This is a huge lounge, very quiet, lots of drinks, showers, massage (chairs, real ones are in first lounge)...

Overall great experience!

Enjoy! If you have any pics, would be nice to see.

brytch · « **Reply #43 on:** June 11, 2012, 01:39:47 PM »

These pics don't do justice..

brytch · « **Reply #44 on:** June 18, 2012, 05:00:06 PM »

Rumors:

Waldorf will become the Intercontinental

The Soneva Gili will become a Waldorf thought I suspect will be much harder to get award, as their villas are top notch and they have only 56 villas..

Those are the rumors circulating among the Waldorf staff...

ChAiM'l · « **Reply #45 on:** June 24, 2012, 12:28:31 PM »

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2162653/Maldives-island-paradise-Thilafushi-trashed-reduced-pile-rubbish.html

chuchem · « **Reply #46 on:** June 29, 2012, 08:14:16 AM »

OP, how about a small report

Drago · « **Reply #47 on:** July 04, 2012, 03:17:55 PM »

Hot dang. After reading a blog's post about the best Hilton hotels and mentioning the Maldives, I've been breathing heavily, and looking into going in August. And of course, I need your folks help. I plan on reading through the honeymoon thread, but I want to start off here, since I'm concerned that I might run out of time.

A few basic details:
- Trying to fly from TLV to MLE.
-I wouldn't mind doing a 1 day stop over in Europe, but the United website is giving me very limited options.
-When I don't limit the search to do a stopover, the UA site is giving me plenty of availability, but when I try to go to the final step, it tells me that the flight availability has changed, and I have to start again.
-The fights are being routed to either Zurich/Greece/Turkey, then onto Qatar, and then onto MLE.
-Any advice about the flights? Either a different alliance to use, and what to do with the UA website? Do I just need to have them call me?
-This is for 2 adults and a 2 month old on a lap.

Once I arrive there, I'll need accommodations.
-I just transferred 100k Virgin miles into 200k HH. My understanding is that with AXON rewards, I need 145k at the Conrad for 4 nights. Any chance I'll find availability?
-What other hotel programs would you recommend? I don't have any free nights w Hyatt, but I have 150k SPG, and around 120k UR sitting around that can go to Hyatt. I also have plenty of MR points sitting around.
-Any chance of getting an over-water room using points, or would it increase the cost significantly?
-I'm an HH and SPG gold. I can do the Diamond challenge, and perhaps that would let me upgrade diff chains (?).
-If I have to pay for a hotel, it would probably cause me to cancel the trip.

That's it for now. I'll keep on reading up, but am looking for some help to give me some traction.

AJK · « **Reply #48 on:** July 04, 2012, 03:41:48 PM »

Quote from: Reuven on July 04, 2012, 03:17:55 PM

-When I don't limit the search to do a stopover, the UA site is giving me plenty of availability, but when I try to go to the final step, it tells me that the flight availability has changed, and I have to start again.
-The fights are being routed to either Zurich/Greece/Turkey, then onto Qatar, and then onto MLE.
-Any advice about the flights? Either a different alliance to use, and what to do with the UA website? Do I just need to have them call me?

Quote

Effective June 15, 2012, United will terminate its codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways. Reservations booked through United for Qatar Airways-operated flights scheduled to depart on or before September 14, 2012, will be honored as ticketed. Customers booked through United on Qatar Airways-operated flights scheduled to depart on or after September 15, 2012, will be accommodated on their scheduled flights with new flight numbers. Customers will be able to accrue mileage on Qatar Airways codeshare and interline flights until September 14, 2012. Award travel ticketed on or before September 14, 2012, will be honored as ticketed and valid for one year.

Also from the WA hotel page:

Quote

Please note that effective July 29, this hotel will no longer be associated with the Waldorf Astoria Brand nor any other Hilton Worldwide Brand.

So if you wanna go there, you better hurry up

Also, you better start reading my honeymoon thread. A lot of this stuff is talked about there.

Drago · « **Reply #49 on:** July 04, 2012, 03:43:57 PM »

So they're still showing it even though there is no more code-share?

If so, any other decent priced options to arrive there?

damaxer91 · « **Reply #50 on:** July 04, 2012, 11:17:36 PM »

Best way from TLV is on RJ to Colombo using AA or BA miles. It's a cheap one hour flight from there

Another option is RJ/EY via AMM and AUH. Abu Dhabi very cool for a day if you can work out a stopover

Drago · « **Reply #51 on:** July 09, 2012, 12:33:07 PM »

Does DOH have a decent lounge to stay in overnight? (7 hr layover)

AJK · « **Reply #52 on:** July 09, 2012, 12:41:43 PM »

Quote from: Reuven on July 09, 2012, 12:33:07 PM

Does DOH have a decent lounge to stay in overnight? (7 hr layover)

Are you in F? Otherwise, not really.

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #53 on:** July 09, 2012, 12:45:18 PM »

For F its one of the best lounge to overnight in. U get a private room with a bed, which u can lock.

Drago · « **Reply #54 on:** July 09, 2012, 12:48:14 PM »

If F is first class, then no. I'm looking into flying Biz class.

If not the F lounge, what else is there? (I also have AMEX Plat, as do we all, if that helps)

AJK · « **Reply #55 on:** July 09, 2012, 12:57:15 PM »

Quote from: Reuven on July 09, 2012, 12:48:14 PM

If F is first class, then no. I'm looking into flying Biz class.

If not the F lounge, what else is there? (I also have AMEX Plat, as do we all, if that helps)

Plat won't help. Biz lounge is nice, but there is no real comfortable place to sleep. There are these "day bed" thingies, but they were a) fully occupied at 2AM, b) are in the main part of the lounge with light and noise.

Drago · « **Reply #56 on:** July 09, 2012, 02:53:26 PM »

And do you need to go through customs to enter lounge?

AJK · « **Reply #57 on:** July 09, 2012, 04:14:32 PM »

Quote from: Reuven on July 09, 2012, 02:53:26 PM

And do you need to go through customs to enter lounge?

Definitely not.

damaxer91 · « **Reply #58 on:** July 09, 2012, 05:45:47 PM »

No idea why people have this idea that Israeli stamps/visas are and issue at DXB/AUH.

I can confirm 100% that it is NO ISSUE whatsoever.

I even discussed the issue with a high ranking diplomat from the UAE who confirmed it for me and said that they are actually annoyed by the rumors which result in them losing tourism $$

Never spoke to anyone from DOH on an offical lever but I am positive that there are no issues there as well. Qatar actually has pretty strong relations with Israel and has hosted Israeli officials there before

Drago · « **Reply #59 on:** July 09, 2012, 06:17:42 PM »

Quote from: damaxer91 on July 09, 2012, 05:45:47 PM

No idea why people have this idea that Israeli stamps/visas are and issue at DXB/AUH.

I can confirm 100% that it is NO ISSUE whatsoever.

I even discussed the issue with a high ranking diplomat from the UAE who confirmed it for me and said that they are actually annoyed by the rumors which result in them losing tourism $$

Never spoke to anyone from DOH on an offical lever but I am positive that there are no issues there as well. Qatar actually has pretty strong relations with Israel and has hosted Israeli officials there before

So if I stopped over, I could head over to St. Regis for $90 + 4.8k.

Now I just need to check if it's okay with my job...

Topic Wiki

Author Topic: Maldives Master Thread (Read 1297029 times)