[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
#421
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: El Gouna , Hurghada (HRG)
Programs: BAEC:Silver ,IHG:Spire Amb ,QR:Silver,HH:Diamond
Posts: 374
While true the links in the confirmation E Mail don't work and the basic message doesn't mention the rates .If you print out your confirmation from the website it does indicate transfer rates as $370 ++ return ! I don't think that contesting the mistake is cheap . I live beside the red sea and I am aware of yacht charter costs and even at a return price $370 is high for a shared boat that could transfer 10 people very comfortably for 30 minutes .$3000 will get you a 70-120 foot yacht for a day ! I hope they honour the mistake and I can use the $370 to treat myself to an appetiser in the restaurant (Probably) .
#422
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,830
I don't think anyone in this thread is being cheap and are fully aware that the Maldives cost $$$$. But I don't think many want to be totally hosed over on a boat transfer. Heck being from MN give me an 18' Alumacraft with an OB Evinrude and good to go!
#423
Cmon guys. Please don't ruin it for the rest of us who want to be valued guests. Ive been a loyal repeater to the Conrad Maldives and others for a decade now. I know the Maldives inside out.
The yacht transfer is exactly that... a stunning multi million dollar yacht from what I can tell. Jeez... if you are .....ing so hard about this you should definitely stay at home. The Maldives is very special, very expensive part of the world.
If you start threatening and being super cheap...they will shut down the opportunity we have. I gladly pay the seaplane every time X3 people because it is an event, and the logistics are super expensive there.
Please please guys don't be cheap.... or if you're looking to save money...Hawaii is much closer and cheaper. Or try Ohio maybe?
The yacht transfer is exactly that... a stunning multi million dollar yacht from what I can tell. Jeez... if you are .....ing so hard about this you should definitely stay at home. The Maldives is very special, very expensive part of the world.
If you start threatening and being super cheap...they will shut down the opportunity we have. I gladly pay the seaplane every time X3 people because it is an event, and the logistics are super expensive there.
Please please guys don't be cheap.... or if you're looking to save money...Hawaii is much closer and cheaper. Or try Ohio maybe?
#424
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,304
How about you don't try to dictate to others to just allow themselves to be hosed with breach of contract. The reservations specifically state 370 + taxes per person return trip which is the same verbiage we have seen with the Conrad and is understood to be round trip. To try and change it after we have booked is breach of contract. Are you implying that just because we have discretionary money to spend on going to the Maldives, we should accept breach of contract?
This resort looks to be an awesome experience. I choose to concentrate on that.
TD
Last edited by Traveler Dave; Feb 13, 2019 at 3:55 pm
#425
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Cmon guys. Please don't ruin it for the rest of us who want to be valued guests. Ive been a loyal repeater to the Conrad Maldives and others for a decade now. I know the Maldives inside out.
The yacht transfer is exactly that... a stunning multi million dollar yacht from what I can tell. Jeez... if you are .....ing so hard about this you should definitely stay at home. The Maldives is very special, very expensive part of the world.
If you start threatening and being super cheap...they will shut down the opportunity we have. I gladly pay the seaplane every time X3 people because it is an event, and the logistics are super expensive there.
Please please guys don't be cheap.... or if you're looking to save money...Hawaii is much closer and cheaper. Or try Ohio maybe?
The yacht transfer is exactly that... a stunning multi million dollar yacht from what I can tell. Jeez... if you are .....ing so hard about this you should definitely stay at home. The Maldives is very special, very expensive part of the world.
If you start threatening and being super cheap...they will shut down the opportunity we have. I gladly pay the seaplane every time X3 people because it is an event, and the logistics are super expensive there.
Please please guys don't be cheap.... or if you're looking to save money...Hawaii is much closer and cheaper. Or try Ohio maybe?
Call me sensitive or whatever - but I find it inappropriate for you to be calling anyone 'cheap'. The issue is definitely not being cheap, rich or whatever in between.
Just because this Waldorf Astoria is in the Maldives, an expensive resort or they simply provide a 'stunning multi-million dollar yacht' does not make it right or OK for them to offer one thing, which the guest has accepted, and then for them to switch it into something else - often at the guests' detriment.
The resort has provided in their confirmation emails that it is $370++ round trip per person - if they want to charge something else, be upfront about it, and then we can our own informed decisions to accept that or not. This is absolutely not about being cheap, it is about the (potential) guest not being baited in or mislead.
If you still think that is OK, what is stopping them from saying the standard rooms were loaded incorrectly, it is actually 140,000 per night - pay the 20,000 per night difference or we'll cancel your booking and return the points. Or that your cash rate is $2,588+ instead of $2,188++ and so on.
#426
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
given that the resort is only 25km from the airport, anyone give any thought to arranging a transfer not through the hotel (if thats allowed)? places like this - https://www.atolltransfer.com/private-speed - come up, at $25 a mile, or $600RT. As a couple, that would be $300 each
#427
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Cmon guys. Please don't ruin it for the rest of us who want to be valued guests. Ive been a loyal repeater to the Conrad Maldives and others for a decade now. I know the Maldives inside out.
The yacht transfer is exactly that... a stunning multi million dollar yacht from what I can tell. Jeez... if you are .....ing so hard about this you should definitely stay at home. The Maldives is very special, very expensive part of the world.
If you start threatening and being super cheap...they will shut down the opportunity we have. I gladly pay the seaplane every time X3 people because it is an event, and the logistics are super expensive there.
Please please guys don't be cheap.... or if you're looking to save money...Hawaii is much closer and cheaper. Or try Ohio maybe?
The yacht transfer is exactly that... a stunning multi million dollar yacht from what I can tell. Jeez... if you are .....ing so hard about this you should definitely stay at home. The Maldives is very special, very expensive part of the world.
If you start threatening and being super cheap...they will shut down the opportunity we have. I gladly pay the seaplane every time X3 people because it is an event, and the logistics are super expensive there.
Please please guys don't be cheap.... or if you're looking to save money...Hawaii is much closer and cheaper. Or try Ohio maybe?
What they should say is "We will honour what is in the confirmation email from the Hilton system as that is a formal contract (not what we continue to reiterate / try to enforce / demand in our emails back and forth)."
#428
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
I don't care about the fact that they didn't print the transfer cost on the email. So, naturally, as I always do (and believe others do too), I check the details of the email and then look for further information from the online booking. That clearly says what I expect to get, a return transfer. If I were to subsequently get an email especially after I had just finished booking my entire family on a flight to get to Male (or worse, 3 days before my arrival upon reserving the boat) and then told by Hilton that my boat transfer was going to be double price {**due to their error, not mine**} then I would be quite livid in the least. I don't even need to have booked my flight yet to have lessened these 2 points.
This to me, is a matter of not only principle but brand name integrity. I agree with Maldivesfreak. Their mistakes are their problem not mine. And any lack of due diligence on Hilton corporate or WA 's part is strictly between those two and should not concern nor affect the patron - particularly with a property of this caliber.
This to me, is a matter of not only principle but brand name integrity. I agree with Maldivesfreak. Their mistakes are their problem not mine. And any lack of due diligence on Hilton corporate or WA 's part is strictly between those two and should not concern nor affect the patron - particularly with a property of this caliber.
Last edited by scwam; Feb 13, 2019 at 11:53 pm
#429
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
where in the automated confirmation email does it say it is 370 rt?
#430
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
How do you know it cost a billion dollars to open this resort? Care to provide a source for that figure? And the rooms are astronomically priced? Really? What are you basing that on?
There are plenty of properties who play dirty tricks on guests - whether it be openly or not openly - and try and rip them off, intentionally charge extra fees, try and get around rules, sometimes even to make it impossible to do redemption stays and blatantly lie to guests about availability (take the St. Regis Vommuli as an example of the latter two). That's not getting into the black from the red, that's called greed. By not opposing it, you approve of it and that's why practically everyone here is rallying against you. I don't plan on being a well-behaved, non-complaining, easy-to-cheat and manipulate guest that greedy corporations love. If everyone had your attitude to being blatantly ripped off or to breaching of a contract, they (the greedy corporations) would be doing even more to cheat, rip off and dupe their benefactors. It's only because people stand up for themselves and others that this kind of thing is kept to a level which is fairly uncommon among top properties. It's only because of massive complaints that prices sometimes do get lowered down to a reasonable level. Fact.
If John complains due to being overcharged, cheated, having a contract broken or whatever, it has absolutely no reflection on Jack, Jane and Jill who don't. Don't pretend there is some kind of negative reflection on everyone else and that there is blame to be attached to others. That might, on the surface, look as if it's useful for your argument but in reality it's falsely assigning blame on others and a poor way to make others feel guilty for something they should not feel guilty for.
If you are so oblivious to how much money hotels like this are making, then you need to do some research. So please don't come in here wailing "Oh, those poor 5-star hotels. They have to make a profit, you know. Boo hoo!" ROFLMAO! Hilton LLC made 1.3 billion in 2017 and the upper-echelon property owners are doing very well too, thank you - especially in the Maldives. They are not strapped for cash by any means nor is there the need to gouge guests for twice the price of what the going rate is for an arguably better service.
Now onto something more interesting. Are they going to have a seaplane service in the future? It looks as if they have a seaplane jetty. I wonder if TMA are going to start a service there in the future. I'll keep an eye out for this on TMA's website.
Second, I have received a reply back from the resort to say that the website will have menus, info on spa treatments, prices etc, mid-February. Since it's that time, I certainly hope they will add the content soon. I have asked for the following;
1. Season information with dates2. Approximate / expected opening date
There are plenty of properties who play dirty tricks on guests - whether it be openly or not openly - and try and rip them off, intentionally charge extra fees, try and get around rules, sometimes even to make it impossible to do redemption stays and blatantly lie to guests about availability (take the St. Regis Vommuli as an example of the latter two). That's not getting into the black from the red, that's called greed. By not opposing it, you approve of it and that's why practically everyone here is rallying against you. I don't plan on being a well-behaved, non-complaining, easy-to-cheat and manipulate guest that greedy corporations love. If everyone had your attitude to being blatantly ripped off or to breaching of a contract, they (the greedy corporations) would be doing even more to cheat, rip off and dupe their benefactors. It's only because people stand up for themselves and others that this kind of thing is kept to a level which is fairly uncommon among top properties. It's only because of massive complaints that prices sometimes do get lowered down to a reasonable level. Fact.
If John complains due to being overcharged, cheated, having a contract broken or whatever, it has absolutely no reflection on Jack, Jane and Jill who don't. Don't pretend there is some kind of negative reflection on everyone else and that there is blame to be attached to others. That might, on the surface, look as if it's useful for your argument but in reality it's falsely assigning blame on others and a poor way to make others feel guilty for something they should not feel guilty for.
If you are so oblivious to how much money hotels like this are making, then you need to do some research. So please don't come in here wailing "Oh, those poor 5-star hotels. They have to make a profit, you know. Boo hoo!" ROFLMAO! Hilton LLC made 1.3 billion in 2017 and the upper-echelon property owners are doing very well too, thank you - especially in the Maldives. They are not strapped for cash by any means nor is there the need to gouge guests for twice the price of what the going rate is for an arguably better service.
Now onto something more interesting. Are they going to have a seaplane service in the future? It looks as if they have a seaplane jetty. I wonder if TMA are going to start a service there in the future. I'll keep an eye out for this on TMA's website.
Second, I have received a reply back from the resort to say that the website will have menus, info on spa treatments, prices etc, mid-February. Since it's that time, I certainly hope they will add the content soon. I have asked for the following;
1. Season information with dates
3a. List of all villa types, maximum occupancy and associated prices for all seasons
3b. Any details of opening promotions
4. A map of the resort (I have seen the promo video and notice that the villa categories / naming conventions are different from what has been posted here on FlyerTalk. I will add the map indicating villa numbers and categories to the wiki so everyone is clear about the layout and terminology - we need this for villa selection)
3b. Any details of opening promotions
4. A map of the resort (I have seen the promo video and notice that the villa categories / naming conventions are different from what has been posted here on FlyerTalk. I will add the map indicating villa numbers and categories to the wiki so everyone is clear about the layout and terminology - we need this for villa selection)
5. A full list of Gold and Diamond benefits
6a. Male airport lounge information (will there be a lounge and will it be using the Conrad Lounge temporarily at opening?) and prices for use on return journey if applicable6b. Speedboat transfer times and prices Erm, well.....
7. Information on water sports, activities, excursions etc (if they have an Activity Planner in PDF format I will host it externally and link to it in the wiki)
8. Spa brochure with information and prices
7. Information on water sports, activities, excursions etc (if they have an Activity Planner in PDF format I will host it externally and link to it in the wiki)
8. Spa brochure with information and prices
9. A Positioning Brochure or similar in English with pictures of rooms, facilities and introduction of the resort in general
10. Restaurant menus and prices for breakfast (if not included) / HB / FB etcLast edited by Kiwi Flyer; Feb 15, 2019 at 12:07 am Reason: remove personal commentary & responses
#431
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
The resort can offer X,Y,Z that's their discretion, just don't change it to A,B,C after a guest accepting X,Y,Z . There is absolutely no way / zero way you can defend that. The resort will love you because they can now say your room rate is 140,000 or whatever amount instead of 120,000 - and you will accept it because you tell yourself that you are getting an astronomically high priced room anyway. Why not email the resort today and tell them you will send them another 100,000 for free - because the room is still worth it.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Feb 15, 2019 at 12:09 am Reason: deletion of quoted post
#432
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,835
If I was the GM of WA I would offer the $370 RT to those that booked already and eat the "loss" and move on with my life. Not worth creating bad will before I am even open just to save a few dollars.
In terms of the cost of the yacht transfer after they fix the wording of confirmation e-mails, my opinion is that they are free to charge a very high price if they would like to. It's a free market and if customers come anyway, then good for them. If customers pick a different resort because of the price of the yacht transfer, they are not stupid, they will reduce the cost.
In terms of the cost of the yacht transfer after they fix the wording of confirmation e-mails, my opinion is that they are free to charge a very high price if they would like to. It's a free market and if customers come anyway, then good for them. If customers pick a different resort because of the price of the yacht transfer, they are not stupid, they will reduce the cost.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Feb 15, 2019 at 12:10 am Reason: remove reference to deleted post
#433
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,304
If I was the GM of WA I would offer the $370 RT to those that booked already and eat the "loss" and move on with my life. Not worth creating bad will before I am even open just to save a few dollars.
In terms of the cost of the yacht transfer after they fix the wording of confirmation e-mails, my opinion is that they are free to charge a very high price if they would like to. It's a free market and if customers come anyway, then good for them. If customers pick a different resort because of the price of the yacht transfer, they are not stupid, they will reduce the cost.
In terms of the cost of the yacht transfer after they fix the wording of confirmation e-mails, my opinion is that they are free to charge a very high price if they would like to. It's a free market and if customers come anyway, then good for them. If customers pick a different resort because of the price of the yacht transfer, they are not stupid, they will reduce the cost.
TD
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Feb 15, 2019 at 12:10 am Reason: edited quoted post
#434
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, SQ Gold, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card (7 Stamps)
Posts: 7,325
In other news... I've seen a report that the resort will have "it's own private sandbank". I'm a bit baffled as to why that would be relevant?
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Feb 15, 2019 at 12:11 am Reason: remove reference to deleted discussion
#435
Join Date: Feb 2019
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 37
Good news... i've been in touch with the hotel again regarding the yacht transfer and they have now said...
"Thank you for the email and bringing this to our attention, The change was initiated from our end before us accepting reservations, however this has not reflected on the booking system.
Please note that we will at all times, honor the booking confirmation and in this case as well, we will be charging you US$370++ per person for roundtrip.
Kind accept our apologies for the inconvenience."
Gotta love 'em! So everyone book quick before they realise!!
RE the troll... don't give him/her the time of day. I appreciate the help and information this community has provided and has gotten me even more excited for what will be a genuine 'once in a lifetime trip' for our honeymoon and one I am RIDICULOUSLY excited for! We're all going for different reasons and have different stories, let's respect them hey.
Onwards...
"Thank you for the email and bringing this to our attention, The change was initiated from our end before us accepting reservations, however this has not reflected on the booking system.
Please note that we will at all times, honor the booking confirmation and in this case as well, we will be charging you US$370++ per person for roundtrip.
Kind accept our apologies for the inconvenience."
Gotta love 'em! So everyone book quick before they realise!!
RE the troll... don't give him/her the time of day. I appreciate the help and information this community has provided and has gotten me even more excited for what will be a genuine 'once in a lifetime trip' for our honeymoon and one I am RIDICULOUSLY excited for! We're all going for different reasons and have different stories, let's respect them hey.
Onwards...