[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
Feb 14, 2019, 10:57 am
#451
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 14
I checked my reservation on Hilton.com and it changed the wording to "per way" as well. I printed off my reservation using the previous wording before it changed. I called the Diamond desk and she just said I would have to talk to the hotel. Not much help or information.
I cancelled our Conrad reservation to book at the WA - but they really should have had this stuff figured out before accepting bookings IMO. Hopefully it gets resolved...
I cancelled our Conrad reservation to book at the WA - but they really should have had this stuff figured out before accepting bookings IMO. Hopefully it gets resolved...
Feb 14, 2019, 10:58 am
#452
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 109
If it's just a 30 minute ride, I think I'd be fine with the smaller speedboat. Are there boat operators in the area who are for-hire like a water taxi, or bookable ahead of time as a charter?
In other words, do you have to use the hotel's boat? I get that some people will like the smoother ride of a 70-footer, but in most parts of the world where something like this is part of the local transportation, there are different options.
In other words, do you have to use the hotel's boat? I get that some people will like the smoother ride of a 70-footer, but in most parts of the world where something like this is part of the local transportation, there are different options.
Feb 14, 2019, 11:12 am
#453
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 158
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...
Feb 14, 2019, 11:18 am
#454
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
From This Morning:
Current:
Current:
TD
So here is a question I have. Do we know what the "yacht" will be? If it is truly a yacht and they serve food and drinks with perhaps some entertainment, the cost is still high, but could be part of the overall experience of a great trip. Much like I justify the high cost of the short flight. I have not been to the Maldives, yet, but have taken many small "puddle jumpers" at extortionist rates. I just roll the cost in to the whole adventure. But if yacht is just a fancy word for a glorified people transfer boat, like the one they use at the Conrad Bora Bora or IHG Tahlasso, then experience/cost has a different perspective for me.
TD
Last edited by Canarsie; Apr 30, 2019 at 12:04 pm Reason: Consolidation.
Feb 14, 2019, 11:47 am
#455
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
Screen capture your Hilton App under your reservation displaying this hotel name through - "Benefits" tab with the language "A daily complimentary breakfast in the hotel's designated restaurant for you and up to one additional guest........." before they modify that too.
It took me nearly an hour on my pc to realize that I saw this yesterday only on the app.
F..K Hilton
It took me nearly an hour on my pc to realize that I saw this yesterday only on the app.
F..K Hilton
Feb 14, 2019, 12:12 pm
#456
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen, HH Diamond, IC RA
Posts: 313
So here is a question I have. Do we know what the "yacht" will be? If it is truly a yacht and they serve food and drinks with perhaps some entertainment, the cost is still high, but could be part of the overall experience of a great trip. Much like I justify the high cost of the short flight. I have not been to the Maldives, yet, but have taken many small "puddle jumpers" at extortionist rates. I just roll the cost in to the whole adventure. But if yacht is just a fancy word for a glorified people transfer boat, like the one they use at the Conrad Bora Bora or IHG Tahlasso, then experience/cost has a different perspective for me.
TD
TD
Feb 14, 2019, 12:18 pm
#457
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: 7,328
I'm not contacting the hotel about this. I'll raise it on check out. Then dispute with Amex.
I'd suggest others do the same.
I'd suggest others do the same.
Feb 14, 2019, 12:27 pm
#458
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: El Gouna , Hurghada (HRG)
Programs: BAEC:Silver ,IHG:Spire Amb ,QR:Silver,HH:Diamond
Posts: 374
So here is a question I have. Do we know what the "yacht" will be? If it is truly a yacht and they serve food and drinks with perhaps some entertainment, the cost is still high, but could be part of the overall experience of a great trip. Much like I justify the high cost of the short flight. I have not been to the Maldives, yet, but have taken many small "puddle jumpers" at extortionist rates. I just roll the cost in to the whole adventure. But if yacht is just a fancy word for a glorified people transfer boat, like the one they use at the Conrad Bora Bora or IHG Tahlasso, then experience/cost has a different perspective for me.
TD
TD
Feb 14, 2019, 1:36 pm
#461
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
I wouldn't bat an eyelid at the current price. Even though it looks like the owners view their resort as a Maldivian Atlantis and have priced it accordingly, I don't think they'll have one of these for transportation.
And really, the only reason they are finally saying they're going to honour anyone who has received a confirmation from the system for $370++ return is because of all the hoohah here and everywhere else on the travelnet.
Feb 14, 2019, 1:59 pm
#462
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
Transfer price has been amended on confirmations to $370++ each way, per person.
Over $1800 for a couple to spend one hour on a boat is absurd.
Never mind Ohio, that's the cost of a 4 night stay at Amankila.
Can't see myself holding onto this reservation but a lot can change in the next year...
Over $1800 for a couple to spend one hour on a boat is absurd.
Never mind Ohio, that's the cost of a 4 night stay at Amankila.
Can't see myself holding onto this reservation but a lot can change in the next year...
Feb 14, 2019, 3:11 pm
#463
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
TD
Feb 14, 2019, 5:41 pm
#464
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
Well, if they only have one yacht, and if yacht fuel is really expensive, maybe 24 hour service means "Boat departures from the airport to the resort are at 9 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and midnight." So you could end up waiting 4-5 hours at the airport for a boat instead of the guaranteed departure within 2 hours on the seaplane.
Feb 14, 2019, 6:02 pm
#465
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,718
I don't really understand the shock at the transfer price, or the idea that a luxury yacht might be more expensive than a scheduled propeller flight. In the Marriott Group you have the likes of the Gritti Palace's Riva which is comparably priced despite apparently being significantly less expensive than the presumptive WA yacht, as well as the private yacht fleet at Caresse which is not cheap either (despite being in the cheapest bar of one of the cheapest cities in Europe).
It looks like the WA's target customer market is the same as people who would stay at places like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai where the standard airport pickup is $300-500 by car, or a lot more by helicopter for the high rollers. Who knows what they'd charge if they had a large private yacht available.
It looks like the WA's target customer market is the same as people who would stay at places like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai where the standard airport pickup is $300-500 by car, or a lot more by helicopter for the high rollers. Who knows what they'd charge if they had a large private yacht available.