Cheapskate Travels

Good to know, thanks!

Weatherboy

I'm slated to arrive in MLE the night of January 12th... and plan to stay at the Conrad from the 13th on. I haven't received any emails from the hotel asking for my travel details yet --should I wait for them to reach out to me ...or should I reach out to them?

It sounds like they typically make plans 1-2 weeks out. I'm at the 2-week window now, but wondering if I should start handling the transfer details now (hotel in MLE + seaplane to the resort.)

kynd

Weatherboy, pls email [email protected] your flight details and request for seaplane transfer and overnight hotel in Male. Conrad will make the bookings for you and will have a rep waiting for you at the airport at night and the hotel early morning. We arrived at night and stayed at the Hulhule Hotel.

Weatherboy

I arrive at the resort this weekend --I can't wait.

I didn't get any emails from them so I initiated the emails with them. As advertised here, I got the same form emails about the MLE hotels, the seaplanes, and the Diamond benefits. I haven't been offered to purchase any upgrades, but I'm sure those will come when I arrive.

I arrived at the Conrad today.

Wow.

Best use of points ever.

As a Diamond, I was offered the usual described here. But I was also offered special upgrades as a Diamond: for $100/night, I can upgrade to a Deluxe Beach Villa. For only $200/night, I could upgrade over the water to either a huge Spa Villa or a Deluxe Water Villa.

I decided to mix it up and try both the beach and over-water villas. For just a few hundred dollars, its hard not to.

The service so far has been fabulous. Food/drink/spa prices aren't out of line with other HHonors resorts. If anything, this place seems like a bargain compared to the Grand Wailea W=A.

But anyways, the accommodations are absolutely amazing --words can barely describe them.

SF1K

Does the Seaplane transfer and the overnight in MLE get charged to your room? If so does one earn HH points for these items?

jasonvr

From my recollection (which may be faulty) the seaplane transfer does but the overnight in MLE doesn't.

That's a hell of a deal. When I preconfirmed my upgrade, I was charged the exact price differential between the rack rates for a beach villa and the Deluxe Water Villa we upgraded to. That was $865 per night!

holtju2

Business must be hurting.....

Weatherboy

I think the resort is fairly empty... or at least it seems like it.

I have my choice of spa bookings anytime without notice.

I've been able to make same-day dining arrangements but some have been cancelled due to not enough sign-ups (i.e.: lunch at ithaa the undersea place.)

There were about 20-30 people at a welcome reception my first night here. That was the most people I've seen in a bunch my whole stay. The main pool area has about 8-15 people and I know there's a group of 12 Russians roaming the islands together as a group. But other than that, I just don't see anyone other than resort staff. As an example, at breakfast in the Atoll Market I was one of 8 people there (and 4 of the others were Seaplane crewmembers.)

Once in a blue moon you do come across another guest roaming a path, but overall, the place just seems totally empty. (In a good way I suppose.)

Just two interesting tidbits from my stay...

The resort said Hilton HHonors is reimbursing them $650/night for my stay. Way less than the $1,100-ish the resort is currently charging, but with the place empty, I suppose any revenue is welcome revenue.

And speaking of empty, Fergie is here with Josh Duhamel celebrating their honeymoon. Considering their wedding budget, it wouldn't shock me that if they bought out a good chunk of the resort to preserve their privacy.

jasonvr

Nah, they probably just got 1 or both of the Sunset Villas. Plenty of privacy out there.

rndomtask

Take some pics of them if you can, they may be worth something

SF1K

Just wondering if the hotel and/or any of the restaurants have a dress code? Or what are most guests attire like? I want to make sure to bring suitable clothing.

Thanks.

globaltrotter

yeah, try to get a photo shot with a super mega zoom of her belly in a bathing suit. If she has gained just a quarter of a pound of body fat on her belly, then you would probably get paid $50k for the photo by US or PEOPLE magazine. Then they would post it on the cover with the title " OMG FERGIE IS OBESE!! HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN. LOOK INSIDE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE FAT PICTURES OF FERGIE.".......lol.........jk dont take pictures, that is why they traveled to the middle of nowhere.....to get away from everybody......and the maldives is the perfect place for privacy!


I will be there in March for my 30th Birthday! I cant wait. 8 days at the Conrad Maldives. And flying business (i wish I could afford First Class) on emirates on the new A380!


Question: Which side of the seaplane is best to sit when you arrive and depart to get the best view of the island?

Also is there complimentary access to the fitness area and is it open 24 hours? thanks!

neuro0

no shoes required anywhere
perhaps only at the underwater restaurant where the floor is cold

seriously, i don't remember there is a dress code.
Just don't wear your swimwear to the underwater restaurant.

I would seat right behind the pilot to get the best view since there is no cockpit door.
all non-motorized watersports and the gym (forget the hours though) are complimentary.

Weatherboy

Guys should pack a pair or two of light dressy slacks and women should pack a summer dress or two at a minimum.

Koko Grill, the Japanese Teppanyaki place, requires legs to be covered at dinner... so pants/long dress will be needed there. Shoes though aren't required there.

At the Ithaa undersea restaurant, shoes are not permitted. But they do encourage guests to dress up a bit for dinner... so this would be another place good for pants/dress.

At the Wine Cellar dinner, they recommend shoes and slacks although they require neither. They make that recommendation due to how cold it is in there. I went in with shoes and shorts and was very comfortable (although I was the only one not in slacks.)

Elsewhere, it's all informal ...no shoes and typical resort wear.

The only other "dress code" rule they strictly enforce is topless sunbathing: because this is strict Islamic territory, women are not allowed to take their tops off. They do enforce this with the beach set, especially among Europeans who are used to topless bathing.


The gym is open daily from 7am-10pm.

As far as best seaplane seat, the plane is so small you can get decent views looking out both sides from any seat. I suppose as forward as possible would be best since your view wouldn't be obstructed by the propellers.

SEA2BA

This was our observation when we were there last March. We barely saw another soul. But don't be fooled. We were surprised to hear it was sold out. We spent 99.9 percent of our time on our private over-water deck and assumed everyone else must be doing the same thing.

BEST TRIP EVER. Glad you're having an experience on par with my own last year.

SEA2BA