[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Apr 17, 2017, 12:04 pm
#4172
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
Apr 17, 2017, 12:07 pm
#4173
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
@MaldivesFreak thanks for your info on this thread. I am here now on an AXON award (rip), two more nights remaining.
Just a quick report. I'm Gold status with Hilton. When we arrived be received an upgrade from a BV to a DBV. I inquired about a paid and complimentary upgrades before and asked for BV 213-216, not sure if this helped or not. We stayed at Hilton Bora Bora Nui before in a OWB so we didn't feel we needed the water villa experience this time. The DBV is absolutely amazing, huge and close to everything. The private pool I use every time I get back from snorkeling, nothing like a dip in freshwater after an hour in the ocean. One minus is that one can hear kids playing next door but that did not really bother us.
The coral here is nearly all covered with algae, far worse than Bora Bora 4 years ago. However, there are more varieties of fish here and the resort has a larger reef. In two days I saw eels, triggerfish, and several sharks within 50m of the villa, and of course 1000+ fish. The gear the resort provides for snorkeling is very good. Tip for anyone who plans to snorkel here a lot, wear a pair (or two) of socks with your fins, helps to keep blisters off.
We did the island hopping excursion so far and plan to do adventure snorkeling tomorrow. The island hopping was ok but not quite worth the $170++p/p. Will report on latter next time.
Gold and Diamond benefits are amazing here. One could potentially eat and drink here everyday solely from the free breakfast, afternoon tea (sandwiches), and happy hour. We are celebrating a honeymoon (they do check the marriage license) and a birthday, received a champagne and free Mandhoo dinner for the former and a medium sized cake for the latter.
Just a quick report. I'm Gold status with Hilton. When we arrived be received an upgrade from a BV to a DBV. I inquired about a paid and complimentary upgrades before and asked for BV 213-216, not sure if this helped or not. We stayed at Hilton Bora Bora Nui before in a OWB so we didn't feel we needed the water villa experience this time. The DBV is absolutely amazing, huge and close to everything. The private pool I use every time I get back from snorkeling, nothing like a dip in freshwater after an hour in the ocean. One minus is that one can hear kids playing next door but that did not really bother us.
The coral here is nearly all covered with algae, far worse than Bora Bora 4 years ago. However, there are more varieties of fish here and the resort has a larger reef. In two days I saw eels, triggerfish, and several sharks within 50m of the villa, and of course 1000+ fish. The gear the resort provides for snorkeling is very good. Tip for anyone who plans to snorkel here a lot, wear a pair (or two) of socks with your fins, helps to keep blisters off.
We did the island hopping excursion so far and plan to do adventure snorkeling tomorrow. The island hopping was ok but not quite worth the $170++p/p. Will report on latter next time.
Gold and Diamond benefits are amazing here. One could potentially eat and drink here everyday solely from the free breakfast, afternoon tea (sandwiches), and happy hour. We are celebrating a honeymoon (they do check the marriage license) and a birthday, received a champagne and free Mandhoo dinner for the former and a medium sized cake for the latter.
Thanks for the tip about wearing socks for snorkeling! And we def plan to take advantage of breakfast and afternoon tea and will spend money on dinners. We are coming for our honeymoon as well and looking forward to some of those perks.
Thanks for the post.
Apr 17, 2017, 2:00 pm
#4174
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,416
Great advice on the socks - - after a hard lesson learned, it's been a staple of my packing every since. Good ole cheap dress socks do the trick. Cheap long sleeve t-shirt too to protect the skin, too.
Apr 17, 2017, 4:32 pm
#4175
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
Someone couldn't have mentioned the sock trick a month ago before I tore my foot up in flippers from the dive center??? 😀
Apr 18, 2017, 12:17 am
#4176
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: VS, BA, HH Gold
Posts: 397
Snorkel clothes
As mentioned in my review, a long sleeve surf rash top offering UV50 protection is well worth it for serious snorkeling. I even wear a 1mm full wetsuit, can't be bothered with suncream and it acts as my buoyancy device without the need for a bulky lifevest
Apr 18, 2017, 8:15 am
#4177
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 322
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 18, 2017, 9:26 am
#4178
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, DL PM, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 920
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 18, 2017, 12:45 pm
#4179
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
And yes, of course. There is Atoll Market buffet restaurant which is open every day.
Seems like Dubai/Maldives are hot for honeymooners. I'm also going to be in Dubai for a couple of days before going to Rangali. Just over two weeks to go before my trip begins. I'm hoping for a bit of sunshine, but we're good lounging around all day if the weather turns.
Still trying to decide where to eat. I've read MF's extensive review on the restaurants there, which helped a lot. Trying to decide on an outdoor beach dinner or not - my biggest concern is the weather, and booking something on a day where it's too windy or rainy. I guess I'll just play my hand and hope for the best on the flop.
Still trying to decide where to eat. I've read MF's extensive review on the restaurants there, which helped a lot. Trying to decide on an outdoor beach dinner or not - my biggest concern is the weather, and booking something on a day where it's too windy or rainy. I guess I'll just play my hand and hope for the best on the flop.
Apr 18, 2017, 12:51 pm
#4180
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
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 18, 2017, 2:18 pm
#4181
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
Well I upgraded to the DWV, there were only 2 vacant rooms left during my stay and I did not want to miss out. Very excited about staying in one of these villas! Also confirmed our seaplane transfers. I think I am going to charge everything to the hilton surpass card to get bonus points.
Now I have to plan our dinners and excursions!! So much to review. Looking forward to the trip, cannot wait.
Now I have to plan our dinners and excursions!! So much to review. Looking forward to the trip, cannot wait.
Last edited by thefiverivers; Apr 18, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Apr 18, 2017, 2:23 pm
#4182
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
Surpass has foreign transaction fees. Citi Hilton does not.
Apr 18, 2017, 2:35 pm
#4183
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
Yeah 2.7% which is fine with me. Ill still get bonus accumulations by using it at the property and for the seaplane transfers (which I know dont code as a hilton charge). And I was able to waive some of the fees when I went to europe in 2015 by calling Amex so will try that again.
Apr 18, 2017, 2:42 pm
#4184
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 322
Yeah 2.7% which is fine with me. Ill still get bonus accumulations by using it at the property and for the seaplane transfers (which I know dont code as a hilton charge). And I was able to waive some of the fees when I went to europe in 2015 by calling Amex so will try that again.
Apr 18, 2017, 2:43 pm
#4185
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE
Posts: 145
I've confirmed with long time residents of this thread that CR charges your card in USD, so use the Amex, not the Hilton, and get those extra two points. Someone even confirmed the seaplane transfers earned them 12 points per dollar, since Amex can't distinguish non-resort spend. It all appears to come from the Conrad and counts toward bonus spend.