[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Sep 18, 2017, 10:45 pm
#5011
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
My 26-part report on our Dubai/Maldives trip concluded today with the publishing of my direct comparison: Park Hyatt Maldives VS. Conrad Maldives.
Ultimately:
Our trip was exactly what I had hoped for: a mix of romantic ambience, enjoyable activities, excellent food and beautiful scenery all around. As you can see from the above, these two resorts are pretty evenly matched, and I wish I could say definitively you should choose one over the other. As far as diving and snorkeling, if you want to see a healthier reef and ecosystem, the Hyatt is the place to be. But if you want to see more fish and marine life, you should check out the Conrad.
I would be more likely to recommend the Hyatt to a couple on their honeymoon who wanted a stress-free romantic getaway and I would push a family or a couple that wanted to try a variety of activities in a tropical paradise towards the Conrad. But at the end of the day I recommend you try them both!
Hope you all enjoy. Comments/questions/suggestions welcome.
Joe
Ultimately:
Our trip was exactly what I had hoped for: a mix of romantic ambience, enjoyable activities, excellent food and beautiful scenery all around. As you can see from the above, these two resorts are pretty evenly matched, and I wish I could say definitively you should choose one over the other. As far as diving and snorkeling, if you want to see a healthier reef and ecosystem, the Hyatt is the place to be. But if you want to see more fish and marine life, you should check out the Conrad.
I would be more likely to recommend the Hyatt to a couple on their honeymoon who wanted a stress-free romantic getaway and I would push a family or a couple that wanted to try a variety of activities in a tropical paradise towards the Conrad. But at the end of the day I recommend you try them both!
Hope you all enjoy. Comments/questions/suggestions welcome.
Joe
Sep 19, 2017, 4:26 am
#5012
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
MF- pretty sure it's in the T and Cs as being a thing. It's been my experience around the world but I'll look it up soon. It's one of the best features of HH and SPG.
Sep 19, 2017, 4:35 am
#5013
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
From T and C. It further defines any reward stay as a stay, doubly outlining it. 
so your benefits should always be honoured on award stays and if not you should complain.
so your benefits should always be honoured on award stays and if not you should complain.
- On-property benefits are not awarded in the following circumstances:
- Reservations booked through a non-Hilton-direct booking channel or a non-designated GDS, third party website or any other channel,
- Rates available on "opaque" websites where the hotel brand and specific hotel are not known until the booking is made, or
- Third party hotel packages or travel packages not booked through one of the eligible channels.
- Booking ineligible stays, (as defined in the Accrual of Points section) unless hotel contract has specific benefits included.
Sep 19, 2017, 6:00 am
#5014
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
The question was whether status would be honoured if status only existed when making the booking, but has expired between booking and staying. @:-)
Sep 19, 2017, 6:01 am
#5015
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Hilton Honors Amenities for all Members, including Blue, Silver Elite, Gold Elite, and Diamond Elite Members
A number of services and benefits ('Amenities') are available to Members of Hilton Honors. These Amenities are offered solely at the discretion of Hilton Honors and the individual hotel. Not all Amenities are provided by all hotels within the Hilton Portfolio.
A number of services and benefits ('Amenities') are available to Members of Hilton Honors. These Amenities are offered solely at the discretion of Hilton Honors and the individual hotel. Not all Amenities are provided by all hotels within the Hilton Portfolio.
Diamond Elite Membership
2. Diamond Elite Members will receive the following during stays as a registered Diamond Elite Member: .....
2. Diamond Elite Members will receive the following during stays as a registered Diamond Elite Member: .....
Last edited by MaldivesFreak; Sep 19, 2017 at 6:07 am
Sep 19, 2017, 8:22 am
#5016
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
Two weeks to go - arriving in 14 days.
I wanted to pick up the conversation about "kids eat for free":
Since we always paid for kids meals (our little one was under 6, then), I e-mailed Conrad and asked for their actual policy. Their reply was:
^
Our daughter is 6 now, so we should get 50% off - I'll report how it works in practice this time.
I wanted to pick up the conversation about "kids eat for free":
So it seems like based on various DP, it is free for kids to eat, as long as
- eating happens at Atoll market
- meal is breakfast or dinner buffet
?
This seems to match the information here https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...MV-MLE-6680629 but they are talking more abt half board vs full board though. I doubt all the posters above were on half board and full board plan. so I guess the same rule applies throughout regardless of whether you are on meal plan.
• Half board - includes a buffet dinner in Atoll Market restaurant. All beverages are at additional cost. A USD $100 credit per adult will apply for the other restaurants should you wish to dine around. Please note that no credit will be offered in the Rangali Bar, Quiet Zone or for in villa dining. Children under 12 receive complimentary dinner when with parents at Atoll Market restaurant only. A 50% discount is offered from the adult a la carte menu for children aged 6-11 years old; children under 6 years eat for free.
• Full Board – guests booking this option will receive ‘Premium Full Board’ which includes lunch and dinner, both with unlimited beverages served during meals (house wines, beers, non-alcoholic soft beverages and a cocktail selection). This includes a three course lunch in either the Mandhoo Restaurant or in Ufaa by Jereme Lang, dinner is included at the Atoll Market (buffet) or a credit of US$75 per person per night may be applied to food (no credit will be given at the Rangali Bar, Quiet Zone or in villa dining and no credit will be offered for lunch). Children eat free of charge from the children’s menu, a 50% discount is offered from the adult a la carte menu for children aged 6-11 years old; children under six years old eat for free.
- eating happens at Atoll market
- meal is breakfast or dinner buffet
?
This seems to match the information here https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...MV-MLE-6680629 but they are talking more abt half board vs full board though. I doubt all the posters above were on half board and full board plan. so I guess the same rule applies throughout regardless of whether you are on meal plan.
• Half board - includes a buffet dinner in Atoll Market restaurant. All beverages are at additional cost. A USD $100 credit per adult will apply for the other restaurants should you wish to dine around. Please note that no credit will be offered in the Rangali Bar, Quiet Zone or for in villa dining. Children under 12 receive complimentary dinner when with parents at Atoll Market restaurant only. A 50% discount is offered from the adult a la carte menu for children aged 6-11 years old; children under 6 years eat for free.
• Full Board – guests booking this option will receive ‘Premium Full Board’ which includes lunch and dinner, both with unlimited beverages served during meals (house wines, beers, non-alcoholic soft beverages and a cocktail selection). This includes a three course lunch in either the Mandhoo Restaurant or in Ufaa by Jereme Lang, dinner is included at the Atoll Market (buffet) or a credit of US$75 per person per night may be applied to food (no credit will be given at the Rangali Bar, Quiet Zone or in villa dining and no credit will be offered for lunch). Children eat free of charge from the children’s menu, a 50% discount is offered from the adult a la carte menu for children aged 6-11 years old; children under six years old eat for free.
[...]
As for kids eating free meal or scraps from floor, I was told that the kids can order from kids menu FOC when eating at a’la carte restaurants. Out of the list here, http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/h...staurants.html , how many and which ones are considered a’la carte restaurants ?
As for kids eating free meal or scraps from floor, I was told that the kids can order from kids menu FOC when eating at a’la carte restaurants. Out of the list here, http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/h...staurants.html , how many and which ones are considered a’la carte restaurants ?
[...]
Conrad. I dont know, the information seems inconsistent (to what you guys experienced). Which is why I tried to find out through official channels by emailing them here [email protected]
Conrad. I dont know, the information seems inconsistent (to what you guys experienced). Which is why I tried to find out through official channels by emailing them here [email protected]
When parents pay for dinner the children can dine for free in the á la carte restaurants when eating from the kids menu.
A 50% discount will be offered from the adult á la carte menu for children aged 6-11 years old.
Children aged 0-5.99 years eat for free in our restaurants with paying parents
A 50% discount will be offered from the adult á la carte menu for children aged 6-11 years old.
Children aged 0-5.99 years eat for free in our restaurants with paying parents
Our daughter is 6 now, so we should get 50% off - I'll report how it works in practice this time.
Sep 19, 2017, 10:52 am
#5017
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
Two weeks to go - arriving in 14 days.
I wanted to pick up the conversation about "kids eat for free":
Since we always paid for kids meals (our little one was under 6, then), I e-mailed Conrad and asked for their actual policy. Their reply was:
^
Our daughter is 6 now, so we should get 50% off - I'll report how it works in practice this time.
I wanted to pick up the conversation about "kids eat for free":
Since we always paid for kids meals (our little one was under 6, then), I e-mailed Conrad and asked for their actual policy. Their reply was:
^
Our daughter is 6 now, so we should get 50% off - I'll report how it works in practice this time.
so if you are borderline 5-6 then unlikely you can end up in the first group and eat for free 
Sep 19, 2017, 11:16 am
#5018
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
Ah, I was answering whether it would be beneficial/honoured, as your reply was a bit ambiguous. There is no way a hotel should honour status when booked and not when the stay is actually taken, so if they do then that is goodwill only. Wouldn't risk it myself, as they said, it's a lot of $ of benefit.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:22 am
#5019
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Great. Thanks goliath. Wish you have a great time!
Sep 19, 2017, 11:30 am
#5020
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
Sep 19, 2017, 11:31 am
#5021
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Children aged 0-5.99 years eat for free in our restaurants with paying parents
Sep 20, 2017, 8:57 am
#5023
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
@BarryLincoln: Thanks for your TR contribution to the wiki. I have replaced the bit.ly URL with the full URL as bit.ly links are blocked by the Great Firewall of China and so many users here won't be able to view them without a proxy.
Sep 20, 2017, 9:39 am
#5024
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Neither of us are wild about the seaplane. Is the only other option to time our arrival into MLE after 4pm so that the transfer is on the local plane and boat? I assume we would require a late departure to have a similar set-up upon leaving too?
I am looking at QR 674 as one pathway in but it lands at 315pm which is too early to default to the non-seaplane option.
Cost isn't the issue (not trying to avoid the $$$ - just trying to avoid the seaplane but the private charter boat is a non-starter since it would certainly break the bank).
Our other option is the PH but my lack of status at Hyatt and Diamond status at Hilton has pushed me to pursue the Conrad if at all possible.
I am looking at QR 674 as one pathway in but it lands at 315pm which is too early to default to the non-seaplane option.
Cost isn't the issue (not trying to avoid the $$$ - just trying to avoid the seaplane but the private charter boat is a non-starter since it would certainly break the bank).
Our other option is the PH but my lack of status at Hyatt and Diamond status at Hilton has pushed me to pursue the Conrad if at all possible.
Sep 20, 2017, 9:43 am
#5025
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
I'm sure you can send them an e-mail and they will set you up for your preferred option.