[ARCHIVE 2014 to 2017] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Sep 14, 2017, 9:54 pm
#4996
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Believe me, it is. They wouldn't be having two lunch sessions if it wasn't. The place has vastly more Chinese throughout the year than they used to and they all want to eat there.
Sep 15, 2017, 1:54 am
#4997
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA plat pro, HH Diamond
Posts: 429
That said, whilst I have been to all the nice dinners and restaurants on Rangali, I don't see the attraction of Itaah. We did the cocktails but I have never been tempted with lunch or dinner there.
Sep 15, 2017, 10:53 am
#4998
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,417
Sep 16, 2017, 5:14 am
#4999
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
My review of Retreat Water Villa 421 is now up!
REVIEW - Conrad Maldives : Retreat Water Villa
As always, comments/ critiques/ wild adulation are welcome.
REVIEW - Conrad Maldives : Retreat Water Villa
As always, comments/ critiques/ wild adulation are welcome.
Sep 16, 2017, 1:33 pm
#5000
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
Another fantastic review Jarvis. It really took me back to when my wife and I were upgraded to the Presidential Villa at Conrad Bora Bora. With such a nice room, I saw no reason to go anywhere. We ate all but 3 meals in our room on a 5 night stay for comparison. I think you just helped finalize our room choice.
Sep 16, 2017, 2:49 pm
#5001
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,417
Well done, Jermyn. Great report. Making another visit in a few weeks. Can't wait.
Sep 16, 2017, 5:59 pm
#5002
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
Wow your trip reports are amazing. Can't wait for the next installment!
My review of Retreat Water Villa 421 is now up!
REVIEW - Conrad Maldives : Retreat Water Villa
As always, comments/ critiques/ wild adulation are welcome.
REVIEW - Conrad Maldives : Retreat Water Villa
As always, comments/ critiques/ wild adulation are welcome.
Sep 17, 2017, 12:22 am
#5003
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 783
Another great review, is this now loaded on your own blog as I didn't get sent a notification via your newsletter sign Up?
Sep 17, 2017, 2:13 am
#5004
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
Another fantastic review Jarvis. It really took me back to when my wife and I were upgraded to the Presidential Villa at Conrad Bora Bora. With such a nice room, I saw no reason to go anywhere. We ate all but 3 meals in our room on a 5 night stay for comparison. I think you just helped finalize our room choice.
I'd be really interested in hearing your comparisons of Bora Bora vs Rangali. I imagine they'll be somewhat influenced by your spectacular upgrade but very useful nonetheless
It did initially seem weird to me but with the RWV I felt like I'd been upgraded to the point where visiting a restaurant would be an active downgrade to my experience!
Sep 17, 2017, 9:46 am
#5005
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
My review of Retreat Water Villa 421 is now up!
REVIEW - Conrad Maldives : Retreat Water Villa
As always, comments/ critiques/ wild adulation are welcome.
REVIEW - Conrad Maldives : Retreat Water Villa
As always, comments/ critiques/ wild adulation are welcome.
Sep 17, 2017, 1:00 pm
#5006
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,661
Dive schedule: IIRC and from Feb 16, two morning dives go out between 8:30 and 9 (sorry I don't remember which) back around 12:30 or 1; afternoon dive sometime between 2:30 and 3 back 5-ish. It's a race to get to Vilu before they stop serving free drinks. (I suppose I could go dripping wet and salty) Afternoon dives somewhere close Manta Point, Rangali Outside, Inside, South or the house reef.
Sep 18, 2017, 10:42 am
#5007
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wherever work takes me...
Programs: BA Gold / IHG Platinum Ambassador / HHonors Diamond
Posts: 57
Booked as Diamond - Didn't requalify
Hi,
I'm staying at the Conrad Rangali in the coming months, I booked a Diamond Award 5 night stay but have dropped my status since. I remember in the past when this happened that my Diamond benefits were still honoured, I wondered if this would still be the case?
Clearly on Rangali they are worth quite a bit so am considering taking out a UK AMEX Platinum card just before I travel to gain Hilton Gold status, then cancel the card upon my return to get the pro-rata refund on the membership fee.
Any advice or experience most welcome!
I'm staying at the Conrad Rangali in the coming months, I booked a Diamond Award 5 night stay but have dropped my status since. I remember in the past when this happened that my Diamond benefits were still honoured, I wondered if this would still be the case?
Clearly on Rangali they are worth quite a bit so am considering taking out a UK AMEX Platinum card just before I travel to gain Hilton Gold status, then cancel the card upon my return to get the pro-rata refund on the membership fee.
Any advice or experience most welcome!
Sep 18, 2017, 11:30 am
#5008
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,341
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
Last edited by joecool1885; Sep 18, 2017 at 4:39 pm
Sep 18, 2017, 11:38 am
#5009
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,485
Hilton always honour status on stays booked via them, be it award or paid, so you will be fine.
Sep 18, 2017, 10:18 pm
#5010
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Not according to the T&C and not in many folks' experience. However Rangali can be lax on this so I've heard, and I guess especially if you're a multiple returning ex-Diamond.