[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
Jul 13, 2019, 6:03 am
#1591
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
His seemingly segregated term of "you" vs. the more appropriate classification of "us" had me perplexed. Thanks for YOUR explanation.
Jul 13, 2019, 6:18 am
#1592
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
TD
Jul 13, 2019, 6:32 am
#1593
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 29
In speaking to several Hilton CSRs over the last few months I have been told by many they anticipate the WA to be a heavy points hotel. Similar to Conrad BB, Maldives and several Hawaii resorts. I presume all the points blogs will start adding the WA Maldives to their “best places to redeem points and free night voucher” articles.
TD
Jul 13, 2019, 6:55 am
#1595
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
I don't recall any pork except one pan of bacon. There's beef sausage and chicken sausage and no pork sausage. Oh, and ham is one of the omelette options. But I thought that's it.
Jul 13, 2019, 7:00 am
#1596
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London and Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Diamond.
Posts: 118
Today has been a better day for food.
Breakfast was very good. Lots of choice. No complaints apart from wish there was less pork (would mean more options for me). 8/10
lunch we visited the ledge. Very interesting concept. Food was good. It’s worth going once and better than in room dining! 8/10
spa: had a massage. The jet lag one. The spa is huge. I had my treatment in an overwater room. Incredible experience to be looking down at the water rather than empty space! Therapist was from Bali. Clearly experienced. I fell asleep. Felt a little short at 90mins. 8.5/10.
Note: I’ve given very few things a 10/10. For me those are outstanding experiences/almost once in a lifetime.
Great day spent swimming and relaxing. Life couldn’t be better!
Breakfast was very good. Lots of choice. No complaints apart from wish there was less pork (would mean more options for me). 8/10
lunch we visited the ledge. Very interesting concept. Food was good. It’s worth going once and better than in room dining! 8/10
spa: had a massage. The jet lag one. The spa is huge. I had my treatment in an overwater room. Incredible experience to be looking down at the water rather than empty space! Therapist was from Bali. Clearly experienced. I fell asleep. Felt a little short at 90mins. 8.5/10.
Note: I’ve given very few things a 10/10. For me those are outstanding experiences/almost once in a lifetime.
Great day spent swimming and relaxing. Life couldn’t be better!
Jul 13, 2019, 7:03 am
#1597
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London and Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Diamond.
Posts: 118
pork sausage today. Some cold cuts were pork. Even if they were not available and alternatives were in place. My rating would not change.
Jul 13, 2019, 7:20 am
#1598
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
Well, I was one of those who also complained about prices. Yet, even so, I chose to still cancel my points reservation here and pay more than double the out-of-pocket cash expense for an alternative resort after consideration of posts here. Does that make me unable to afford W.A.?
Jul 13, 2019, 4:38 pm
#1599
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 29
Well, I was one of those who also complained about prices. Yet, even so, I chose to still cancel my points reservation here and pay more than double the out-of-pocket cash expense for an alternative resort after consideration of posts here. Does that make me unable to afford W.A.?
that alternative resort, and I’m also sure that this resort will also be a smashing success despite the eggs that cost $7 more than some other place.
If you have a better one I’d love to hear it. The eggs are expensive I agree.
Last edited by Canarsie; Jul 17, 2019 at 11:02 pm Reason: Consolidation.
Jul 13, 2019, 10:17 pm
#1600
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
Here’s a review of something at the resort most visitors won’t be interested in.
The gym!
The gym is located next to the Spa. It’s got 5 bicycle-type machines, 2 treadmills, and 2 of those machines where you put your feet in the strips and run/bounce. There are also weight machines, freeweights, a yoga area, heavy balls, etc.
All the machines are very nice and modern though they don’t have them hooked up to TV connection yet so there’s nothing to look at except the canal in front of you, which isn’t so bad.
There’s a guy who works in there who I have heard is an accomplished personal trainer with experience working in Singapore. He seems a bit bored and spruced when guests actually show up to use the gym. My girlfriend and I went twice and we were the only ones there both times.
They have bottled water and a small towel at each machine and more bottled water in the fridge.
The bottled water is served in those glass bottles with the plastic clasps attached to a a metal clasp and can be a little tricky to open/close while you’re running/walking on a treadmill. You might want to being your own reusable plastic water bottle.
The also have a bowl of fresh apples.
There are lockers by the entrance that are lockable with a one time electronic code like an in room safe. You put your stuff in and hit star , 4 digit code, pound to lock and then the same sequence to unlock.
There are men’s and women’s restrooms which each include a private shower stall.
You don’t need to bring a gym bag on vacation, there are free tote bags in the villas and you could use that to carry your clothes to the gym if you want to shower and change there. It’s not necessary though, I just rode the bicycle to the gym in my workout clothes and rode back to my villa in the sweaty clothes after working out and showered there.
Anyway, my overall impression is that’s a very nice gym and good amenity to help people keep off some of the breakfast buffet and happy hour weight while on vacation.
The gym!
The gym is located next to the Spa. It’s got 5 bicycle-type machines, 2 treadmills, and 2 of those machines where you put your feet in the strips and run/bounce. There are also weight machines, freeweights, a yoga area, heavy balls, etc.
All the machines are very nice and modern though they don’t have them hooked up to TV connection yet so there’s nothing to look at except the canal in front of you, which isn’t so bad.
There’s a guy who works in there who I have heard is an accomplished personal trainer with experience working in Singapore. He seems a bit bored and spruced when guests actually show up to use the gym. My girlfriend and I went twice and we were the only ones there both times.
They have bottled water and a small towel at each machine and more bottled water in the fridge.
The bottled water is served in those glass bottles with the plastic clasps attached to a a metal clasp and can be a little tricky to open/close while you’re running/walking on a treadmill. You might want to being your own reusable plastic water bottle.
The also have a bowl of fresh apples.
There are lockers by the entrance that are lockable with a one time electronic code like an in room safe. You put your stuff in and hit star , 4 digit code, pound to lock and then the same sequence to unlock.
There are men’s and women’s restrooms which each include a private shower stall.
You don’t need to bring a gym bag on vacation, there are free tote bags in the villas and you could use that to carry your clothes to the gym if you want to shower and change there. It’s not necessary though, I just rode the bicycle to the gym in my workout clothes and rode back to my villa in the sweaty clothes after working out and showered there.
Anyway, my overall impression is that’s a very nice gym and good amenity to help people keep off some of the breakfast buffet and happy hour weight while on vacation.
Jul 14, 2019, 11:08 am
#1601
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
The irony is that over at the Conrad Maldives thread where many of FT guests are points stayers, many of those points guests want to maximise/optimise their paid dining options and try to plan their many days worth of meal options prior to arriving at that resort, I have not seen this at this property yet. And to rub salt into the would so to speak, the prices at the Conrad is only a fraction less than the WA. Many points guests may or may not be able to afford the room like you or the next person after you but many are prepared to spend because it is the Maldives and more importantly they are grateful to be able to stay on points.
Jul 14, 2019, 12:07 pm
#1602
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
New review from The Telegraph gives the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi 9/10 points
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/d...aafushi-hotel/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/d...aafushi-hotel/
They look to be 2 bedroom villas. (Sorry if this has been addressed, just catching up on the thread and replying as I do so.)
Jul 14, 2019, 12:52 pm
#1603
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,949
I'm chuckling at some of the posts on this thread and the Conrad thread. It's not a crime if individuals can't afford to stay at these two properties. They certainly aren't for everyone, but for goodness sakes, choose a destination you can afford. Even if staying on points, the reality is that food, beverages, and activities cost money. Why travel halfway around the world if you plan on filling your suitcase with snacks, and skimp on meals and experiences. That doesn't sound like much fun.
I'm currently in the Caribbean for a couple of weeks, and the family in the room adjacent to mine have five people sharing the room. BTW, the children are teens. That sounds more like summer camp than a vacation. Of course, then they can go home and tell everyone that they stayed at a Sandals/Beaches resort.
I'm currently in the Caribbean for a couple of weeks, and the family in the room adjacent to mine have five people sharing the room. BTW, the children are teens. That sounds more like summer camp than a vacation. Of course, then they can go home and tell everyone that they stayed at a Sandals/Beaches resort.
Jul 14, 2019, 5:14 pm
#1604
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 73
We arrived yesterday and did not get to experience the WA yacht, was also informed it is held in customs.
Snack on board is beyond surpar.
The tuna whatever sandwich mayo was warm.
The fruit offerings was not fresh.
Check in was seamless.
After 30 minutes waiting for our luggage to be delivered, had to call twice for status.
Finally. After 45 minutes was reunited with our luggages.
We missed the afternoon snack.
Dinner was at glow.
We shared appetizer and Dessert.
Husband and I had our own main.
He had fresh orange juice and we shared Evian still bottle.
I invoice was $225 with all taxes. Excluding gratity so I'm thinking $225 is very lazy meal.
It's very easy to reach $300 for 2 person.
Glow was delicious.
We received welcome amenity roombottle of champagne. Small fruit plate, and chocolate.
Snack on board is beyond surpar.
The tuna whatever sandwich mayo was warm.
The fruit offerings was not fresh.
Check in was seamless.
After 30 minutes waiting for our luggage to be delivered, had to call twice for status.
Finally. After 45 minutes was reunited with our luggages.
We missed the afternoon snack.
Dinner was at glow.
We shared appetizer and Dessert.
Husband and I had our own main.
He had fresh orange juice and we shared Evian still bottle.
I invoice was $225 with all taxes. Excluding gratity so I'm thinking $225 is very lazy meal.
It's very easy to reach $300 for 2 person.
Glow was delicious.
We received welcome amenity roombottle of champagne. Small fruit plate, and chocolate.
Jul 14, 2019, 8:13 pm
#1605
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
I didn't eat a Terra but I was riding my bicycle around one day and went up there to take photos. There are seven tables/nests/cages at Terra. Here's a photo of the view from each one. In my opinion, the views from Terra are quite poor as the nests overlook the photograph studio and the kids' discovery center and water sports center.
