FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton {MDV}

Oct 28, 2019 | 4:18 am

#43

Expatbear

Join Date: May 2007

Location: London, UK and Occitanie, France

Programs: BAEC Gold

Posts: 525

So... after a one-night stay at the SAii Lagoon Maldives, I can report the following:

First impressions were not great. There was no one waiting for us in the domestic arrivals, so we went on walkabout to find someone. After arriving at the information desk in the international terminal, the info person phoned and about the same time someone walked over and found us. He asked us to wait for a few minutes for "some other guests". Turned out it was about 50 other people and a wait of 20 minutes.

The "15 minute speedboat transfer" turned out to be a large passenger ferry seating 100 people that took just shy of half hour to get to crossroads.

When we docked at the marina, us and about 8 or ten other folks got off and into golf buggies from SAii. They drove us the 300 metres or so into the resort, where we were met by staff members for checkin as you might expect from a resort. Iced tea, cold towels, etc. A manger introduced himself and explained the "concept" and mentioned that SAii are owned by the same company that owns Singha beer.

We were checked in and then driven to our room. I had booked the least expensive room available, a Sky King. We were at the far end of the resort, just next to the overwater villas. The view was away from Male, and it was clear sea - no trash island in sight. Just beach and sea, really lovely. Photos of the room attached. If I went again I would be very happy with this room. The only downside was that the lower level rooms have direct beach access from the sliding door patio, and our room had just the patio- you had to walk outside and downstairs to the beach. The view was lovely though.

When we arrived we were given wristbands which were supposed to work on the door - they didn't. When we got to the room, the TV message was welcoming another guest. I pointed out - but the check in person ignored it and then waved it away.

There was no "welcome bottle of wine" as a gold member. I asked about this over lunch and again on checkout - apologies and fuss but nothing ever appeared. Finally at checkout I was offered two glasses of bubbly with breakfast. I said no thanks - not at 6:45 am.

The Mr Tom Yam menu looked really unappealing. I assume someone must imagine it's a good idea but it looked really not great. We left after looking at the menu and had lunch at the main restaurant - actually a delicious mezze spread and shared an aubergine parmigiana which was lovely.

After a drenching rain the sun came out again so we had a couple of hours on the beach, then moved over to the pool bar for happy hour. The bartender was a friendly South African chap who said it was his second shift at the property. He said the happy hour special included "everything but top shelf" - so we ordered our first round off the menu and then the second round of just a couple of pina coladas. When we asked for the bill, he said "nope, all on the house for happy hour! have a good evening!" We tipped him some cash as we left.

We were due to go for dinner at the crossroads "Kebab and Curry" restaurant, but lunch had been so abundant and we were tired so we walked back via the beach, read in the room and had an early night. Which was just as well, as we had an 0545 wake up call the next morning.

After being told that the breakfast opened at 6, we arranged a luggage collection at 0615. The chap collected the luggage and then offered us a ride to the front desk. He processed the check-out and then we waited for ten minutes for breakfast to open. It was quite a spread, and all very fresh and lovely. There was a self-service coffee machine which poured an acceptable flat white, so that was me sorted. The front desk chap came to collect us at 6:50 for the buggy ride over to crossroads for our 0700 speedboat departure. Seeing we were still finishing our breakfast, he said "it's ok, take your time... another 5-7 minutes!" That was fine, about what we needed to finish up. We did so, walked out, jumped on the buggy, and zoomed over to the waiting speedboat. We were the only passengers, which this time felt quite wasteful but made for a nice morning trip. This time it really was fifteen minutes from crossroads to the terminal. Nicest early morning airport transfer I've ever had.

The resort felt very quiet - and this was confirmed by the chap who checked us out, who said it was running about 26% occupancy at the moment. I see they are not worried about lowering their room rates or their redemption rates to draw people in as such!

All told, if you are able to get a decent rate from them, I would say it's probably worth it. It was a pleasant property, nice view (on our side anyway- I didn't go on the beach on the Male side). I am not sure I'd want it for a week, but then I'm not sure that's really my bag, so...

Enjoy!