I want to make a quick comment about beach villa selection as I have recently arrived at the resort.
It is my opinion that the 202-252 section is superior to the 302-362 section.
Here's the map again.
https://cdn.malediven.reise/hilton-m...8d718542fd.pdf
Note that the villa numbers go in descending order from right to left on this map at least for these two sections.
The main reason you want to avoid the 302-362 section, especially any unit higher than about 316, is that they are too close to Aura Pool Bar, which is marked as 15 on the map.
Aura Pool Bar hosts DJs and sometimes live bands, might be until 10pm. It's pretty loud. Not terrible, but if your are out on your back deck, it sounds like the restaurant is next door. And even inside your villa with the doors closed you'll be able to hear the music. Probably not enough to keep anyone but the lightest of sleepers awake though.
I do feel bad for anyone who plunked down $1500+ a night and got assigned a villa like 362, 360, or 358 right next to Aura on nights when they had DJs or live music.
I'm surprised no one has commented on this here before.
Both sections have an unattractive island on the horizon, and it fills the horizon in the 202-252 section vs. taking up half the horizon in the 302-362 section.
The 202-252 section just feels more "private" to me because it has less of a horseshoe shaped arc. In the 302-362 section there are more villas packed into a similar diameter of beach by virture of the pronounced horseshoe effect that makes it feel like the villas to your left when facing the beach and the restaurant to your right are kind of on top of you.
If I were to request a villa now that I've seen the place, I'd definitely request 202-252 and probably right in the 202-212 range.
There were comments in this thread to avoid 202 and 204 due to erosion, dredging, a big drop off in the sand walking from your villa to the surf, etc. I walked that area of the beach and the "drop" on the beach is minimal, and no dredger to be seen, suggesting that they have completed the dredging and restoration of this section.
I saw that someone here gave a critical review of 220 because of staff quarters across the road right behind it. I'm wondering if that was a one off experience, I can't believe the staff is permitted to be loud and disruptive, but feel free to ask to avoid that one.