noeatbutgo

Decent availability for BV but not for WV!

alanslegal

This is what shi7s me (about the resort). There are people like you who want to and are able to spend $$$ (at the resort) [ie spent $614 + time + 2 weekend certificates] but because of a BS no 3rd party boats policy on a fake premise, they lost a guest and money.

You know there are some people (here) who think if you complain about the yacht cost, it would best if you stayed home because you can't afford yacht ride you are not the guest that the resort wants - I call this a complete fallacy.

I complained about the yacht cost but at the same time, I suggested people to spend up big (July 5th), worry about the cost later. Deciding how I spend my money, that is called choice. I wonder if there is helicpoter pad because one day I might just want to take a helicopter there or will that ruin other guests privacy.

Traveler Dave

calvinoeh

Hope you can share details....

MaldivesFreak

Yes, please do share.


This would be interesting issue to take up with the government. Probably wouldn't get very far but if more resorts start being this anal then you never know.

Which manager was this? Reservations department I guess.

Yeah like they've been open a month and already getting loads of pushback about the transfer then they come up with this pathetic excuse for an excuse. It's an outright lie. And so is their BS policy because as soon as we see a yacht docked off the shore from today onwards, it's going to put their policy into disputable territory. What we need is a pic / video of a guest coming off a yacht. Feel free to upload, people.

Look into, huh. That's a professional response. How about, maybe "will definitely be contacting all guests 30 days out"
I would be taking this up with Hilton Corporate if I were you. You are entitled to compensation since you received no email from 30 days out (and past the date where you could cancel your reservation) and no reply, aka: confirmation of denial of entry, for 3 days to your email 8 days before stating you were arranging your own transportation. Sue their ahss back in the States.

MaldivesFreak

That's because they are going to remove / reinstall the WVs in (early?) February and so have taken them from inventory. They're available to book from early April.


Don't worry. I'm sure they'll have an excuse ready, under the pretense of privacy, something like "A helicopter is classed as a drone / vertical flying apparatus and therefore not allowed due to privacy concerns expressed by our propaganda department guests"

hoyt

Sounds like they admitted changing their policy. They can't change their policy to a mandatory transfer after you make a reservation, and certainly not after the cancellation policy. That's similar to them changing the wording from one way to return, but still honoring the original pricing (which is much more inline with what the market should sustain).

I arrive within the cancellation window and am in the same situation as you. I will not back down on this. The "resort's private yacht" is a complete ripoff. I'm fine paying top dollar for food and things that will add to the enjoyment of my vacation, the pictures of this yacht (and lack of services) in no way make me want to pay that exorbitant fee. At other times I have used resort's transfers, even though they were overpriced compared to 3rd party options, but they weren't overpriced to the tune of $1k. I'll be interested to see if they contact me at all.

Traveler Dave

BLTraveler

I intend on doing so when I return home next week. I flew down to the Maldives an evangelical fan of Hilton only to get kicked in the face when I got here. I’m feeling pretty stupid convincing all my friends and coworkers to stay with Hilton..

If anyone has any photos/video they are willing to let me use in my blog post that would greatly be appreciated. Only photos I have are when I flew over the Waldorf to get to the Conrad. I would love to use pictures of how private the resort is, the arrival pier, and all those other random boats floating off shore. Video of those things would be good also. I will provide credit to anyone. Thanks.

Kimomo

diving in FT for a long time, first time post.
I will be more interested if WA has 5 level of boat fare. Princess or Prince yacht might be $850 RT/each. King/Queen may be more expensive. But I don't really mind to take people/citizen boat for $250 RT/couple if any.
That's the similar yacht service Conrad bora bora charges, we have great time there for a trial honeymoon back in June and lucky to be in one of the only two beach front villa as a diamond upgrade that we saw eagle ray many times and snorkel with them. There is also a wedding held on the beach in front of our villa that we can see from our villa the poor groom only can wear leaf bottom and naked the upper part sitting under strong sun to see traditional Tahitian dance. We are totally forced to join the wedding free of charge unless we close our blind. The same dance we have to pay $240/couple on Tuesday night buffet.
Anyway, Conrad bora bora experience is really nice and we are on the boat for the next March WA Maldive on our 2nd trial honey moon but have seen recent management disrespect to customer, we are thinking to switch to Conrad but OWV seems to only open in early April?? dilemma !!!.

PS. Any married couple knew how many trial honeymoon you should have to really know future partner "potential" before you sign the contract.

iluvdoco

A couple new (and very negative) reviews of the WA are up on TripAdvisor.

BLTraveler

In my experience, upgrading from beach villa to superior water or retreat villa has always been at a reasonable fee ($60 to $150 USD). You can book beach villa and ask hotel about upgrade costs. If they do not provide a good deal you can refund reservation (provided you did not pass the refund date).

I’ve been to Conrad Bora and Conrad Maldives. I prefer the Conrad Maldives over Conrad Bora. However IHG Thalasso Bora was the best hotel I’ve been experienced.

gav0106

I think it is very telling that management is quick to respond to positive reviews on Trip Advisor, but seem to ignore the negative ones.

BLTraveler

Seems to be the only thing they are quick to respond to.

Traveler Dave