Paradise found: Maldives via Qatar Business Class
Mar 27, 2015, 6:52 am
#62
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: Star Alliance, Oneworld, BA Gold, Royal Orchid
Posts: 149
These resorts are all beautiful. The best (and worst) part of planning a trip to the Maldives is to choose from the plethora of amazing-looking 5star resorts.
Jun 29, 2015, 7:23 am
#64
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9
Thanks for a detailed report. Am planning a surprise 3 night visit to the Maldives with my wife to celebrate our anniversary and LUX was the one we narrowed down to...but as others have said, there are just so many to choose from and all seem to have excellent reviews.
The price and "value" is what it's coming down to. Is the All-inclusive worth it?
Also - not having a coral...is that a major downside? Understand you recommended to take the snorkeling boat.
Just as an FYI, am able to get the LUX for about US$3200 for 3 nights All Inclusive with the alcohol and the sea plane transfer from Male to the resort plus a few other goodies (night cruise, cake, bottle of sparkling wine).
Your suggestions are very welcome. Thank you.
The price and "value" is what it's coming down to. Is the All-inclusive worth it?
Also - not having a coral...is that a major downside? Understand you recommended to take the snorkeling boat.
Just as an FYI, am able to get the LUX for about US$3200 for 3 nights All Inclusive with the alcohol and the sea plane transfer from Male to the resort plus a few other goodies (night cruise, cake, bottle of sparkling wine).
Your suggestions are very welcome. Thank you.
Jun 29, 2015, 9:14 am
#65
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: Star Alliance, Oneworld, BA Gold, Royal Orchid
Posts: 149
Thanks for a detailed report. Am planning a surprise 3 night visit to the Maldives with my wife to celebrate our anniversary and LUX was the one we narrowed down to...but as others have said, there are just so many to choose from and all seem to have excellent reviews.
The price and "value" is what it's coming down to. Is the All-inclusive worth it?
Also - not having a coral...is that a major downside? Understand you recommended to take the snorkeling boat.
Just as an FYI, am able to get the LUX for about US$3200 for 3 nights All Inclusive with the alcohol and the sea plane transfer from Male to the resort plus a few other goodies (night cruise, cake, bottle of sparkling wine).
Your suggestions are very welcome. Thank you.
The price and "value" is what it's coming down to. Is the All-inclusive worth it?
Also - not having a coral...is that a major downside? Understand you recommended to take the snorkeling boat.
Just as an FYI, am able to get the LUX for about US$3200 for 3 nights All Inclusive with the alcohol and the sea plane transfer from Male to the resort plus a few other goodies (night cruise, cake, bottle of sparkling wine).
Your suggestions are very welcome. Thank you.
Lux is an excellent choice! There are beautiful reefs just off the island and, as mentioned, free boat rides to different ones. The resort offers so many other things that you won't miss a house reef.
All inclusive is definitely worth it. The last thing you want is to look at the hefty prices on a menu and decide on something more affordable. Take the AI and order that champagne or pricy seafood dish. This is Paradise, spoil yourself.
The price you're getting isn't bad at all. We went in December, and I think it was a bit more...
Make bookings at the restaurants/spa before hand, as you do not want to be disappointed. I've posted all the menus in my TR so you can have a look.
I can recommend a couple's massage in one of the water parlours where you can look at the sea creatures through the glass floor while being pampered.
The a la carte restaurants are phenomenal, even the pool bar offers incredible lunches.
Look out for the yellow bikes and the "message in the bottle"!!! And enjoy!
Jul 3, 2015, 2:04 am
#68
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: Star Alliance, Oneworld, BA Gold, Royal Orchid
Posts: 149
Thanks guys! Definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth. Hopefully I'll get to see Bora Bora one day too. For me those two destinations are the cream of the crop of all beach/island destinations.
May 14, 2016, 8:50 pm
#69
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: *G, KLM Plat, Avis PC, SPG Plt, Hyt Plt
Posts: 225
Enjoyed reading this review. One gets the sense that many Maldives resorts have high ratings on TA because 1) they are the "best" on their respective islands and 2) the reviewers are typically on a one-time type trip and not necessarily seasoned travelers.
Just curious if you recall what level beach villa you stayed at. We were originally booked at the PH, but after seeing (i) the steep fees to upgrade to an over-water villa there and (ii) the shlep to get there from MLE, I decided to shop around at other higher-end places. and found what appear to be very good prices at the Lux. We have a four night stay coming up and reserved the first night in the beach pavilion for $249 (B&B) and the remaining three nights in either the Signature Pool Villa for $660 (B&B) per night or the Prestige Water Villa for $523 (B&B). All prices include taxes, but not the flight to the island.
Thoughts on which to go with? It seems the Prestige villas are more likely to have a sunset view than the Signature Pool Villas. I figured for the first night, we'd check out what the beach pavilion is like, and we're in any event only going to arrive at 5:00 at the earliest, coming off of EY 278 at 2:40pm
I gather that the domestic flight + speed boat is more of an ordeal (but $130 cheaper) than just taking their seaplane (even though they suggest the time difference is less than 15 minutes)?
Just curious if you recall what level beach villa you stayed at. We were originally booked at the PH, but after seeing (i) the steep fees to upgrade to an over-water villa there and (ii) the shlep to get there from MLE, I decided to shop around at other higher-end places. and found what appear to be very good prices at the Lux. We have a four night stay coming up and reserved the first night in the beach pavilion for $249 (B&B) and the remaining three nights in either the Signature Pool Villa for $660 (B&B) per night or the Prestige Water Villa for $523 (B&B). All prices include taxes, but not the flight to the island.
Thoughts on which to go with? It seems the Prestige villas are more likely to have a sunset view than the Signature Pool Villas. I figured for the first night, we'd check out what the beach pavilion is like, and we're in any event only going to arrive at 5:00 at the earliest, coming off of EY 278 at 2:40pm
I gather that the domestic flight + speed boat is more of an ordeal (but $130 cheaper) than just taking their seaplane (even though they suggest the time difference is less than 15 minutes)?
May 15, 2016, 9:35 am
#70
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 371
Great TR and pictures.
>>>>One ticket was full fare while the other was an award ticket booked with BA Avios.
Nice work pulling that off! Often thought about mixing paid with award for our trips but can't help but worry about handling complications that could arise (canceled flights, etc).
>>>>One ticket was full fare while the other was an award ticket booked with BA Avios.
Nice work pulling that off! Often thought about mixing paid with award for our trips but can't help but worry about handling complications that could arise (canceled flights, etc).
May 16, 2016, 2:57 am
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: Star Alliance, Oneworld, BA Gold, Royal Orchid
Posts: 149
Enjoyed reading this review. One gets the sense that many Maldives resorts have high ratings on TA because 1) they are the "best" on their respective islands and 2) the reviewers are typically on a one-time type trip and not necessarily seasoned travelers.
Just curious if you recall what level beach villa you stayed at. We were originally booked at the PH, but after seeing (i) the steep fees to upgrade to an over-water villa there and (ii) the shlep to get there from MLE, I decided to shop around at other higher-end places. and found what appear to be very good prices at the Lux. We have a four night stay coming up and reserved the first night in the beach pavilion for $249 (B&B) and the remaining three nights in either the Signature Pool Villa for $660 (B&B) per night or the Prestige Water Villa for $523 (B&B). All prices include taxes, but not the flight to the island.
Thoughts on which to go with? It seems the Prestige villas are more likely to have a sunset view than the Signature Pool Villas. I figured for the first night, we'd check out what the beach pavilion is like, and we're in any event only going to arrive at 5:00 at the earliest, coming off of EY 278 at 2:40pm
I gather that the domestic flight + speed boat is more of an ordeal (but $130 cheaper) than just taking their seaplane (even though they suggest the time difference is less than 15 minutes)?
Just curious if you recall what level beach villa you stayed at. We were originally booked at the PH, but after seeing (i) the steep fees to upgrade to an over-water villa there and (ii) the shlep to get there from MLE, I decided to shop around at other higher-end places. and found what appear to be very good prices at the Lux. We have a four night stay coming up and reserved the first night in the beach pavilion for $249 (B&B) and the remaining three nights in either the Signature Pool Villa for $660 (B&B) per night or the Prestige Water Villa for $523 (B&B). All prices include taxes, but not the flight to the island.
Thoughts on which to go with? It seems the Prestige villas are more likely to have a sunset view than the Signature Pool Villas. I figured for the first night, we'd check out what the beach pavilion is like, and we're in any event only going to arrive at 5:00 at the earliest, coming off of EY 278 at 2:40pm
I gather that the domestic flight + speed boat is more of an ordeal (but $130 cheaper) than just taking their seaplane (even though they suggest the time difference is less than 15 minutes)?
To be honest, the beach pavilions were the best choice for us (regardless of the fact that they came at a lower cost). They are central, private and have direct access to the beach with your own loungers.
Most of the time we spent our days at the two pools and their amazing restaurant/bar. Rather spend less on room rates and go for all inclusive. The food and wine is of great quality.
Lux uses Trans Maldivian Airlines, but have their own departure lounge. It's just much easier this way. It will probably cost the same if you had to organise these flights yourself. They are on the pricey side either way. Because there are so many little islands you will probably end up on the same plane if you had to book it separately as each plain does a different run.
May 16, 2016, 3:00 am
#72
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: South Africa
Programs: Star Alliance, Oneworld, BA Gold, Royal Orchid
Posts: 149
Great TR and pictures.
>>>>One ticket was full fare while the other was an award ticket booked with BA Avios.
Nice work pulling that off! Often thought about mixing paid with award for our trips but can't help but worry about handling complications that could arise (canceled flights, etc).
>>>>One ticket was full fare while the other was an award ticket booked with BA Avios.
Nice work pulling that off! Often thought about mixing paid with award for our trips but can't help but worry about handling complications that could arise (canceled flights, etc).