[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Jul 25, 2017, 7:51 pm
#4726
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
I waded in to this debate a couple months ago. I left $5 USD at each of breakfast, tea and happy hour (bartender as I was seated at the bar so there was no server). I seem to be the exception as I hardly saw anyone else leave anything.
Jul 25, 2017, 7:54 pm
#4727
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
No tipping required, it's not the USA and there is a significant service charge levied which actually goes to the staff I believe.
On the other hand, if you get exceptional service you will not offend anyone if you do happen to tip.
On the other hand, if you get exceptional service you will not offend anyone if you do happen to tip.
Jul 25, 2017, 8:04 pm
#4728
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
there isn't a service charge when your bill is 0
Jul 25, 2017, 8:54 pm
#4729
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
It's pooled and shared, as the bill from the gardeners etc is also 0.
Jul 25, 2017, 9:14 pm
#4730
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 322
I think you wouldn't see many people tipping... most things are charged to the room and there is a tip line on every bill.
Jul 25, 2017, 9:18 pm
#4731
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
LOL! Basically you've spent enough money with Hilton to get Gold or Diamond (well, that's the theory anyway) so you've earned your 'completely free'* afternoon tea and drinks. And, like Cynicor says, the staff get tips evenly dispersed via the 10% service charge which is slapped onto everything. And this is in addition to their monthly salary which, as far as the Maldives goes, is pretty high already, so no-one loses out.
* Remember that companies build their 'distributed free stuff' into the price of their goods and services so really, you've already paid for it even though they are advertising it as 'free'. Ever heard the expression "there's no such thing as a free lunch".....
* Remember that companies build their 'distributed free stuff' into the price of their goods and services so really, you've already paid for it even though they are advertising it as 'free'. Ever heard the expression "there's no such thing as a free lunch".....
Jul 25, 2017, 9:19 pm
#4732
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 462
Thanks all regarding tipping. I certainly won't be for items that cost something due to service charge but may leave a few dollars here and there for exemplary service at $0 breakfast, tea, or happy hour (especially if the drinks are flowing fast!)
Jul 25, 2017, 10:32 pm
#4733
Company Representative, Milaidhoo Maldives
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Baa Atoll, The Maldives
Posts: 27
Nowadays your checked-in luggage is x-rayed before it's put on the luggage belt for you to collect and anything that customs want to look at will come with a tag on it that you need to go to customs.
We were discussing hand luggage. Because until recently this wasn't x-rayed anymore (although now it is - between immigration and the luggage carousel) one of the other posters was asking whether it was possible to bring in alcohol in hand luggage.
Kat
Jul 26, 2017, 3:28 pm
#4734
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: 17,421
Regarding the date thing, I didn't find it too hard to figure out. Then again I lived in Asia for 2 years and that's how they do dates there too.
Related to the alcohol issue, what are the restrictions for bringing food in? Not that I'm aiming to take up my luggage weight allowance with pounds of watermelon, but is it ok to bring packaged snacks like Snickers bars, crackers, etc? Would it be a issue if I had a few?
Related to the alcohol issue, what are the restrictions for bringing food in? Not that I'm aiming to take up my luggage weight allowance with pounds of watermelon, but is it ok to bring packaged snacks like Snickers bars, crackers, etc? Would it be a issue if I had a few?
Jul 26, 2017, 3:58 pm
#4735
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
Related to the alcohol issue, what are the restrictions for bringing food in? Not that I'm aiming to take up my luggage weight allowance with pounds of watermelon, but is it ok to bring packaged snacks like Snickers bars, crackers, etc? Would it be a issue if I had a few?
Jul 27, 2017, 9:40 am
#4736
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
....never mind
Jul 27, 2017, 10:52 am
#4737
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Booking times for Sunset Grill
Originally Posted by lizs
Just for reference I heard back on Sunset Grill and was told "Sunset grill is available at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and from 8pm onwards." So I booked at 6:30. Sounds like that may be a bit earlier than it has been previously.
Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak
Could you and lizs please clarify the situation, especially pertaining to bookings being able to be made for 6:30. TIA.
Jul 27, 2017, 1:21 pm
#4738
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: United Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 988
I booked Sunset Grill at 6:30 when I was there 2-3 weeks ago.
Jul 27, 2017, 4:28 pm
#4739
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Preparing to fly out to Male this morning 
Had awesome crab at Ministry of Crab here in Colombo, Sri Lanka last night so don't know how CMRI will better that
Had awesome crab at Ministry of Crab here in Colombo, Sri Lanka last night so don't know how CMRI will better that
Jul 27, 2017, 6:45 pm
#4740
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Awaiting my flight now in CMB and noticed something interesting to my reservations or maybe I am reading too much into this;
I am there for 7 nights; originally confirmed the first 3 nights upgrade to SWV then 4 back to the original BV. Now my bookings show that the first 3 nights is in a DBV and last 4 nights in the SWV.
Not sure how to deal with it if the new bookings "stick" ... I mean I didnt actually agree to an extra paid night in a SWV
nor did I agree for it to be switched around ... we shall find out very soon. Hopefully all my upgrades are comped *fingers crossed* hehe
I am there for 7 nights; originally confirmed the first 3 nights upgrade to SWV then 4 back to the original BV. Now my bookings show that the first 3 nights is in a DBV and last 4 nights in the SWV.
Not sure how to deal with it if the new bookings "stick" ... I mean I didnt actually agree to an extra paid night in a SWV
nor did I agree for it to be switched around ... we shall find out very soon. Hopefully all my upgrades are comped *fingers crossed* hehe