nicholasashaw

Not sure exactly which one you mean, there's two. We had lunch at Miss Olive Oyl Pool Bar a couple of times and had Diamond Happy Hour drinks there. It's got a nice infinity pool, staff were great and the atmosphere was (mostly) good. Cocktails were really mixed, think the Mojito I had was the worst I've ever tasted in my life but frozen daiquiri / frozen margarita etc were ok. Got busy during the day with a lot of guests coming over from The Hard Rock to mainly drink. But much quieter at night with mainly Curio guests.

Sansation Beach Club was much bigger and a great place to watch the sunset / baby reef sharks on the beach. Problem was the music - played continuous rap music blasted from one speaker at the bar, so was fairly grim unless you could sit a fair distance away - very odd given description on the website is calm and serene (it isn't). My daughter 8 loved the pool so we went a few times. Was also really popular with Maldivians who came from Male and paid a $40++ entrance fee. Beach Club is also really close to many of the restaurants / kids club.

vandesa

I have stayed at Condrad Rangali before, so I thought with the covid testing requirements everytime you change islands I would option for SAii instead. Besides CR did not have the days I wanted at entry level rooms to use points with. WA has not entry level room either.

I am sailing for a week on Tradewinds Catamaran which is using the Crossroads Marina as its base. So I figured I would just stay at SAii for the 1 day prior to sailing and for 6 days post sailing. That way I would not have to Covid test multiple times, and would not have to deal with costly transfers (likely Rangali which is ~ $500 PP).

How bad could it really be?

Interested in what Diamond upgrade ofters have been happening?

Gertjaars

Any chance you have time now to post a review about your stay? I'm just curious on why this hilton property isn't sought for by others on FT. Looks like a steal on points..but whats the catch if there is any?

vji

any recent reviews of this place?

gaz1

I think the points for this property is much less (with much better availability) as the normal price for stays is substantially less than the Conrad or Waldorf in Maldives (hence I feel the expectations should be much less too).

erdoran

I hope this is the correct place to ask this?

I have an Amex Hhonors Surpass card which is supposed to give 12x points on Hilton charges. I made a reservation at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Hilton Curio Collection through the Hilton portal, using this card. The hotel immediately charged me a 25% deposit, which is fine, not an issue. The charge shows as IOLPAY Hilton Saii Lagoon. I only received 3x points for this. I called AMEX who agreed I should have 12x points, but because the hotel uses a third party payment processing company they claim they can't fix it. I called Hilton customer service and after being transferred 3x the last rep first told me to call the hotel to fix it, then put in a ticket to corporate - who bounced it to the hotel. I replied to the hotel's email clearly stating the problem, but not sure what they can do.
My thought (which I stated in the email to the hotel) is that corporate could just give me the missing 9x points as a "customer service bonus", and then after my stay, they do the same with whatever my final hotel charge is. I'm waiting to hear back from the hotel.

I'm having a hard time believing I'm the first Hilton Amex customer who has had this problem. Wondering if this has happened to others, and how it was resolved? TIA

newEUer

Can't say I've experienced this but I would push the point with Amex especially given the fact you booked online through the regular channel and would be due points based on eligibility, raising a complaint if necessary. I don't think Hilton corporate will do anything.

navatwal

I am spending 12 hours in Male en route to Doha and then SFO. How far is this property from the Airport? Are transfers charged for Diamond and also do they do boat transfers around 11pm?

erdoran

It's about a 15-20 min speedboat ride. No idea about 11 pm transfers, and yes, they charge for everyone's transfers. It's on a manmade island. You are flying out around 11 am? What would you do? Sleep? There's an airport hotel that's much much closer if that's the case.

navatwal

I land around 11am and flight departs 1:30am, looking to book a decent hotel with easy access to airport. Looking at Sheraton right now,

erdoran

As you consider hotels, doublecheck that they do after dark transfers. Seaplanes don't (but you would do a seaplane resort anyway, the cost isn't worth it for 12 hour layover); I suspect speedboats do but of course essential you confirm!

enkey

I am planning to visit in March, my wife and two kids 12+. I am thinking of booking 2 rooms for 5 nights with my points. Will I get diamond benefits for both rooms, like free breakfast for all 4 , since I have 2 rooms in my name?