Originally Posted by
friedablass
Can't wait to hear more!
How did you transfer from STR? Did you somehow do a private direct transfer? Or did you return to MLE by sea plane and then take a domestic flight plus speedboat to PH?
I've read such wonderful things about this property and would love to come but the longer than usual transfer to PH (flight plus boat after already flying to MLE for 21+ hours) is the only thing deterring me and I'm wondering if I'm just totally wrong in letting myself be influenced by that.
I know speedboat/ yacht transfers are easiest but that obviously will have an impact on the remoteness and natural beauty of the island as well as its sea life all of which are very important to us. So perhaps I'm wrong to be put off by what I look at as a less than stellar transfer option of PH.
We took the long way and did seaplane back to Male and then standard transfer to P.H. We were quoted 15K for the trip on Norma, and decided against it. (A relatives choice to make: wife and I couldn't afford that to begin with).
I've said it before, but this really is the essence of the Maldives. St. Regis and W.A are top-notch, and the villas are awesome, but the villas just don't "make" the vacation.
Villa here are clean and spacious (for couples), they're not the most up-to-date, but they work. They're plenty private (with the exception of a couple pool villas near the arrival jetty).
Less tech in the rooms also meant less maintenance. We had maintenance in our room at St. Regis every other day.
Anyway, I digress.
I loved our time at the other resorts, and would never shy away from a split stay, but this is the place to go first and foremost. I might sway just slightly from that recommendation if you're a family and not just a couple. By the nature of what it is, Conrad is slightly better suited for families.