might consider staying here for a night before heading over to waldorf property, cost of one night +transfers from MLE to saii and saii to waldorf (~$1045) is about the same as how much it would cost to do the transfer through waldorf

If you do, please post a report. On first glances this is almost the anti-Maldives hotel, but would be interested to hear a first hand report. If you are likely to get to Waldorf later in the evening, then this may well be a better option if what you say above is correct, ie Saii room + transfers = Waldorf transfers (without room cost)

***Anyone know the scoop on cheaper transportation options from local boat hires or public ferry?

I don't know how it works there if you showed up on a private boat (uberfloat!) if the hotel or island would have a problem with that or not. Just seems like hotel car service is usually way more expensive than private guide, taxi, or other private/free market solution - in this case a Dhoni public ferry.

I see from a press release on the island (not the hotel!) there will be "Scheduled ferry services from the airport and Malé City will provide access to the destination for tourist and local visitors, while chartered speedboat services will also be available." So... "local" usually means "cheap" for ferry services. Locals aren't going to pay $150 to get a 15 minute ride to the neighboring island's beach.

My understanding is that the hotel itself advertises a "15 minute speedboat ride" from the Malé airport island as the only option, whereas Crossroads Island has been issuing press releases talking about buying a fleet of low-emission Jalboot ferries (not speedboats) for an assumedly longer, but perhaps cheaper ride?

The local ferry rides are generally reaaaallly cheeeeep, so curious if there's an option for not paying $270 per couple for a 15 minutes ride... seems a "take advantage of rich tourists" move if there's an option available for a only-slightly-longer ride on brand-new advanced boats for a tenth the price. (I'm making some price assumptions based on the fact a boat to Maafushi for instance, is like $20 per head, and that's a public speedboat (not a slow ferry). And Maafushi is about five times the distance as SAii is from the Villingili Ferry Terminal in Malé.)

i looked on atolltransfers.com but it seems like they are a third party travel agency so i don't know who the direct source is. they gave an estimate of $25 per nautical mile

Reservation booked for Feb 29, 2020...i'll let you all know after!

I'm going to assume you have an award reservation.....so wouldn't a rebook at the Conrad be a good thing considering that the Conrad base rooms is a villa vs the King Beach room at the SAii?

I'd also be interested in seeing if they are paying for the transfer costs to get to the Conrad.

I booked with cash. I have been to the Conrad twice (was there 4 months ago) and was looking to try something new. Can’t complain though, seaplane transfer was included and I sure do miss the scotch eggs at Conrad.

This looks like a really interesting option which should easily surpass the lower tier properties like the Sheraton, although clearly pitching itself below the usual 'aspirational' points properties.
Points of Arabia just posted this on this blog yesterday:

SAII LAGOON – HONORS GOLD BENEFITS

I had reached out to the resort to understand the Honors Gold benefits. This is what I was told,

Due to the very special nature of the accommodation at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton are unable to offer complimentary upgraded accommodation. However, as you are a valued Gold member, we are delighted to offer you the following benefits during your stay. Kindly note that Gold benefits are only applicable for cardholder and up to one additional guest registered to the same room each day of your stay. In the event that cardholder is not travelling, guests who are staying with us will not be entitled to enjoy the benefits below.

• Opening Promotion: 1000 Honors bonus points per Night (1-Aug to 31-Oct-2019)
• Complimentary breakfast for cardholder and one guest per day in Miss Olive Oyl restaurant.
• Complimentary breakfast will be provided in Miss Olive Oyl restaurant for the accompanying child under 12 years.
• Free Access to bean/Co a la carte menu from 14.30 to 18.30.
• Free Access to Miss Olive Oyl Pool Bar beverage a la carte menu from 17.30 to 18.30.
• One bottle of White or Red wine upon arrival. Chocolate & Fruit amenities upon arrival.

HH Gold basically get half board and free flowing drinks at the pool for an hour every day!
I've told countless people about the value of redeeming points at the Conrad but the additional costs are undeniable.

This looks like the first Maldives property where you could genuinely stay on points without incurring a significant additional cash outlay.

Add in the fact that you can stay here for a night with included transfers for the same or less than just paying for the 'luxury yacht' transfer to the WA - and you have the recipe for an extremely popular resort for HH elites. (i.e. anybody with a credit card)

Well if you can get 40K more points, you can stay for 7 nights (5th night free using points plus two award certs). It might be crap compared to the Conrad Maldives, but really, how bad can it be? Its still the maldives with your own villa. The villas look pretty nice and the free pool drinks and snacks at bean/Co is a nice bonus. The holiday inn is probably crap compared to Conrad but the reviews of holiday inn have hundreds of people saying how much they love it.

yea that looks like an awesome deal but not sure id go to Maldives and stay at the Saii considering it is in the integrated resorts/Crossroads... could end up feeling like anywhere else in the world.

I don't disagree if you're talking about where to spend an entire holiday but I think that as a value proposition, if you're arriving late in the afternoon it could make a lot of sense to pay for one night here, with included early morning transfer to the WA - rather than paying for the direct yacht to WA only to arrive there late in the day.

That's where this resort should do really well.

I imagine they will capture a lot of revenue that would otherwise have gone to the airport hotels, given the ease of access.

on that i agree... definitely good value to stay even 1-2 days prior to transfer to some other resort..