[ARCHIVE to 2013] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Sep 9, 2013, 1:03 am
#6481
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
PS: I'm super impressed that the resort lets the staff enjoy the beauty of Rangali on their off days. A lot of other resorts don't allow this but the Conrad does. They treat their staff really well and it shows; the result is they love their jobs and you as a guest get a better experience. A testament to the fact that it always pays to be forward thinking in business...
Sep 9, 2013, 3:00 am
#6482
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
Jonjparr - sounds like you and your wife are having a dream holiday ^
BA CW is great, isn't it? We sat in the same seats as you - 1EF. I found the crew brilliant also.
I'm getting hungry now thinking about Sunset Grill! Mmmm. Definitely was our fav restaurant on the island.
BA CW is great, isn't it? We sat in the same seats as you - 1EF. I found the crew brilliant also.
I'm getting hungry now thinking about Sunset Grill! Mmmm. Definitely was our fav restaurant on the island.
Sep 9, 2013, 4:53 am
#6483
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Base: OHIO, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC Elite, UA Gold
Posts: 185
I can only apologise to the manager of Sunset for keeping Yasir (Rona) talking for 40 minutes but it's lovely to get to know the staff. Life in the Maldives fascinates me and getting it firsthand from a Maldivian is brill.
Yesterday was spent soaking up the sun (feeling that now despite the factor 50+) on our deck reading our Kindles and in the afternoon at the main pool.
Just time just for a quick shower at the Conrad lounge, a change of clothes and a drink before we boarded the seaplane. Super efficient from start to finish.
Yesterday was spent soaking up the sun (feeling that now despite the factor 50+) on our deck reading our Kindles and in the afternoon at the main pool.
Just time just for a quick shower at the Conrad lounge, a change of clothes and a drink before we boarded the seaplane. Super efficient from start to finish.
Also good to know about the 50+ SPF still doesn't quite cut it. My german/irish skin prefer's 50 to 100 (which I can only buy in Florida). I'll have to warn the other half that prefer's 30 or below.
I'm hoping to grab a shower in the Conrad lounge too. I bet it feels wonderful after a long flight.
Have a great time! Can't wait to hear about the next villa!
Sep 9, 2013, 4:58 am
#6484
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Base: OHIO, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC Elite, UA Gold
Posts: 185
Outbound: (United Economy, cash, no status) FLL - IAH, (Singapore Business Saver Award) IAH - DME - SIN - <16 hour stop, will check out Singapore> - MLE
<Conrad Maldives for 16 nights>
(Emirates Business, cash) MLE-CMB
<Hilton Colombo for 2 nights>
(Singapore Business, Saver Award) CMB-SIN-<16 hour stop, will check out Singapore>-HKG-SFO-<overnight stay at Doubletree SFO>-(Delta Economy, Cash, hoping for upgrade)SFO-ATL-FLL
<Conrad Maldives for 16 nights>
(Emirates Business, cash) MLE-CMB
<Hilton Colombo for 2 nights>
(Singapore Business, Saver Award) CMB-SIN-<16 hour stop, will check out Singapore>-HKG-SFO-<overnight stay at Doubletree SFO>-(Delta Economy, Cash, hoping for upgrade)SFO-ATL-FLL
Sep 9, 2013, 5:02 am
#6485
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
Nice to hear from you! Was wondering over the weekend how it was going. Me and my partner are just like you....we will be talking the staff ear off.
Also good to know about the 50+ SPF still doesn't quite cut it. My german/irish skin prefer's 50 to 100 (which I can only buy in Florida). I'll have to warn the other half that prefer's 30 or below.
I'm hoping to grab a shower in the Conrad lounge too. I bet it feels wonderful after a long flight.
Have a great time! Can't wait to hear about the next villa!
Also good to know about the 50+ SPF still doesn't quite cut it. My german/irish skin prefer's 50 to 100 (which I can only buy in Florida). I'll have to warn the other half that prefer's 30 or below.
I'm hoping to grab a shower in the Conrad lounge too. I bet it feels wonderful after a long flight.
Have a great time! Can't wait to hear about the next villa!
Sep 9, 2013, 6:32 am
#6486
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum+Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Delta Plat, United Silver, AX Biz Cent
Posts: 705
With the (work) stress load I've had for the last couple of years, I have very little desire for an action-packed trip, and a few weeks of just pure unwind seems like it is the best way to spend it.
Also, this trip is a honeymoon, so the goal is to spend a bit more time occupied in other ways.
Yes the food/excursions are pricey, but I figure with the total cost of airfare and lodging near zero thanks to awards, the budget for excursions can be somewhat liberal.
Sep 9, 2013, 6:43 am
#6487
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Base: OHIO, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC Elite, UA Gold
Posts: 185
Regarding SPF50, I found it completely adequate. I would be very pale and wore SPF50 and didn't burn, but then again I don't sunbathe for hours on end, but when I was out snorkelling, etc I was fine with 50. Personally, I think anything below 30 is a bad idea because the sun is HOT in the Maldives. So I would suggest that your other half wears 50 at least during the midday sun and if they like, drop down to 30 in late afternoon. Otherwise they may be like a shiny red lobster at the end of the day!
Sep 9, 2013, 7:03 am
#6488
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
Glad to hear you are ok now ^So long as you have factor 50 and do the usual recommendations: wear a hat, cover up, wear a rash vest while snorkelling, stay in the shade, etc. I found the sun over there so hot but then again you are at the Equator. They say it's 29/30 degrees but it feels way hotter than that in my opinion, a some of the staff said the same. Maybe you are best buying a couple of higher SPF bottles to be on the safe side though given what you've been through ...
I wouldn't be a sun worshipper myself so I just put myself under an umbrella with the Kindle
and I'd have tons of factor 50 rubbed on. Mr Pineapple always is amused at the amount of suncream I put on because I do go a little OTT but I'd rather put on a little too much than put on too little and get burned! And I love beach / relax vacations too, even if I'm in the shade all day!When do you depart for paradise?
Sep 9, 2013, 7:10 am
#6489
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
Yeah, all that was considered. I've never done a trip like this before, usually the goal of my trip is to explore/do things (last trip was 2 weeks on the Big Island of Hawaii, doing lots of hiking, off roading, etc). As much as I enjoyed that trip (and I did enjoy it a lot), I felt like I needed a vacation from the vacation from all of the action.
With the (work) stress load I've had for the last couple of years, I have very little desire for an action-packed trip, and a few weeks of just pure unwind seems like it is the best way to spend it.
Also, this trip is a honeymoon, so the goal is to spend a bit more time occupied in other ways.
Yes the food/excursions are pricey, but I figure with the total cost of airfare and lodging near zero thanks to awards, the budget for excursions can be somewhat liberal.
With the (work) stress load I've had for the last couple of years, I have very little desire for an action-packed trip, and a few weeks of just pure unwind seems like it is the best way to spend it.
Also, this trip is a honeymoon, so the goal is to spend a bit more time occupied in other ways.
Yes the food/excursions are pricey, but I figure with the total cost of airfare and lodging near zero thanks to awards, the budget for excursions can be somewhat liberal.
^
Sep 9, 2013, 7:22 am
#6490
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
i just got back from park hyatt where we spent 6 days, three of which were grey/overcast/raining, and i was wearing factor 100, and still came back as red as a lobster
i think the problem is though i like to stand on the dhoni roof when doing the dive trips so even though i have f100 on the wind and direct exposure gets me and my white british skin so easily
16 days has me jealous. looking forward to our 7 here only 6 months away now, and finally a chance to compare with ph (where we are now up to 24 nights total)
i think the problem is though i like to stand on the dhoni roof when doing the dive trips so even though i have f100 on the wind and direct exposure gets me and my white british skin so easily
16 days has me jealous. looking forward to our 7 here only 6 months away now, and finally a chance to compare with ph (where we are now up to 24 nights total)
Sep 9, 2013, 7:28 am
#6491
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
i just got back from park hyatt where we spent 6 days, three of which were grey/overcast/raining, and i was wearing factor 100, and still came back as red as a lobster
i think the problem is though i like to stand on the dhoni roof when doing the dive trips so even though i have f100 on the wind and direct exposure gets me and my white british skin so easily
16 days has me jealous. looking forward to our 7 here only 6 months away now, and finally a chance to compare with ph (where we are now up to 24 nights total)
i think the problem is though i like to stand on the dhoni roof when doing the dive trips so even though i have f100 on the wind and direct exposure gets me and my white british skin so easily
16 days has me jealous. looking forward to our 7 here only 6 months away now, and finally a chance to compare with ph (where we are now up to 24 nights total)
And yes, I think the problem would be standing on the dhoni roof
I have heard though that anything above factor 50 doesn't provide much additional protection - 100 isn't double the protection of 50.
Sep 9, 2013, 8:27 am
#6492
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Base: OHIO, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC Elite, UA Gold
Posts: 185
I leave on Oct 31st, but don't get to CM until Nov. 6th. I think about it now, seemingly every 10 minutes. LOL
As for the skin cancer....it took a toll on me mentally. I lost about 1/4 of my ear and had to go through plastic surgery to repair. It's hard to tell I had anything done, but I have zero feeling in my right ear. Lesson learned.
As for the skin cancer....it took a toll on me mentally. I lost about 1/4 of my ear and had to go through plastic surgery to repair. It's hard to tell I had anything done, but I have zero feeling in my right ear. Lesson learned.
Sep 9, 2013, 8:33 am
#6493
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,565
Wow, sorry to hear you've gone through skin cancer Glad to hear you are ok now ^
So long as you have factor 50 and do the usual recommendations: wear a hat, cover up, wear a rash vest while snorkelling, stay in the shade, etc. I found the sun over there so hot but then again you are at the Equator. They say it's 29/30 degrees but it feels way hotter than that in my opinion, a some of the staff said the same. Maybe you are best buying a couple of higher SPF bottles to be on the safe side though given what you've been through ...
?
Glad to hear you are ok now ^So long as you have factor 50 and do the usual recommendations: wear a hat, cover up, wear a rash vest while snorkelling, stay in the shade, etc. I found the sun over there so hot but then again you are at the Equator. They say it's 29/30 degrees but it feels way hotter than that in my opinion, a some of the staff said the same. Maybe you are best buying a couple of higher SPF bottles to be on the safe side though given what you've been through ...
?
Sep 9, 2013, 8:36 am
#6495
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: *G, SPG, OW Sapphire
Posts: 2,565
http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/high...re-they-better
The key is applying it early and reapplying it often, especially after any water activities.