[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Dec 29, 2014, 6:12 am
#856
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,826
Unfortunately, I was quoted a much higher price this time for a Deluxe Beach Villa ($ 600 ++). They reduced it to $ 540 ++ per night, but that's still a lot more than was referenced earlier here in the thread. Oh well, looking forward to the stay anyway.
Dec 30, 2014, 8:22 am
#857
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, United, BA, Delta, MR, SPG, PC
Posts: 190
We have a trip coming up in Jan, and would like to make use of this offer if possible!
Dec 31, 2014, 6:06 pm
#858
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DFW
Posts: 520
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
My trip hasn't started yet (not til late jan) - but i haven't heard anyone get it (or try to get it). My plan is to just take my cards and try it unless i hear something beforehand
Jan 2, 2015, 10:23 pm
#859
Company Representative - Conrad Maldives
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Rangali Island, South Ari Atoll, The Maldives
Posts: 394
Sorry was a little unclear on the previous post! To clarify, HH points are given based on the total spend on rooms, F&B, spa and excursions only (ie. all direct hotel purchases) excluding service charge and TGST. All 3rd party spends are not included, so this means dive centre, boutiques, seaplane and water sports. You are also only eligible for points when you book directly through us and not through an agent or third party.
Hope this helps!
Jan 3, 2015, 12:55 am
#860
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 64
Manager's reception
Just returned here for our 5 night stay. A question. At least in jan 2014, the manager's reception night used to be on Tuesdays. We have a newish island host who told us it is on Thursday nights. Is that right? Thanks,
Hwa
Hwa
Jan 3, 2015, 5:17 am
#861
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Programs: OZ *G, HHonors Gold, Aclub Plat
Posts: 1,025
We were just there and weren't informed of any manager's reception...
Jan 3, 2015, 11:13 pm
#862
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,826
Everyone still very nice here, and everything great as ever. The new GM is a very friendly and relaxed person. And Mr. Nashid, who has been here since the start, is always there for the guests with his team.
The only "negative" can be some of the guests who sometimes don't have the best manners. Like that Russian couple that thinks it is a good idea to block 6 sunbeds with towels all day like the worst of package tourists...or the German guy who screamed at a child (not his own) in a threatening manner during the New Year's Eve party.
But these things are nothing but minor episodes. This resort is still a wonderful place to relax, and almost all of the staff are very friendly.
I still regard this hotel as the crown jewel of the Hilton chain (of the hotels I have seen so far).
The only "negative" can be some of the guests who sometimes don't have the best manners. Like that Russian couple that thinks it is a good idea to block 6 sunbeds with towels all day like the worst of package tourists...or the German guy who screamed at a child (not his own) in a threatening manner during the New Year's Eve party.
But these things are nothing but minor episodes. This resort is still a wonderful place to relax, and almost all of the staff are very friendly.
I still regard this hotel as the crown jewel of the Hilton chain (of the hotels I have seen so far).
Jan 4, 2015, 10:53 am
#863
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: HY
Programs: AA-EXP (3.3MM), AAirpass, SQ-PPS Solitaire, DL-PM (.777MM), SPG-Plat, HH-D
Posts: 2,307
After spending a week at this resort I would like to point out that this resort is far from a 6 star resort, or luxury experience in the least I am afraid. It is a nice property but more akin to a large all inclusive, all gathering and prepackaged holiday destination.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
Jan 4, 2015, 9:37 pm
#864
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP/4MM, DL GM/1MM, HH ♦, Bonvoy LT PLT, Hyatt Globalist, AMEX Bus Plt
Posts: 620
Have an upcoming old devaluation HH rate next month as well and looking forward to it. Most likely my last stay here but think that is still great value even with an unlikely upgrade as a (multiple) returning Diamond.
Probably can't take advantage of it myself but there may be others that can trade you for that booking in some way.
Jan 4, 2015, 10:05 pm
#865
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,826
After spending a week at this resort I would like to point out that this resort is far from a 6 star resort, or luxury experience in the least I am afraid. It is a nice property but more akin to a large all inclusive, all gathering and prepackaged holiday destination.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
P.S.: Update regarding the Russian couple: They now leave their towels (and some magazines) on the beach loungers overnight...to make sure they will have them always. We happily used those two loungers (they are right in front of our villa) maybe an hour or two every day before these people arrived. Never would the thought have crossed our mind to block them for the rest of the day (or night)
.
Jan 5, 2015, 7:25 am
#866
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 287
Just move their stuff, that is what I have always done. Fold it up nicely, place it on one bed ( move the others you need) call reception to have them come and remove saying someone has left something, and if they return and ask you, (to avoid conflict) just say you found it like this, and that reception have been round asking if we'd lost anything ! I hate people that block beds, it's ok if they are going to use them all day, but people that do it so that they have something for 5 minutes are too selfish.
Jan 5, 2015, 8:34 am
#867
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 475
After spending a week at this resort I would like to point out that this resort is far from a 6 star resort, or luxury experience in the least I am afraid. It is a nice property but more akin to a large all inclusive, all gathering and prepackaged holiday destination.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
Jan 5, 2015, 9:22 am
#868
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,225
After spending a week at this resort I would like to point out that this resort is far from a 6 star resort, or luxury experience in the least I am afraid. It is a nice property but more akin to a large all inclusive, all gathering and prepackaged holiday destination.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
First and foremost I agree that there are better resorts in the world and certainly the Maldives - we personally prefer O&O Reethi Rah. However, I strongly disagree with the sentiment that it's like a large "all inclusive" resort. It is not. I think that a person's impression of the Conrad can differ depending on what their accommodation is. We stayed in the Premier Water Villa on the smaller island but I think it would have been very different had we stayed in one of the standard beach villas. Having stayed in many luxury properties around the world I also partially disagree that the Conrad is not luxurious - it is luxurious - it's just less luxurious than some properties out there.
I think that one of the weaknesses of the Conrad is HHonors. I know that saying this is going to be controversial but I really think it is. Being the 'jewel in the crown' of the Hilton portfolio means that there are many stays which are paid for with point redemptions and I'm not sure mixing point redemptions and revenue stays works in a resort of this type. The resort is unlikely to offer so many of the things that elevate it to luxury status. Luxury resorts, because of the price point they command, typically offer more complimentary things to guests. Conrad can't do that because they can't single out the guests who they're making lots of money from and those they're making less money from. Unfortunately, this means that those who are on a revenue stay are the ones who miss out. Now I know what you're probably thinking... redemption stays are a benefit of being loyal to the Hilton brand and an incentive for you to continue with that loyalty. But unfortunately if a resort is heavily occupied by customers on point redemptions then the bottom line will suffer and the resort will have less money to spend on things to offer back to guests. It's pure economics.
We loved the Conrad but we wouldn't return. We were revenue customers. Having stayed at another property in the Maldives (that would never offer 'free' stays) I now know that there is an even higher benchmark; one that offers champagne drinks receptions on the beach, an enormous afternoon tea served everyday or offers you a private overwater pavilion at no extra cost because they know it will make your romantic dinner even more special. These are the qualities that make a resort luxurious and you can't offer them if your bottom line is constantly squeezed by guests who don't pay for accommodation.
Last edited by jp-mco; Jan 5, 2015 at 10:54 am
Jan 5, 2015, 9:41 am
#869
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,485
Monday = Noise
Avoid Monday nights if you like peace and quiet.
10:30pm Monday night... we can hear a constant DUM DUM DUM DUM from the Rangali Bar. After complaining to the management (at 930pm and a few times thereafter) we are told that "it's for the benefit of all the guests". The fact that we want to sleep is irrelevant. At least they delivered earplugs to our room on the other side of the other island (Superior Water Villa).
I had an early AM Scuba res that I called to cancel because of this. Hopefully they don't charge the cancellation fee (I explicitly mentioned why I cancelled and that I expected not to pay said fee).
Edit: The noise seems to have stopped at 1045pm or so.
Up to now this is the first nice hotel about which I had no substantive complaints... after this event I will probably notice every flaw and blow it out of proportion.
Edit 2: Despite front-desk statements that the music would stop at 11pm, we can still hear it at 11:25pm.
10:30pm Monday night... we can hear a constant DUM DUM DUM DUM from the Rangali Bar. After complaining to the management (at 930pm and a few times thereafter) we are told that "it's for the benefit of all the guests". The fact that we want to sleep is irrelevant. At least they delivered earplugs to our room on the other side of the other island (Superior Water Villa).
I had an early AM Scuba res that I called to cancel because of this. Hopefully they don't charge the cancellation fee (I explicitly mentioned why I cancelled and that I expected not to pay said fee).
Edit: The noise seems to have stopped at 1045pm or so.
Up to now this is the first nice hotel about which I had no substantive complaints... after this event I will probably notice every flaw and blow it out of proportion.
Edit 2: Despite front-desk statements that the music would stop at 11pm, we can still hear it at 11:25pm.
Last edited by ralfp; Jan 5, 2015 at 10:27 am Reason: update
Jan 5, 2015, 11:06 am
#870
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
After spending a week at this resort I would like to point out that this resort is far from a 6 star resort, or luxury experience in the least I am afraid. It is a nice property but more akin to a large all inclusive, all gathering and prepackaged holiday destination.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
I think the reviews of the enamored posters here are either out of touch with the real higher end resorts where service and quality are at the top of their game or these posters have yet to experience a proper luxurious resort. We had a lovely time and do encourage point resumptions here rather than using paid stays. The resort is certainly more inline to a mainstream or large scale 4 to 5 star resort catering to the vacationing masses. For the discerning traveler, if you are expecting a unique and luxurious time, this will not be the case despite the glorious reviews on this thread and the price tags associated. The Maldives has so many amazing and high end venues so please shop around, however most of them have limitations in terms of staying with rebates or points. We have another reservation here using old HH devaluation rates before expiring and will be canceling.
I like the resort. I frankly would never get to the Maldives unless I'm staying on points. The service is generally very, very good. The food is quite good. I'm very happy with the Rangali and am looking forward to my third visit next month.
