[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Jan 6, 2014, 12:50 am
#46
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ECP
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 1,658
Agree with everything YorkieFlyer said about the world of difference between the two islands IMO. I know vxmike is here now too (met him at breakfast), so let me know if you all want to get together for tea or happy hour today!
Jan 6, 2014, 1:40 am
#47
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Yup...all comes down to money. They don't dare peev off anyone.
Jan 6, 2014, 8:36 am
#48
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 173
My BF and I will be there Feb 6-10 ( I know not long enough, but it was all the points I could muster before the deval).
Jan 6, 2014, 9:02 am
#49
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: California, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; United Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 9
Long trousers is only required at dinner time, per the staff. During lunch time, it's not required since it's more casual. Basically, kids are allowed to dine during lunch and they're more laxed to the rules because of this.
Jan 6, 2014, 9:26 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 287
Have spent over 60 nights at CM and have only ever worn shorts, t-shirts, short sleeve shirts. Have been to Ithaa 3 times and wore linen trousers.
Have never felt underdressed at any of the other restaurants. There are such things as smart shorts/t-shirts
On the whole, my experience is that the ladies tend to dress up more, and the guys go for smart/casual (shorts).
FYI, in my opinion, it would be unbearable to wear any other long trousers than linen ones in the evening if you do fancy dressing up, as it's just too hot.
Have never felt underdressed at any of the other restaurants. There are such things as smart shorts/t-shirts
On the whole, my experience is that the ladies tend to dress up more, and the guys go for smart/casual (shorts).
FYI, in my opinion, it would be unbearable to wear any other long trousers than linen ones in the evening if you do fancy dressing up, as it's just too hot.
Jan 6, 2014, 2:27 pm
#51
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 695
Update on my J vs Y choice
We have same layover ord-auh-mle business class and have opted to get a room at staybridge on Yas island. Just a few miles from auh airport and get to layover in comfort and take a shower. Have lined up chauffeur service on Etihad to get there. It is included in business fare. We will see you there - we arrive on Monday jan 20th.
May or may not do the same for the return.
May or may not do the same for the return.
I kept the EY in J from JFK to AUH, but swapped out the AUH-MLE in J for a AUH to DOH in J (EY391), and then Y from DOH-MLE on QR (QR672).
I did not think American would allow me to combine the two, but they did, for an extra cost of $0.50 (yes, 50 cents) in taxes & fees. ^
So kirkpt, in case you don't want to overnight in AUH at Yas Island anymore, I just wanted to let you know of this other option.
Jan 6, 2014, 4:07 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Gold, SPG Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 354
In case anybody is interested, I was able to actually combine both J and getting to MLE earlier in Y.
I kept the EY in J from JFK to AUH, but swapped out the AUH-MLE in J for a AUH to DOH in J (EY391), and then Y from DOH-MLE on QR (QR672).
I did not think American would allow me to combine the two, but they did, for an extra cost of $0.50 (yes, 50 cents) in taxes & fees. ^
So kirkpt, in case you don't want to overnight in AUH at Yas Island anymore, I just wanted to let you know of this other option.
I kept the EY in J from JFK to AUH, but swapped out the AUH-MLE in J for a AUH to DOH in J (EY391), and then Y from DOH-MLE on QR (QR672).
I did not think American would allow me to combine the two, but they did, for an extra cost of $0.50 (yes, 50 cents) in taxes & fees. ^
So kirkpt, in case you don't want to overnight in AUH at Yas Island anymore, I just wanted to let you know of this other option.
Did AA make any fuss about changing from an award using their partners vs oneworld members? Did you have the option for a QR flight on AUH-MLE vs the EY flight you booked? I remember asking about the change fees when I made my booking, and was told a switch of partner airlines to oneworld airlines would incur a fee.
I'm booked on ORD-AUH-MLE, with a similar 14 hr layover in AUH, but if I could switch it to arrive in MLE in the morning vs late afternoon via DOH, that might be worthwhile (assuming the SO agrees to Y for DOH-MLE).
Jan 6, 2014, 6:52 pm
#53
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 695
Thanks for sharing your end result.
Did AA make any fuss about changing from an award using their partners vs oneworld members? Did you have the option for a QR flight on AUH-MLE vs the EY flight you booked? I remember asking about the change fees when I made my booking, and was told a switch of partner airlines to oneworld airlines would incur a fee.
I'm booked on ORD-AUH-MLE, with a similar 14 hr layover in AUH, but if I could switch it to arrive in MLE in the morning vs late afternoon via DOH, that might be worthwhile (assuming the SO agrees to Y for DOH-MLE).
Did AA make any fuss about changing from an award using their partners vs oneworld members? Did you have the option for a QR flight on AUH-MLE vs the EY flight you booked? I remember asking about the change fees when I made my booking, and was told a switch of partner airlines to oneworld airlines would incur a fee.
I'm booked on ORD-AUH-MLE, with a similar 14 hr layover in AUH, but if I could switch it to arrive in MLE in the morning vs late afternoon via DOH, that might be worthwhile (assuming the SO agrees to Y for DOH-MLE).
The AA rep was as nice as could be! When I called I explained I just wanted to get in a bit earlier so as not to waste most of the day, and then I proceeded to tell that I wanted to keep the first leg intact (JFK-AUH) in J, which is what really mattered to me as that is the longest stretch, but that from AUH to MLE via DOH I didn't care if I was in coach.
I had found the flights I wanted using KVSTools that met the minimum connection time (60 mins at either airport), which for me was EY391 in order to get onto QR672. The agent proceeded to check availability (which I knew was there thanks to KVSTools), and informed me that there would be no change in mileage, but would require an additional 50 cents. And that was it. No change fees, nothing. Not even because I was changing the routing so close to the date. Now I am AA Gold: if that makes any difference, I don't know? They charged my card (which is a bit silly because it probably cost them more than that to run the transaction!)
I would say that if you are planning on making the change, do it as soon as you see QR672 with availability, because for months only QR674 was open for OW members, which is the one that leaves around seven hours later.
To my mind, I just couldn't face doing the JFK-AUH (or DOH) in coach, but I have no problem doing a four hour flight in coach, especially if it gets me almost eight hours more in CR on a five-night stay. Hopefully your SO feels the same way!
Jan 6, 2014, 7:00 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
Jan 6, 2014, 8:15 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ECP
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 1,658
Reporting live, there was a fire last night on the main island in the generators. Nobody was hurt, but power is out on the main island, and wifi is out even over here. [I'm online with 3G hotspot, so it appears the cell tower is working, or I'm picking up a signal from another island...]
Jan 6, 2014, 9:09 pm
#56
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 98
Late Friday Departure
I am 2.5 months away from a week in Maldives and I just realized that my departure flight from MLE to SIN is 11PM. it will be my wife, myself and a 1.5 year old baby.
So far, my options are:
1) Pay to extend the checkout at Conrad and get to the airport as late as possible.
2) Checkout @ 1100 or 1200, get to the airport and chill at the lounge until the late night flight..
Any other suggestion or ideas?
So far, my options are:
1) Pay to extend the checkout at Conrad and get to the airport as late as possible.
2) Checkout @ 1100 or 1200, get to the airport and chill at the lounge until the late night flight..
Any other suggestion or ideas?
Jan 6, 2014, 9:35 pm
#57
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: HH Diamond, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 549
You can checkout at 11-12 then enjoy the island until the last seaplane (5-6pm ish). You will still need to go to the seaplane lounge as I believe the airport only lets you in 3 hours before your flight. Paying for a late checkout won't help too much as you will still be on the last seaplane of the day.
Jan 7, 2014, 1:45 am
#58
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,827
I am 2.5 months away from a week in Maldives and I just realized that my departure flight from MLE to SIN is 11PM. it will be my wife, myself and a 1.5 year old baby.
So far, my options are:
1) Pay to extend the checkout at Conrad and get to the airport as late as possible.
2) Checkout @ 1100 or 1200, get to the airport and chill at the lounge until the late night flight..
Any other suggestion or ideas?
So far, my options are:
1) Pay to extend the checkout at Conrad and get to the airport as late as possible.
2) Checkout @ 1100 or 1200, get to the airport and chill at the lounge until the late night flight..
Any other suggestion or ideas?
Jan 7, 2014, 9:43 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 2,324
Had a small fire at the conrad maldives last night. Fire in the power plant. Some rooms on main island evacuated . Staff were exelent. No one hurt. No power on main island all day but back to normal now.