[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Jun 6, 2017, 11:53 am
#4426
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
We've done just that twice. The first time it was 4N BV then 3N SWV (as we had never done a BV before), then the other way round the second time as the OW experience is awesome and SWVs are perfect for us since we like the unadulterated view coupled with sunset.
I suppose there are two things to consider;
1. If you've never done OWB before then you might want to choose slightly longer in the SWV. This is especially true for you since your stay is very short. You really want to maximize the time over the water.
2. If you were doing DBV >> SWV it would be a harder choice. Not that the standard BVs are not nice it's just that the amount of space you get plus the pool makes you really want to keep staying in the DBV.
Two nights is definitely not enough in a SWV IMHO. But then again I'm of the opinion that 7 nights isn't enough either, heh. My advice is yes, take the 3rd night in the SWV and leave the first 2 in the BV. You won't regret it!
Sorry, I can't remember if you've mentioned it already but is this the first time to the Maldives? And have you stayed in an OWB/OWV before?
I suppose there are two things to consider;
1. If you've never done OWB before then you might want to choose slightly longer in the SWV. This is especially true for you since your stay is very short. You really want to maximize the time over the water.
2. If you were doing DBV >> SWV it would be a harder choice. Not that the standard BVs are not nice it's just that the amount of space you get plus the pool makes you really want to keep staying in the DBV.
Two nights is definitely not enough in a SWV IMHO. But then again I'm of the opinion that 7 nights isn't enough either, heh. My advice is yes, take the 3rd night in the SWV and leave the first 2 in the BV. You won't regret it!
Sorry, I can't remember if you've mentioned it already but is this the first time to the Maldives? And have you stayed in an OWB/OWV before?
Jun 6, 2017, 12:06 pm
#4427
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Over Water Bungalow. Hope you have a fantastic time! Did you check out my post on which SWV to ask for?
Jun 6, 2017, 3:37 pm
#4429
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 211
So... with regards to the "Overnight stay in Malé - Resort Booking Service"
Has anyone used this service? When Conrad book the hotel on behalf of you, can you actually settle the bill to Conrad?
Has anyone used this service? When Conrad book the hotel on behalf of you, can you actually settle the bill to Conrad?
Jun 6, 2017, 4:48 pm
#4430
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Yes. Have added that to the wiki.
Jun 7, 2017, 7:05 am
#4431
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 6
Hey I just checked in yesterday and am here through the 15th. We're having our honeymoon dinner tonight, and a couples massage tomorrow during tea/cocktail time, but let me know if you are around to meet up otherwise!
We are in a BV for the next 3 nights, and I had already paid to upgrade to a WV after that but they upgraded us (for free) to a Retreat WV for our honeymoon!
We are in a BV for the next 3 nights, and I had already paid to upgrade to a WV after that but they upgraded us (for free) to a Retreat WV for our honeymoon!
Jun 7, 2017, 2:35 pm
#4432
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 17
I recommend you just contact the Hotel about the 3rd child.
Jun 7, 2017, 4:56 pm
#4433
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Can someone tell me if the resort have any floating noodles for buoyancy whilst snorkeling? TIA 
Jun 7, 2017, 6:03 pm
#4435
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Hi I booked mine with 2 adults and 1 kid, without additional charge. Even if 2 kids is still the same points (76000 per night for 5 nights). But if I bumped that to 3 kids it will ask me to stay in a suite and with ridiculous amount of points being charged.
I recommend you just contact the Hotel about the 3rd child.
I recommend you just contact the Hotel about the 3rd child.
Jun 7, 2017, 6:37 pm
#4436
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Jun 7, 2017, 11:00 pm
#4437
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
The only thing they have resembling a noodle is on their excursion boat(s). When you do the Deserted Island Picnic excursion for example they have them so they can have 2 people hold on to them while they drag you through the water from the anchored boat towards the island. Primarily used for weak swimmers and kids who just want to look at the marine life and coral while relaxing at the same time.
As mentioned above, I think they don't have them to prevent them floating out into the ocean and polluting it even further.
As mentioned above, I think they don't have them to prevent them floating out into the ocean and polluting it even further.
Jun 8, 2017, 3:04 am
#4438
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
The hotel website said you can see manta rays under the bridge connecting 2 islands between Nov-Apr. Would it be too late, or lesser chance to see them, in the second half of April? Better luck to see in March instead? Do the manta rays come by themselves during the day? Or is it only during the night when light is shined to attract them?
In general, what is the best month you recommend to visit if my timing for this trip is flexible? No plans to do it over xmas/new year, but will the hotel be crowded during Easter period? (I would think European tourists are more likely to go on vacation, if anything, rather than North Americans, since the former have extended holidays during this time) I know dry season is supposed to be Nov-Apr, so I guess I should visit in these months to be on a safer side. My initial plan is to visit in April, because I heard the water visibility in this month is good / better, though it is super hot. Is there a month where water clarity is good but not too hot? I dont know how much less hot it can be when it is in tropical region anyway. I am not a diver, but I like to snorkel. To me, I would be disappointed if I cannot see much while underwater.
In general, what is the best month you recommend to visit if my timing for this trip is flexible? No plans to do it over xmas/new year, but will the hotel be crowded during Easter period? (I would think European tourists are more likely to go on vacation, if anything, rather than North Americans, since the former have extended holidays during this time) I know dry season is supposed to be Nov-Apr, so I guess I should visit in these months to be on a safer side. My initial plan is to visit in April, because I heard the water visibility in this month is good / better, though it is super hot. Is there a month where water clarity is good but not too hot? I dont know how much less hot it can be when it is in tropical region anyway. I am not a diver, but I like to snorkel. To me, I would be disappointed if I cannot see much while underwater.
Last edited by gnomey; Jun 8, 2017 at 3:10 am
Jun 8, 2017, 12:01 pm
#4439
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Have you looked at the weather charts? There's no 'hot' time of the year. It's steady with an on average and very minimal 3-4 degree variance in daytime temperature.
Jun 8, 2017, 12:18 pm
#4440
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
Hard to say. Better in March.
February or January.
Yes, but it's never crowded even at 100% occupancy.....and it's at near 100% occupancy more than you'd think, i.e; most of the time!
Have you looked at the weather charts? There's no 'hot' time of the year. It's steady with an on average and very minimal 3-4 degree variance in daytime temperature.
February or January.
Yes, but it's never crowded even at 100% occupancy.....and it's at near 100% occupancy more than you'd think, i.e; most of the time!
Have you looked at the weather charts? There's no 'hot' time of the year. It's steady with an on average and very minimal 3-4 degree variance in daytime temperature.
Thanks - will keep February in mind.
Yes, that's what I thought to. I was at StR BB recently and supposedly the hotel is at full capacity, but I actually felt it is quite deserted
Agree, I thought the temperature should be relatively constant since this is a tropical country near the equator. So not sure why some articles write it as X months are hotter. Maybe what they meant is less wind / rain to cool the place down.