[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
#541
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
Honestly, you can't trust menus, labeling, or even customs disclosures. My SO works in this industry and was getting NK scallops (just as something nice to personally have) while bypassing trade embargoes subject to business(es) within a country in agreement to and having close ties to America. I tell you, those were the biggest and tastiest scallops I've seen or eaten worldwide. The shells were probably the size of Shaq's hands. If Trumps wins a deal in a seafood trade with NK then lookout.
Last edited by scwam; Feb 21, 2019 at 8:03 am
#542
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum Ambassador, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 58
very odd.... base rooms are certainly bookable with cash but not so with points
#544
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,384
has anyone tried calling them to book? would actually be good if it wasn't bookable online but was avialble through te phone
#545
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: HHonors Diamond; Royal Ambassor
Posts: 466
Reminds me of the early days of points redemption at Hilton Rangali.
Basically no awards available, randomly 2 rooms bookable via DiamondDesk/Diamond Force.
Availability became widely open, after negotiating a special contract about reimbursement on award stays.
Independent from occupancy level, they get high percentage of the announced rates. Even the service charge is covered by Hilton.
Thats the Rangali business model, releasing all Beach and meanwhile Water Villas, even at festive season. Guests willing to pay high upgrade charges, spending a lot for special dinners ....
Would be interesting to know, how the Waldorf will be reimbursed on awards.
Management probably realized, that they got more award bookings than paid bookings. Maybe soon we will see introduction of new room categories. 2 King/Queen Beach Villa as standard room, all the others upraded to Deluxe/Superior as premium reward
Basically no awards available, randomly 2 rooms bookable via DiamondDesk/Diamond Force.
Availability became widely open, after negotiating a special contract about reimbursement on award stays.
Independent from occupancy level, they get high percentage of the announced rates. Even the service charge is covered by Hilton.
Thats the Rangali business model, releasing all Beach and meanwhile Water Villas, even at festive season. Guests willing to pay high upgrade charges, spending a lot for special dinners ....
Would be interesting to know, how the Waldorf will be reimbursed on awards.
Management probably realized, that they got more award bookings than paid bookings. Maybe soon we will see introduction of new room categories. 2 King/Queen Beach Villa as standard room, all the others upraded to Deluxe/Superior as premium reward
#546
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 175
I do have a question re the map supplied. (I am not a travel agent and am not involved in travel except as a vacationer.) Top of map is designated sunrise and bottom designated sunset. However, on Google Earth what would be the top of this map seems (??) to be north and the bottom would be south. Trying to find out true direction of sunset/sunrise for villa selection etc. Any thoughts??
Cheers
#547
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 253
i called 2 nights ago quite late. Spoke to HHD desk for 20 minutes. Could book revenue standard villa but not award. No particular insight but HHd was trying to be helpful.
#548
Join Date: May 2013
Location: GVA, BSL, ZRH
Programs: A3*, HH, club carlson: all gold and bonvoy plat
Posts: 466
Further to your request, as of now we have reached our allocated rooms for standard redemption for some of your travel dates and closed redemption stays.
#549
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 253
Quote:
"Further to your request, as of now we have reached our allocated rooms for standard redemption for some of your travel dates and closed redemption stays."
For the entire remainder of the year ???????? Seriously ...... this is silly... First the cruise ship at CR and now this ... we have a chunk spg/marriott points (probably lots of people on this board do) and may be thinking about which program we should be loyal to going forward
"Further to your request, as of now we have reached our allocated rooms for standard redemption for some of your travel dates and closed redemption stays."
For the entire remainder of the year ???????? Seriously ...... this is silly... First the cruise ship at CR and now this ... we have a chunk spg/marriott points (probably lots of people on this board do) and may be thinking about which program we should be loyal to going forward
#550
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: HH Diamond; IHG Plat; Marriott Titanium; United Silver
Posts: 254
#551
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,302
The website does still have This hotel will soon be joining the Hilton Portfolio of Brands and is presently accepting reservations for arrival July 1, 2019 and beyond
So perhaps there is still some negotiation going on.
TD
I noticed the fine print when using booking.com mentions a boat transfer, it has no rate. Not thinking a booking.com customer will be thrilled with $370USD++ each way per person. You would think they should have that posted in the fine print.
On the plus side on booking.com a refundable reservation for 3 does cover breakfast for 3 for free.
TD
Last edited by Canarsie; Apr 30, 2019 at 12:08 pm Reason: Consolidation.
#552
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
Quote:
"Further to your request, as of now we have reached our allocated rooms for standard redemption for some of your travel dates and closed redemption stays."
For the entire remainder of the year ???????? Seriously ...... this is silly... First the cruise ship at CR and now this ... we have a chunk spg/marriott points (probably lots of people on this board do) and may be thinking about which program we should be loyal to going forward
"Further to your request, as of now we have reached our allocated rooms for standard redemption for some of your travel dates and closed redemption stays."
For the entire remainder of the year ???????? Seriously ...... this is silly... First the cruise ship at CR and now this ... we have a chunk spg/marriott points (probably lots of people on this board do) and may be thinking about which program we should be loyal to going forward
Last edited by scwam; Feb 22, 2019 at 11:02 am
#553
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 783
I've just searched all dates up to the last date searchable in 2020 and no availability? Do we think they have pulled points redemptions for now or redemption rooms reduced or simply lots of people staying on every available date as each day arrives? Only a few days ago I found a fair bit of availability...
#554
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: HH Diamond; IHG Plat; Marriott Titanium; United Silver
Posts: 254
It does seem like award availability has been totally pulled as you don't see the stray single nights you normally would.
#555
Join Date: May 2013
Location: GVA, BSL, ZRH
Programs: A3*, HH, club carlson: all gold and bonvoy plat
Posts: 466
I've just searched all dates up to the last date searchable in 2020 and no availability? Do we think they have pulled points redemptions for now or redemption rooms reduced or simply lots of people staying on every available date as each day arrives? Only a few days ago I found a fair bit of availability...
So definitely not because people booked every single available redemption.
Pretty confident though the rooms availability will open up again!