[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Apr 18, 2017, 3:05 pm
#4186
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
You'd rather pay 2.7% more in cash to earn 2 more points per dollar spent on hilton spend?
That means you're paying 1.35 cents out of pocket for a hilton point which is a TERRIBLE rate.
That means you're paying 1.35 cents out of pocket for a hilton point which is a TERRIBLE rate.
Apr 19, 2017, 12:10 am
#4187
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: points traveller
Posts: 329
I just got an alert that a Beach Villa can be reserved for US$370 tax included on the dates I'll be there. Kind of drops the value of the massive amount of points used, but I wonder if there's a catch, like you book (it's through Orbitz) and find out your gold status isn't recognized.
Apr 19, 2017, 12:15 am
#4188
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
I just got an alert that a Beach Villa can be reserved for US$370 tax included on the dates I'll be there. Kind of drops the value of the massive amount of points used, but I wonder if there's a catch, like you book (it's through Orbitz) and find out your gold status isn't recognized.
Apr 19, 2017, 12:54 am
#4189
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
@MaldivesFreak now that I've booked a DWV, I had a question about the current that you've mentioned around the end units. We would like to do some snorkeling but you've got me worried about how strong the current is. We know how to swim but I guess it's all relative to how strong the current will be. Any more info on this or should we avoid going into the water from our deck? Thanks.
Apr 19, 2017, 8:35 am
#4190
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
I've not seen a current inside the outer reef that is "knock your socks off" strong, but it may pull you around the other units and it would be easy to stand up to get out of it.
My suggestion is for the strongest swimmer to get in and see how it feels because swimming skill is too relative!
Just a couple of months back I had to rescue a foreign couple out of a flooded waterhole (in AU) so my swimming is relatively strong. It's very subjective!
My suggestion is for the strongest swimmer to get in and see how it feels because swimming skill is too relative!
Just a couple of months back I had to rescue a foreign couple out of a flooded waterhole (in AU) so my swimming is relatively strong. It's very subjective!
Apr 19, 2017, 9:28 am
#4191
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
I've not encountered a really strong current in the lagoon either. Perhaps it's best to avoid swimming in strong winds if you want a weaker current.
Apr 19, 2017, 9:35 am
#4192
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
Best advice is go in from the shore, and swim/float on the surface where you can easily stand to test the current. If it's pulling you somewhere, assess whether you can easily push against it and make a judgement call.
It's all pretty good around there in my opinion, until you go quite a lot further out.
Apr 19, 2017, 10:15 am
#4193
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
I've not seen a current inside the outer reef that is "knock your socks off" strong, but it may pull you around the other units and it would be easy to stand up to get out of it.
My suggestion is for the strongest swimmer to get in and see how it feels because swimming skill is too relative!
Just a couple of months back I had to rescue a foreign couple out of a flooded waterhole (in AU) so my swimming is relatively strong. It's very subjective!
My suggestion is for the strongest swimmer to get in and see how it feels because swimming skill is too relative!
Just a couple of months back I had to rescue a foreign couple out of a flooded waterhole (in AU) so my swimming is relatively strong. It's very subjective!
Winds don't have anything to do with current tbh. They affect swell (waves/chop) but current is mostly invisible. It's part of the reason it's so dangerous.
Best advice is go in from the shore, and swim/float on the surface where you can easily stand to test the current. If it's pulling you somewhere, assess whether you can easily push against it and make a judgement call.
It's all pretty good around there in my opinion, until you go quite a lot further out.
Best advice is go in from the shore, and swim/float on the surface where you can easily stand to test the current. If it's pulling you somewhere, assess whether you can easily push against it and make a judgement call.
It's all pretty good around there in my opinion, until you go quite a lot further out.
Thanks for the information friends.
Apr 19, 2017, 10:46 am
#4194
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
So I didn't see this in the wiki, but is there a list of essential items to bring with you to the Maldives, for example like a gopro, maybe a wetsuit shirt, reefshoes, etc. Just curious if there is anything that enhanced your stays. Thanks.
Last edited by thefiverivers; Apr 19, 2017 at 10:59 am
Apr 19, 2017, 12:07 pm
#4195
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,340
As a follow up, and as I discussed with SR over in the comments here... https://thepointsguy.com/2017/04/st-regis-maldives-vs-park-hyatt/
...
I certainly didnt feel there was any point to snorkeling off my DWV. The area around it is mostly sand, and correct me if Im wrong, but the house reef is on the other island. Has anyone had a different experience?
Regardless, loved my DWV while there, did see some squid in the water from the jetty.
...
I certainly didnt feel there was any point to snorkeling off my DWV. The area around it is mostly sand, and correct me if Im wrong, but the house reef is on the other island. Has anyone had a different experience?
Regardless, loved my DWV while there, did see some squid in the water from the jetty.
Apr 19, 2017, 12:17 pm
#4196
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
There is only a little snorkelling off from that side. You can find a few lion fish nests, some fish too big for the depth etc.
Much prefer the other side with the house reef.
Much prefer the other side with the house reef.
Apr 19, 2017, 10:46 pm
#4198
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: HOME
Programs: HH Dia;SPG Plat;Marriott Plat;GHA Black
Posts: 335
so a quick (and rather silly) question, If I'm not planning to do any snorkeling, is it still worth it to spend 5 days here? Is there any more stuff to do beside snorkeling (and sleeping and eating) ?
Apr 19, 2017, 11:51 pm
#4199
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Apr 19, 2017, 11:57 pm
#4200
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Erm, thanks. As you can see I don't know much about the water. Perhaps it would be better to say that swimming in windy conditions there would be even harder because of the chop.