tonyhartphoto

Thanks for the photographs of the upgraded Beach Villas. Very interested to see these as we're staying in a Beach Villa during our honeymoon this August.

Any idea what sort of pace they're getting through the refurbishments or what order they're doing them in? I'd be interested to know whether we're likely to have an old or new version of the villa!

MaldivesFreak

For that kind of info it would be best to ask the Director of Rooms. Now that Karin is no longer in that position and has moved on from Rangali, you could send an email to Amjad Ali (Executive Housekeeper). He'd know for sure. If you need his email address I can PM it to you.

Whatever you do, don't waste your time emailing General Enquiries (which is in the Wiki). They will almost surely give you some useless, generic answer.

tangey

Currently, several of the beach villas in the 100 range nearest the bridge are being upgraded and are out of action, with the beach in that area blocked off At both ends.

I guess during the time of the renovations, 6 or so villas will be unavailable at any given time, which will result in reduced availability, and might in particular mean that redemptions could be harder to come by.

We are having fabulous weather since we arrived on the 1st of June. Unbroken sunshine and zero rain. Monsoon hasn't arrived here and has been expected.

Having said that I was told that 2 weeks ago, there was nonstop rain for 5 days.

MaldivesFreak

Nice to see you're having great weather, tangey!

And I have updated the Erosion post with your pics. Cheers!
Click here to view post.

Yuff

When we looked around the RWV, we were told they are exactly the same but the massage beds haven't been removed from the 2nd bedroom.

MaldivesFreak

Oh, damn. Sorry! I was half asleep and somehow thought you were referring to the PWV! Yes, they are exactly the same save for the massage beds replaced with 2 small beds in the FWVs. The beds face the main room, whereas the massage beds face the ocean.

Braswch

You are forgetting too that the beds in the FWV that replace the massage tables are made out of solid gold.

Rangali

Thank you tangey for the photos and comments - appreciated.

Would you be able to confirm if the renovation will also be extended to the deluxe beach villas? If so, are the staff sharing information regarding when that might occur?

Enjoy your stay!

tangey

Haven't heard about renovations to deluxe. I haven't any experience of those villas, but assuming they are decorated similarly to the standard villas, you'd imagine they would intend to do those too.

Also, looking back on the boat to vilu, it appears more like 10-12 villas are currently unavailable, not the 6 or so I said previously. (Roughly half the beach is blocked off)

A life guard station now exists roughly in the 220 area. Apparently they started this service beginning of May, and there is mostly a guy there, he sometimes wanders off, but returns some minutes later.

MaldivesFreak

Right, hence the $400 - $600 price difference between them!

tangey

Update....phase 2 is deluxe villa upgrade. I don't know if this starts immediately after phase 1.

MaldivesFreak

I suppose when nature calls he can't hang around.

Probably why there's nothing cheaper than 15% off BAR online thesedays. Must be trying to recoup the loss in revenue. I'll share a quote I got last week. At the end of last month I looked online for this July / August and there wasn't a lot of availability for a 7-night stay. A couple days later I sent an email to Moli asking her what dates they had available for a 7-night stay in a BV or a WV, preferably a WV and at the end of either month. This is what I got as a reply. Note my text in blue.

Moli is on holiday for a month so I'm not sure if this had an effect on the quote but I did make it a point to mention we are multiple returning guests but, as you can see, absolutely no discount whatsoever and limited availability (only WV) for a 7-night stay.

Rangali

Thanks Tangey, appreciated.

sam_goh

On property now for the last 3 nights. No upgrade from a BV. Property is sold out online and 90%+ occupancy.

Weather has been a bit windy but we are enjoying the stay.

happydude

Saw some comments here about the renovations. Currently on property and this is what I was told. 18 beach villas are currently under construction for upgrade. When walking around the property it appears to be the ones in the range of around 101-119(?). We had issues with ac in first beach villa in the 120s and were moved to 201 after the first night. I was told it was the only upgraded beach villa available for occupancy. Just checked out of that room. I will post pictures when I return from my trip, but that new beach villa was far superior to current ones. After staying in that room I do not think I could go back to the old beach villa. We will be moving into the water villas later today. Was also told that deluxe beach villas were next however plans have not yet been approved.