Maldives Master Thread

[businessmachine]

Thanks! However even with the 20% off, it is still more expensive at the Halaveli or Conrad...

more expensive then what? Agoda?

[Yossi.]

more expensive then what? Agoda?

Yep

[businessmachine]

Yep

Generally the best paid stays are through them. I still think that you may be able to get an upgrade from the Hyatt in May as its not the main season. Only problem is that it won't be garanteed.

[AJK]

That's right. But I'd rather do that than go through SIN and add another 10 hours to my flight...

Do you think I am too close to their winter?

I searched agoda and found the Halaveli for $750/night (OWB with private pool)... Do you think that's my best bet? Any other agent/hotel I should look into?

Winter is their low time.

Contact chuchem for agent's name.

[businessmachine]

Winter is their low time.

Contact chuchem for agent's name.

I think he was referring to whether it was a good time to travel to MLE being that its close to their winter season

[AJK]

If so, then I don't think its not worth going.

In my case, it def rained some, but it did so quickly.

No full day was ruined by rain -- in fact, one of the best days of SCUBA diving was when it was raining -- we just jumped in and we didn't even notice the rain!

The rest of the days were good, and a couple were great.

[Yossi.]

Generally the best paid stays are through them. I still think that you may be able to get an upgrade from the Hyatt in May as its not the main season. Only problem is that it won't be garanteed.

I am waiting for 10pm tonight to call the reservation desk there but it looks like they do have availability. U sure if I get an email confirm and that I pay the $350 per night in advance it won't be an actual guarantee?

Contact chuchem for agent's name.

Thanks! I Will

[AJK]

Obv if you pay the $350 it will be gauranteed (barring, of course, some tsunami like weather event demolishing them all...)

[Yossi.]

I think he was referring to whether it was a good time to travel to MLE being that its close to their winter season

+1

If so, then I don't think its not worth going.

In my case, it def rained some, but it did so quickly.

No full day was ruined by rain -- in fact, one of the best days of SCUBA diving was when it was raining -- we just jumped in and we didn't even notice the rain!

The rest of the days were good, and a couple were great.

Great then! I'll definitely ask for more info later on regarding scuba certification as my wife and I have been wanting to do that for quite a while now

[businessmachine]

I am waiting for 10pm tonight to call the reservation desk there but it looks like they do have availability. U sure if I get an email confirm and that I pay the $350 per night in advance it won't be an actual guarantee?


If you pay then its guaranteed. However, if you ask for it and its available when you go there and you have status- i.e. platinum, and its your 3rd honeymoon  then you will probably get upgraded. Its just a gamble to go all the way there and have the overwater rooms sold out

[Dan]

Agoda=Price without tax.
Halaveli direct=Price with tax.

[Yossi.]

If you pay then its guaranteed. However, if you ask for it and its available when you go there and you have status- i.e. platinum, and its your 3rd honeymoon  then you will probably get upgraded. Its just a gamble to go all the way there and have the overwater rooms sold out

3rd honeymoon?! Me??? 

Agoda=Price without tax.
Halaveli direct=Price with tax.

good to know then! I might consider Orbitz then! What tax rate are we talking about here?

[Dan]

If you click through the original price it should say.

[Yossi.]

If you click through the original price it should say.

Water Villa with Private Pool

USD 821.21 x 4 Nights                               USD   3,284.84
Breakfast Included
Early Booking Saver Rate includes 10% discount!

Compulsory charges:
+ Bed Tax 4 night(s) (Adult x 2)                 USD   64.00
+ Roundtrip Sea Plane Transfer (Adult x 2)  USD   892.00
+ Hotel tax and service feesx 4 Nights        USD   617.56

Total = $4,858!!! ahhhhh

[Dan]

Hence the PH is probably the best option. Try to negotiate the OWB fee or consider just paying the fee for the first night and hope they let you stay (they will if they're not full)

[Yossi.]

Hence the PH is probably the best option. Try to negotiate the OWB fee or consider just paying the fee for the first night and hope they let you stay (they will if they're not full)

I will definitely try that tonight when I call them. I am not willing to put $4k down (excludes the seaplane transfer) just for 4 nights even though the PH does not have the pool... I am just wondering how they are going to react on the phone when they see a 4 nights reservation, and I request an upgrade just for the first night... It's not like I am calling the gold passport line, it is the actual front desk that I am contacting...

[Dan]

Who cares?
Just say you only need the OWB for 1 night and don't care if you are moved.
When you arrive ask kindly if you may be able to stay, but don't be surprised if you need to move as there are just 14 OWBs there.

[Yossi.]

Who cares?
Just say you only need the OWB for 1 night and don't care if you are moved.
When you arrive ask kindly if you may be able to stay, but don't be surprised if you need to move as there are just 14 OWBs there.

That would definitely hurt! btw the 20% orbitz code does not apply to Halaveli since it is a "postpaid" hotel (e.g. all payments are made at checkin)

[Dan]

Try this:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/28456

[Dan]

A pool is very nice, but I don't think it's a dealbreaker.
Definitely not worth shelling out thousands of dollars over.