Jan 2, 2019, 3:02 pm
Last edit by: Jaffar
:-: Welcome to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi Wiki! :-:
Notes: All prices are in US Dollars and are exclusive of taxes unless specified (by ++)
Tax Information
• 10% Service Charge (levied by resort. For info on this and how it's distributed, see this post)
• 16% T-GST (Tourist Goods & Services Tax, levied by the Maldivian government, current as of Jan 1, 2023). Old 2022 rate was 12%.
• Total tax is 27.2%, not 26% as one would think. Example; $100 + 10% = $110, then add 16% on to $110 for a total of $127.20.
• Tip: To work out prices before the 27.2% taxes, multiply by 0.7862, i.e; 127.2 * 0.7862 = 100
• A Green Tax of $6pp/pn (levied by the Maldivian government) has been introduced starting from 1 November 2015. Points/Redemption bookings are exempt from the tax for up to two guests per room
Booking with points
• Bookings must be cancelled 30 days prior in order to avoid one full night's charge at BAR. (some days cancellation period is 14 days check your reservation details for the exact applicable cancellation policy)
• Website and phone agents state that a cash deposit equivalent to the BAR per night will be taken when booking stays with points. This is an error. NO CASH DEPOSIT IS TAKEN WHEN MAKING A POINTS BOOKING
• Free night certificate: The phone agent states that a cash deposit equivalent to the BAR per night will be taken when booking your free night. This is an error. NO CASH DEPOSIT IS TAKEN WHEN USING YOUR FREE NIGHT CERTIFICATE
• This hotel is extremely popular. Rooms are released to be booked with points about 1 year in advance. It seems to be a partially manual process so it's not an exact science. After being released those rooms get booked within a matter of minutes. If you have specific dates you want you need to book them one at a time a year in advance, or risk booking last minute. Yes that makes it hard to use the 5th night free. You can book 5 individual nights and cancel them all to rebook getting the 5th night free, but there's only about a 50% chance the rooms go back into inventory so it's risky. There is no secret, just check Hilton.com all the time. If you don't want to do that, someone else will and they'll get the rooms.
Transfers To and From Resort
• Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi is located in South Malé Atoll, 23km southwest of Malé and Velana International Airport [MLE] (also known as Malé International Airport, previously known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport)
• Transfer experience includes personal service for your group after luggage pick-up until arrival on the yacht; yacht includes dedicated server for champagne, non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks. Departure experience on the yacht is the same, and your group be personally escorted through airline check-in until airport security.
• Pricing in 2021 is $650++, 2020 is $600++ per person, and 2019 it was $350++ per person per way ($1724.80 return inclusive of taxes for 2 passengers). The price for kids 5 and under is complimentary while kids 6-11 years old are charged $300++ per person. If the yacht is not available, a speedboat will be provided by the resort. If this happens, you may be refunded the yacht transfer fee.
• Pricing for 2022 will increase to $730++ for adults and $365++ children 6-12, see website by clicking here.
• Pricing for 2023 will increase to $780++ for adults ($995.28 nett) and $390++ for children 6-12
• The resort offers the ability to redeem Hilton Honors points for your transfer, .strValue1=all&promoGroupList[1].strValue1=en_US&qt[0].type=fieldsearch&qt[0].name=panname_country_s&qt[0].value1=MDV&rc=24&sort=timeleft_asc]click here.
• See this post for a detailed review of the yacht transfer (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Third party transfers are not permitted by the resort.
• Transfer to / from Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: A private seaplane transfer from the Waldorf to the Conrad, taking approximately 25 minutes, is approximately USD 8,125++. Most guests travel between the resort booking the standard round trip seaplane from Male to Rangali and then the Yacht transfer round trip from Male to Waldorf.
Time
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi time has been set one hour ahead of Male’ time to give an extra hour of daylight each day. For ease, set phone or Dhaka Sri Lanka time zone.
Resort Information / Spa / Activities
• WA Ithaafushi is made up of three islands (95% man-made)
• There are 2 standalone OWVs (Over Water Villas) and 121 villas in total
• Click here (Hilton's website) or here (dedicated website) to visit the resort on the web
• The kids club (one of the biggest in the Maldives) is for children between 4 to 11 years. Click here for detailed information and here for the schedule. Click here, here and here for basic reviews and comprehensive sets of pictures (All courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• See this and this post for info on the Christmas Eve and New Years Eve Gala Fee
• Click here to visit the resort's listing on TripAdvisor
• Tennis courts: See this post
• For a new map of the resort click here
> For the old map of the resort click here * Note that this map is orientated north and so the SUNRISE and SUNSET written on it are incorrect. Also note that you receive a black and white map when you arrive and this is not as good nor as detailed as the one posted here. For comments on the quality of the map, click here
• Snorkelling spots and other info 3e4sd:Link to post: (Courtesy of AirForceFlyer)
• Scuba Diving pics :Link to post: (Courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• Activities Brochure (prices as of July 2019)
• Spa pics and review :Link to post: (Courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• Wellness Programme :Link to post: (Courtesy of AirForceFlyer)
Resort Information - F&B and Menus
• The resort has 11 restaurants / bars
• Kids under 6 eat free when ordering from the dedicated kids menu (all restaurants except the adult only ones have kids menu; does not apply to in-room dining)
• Some restaurant menus are available in PDF format on the resort's website. Click here to visit the relevant page on their website
• Menus for most restaurants as of early October 2020: See this post
• For pictures of most of the menus: Part 1 and Part 2
• Dining Programme / restaurant opening times: See this post and the post below it
• IVD (In Villa Dining) menus: See this post
• Yasmeen - Menu version discussion here.
• Terra is $298.00++ per person. As of December 2019, the set menu includes Amuse Brioche (3 selections per person), a starter (tuna, avocado, caviar), 2 courses highlighting lobster and wagyu beef with a pallet cleanse in between, a dessert course, then finishing with 3 additional sweet selections per person.
• The Ledge - See this post. Note that this menu changes daily but there are probably only 2 for each day and 14 in total (7 for lunch and 7 for dinner). Chefs rotate to the resort from Burnt Ends in Singapore.
+ Peacock Alley 1/2 priced drinks daily after 9:30pm. High-quality cocktails and liquors available at a very affordable price ranging from $13-$15 post discount
+ Tasting Table full buffet breakfast with made to order entrees and complimentary Champagne for $65++/person or Free for Hilton Diamond / Gold
+ Glow and Yasmeen wine selections are priced in the $65 - $85 ++ range per bottle.
• Lunch can be purchased at the main pool or beach from Nava or The Ledge. The majority of lunch entrees cost $30-$50++. Lunch is also available at Tasting Table, Tangled, or In Villa Dining.
• A new pizza oven was flown in from Italy to replace the original oven installed at Nava, and an Italian chef traveled to the resort to work with the team to elevate pizza quality in early December of 2019.
• During festive season 2019, the resort introduced a lobster & champagne dinner on the beach, including tasting stations, free flow champagne, and a live band for $298++ per person.
Miscellaneous Information
• Villa pool depth: See this post
• Best snorkelling spots: See this post and this post
• Complimentary water (in villa): See this post
• Walking / getting around the resort: See this post
• Sunset / Sunrise at the resort: See this post and this post
• Power outlet configuration: See this post
Elite member benefits:
Accommodation:
At opening the resort defined Beach Villas as the lowest category of accommodation (only this category bookable with points). The next highest category was Reef Villas then above that, the Overwater Villas. Note: villas on the Private Island do not count.
This will change in 2020. Quote from the resort "Please be informed that for next year we have changed our villa category. Kindly note that the Reef Villa will be our base category, next will be the Overwater Villa and then the Beach Villa. Basically the Beach Villa will be a higher category compared to reef Villa and Overwater Villa."
See this post for the conversation related to this. Pricing has changed as well to reflect this. See below for 2020 pricing.
Note that as of August 2019 the BV is still available to book on points in 2020. This may change, however.
Prices - Accommodation (2020):
***** March 2020 Figures *****
• Beach Villa USD 2630
• Overwater Villa USD 2430
• Reef Villa USD 1930
Prices - Accommodation (2019):
***** July 2019 Figures *****
• 2 Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool USD 3850
• 2 Bedroom Over Water Villa with Pool USD 4350
***** October 2019 Figures *****
• Beach Villa USD 2100
• Grand Beach Villa USD 2300
• Reef Villa USD 2300
• Grand Reef Villa USD 2500
• Overwater Villa USD 2500
• Grand Overwater Villa USD 2700
***** Upgrade Costs - Jul 2019 *****
• Two Bedroom Beach - US 2000
• Two Bedroom Grand Beach - US 2200
• Two Bedroom Reef - US 2200
• Two Bedroom Overwater - US 2400
***** Upgrade Costs - Oct 2019 *****
• Reef Villa USD 200
• OWV USD 400
Villa Types and Abbreviations used in this thread (listed in order from most basic to most luxurious)
-- BVs (Beach Villas) --
BV (Beach Villa)
GBV (Grand Beach Villa)
-- RVs (Reef Villas) --
RV (Reef Villa, the Garden Villa category shown in the pre-opening promo video)
GRV (Grand Reef Villa, also a type of Garden Villa shown in the pre-opening promo video)
-- OWVs (Over Water Villas) aka Ocean Villas in rewards booking --
OV (Overwater Villa)
GOV (Grand Overwater Villa)
SMR (Stella Maris Residences)
-- Occupancy Information --
See this post for maximum occupancy of each villa type
Villa Selection
• See this post and this post
• Privacy - Beach Villas: For pics, info and opinions, see the following posts; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Travel & Safety Information
• The Maldives is listed in Category 1 (the highest category) on the
WHO Zika virus classification table. However, don't let that scare you because as of April 13, 2017 there has only been one confirmed case of Zika in the Maldives
• Click here for information related to the single Zika infection in the Maldives (reported in January of that year)
Contact
• General Enquiries: [email protected]
• Reservations Department: [email protected]
• Tel: +960-4000-300
• Click here for hilton site and click here for Waldorf Maldives website
Weather:
Note: since the resort is close to Mahibadhoo (where there is a weather station), I have added this info from the Conrad Maldives thread as both resorts are close by and the weather will be the same as far as forecasts go (MaldivesFreak)
• General info on weather in the Maldives: Link 1 Link 2 (Maldivian government website)
• Recommended Android weather app: eWeather HD. See this post for detailed info on the app, settings, tips and general weather info (Courtesy of MaldivesFreak)
• Want to get an idea about the weather in the month of August? Click here to read a post from a FT member that spends 2 weeks at Rangali during this month (Courtesy of Splotly)
Pictures - Resort under construction:
• January, 2018 :Link to post:
• June, 2018 :Link to post:
• Approx October, 2018 :Link to post:
• January, 2019 :Link to post:
Pictures & Videos - Post-opening:
• General pics of the resort (July, 2019) :Link to post: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• The Stella Maris exclusive! :Link to post with links to videos: (Courtesy of alanslegal)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #1 :Link to post: (Courtesy of alanslegal)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #2 :Link to post: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #3 :Link to post: (Courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #4 :Link to post: (Courtesy of Another Getaway)
• IVD(in villa dining) :Link to post: (Courtesy of Stivelio)
• Terra (views from all 7 'cages') :Link to post: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Terra and Family Pool :Link to post with link to video: (Courtesy of alanslegal)
• Reef Villa with sunset view :Link to post: (Courtesy of Stivelio)
• Views in the direction of Male (night & day pics) :Link to post 1: (Courtesy of wekxbrainx) :Link to post 2: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Bicycle tour :Link to post:
• Various resort and villa pics from a stay in November 2019 :Link to post: (Courtesy of aspenedelen)
Reviews:
• Review by Jermyn
• Review by goldelite8
• Review by escape4
• Review by Falcons05 (text only)
Historical Information for high rollers:
+ $135 shisha, Check out this post
+ If you do NOT have Gold/Diamond status with Free breakfast AND you decide NOT to pay the $65++ for full buffet at Tasting Table, then you may or may not encounter a $35 charge for a single egg
+ 106,000 dollar bottle of wine: Click
here for a picture of the wine menu (reactions follow on subsequent pages)
Notes: All prices are in US Dollars and are exclusive of taxes unless specified (by ++)
Tax Information
• 10% Service Charge (levied by resort. For info on this and how it's distributed, see this post)
• 16% T-GST (Tourist Goods & Services Tax, levied by the Maldivian government, current as of Jan 1, 2023). Old 2022 rate was 12%.
• Total tax is 27.2%, not 26% as one would think. Example; $100 + 10% = $110, then add 16% on to $110 for a total of $127.20.
• Tip: To work out prices before the 27.2% taxes, multiply by 0.7862, i.e; 127.2 * 0.7862 = 100
• A Green Tax of $6pp/pn (levied by the Maldivian government) has been introduced starting from 1 November 2015. Points/Redemption bookings are exempt from the tax for up to two guests per room
Booking with points
• Bookings must be cancelled 30 days prior in order to avoid one full night's charge at BAR. (some days cancellation period is 14 days check your reservation details for the exact applicable cancellation policy)
• Website and phone agents state that a cash deposit equivalent to the BAR per night will be taken when booking stays with points. This is an error. NO CASH DEPOSIT IS TAKEN WHEN MAKING A POINTS BOOKING
• Free night certificate: The phone agent states that a cash deposit equivalent to the BAR per night will be taken when booking your free night. This is an error. NO CASH DEPOSIT IS TAKEN WHEN USING YOUR FREE NIGHT CERTIFICATE
• This hotel is extremely popular. Rooms are released to be booked with points about 1 year in advance. It seems to be a partially manual process so it's not an exact science. After being released those rooms get booked within a matter of minutes. If you have specific dates you want you need to book them one at a time a year in advance, or risk booking last minute. Yes that makes it hard to use the 5th night free. You can book 5 individual nights and cancel them all to rebook getting the 5th night free, but there's only about a 50% chance the rooms go back into inventory so it's risky. There is no secret, just check Hilton.com all the time. If you don't want to do that, someone else will and they'll get the rooms.
Transfers To and From Resort
• Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi is located in South Malé Atoll, 23km southwest of Malé and Velana International Airport [MLE] (also known as Malé International Airport, previously known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport)
• Transfer experience includes personal service for your group after luggage pick-up until arrival on the yacht; yacht includes dedicated server for champagne, non-alcoholic beverages, and light snacks. Departure experience on the yacht is the same, and your group be personally escorted through airline check-in until airport security.
• Pricing in 2021 is $650++, 2020 is $600++ per person, and 2019 it was $350++ per person per way ($1724.80 return inclusive of taxes for 2 passengers). The price for kids 5 and under is complimentary while kids 6-11 years old are charged $300++ per person. If the yacht is not available, a speedboat will be provided by the resort. If this happens, you may be refunded the yacht transfer fee.
• Pricing for 2022 will increase to $730++ for adults and $365++ children 6-12, see website by clicking here.
• Pricing for 2023 will increase to $780++ for adults ($995.28 nett) and $390++ for children 6-12
• The resort offers the ability to redeem Hilton Honors points for your transfer, .strValue1=all&promoGroupList[1].strValue1=en_US&qt[0].type=fieldsearch&qt[0].name=panname_country_s&qt[0].value1=MDV&rc=24&sort=timeleft_asc]click here.
• See this post for a detailed review of the yacht transfer (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Third party transfers are not permitted by the resort.
• Transfer to / from Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: A private seaplane transfer from the Waldorf to the Conrad, taking approximately 25 minutes, is approximately USD 8,125++. Most guests travel between the resort booking the standard round trip seaplane from Male to Rangali and then the Yacht transfer round trip from Male to Waldorf.
Time
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi time has been set one hour ahead of Male’ time to give an extra hour of daylight each day. For ease, set phone or Dhaka Sri Lanka time zone.
Resort Information / Spa / Activities
• WA Ithaafushi is made up of three islands (95% man-made)
• There are 2 standalone OWVs (Over Water Villas) and 121 villas in total
• Click here (Hilton's website) or here (dedicated website) to visit the resort on the web
• The kids club (one of the biggest in the Maldives) is for children between 4 to 11 years. Click here for detailed information and here for the schedule. Click here, here and here for basic reviews and comprehensive sets of pictures (All courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• See this and this post for info on the Christmas Eve and New Years Eve Gala Fee
• Click here to visit the resort's listing on TripAdvisor
• Tennis courts: See this post
• For a new map of the resort click here
> For the old map of the resort click here * Note that this map is orientated north and so the SUNRISE and SUNSET written on it are incorrect. Also note that you receive a black and white map when you arrive and this is not as good nor as detailed as the one posted here. For comments on the quality of the map, click here
• Snorkelling spots and other info 3e4sd:Link to post: (Courtesy of AirForceFlyer)
• Scuba Diving pics :Link to post: (Courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• Activities Brochure (prices as of July 2019)
• Spa pics and review :Link to post: (Courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• Wellness Programme :Link to post: (Courtesy of AirForceFlyer)
Resort Information - F&B and Menus
• The resort has 11 restaurants / bars
• Kids under 6 eat free when ordering from the dedicated kids menu (all restaurants except the adult only ones have kids menu; does not apply to in-room dining)
• Some restaurant menus are available in PDF format on the resort's website. Click here to visit the relevant page on their website
• Menus for most restaurants as of early October 2020: See this post
• For pictures of most of the menus: Part 1 and Part 2
• Dining Programme / restaurant opening times: See this post and the post below it
• IVD (In Villa Dining) menus: See this post
• Yasmeen - Menu version discussion here.
• Terra is $298.00++ per person. As of December 2019, the set menu includes Amuse Brioche (3 selections per person), a starter (tuna, avocado, caviar), 2 courses highlighting lobster and wagyu beef with a pallet cleanse in between, a dessert course, then finishing with 3 additional sweet selections per person.
• The Ledge - See this post. Note that this menu changes daily but there are probably only 2 for each day and 14 in total (7 for lunch and 7 for dinner). Chefs rotate to the resort from Burnt Ends in Singapore.
+ Peacock Alley 1/2 priced drinks daily after 9:30pm. High-quality cocktails and liquors available at a very affordable price ranging from $13-$15 post discount
+ Tasting Table full buffet breakfast with made to order entrees and complimentary Champagne for $65++/person or Free for Hilton Diamond / Gold
+ Glow and Yasmeen wine selections are priced in the $65 - $85 ++ range per bottle.
• Lunch can be purchased at the main pool or beach from Nava or The Ledge. The majority of lunch entrees cost $30-$50++. Lunch is also available at Tasting Table, Tangled, or In Villa Dining.
• A new pizza oven was flown in from Italy to replace the original oven installed at Nava, and an Italian chef traveled to the resort to work with the team to elevate pizza quality in early December of 2019.
• During festive season 2019, the resort introduced a lobster & champagne dinner on the beach, including tasting stations, free flow champagne, and a live band for $298++ per person.
Miscellaneous Information
• Villa pool depth: See this post
• Best snorkelling spots: See this post and this post
• Complimentary water (in villa): See this post
• Walking / getting around the resort: See this post
• Sunset / Sunrise at the resort: See this post and this post
• Power outlet configuration: See this post
Elite member benefits:
Hilton Honors GOLD MEMBERS:
- Full breakfast at Tasting Table
- In-villa VIP welcome bottle of wine and fruits
- Complimentary daily afternoon delights (see here for pic) with a fine selection of beverages crafted by mixologist and sommelier from 16:00 to 17:00 at Peacock Alley. Note The afternoon delights have been removed and replaced with a bowl of nuts or crisps for example
- 50% special offer on selected beverages at Nava Beach Club from 22:00 to 23:30
- Full breakfast at Tasting Table
- Free item from the kids menu for kids under 6 y.o. (staff are somewhat flexible on this age limit)
- In-villa VIP welcome Champagne, sweet and savoury amenities, note this could be downgraded to a bottle of red wine.
- [Diamond only benefit] With a selected 60-minute massage, enjoy a complimentary additional 30-minute at Waldorf Astoria Spa
- Complimentary daily afternoon delights (see here for pic) with a fine selection of beverages crafted by mixologist and sommelier from 16:00 to 17:00 at Peacock Alley. Note : The afternoon delights have been removed and replaced with a bowl of nuts or crisps for example
- 50% special offer on selected beverages at Nava Beach Club from 22:00 to 23:30 (January 2021: Currently at Peacock Alley as Nava closes at 7pm due to Covid-19 service changes)
Accommodation:
At opening the resort defined Beach Villas as the lowest category of accommodation (only this category bookable with points). The next highest category was Reef Villas then above that, the Overwater Villas. Note: villas on the Private Island do not count.
This will change in 2020. Quote from the resort "Please be informed that for next year we have changed our villa category. Kindly note that the Reef Villa will be our base category, next will be the Overwater Villa and then the Beach Villa. Basically the Beach Villa will be a higher category compared to reef Villa and Overwater Villa."
See this post for the conversation related to this. Pricing has changed as well to reflect this. See below for 2020 pricing.
Note that as of August 2019 the BV is still available to book on points in 2020. This may change, however.
Prices - Accommodation (2020):
***** March 2020 Figures *****
• Beach Villa USD 2630
• Overwater Villa USD 2430
• Reef Villa USD 1930
Prices - Accommodation (2019):
***** July 2019 Figures *****
• 2 Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool USD 3850
• 2 Bedroom Over Water Villa with Pool USD 4350
***** October 2019 Figures *****
• Beach Villa USD 2100
• Grand Beach Villa USD 2300
• Reef Villa USD 2300
• Grand Reef Villa USD 2500
• Overwater Villa USD 2500
• Grand Overwater Villa USD 2700
***** Upgrade Costs - Jul 2019 *****
• Two Bedroom Beach - US 2000
• Two Bedroom Grand Beach - US 2200
• Two Bedroom Reef - US 2200
• Two Bedroom Overwater - US 2400
***** Upgrade Costs - Oct 2019 *****
• Reef Villa USD 200
• OWV USD 400
Villa Types and Abbreviations used in this thread (listed in order from most basic to most luxurious)
-- BVs (Beach Villas) --
BV (Beach Villa)
GBV (Grand Beach Villa)
-- RVs (Reef Villas) --
RV (Reef Villa, the Garden Villa category shown in the pre-opening promo video)
GRV (Grand Reef Villa, also a type of Garden Villa shown in the pre-opening promo video)
-- OWVs (Over Water Villas) aka Ocean Villas in rewards booking --
OV (Overwater Villa)
GOV (Grand Overwater Villa)
SMR (Stella Maris Residences)
-- Occupancy Information --
See this post for maximum occupancy of each villa type
Villa Selection
• See this post and this post
• Privacy - Beach Villas: For pics, info and opinions, see the following posts; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Travel & Safety Information
• The Maldives is listed in Category 1 (the highest category) on the
WHO Zika virus classification table. However, don't let that scare you because as of April 13, 2017 there has only been one confirmed case of Zika in the Maldives
• Click here for information related to the single Zika infection in the Maldives (reported in January of that year)
Contact
• General Enquiries: [email protected]
• Reservations Department: [email protected]
• Tel: +960-4000-300
• Click here for hilton site and click here for Waldorf Maldives website
Weather:
Note: since the resort is close to Mahibadhoo (where there is a weather station), I have added this info from the Conrad Maldives thread as both resorts are close by and the weather will be the same as far as forecasts go (MaldivesFreak)
• General info on weather in the Maldives: Link 1 Link 2 (Maldivian government website)
• Recommended Android weather app: eWeather HD. See this post for detailed info on the app, settings, tips and general weather info (Courtesy of MaldivesFreak)
• Want to get an idea about the weather in the month of August? Click here to read a post from a FT member that spends 2 weeks at Rangali during this month (Courtesy of Splotly)
Pictures - Resort under construction:
• January, 2018 :Link to post:
• June, 2018 :Link to post:
• Approx October, 2018 :Link to post:
• January, 2019 :Link to post:
Pictures & Videos - Post-opening:
• General pics of the resort (July, 2019) :Link to post: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• The Stella Maris exclusive! :Link to post with links to videos: (Courtesy of alanslegal)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #1 :Link to post: (Courtesy of alanslegal)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #2 :Link to post: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #3 :Link to post: (Courtesy of Traveler Dave)
• Breakfast buffet at Tasting Table - Post #4 :Link to post: (Courtesy of Another Getaway)
• IVD(in villa dining) :Link to post: (Courtesy of Stivelio)
• Terra (views from all 7 'cages') :Link to post: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Terra and Family Pool :Link to post with link to video: (Courtesy of alanslegal)
• Reef Villa with sunset view :Link to post: (Courtesy of Stivelio)
• Views in the direction of Male (night & day pics) :Link to post 1: (Courtesy of wekxbrainx) :Link to post 2: (Courtesy of jphripjah)
• Bicycle tour :Link to post:
• Various resort and villa pics from a stay in November 2019 :Link to post: (Courtesy of aspenedelen)
Reviews:
• Review by Jermyn
• Review by goldelite8
• Review by escape4
• Review by Falcons05 (text only)
Historical Information for high rollers:
+ $135 shisha, Check out this post
+ If you do NOT have Gold/Diamond status with Free breakfast AND you decide NOT to pay the $65++ for full buffet at Tasting Table, then you may or may not encounter a $35 charge for a single egg
+ 106,000 dollar bottle of wine: Click
here for a picture of the wine menu (reactions follow on subsequent pages)
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
Feb 5, 2021, 4:39 pm
#136
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DEN
Posts: 136
We're also going to be there in early April, and we also were surprised to see the new mandatory gala added. My partner is planning on trying to see if we can skip it, but I'm not especially sanguine about our chances. I'll report back here with the results.
Feb 5, 2021, 9:35 pm
#137
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Grapevine, TX
Programs: AA Plat Pro, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National Emerald Club Exec Elite,
Posts: 38
Hoping to be there next month for 10 days, having made the reservation back in April, we will be returning after staying at Rangali in 2014
Was going to get a Local SIM at the Airport, anyone know which has better Data Coverage - Dhiraagu or Ooredoo - do either or both have LTE?
Was going to get a Local SIM at the Airport, anyone know which has better Data Coverage - Dhiraagu or Ooredoo - do either or both have LTE?
Feb 6, 2021, 4:25 am
#138
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
I'd be shocked if they don't back down. This is similar to when people booked when the yacht transfer was advertised at $370 round trip and then later the hotel sent "reminders" saying that the transfer price would be $350 each way. When people complained, the hotel quickly backed down.
If the resort says they'll cancel your reservation if you don't agree, then tell the resort you've already booked your flights and that you'd expect to be compensated if they cancel the reservation.
Of course, what the hotel COULD do is say "OK, you don't have to attend the Easter gala dinner but no other food outlets will be open that evening."
Last edited by jphripjah; Feb 6, 2021 at 6:25 am
Feb 6, 2021, 6:54 am
#140
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
I finally wrote up my full length review of this property: REVIEW – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi : King Reef Villa & King Ocean Villa
This is by far the longest hotel review I've ever written, for any of you that read my series of reviews on the Conrad Maldives, you'll know that that's really saying something!
Here's a brief summary:
We stayed for 5 nights in an OWV in February 2020 and returned in November 2020 for another 4 nights in a Reef Villa.
Our Reef Villa
It was really interesting to see not only the difference between room types but also the modifications to service, fluctuations in pricing and downgrades to Honors benefits resulting from COVID.
I feel that I was perhaps a little harsh in my initial judgement of the resort and in some ways it has improved.
There was substantially more marine life visible in November and the spindly, broken palm trees have now gone.
It looks like the intervening rainy season really worked wonders for the foliage.
Greenery looking green
There is no question in my mind that this is the apex of points redemptions across all hotel programs globally.
The fact that you can turn $2400 into 5 nights at this property in a matter of a few short clicks is truly ludicrous.
You never get over the fact that this is actually your room
There are a few places in the Maldives offering similar nightly rates at the moment thanks to declining guest numbers.
Under normal circumstances though, the price is outlandish in comparison to the alternatives.
The yacht cost is something which I also personally feel is in keeping with this hotel's peer group.
I'd rather pay $800 for a luxury yacht that is waiting right outside the airport and which serves free flowing Delamotte, versus $745 for a cramped seaplane to the St Regis with a complimentary bottle of water.
Food is expensive though, far more expensive than any other resort I've visited in the Maldives. It certainly seems like points properties jack up the prices to make up for the cheap rooms.
However, I am a big fan of the free cocktails from 4-5pm and the fact that they will now make you whatever you want.
Anyway, if you want hundreds more photos plus video and analysis then check out my review.
If not then I hope some of my thoughts here have been helpful.
Seriously. WHATEVER drink you want.
This is by far the longest hotel review I've ever written, for any of you that read my series of reviews on the Conrad Maldives, you'll know that that's really saying something!
Here's a brief summary:
We stayed for 5 nights in an OWV in February 2020 and returned in November 2020 for another 4 nights in a Reef Villa.
Our Reef Villa
It was really interesting to see not only the difference between room types but also the modifications to service, fluctuations in pricing and downgrades to Honors benefits resulting from COVID.
I feel that I was perhaps a little harsh in my initial judgement of the resort and in some ways it has improved.
There was substantially more marine life visible in November and the spindly, broken palm trees have now gone.
It looks like the intervening rainy season really worked wonders for the foliage.
Greenery looking green
There is no question in my mind that this is the apex of points redemptions across all hotel programs globally.
The fact that you can turn $2400 into 5 nights at this property in a matter of a few short clicks is truly ludicrous.
You never get over the fact that this is actually your room
There are a few places in the Maldives offering similar nightly rates at the moment thanks to declining guest numbers.
Under normal circumstances though, the price is outlandish in comparison to the alternatives.
The yacht cost is something which I also personally feel is in keeping with this hotel's peer group.
I'd rather pay $800 for a luxury yacht that is waiting right outside the airport and which serves free flowing Delamotte, versus $745 for a cramped seaplane to the St Regis with a complimentary bottle of water.
Food is expensive though, far more expensive than any other resort I've visited in the Maldives. It certainly seems like points properties jack up the prices to make up for the cheap rooms.
However, I am a big fan of the free cocktails from 4-5pm and the fact that they will now make you whatever you want.
Anyway, if you want hundreds more photos plus video and analysis then check out my review.
If not then I hope some of my thoughts here have been helpful.
Seriously. WHATEVER drink you want.
Last edited by Canarsie; Feb 10, 2021 at 11:56 am Reason: No need to enlarge the link, as the link itself suffices.
Feb 6, 2021, 9:03 am
#141
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 3
I just got an email from the hotel checking in on me and to see how our plans are coming along. Along with advice on local government requirements, it somewhat-outrageously also mentions:
This was absolutely not mentioned at the time of booking, and given our familiers unique dietary preferences, we wouldn't opt for this anyway. Not to mention that we'd rather avoid any large gatherings as far as possible!
What even is a gala dinner, and can they really impose this on me?
/JK
This was absolutely not mentioned at the time of booking, and given our familiers unique dietary preferences, we wouldn't opt for this anyway. Not to mention that we'd rather avoid any large gatherings as far as possible!
What even is a gala dinner, and can they really impose this on me?
/JK
Feb 6, 2021, 10:28 am
#142
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,167
I finally wrote up my full length review of this property: REVIEW – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi : King Reef Villa & King Ocean Villa
This is by far the longest hotel review I've ever written, for any of you that read my series of reviews on the Conrad Maldives, you'll know that that's really saying something!
Here's a brief summary:
We stayed for 5 nights in an OWV in February 2020 and returned in November 2020 for another 4 nights in a Reef Villa.
Our Reef Villa
It was really interesting to see not only the difference between room types but also the modifications to service, fluctuations in pricing and downgrades to Honors benefits resulting from COVID.
I feel that I was perhaps a little harsh in my initial judgement of the resort and in some ways it has improved.
There was substantially more marine life visible in November and the spindly, broken palm trees have now gone.
It looks like the intervening rainy season really worked wonders for the foliage.
Greenery looking green
There is no question in my mind that this is the apex of points redemptions across all hotel programs globally.
The fact that you can turn $2400 into 5 nights at this property in a matter of a few short clicks is truly ludicrous.
You never get over the fact that this is actually your room
There are a few places in the Maldives offering similar nightly rates at the moment thanks to declining guest numbers.
Under normal circumstances though, the price is outlandish in comparison to the alternatives.
The yacht cost is something which I also personally feel is in keeping with this hotel's peer group.
I'd rather pay $800 for a luxury yacht that is waiting right outside the airport and which serves free flowing Delamotte, versus $745 for a cramped seaplane to the St Regis with a complimentary bottle of water.
Food is expensive though, far more expensive than any other resort I've visited in the Maldives. It certainly seems like points properties jack up the prices to make up for the cheap rooms.
However, I am a big fan of the free cocktails from 4-5pm and the fact that they will now make you whatever you want.
Anyway, if you want hundreds more photos plus video and analysis then check out my review.
If not then I hope some of my thoughts here have been helpful.
Seriously. WHATEVER drink you want.
This is by far the longest hotel review I've ever written, for any of you that read my series of reviews on the Conrad Maldives, you'll know that that's really saying something!
Here's a brief summary:
We stayed for 5 nights in an OWV in February 2020 and returned in November 2020 for another 4 nights in a Reef Villa.
Our Reef Villa
It was really interesting to see not only the difference between room types but also the modifications to service, fluctuations in pricing and downgrades to Honors benefits resulting from COVID.
I feel that I was perhaps a little harsh in my initial judgement of the resort and in some ways it has improved.
There was substantially more marine life visible in November and the spindly, broken palm trees have now gone.
It looks like the intervening rainy season really worked wonders for the foliage.
Greenery looking green
There is no question in my mind that this is the apex of points redemptions across all hotel programs globally.
The fact that you can turn $2400 into 5 nights at this property in a matter of a few short clicks is truly ludicrous.
You never get over the fact that this is actually your room
There are a few places in the Maldives offering similar nightly rates at the moment thanks to declining guest numbers.
Under normal circumstances though, the price is outlandish in comparison to the alternatives.
The yacht cost is something which I also personally feel is in keeping with this hotel's peer group.
I'd rather pay $800 for a luxury yacht that is waiting right outside the airport and which serves free flowing Delamotte, versus $745 for a cramped seaplane to the St Regis with a complimentary bottle of water.
Food is expensive though, far more expensive than any other resort I've visited in the Maldives. It certainly seems like points properties jack up the prices to make up for the cheap rooms.
However, I am a big fan of the free cocktails from 4-5pm and the fact that they will now make you whatever you want.
Anyway, if you want hundreds more photos plus video and analysis then check out my review.
If not then I hope some of my thoughts here have been helpful.
Seriously. WHATEVER drink you want.
Cracking photos... ill check out your review...
Last edited by Canarsie; Feb 10, 2021 at 11:57 am Reason: Edited quoted text.
Feb 6, 2021, 10:43 am
#143
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DEN
Posts: 136
Feb 6, 2021, 9:07 pm
#144
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,351
Anyway, if you want hundreds more photos plus video and analysis then check out my review.
If not then I hope some of my thoughts here have been helpful.
If not then I hope some of my thoughts here have been helpful.
I beg to differ with the below assertion in your review:
The St Regis has very smartly ensured that there are less guests visiting on points, those that do are paying cash surcharges to be in the overwater villas and the number of times they can visit is limited by their ability to earn points via stays in Marriott properties.
If you follow the St Regis thread on Flyertalk you will see that as of late 2019 they have made upgraded villas available to be booked for an additional nominal amount of points or a very low fee (as opposed to the steep fees they quote you by phone or email). For example, you can book an OWV for only +5k points per night, Sunset OWV for +10k points @ night, or St Regis OWV for +15k points @ night. I don't remember what it is in points plus cash upgrade for each villa but the latter is just +$75 per night. You can easily check this for random nights on their site or app and the availability to book directly into OWV using points is way better and easier than at the WA. Also, you can earn Marriott points via cc spend as well, not just by paid stays; that's how we mostly earn ours.
(On a side note St Regis has 4 Garden Villas that we saw when we were there, not just 2. Not that it makes a difference because most guests don't end up staying in one anyway, at least that's what we were told.)
I'm very much looking forward to staying here (WA) the next time we visit the Maldives, but I'm waiting patiently for dates in 2022 to open with Standard rewards availability.
Feb 7, 2021, 12:49 am
#146
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 158
Great review. Thanks for that.
I just wanted to ask, in your review you show a Beach Villa at the CMRI as the standard points booking, but you don’t mention that you can also get an Overwater Villa for 95k points per night as well. So not entirely accurate.
I just wanted to ask, in your review you show a Beach Villa at the CMRI as the standard points booking, but you don’t mention that you can also get an Overwater Villa for 95k points per night as well. So not entirely accurate.
Last edited by Canarsie; Feb 10, 2021 at 11:58 am Reason: No need to quote the entire content of what was posted.
Feb 7, 2021, 1:00 am
#147
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OnBusiness, SPG Lifetime Plat 100, AmEx Centurion & BAPP, Superking Westin Heavenly Bed :)
Posts: 1,142
Feb 7, 2021, 2:13 am
#148
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
Thanks, I made a conscious effort to focus on my photography over the last two years. I'm happy to hear that it's paying dividends!
Thanks! I'm happy that we opted for a Reef Villa on our second visit and will continue to select this category for any future visits
Thanks for reading my review and for the correction on the Garden Villas at the StR, you're absolutely right there are 4 not 2 and this has been updated in the review.
However, whilst I appreciate that the upcharge for OWV at the StR can be as low as 5k per night (sometimes it's only $25!) I stand by my assertion that it is far harder and more expensive to book a 5 night OWV stay at the StR compared to the WA.
Why?
1. You effectively have no limit on purchasing Hilton points.
Although there is an ostensible annual purchase limit this can be overridden given that points transfers are free.
With Marriott you are constrained. You cannot buy enough points on sale in a single day and then immediately book.
Indeed you cannot buy more than 160,000 in a single year, even when they lift the limits to coincide with a points sale.
2. The $ cost of points bookings is far lower at the WA
5 nights Ocean Villa at the WA = 480,000 Hilton points = $2400 (100% sale =0.5c per point)
5 nights OVW at StR = 400,000 Marriott points + $125 = $3249 (0.781c per point)
Don't get me wrong both represent substantial discounts (closer to the cash cost of a single night) but the StR still costs 35% more.
3. Free breakfast at the WA comes instantly with status given upon sign up to credit cards.
With Marriott you'll need to work to get Platinum for free breakfast. Either via status matching or hitting $75k in spend on the 'Brilliant' card.
Otherwise you'll be paying a substantial daily charge for breakfast each day.
Looking more closely at US credit cards:
Hilton
You can take out both a Surpass and an Aspire, earning around 300,000 points in sign up bonuses (once you factor in minimum spend) plus an immediate free night cert on the Aspire.
Your incremental cost to turn this into a 6 night WA stay is 180,000 hilton points = $900. You'll also earn back $250 of your annual fee on the Aspire as dining credit at the Waldorf.
Marriott
Take out a Brilliant and a Boundless and you'll earn around 170k Bonvoy points once you've hit minimum spend. However you won't have a free night certificate or status that gives you free breakfast.
Even to turn this into a 5 night stay you're looking at an additional purchase of 230k points (plus the $125 co-pay) = $1921.
You won't get any resort credit to offset the annual fees, you'll be staying 5 nights instead of 6 and you'll still need to find a way to either get Platinum status or pay $67.65 per person per day for breakfast.
The final pertinent factor here is availability and both resorts have the ability to be almost completely dynamic, releasing different room types into points inventory when they see fit.
I booked my first stay at the WA a year out and my second one a few weeks out. Looking this month I see the next 9 nights are available at 120k.
I've personally not struggled to redeem points at the WA but I understand that others have.
If the StR is a lot easier to redeem at then this is certainly a point in it's favour...provided you have the points to begin with.
Thank you for the very detailed and helpful review, as well as your comments in the above post.
I beg to differ with the below assertion in your review:
If you follow the St Regis thread on Flyertalk you will see that as of late 2019 they have made upgraded villas available to be booked for an additional nominal amount of points or a very low fee (as opposed to the steep fees they quote you by phone or email). For example, you can book an OWV for only +5k points per night, Sunset OWV for +10k points @ night, or St Regis OWV for +15k points @ night. I don't remember what it is in points plus cash upgrade for each villa but the latter is just +$75 per night. You can easily check this for random nights on their site or app and the availability to book directly into OWV using points is way better and easier than at the WA. Also, you can earn Marriott points via cc spend as well, not just by paid stays; that's how we mostly earn ours.
(On a side note St Regis has 4 Garden Villas that we saw when we were there, not just 2. Not that it makes a difference because most guests don't end up staying in one anyway, at least that's what we were told.)
I'm very much looking forward to staying here (WA) the next time we visit the Maldives, but I'm waiting patiently for dates in 2022 to open with Standard rewards availability.
I beg to differ with the below assertion in your review:
If you follow the St Regis thread on Flyertalk you will see that as of late 2019 they have made upgraded villas available to be booked for an additional nominal amount of points or a very low fee (as opposed to the steep fees they quote you by phone or email). For example, you can book an OWV for only +5k points per night, Sunset OWV for +10k points @ night, or St Regis OWV for +15k points @ night. I don't remember what it is in points plus cash upgrade for each villa but the latter is just +$75 per night. You can easily check this for random nights on their site or app and the availability to book directly into OWV using points is way better and easier than at the WA. Also, you can earn Marriott points via cc spend as well, not just by paid stays; that's how we mostly earn ours.
(On a side note St Regis has 4 Garden Villas that we saw when we were there, not just 2. Not that it makes a difference because most guests don't end up staying in one anyway, at least that's what we were told.)
I'm very much looking forward to staying here (WA) the next time we visit the Maldives, but I'm waiting patiently for dates in 2022 to open with Standard rewards availability.
However, whilst I appreciate that the upcharge for OWV at the StR can be as low as 5k per night (sometimes it's only $25!) I stand by my assertion that it is far harder and more expensive to book a 5 night OWV stay at the StR compared to the WA.
Why?
1. You effectively have no limit on purchasing Hilton points.
Although there is an ostensible annual purchase limit this can be overridden given that points transfers are free.
With Marriott you are constrained. You cannot buy enough points on sale in a single day and then immediately book.
Indeed you cannot buy more than 160,000 in a single year, even when they lift the limits to coincide with a points sale.
2. The $ cost of points bookings is far lower at the WA
5 nights Ocean Villa at the WA = 480,000 Hilton points = $2400 (100% sale =0.5c per point)
5 nights OVW at StR = 400,000 Marriott points + $125 = $3249 (0.781c per point)
Don't get me wrong both represent substantial discounts (closer to the cash cost of a single night) but the StR still costs 35% more.
3. Free breakfast at the WA comes instantly with status given upon sign up to credit cards.
With Marriott you'll need to work to get Platinum for free breakfast. Either via status matching or hitting $75k in spend on the 'Brilliant' card.
Otherwise you'll be paying a substantial daily charge for breakfast each day.
Looking more closely at US credit cards:
Hilton
You can take out both a Surpass and an Aspire, earning around 300,000 points in sign up bonuses (once you factor in minimum spend) plus an immediate free night cert on the Aspire.
Your incremental cost to turn this into a 6 night WA stay is 180,000 hilton points = $900. You'll also earn back $250 of your annual fee on the Aspire as dining credit at the Waldorf.
Marriott
Take out a Brilliant and a Boundless and you'll earn around 170k Bonvoy points once you've hit minimum spend. However you won't have a free night certificate or status that gives you free breakfast.
Even to turn this into a 5 night stay you're looking at an additional purchase of 230k points (plus the $125 co-pay) = $1921.
You won't get any resort credit to offset the annual fees, you'll be staying 5 nights instead of 6 and you'll still need to find a way to either get Platinum status or pay $67.65 per person per day for breakfast.
The final pertinent factor here is availability and both resorts have the ability to be almost completely dynamic, releasing different room types into points inventory when they see fit.
I booked my first stay at the WA a year out and my second one a few weeks out. Looking this month I see the next 9 nights are available at 120k.
I've personally not struggled to redeem points at the WA but I understand that others have.
If the StR is a lot easier to redeem at then this is certainly a point in it's favour...provided you have the points to begin with.
Last edited by Jermyn; Feb 7, 2021 at 5:58 am Reason: spelling
Feb 7, 2021, 7:38 am
#150
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 114