[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Dec 4, 2018, 2:36 pm
#2266
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
I have no idea.
Take a look at their website:
Then have a look at the Crossroads website.
This unique, enchanting hotel gives you the sanctuary of staying on a private island while shopping, dining, entertainment and event space are just across the footbridge at The Marina @ CROSSROADS
Dec 4, 2018, 3:11 pm
#2267
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
How far are water villas from superior/deluxe water villas?
All - was just about to book a family water villa for 3 nights. Family of four, kids are 16/18. I like the location of the family water villas, though a bit put off by single bathroom.
Then realized a) I have a free night cert and b) I'm long points.
Therefore, considering putting the kids in water villa for "free" (cert + points), and booking Mr & Mrs into either Superior or Deluxe water villas.
Now, my kids are fully functional, I'm not worried about safety, we typically book them their own rooms in hotels and don't obsess what floor they're on. However, the point of this holiday is to be together.
So, how much of a haul is it between villas types? Also, would Mr & Mrs villas have enough room that the four of us could relax together in the mornings/evenings between activities?
My kids prefer the independence of their own villa. But I also love the idea of the four of us being in the same villa, though again, the bathroom is an issue.
Thoughts? Mr and Mrs both Diamond so would probably book parent + child /parent + child in the event that helps with perks.
Thanks in advance! - Jamie
Then realized a) I have a free night cert and b) I'm long points.
Therefore, considering putting the kids in water villa for "free" (cert + points), and booking Mr & Mrs into either Superior or Deluxe water villas.
Now, my kids are fully functional, I'm not worried about safety, we typically book them their own rooms in hotels and don't obsess what floor they're on. However, the point of this holiday is to be together.
So, how much of a haul is it between villas types? Also, would Mr & Mrs villas have enough room that the four of us could relax together in the mornings/evenings between activities?
My kids prefer the independence of their own villa. But I also love the idea of the four of us being in the same villa, though again, the bathroom is an issue.
Thoughts? Mr and Mrs both Diamond so would probably book parent + child /parent + child in the event that helps with perks.
Thanks in advance! - Jamie
Last edited by jamienbaker; Dec 4, 2018 at 3:18 pm
Dec 4, 2018, 3:52 pm
#2268
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BSL
Programs: BA OWE, SQ*G, HH Diamond
Posts: 192
The staff is so nice and why not bring some presents. It's not for expecting any better treatment it's just humanity culture exchange . And while we have holdiay they are working. I also bring chocolates for cabin crews because I know they love snacking during their private times in the cabin kitchen
Tea and nuts is good idea. We ll travel from the Nordics (Finland ) this time. Might bring some salmiac or liquorice. And tea to flush down the flavour
Tea and nuts is good idea. We ll travel from the Nordics (Finland ) this time. Might bring some salmiac or liquorice. And tea to flush down the flavour
Dec 4, 2018, 4:14 pm
#2270
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
See post #4257 for an accurate map of the individual villas, then head to Google Maps to measure the exact distance. @:-)
Dec 4, 2018, 4:34 pm
#2271
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
Yeah, it's no more than a 3 to 8 minute walk, depending on the villas you pick.
Dec 4, 2018, 6:19 pm
#2273
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: LGB
Posts: 1,205
This unique, enchanting hotel gives you the sanctuary of staying on a private island while shopping, dining, entertainment and event space are just across the footbridge at The Marina @ CROSSROADS
Dec 4, 2018, 7:32 pm
#2274
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
As far as gifts for staff, nothing will ever resonate more than cash. Take all the above mentioned, add in some cash, and ask the staff to make their choice. Cash will always win out by a large margin. As travelers we are different, and some of us are searching for some culture to bring home to help us appreciate and recall our great vacation.
Dec 4, 2018, 10:48 pm
#2275
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
As far as gifts for staff, nothing will ever resonate more than cash. Take all the above mentioned, add in some cash, and ask the staff to make their choice. Cash will always win out by a large margin. As travelers we are different, and some of us are searching for some culture to bring home to help us appreciate and recall our great vacation.
Dec 4, 2018, 11:23 pm
#2276
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Don't fool yourself. Maybe in a big city and maybe to Westerners / Americans (who value the almighty dollar above everything else), yes. But in a place like the Maldives and to the locals your statement couldn't be further from the truth. As an example, the old pastry chef Linda who was South American absolutely loved the huge bottle of chili I gave her (which she wouldn't have been able to get anywhere else in the world except in the small city from which it came) and words that came from her mouth were to the effect of "There's nothing better you could have given me!". In a place where staff work in the middle of nowhere, have to keep out of sight for the sake of the guests, work long shifts and hardly ever get a holiday but earn a very decent wage and where cash is not the be all and end all, we saw plenty of the above.
Last edited by MaldivesFreak; Dec 4, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Dec 4, 2018, 11:34 pm
#2277
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,063
I have to echo this. I gave a higher gratuity to our host than I would typically give the concierge or bellhop at the desk upon check-in. Aside from running into the host once or twice, he didn't make an appearance until our time of departure. I don't know if one typically works through the host to book meals, etc., but we had made reservations for all of our meals prior to arriving at the resort.
Our room boy on the other hand hustled and practically waited outside our villa every morning. We always returned to a clean room after breakfast. It was fantastic.
Our room boy on the other hand hustled and practically waited outside our villa every morning. We always returned to a clean room after breakfast. It was fantastic.
Dec 4, 2018, 11:51 pm
#2278
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
The whole tipping culture (tipping with cash) ultimately makes the money is everything mindset worse and worse. There's zero thought involved. I spent a few days thinking about and going out and buying the gifts I took that particular time. Not to mention wrapping some of them and carrying the 45x45x45cm box I packed them in 4000km. People appreciate the thought and time taken. That is priceless.
Last edited by MaldivesFreak; Dec 5, 2018 at 12:28 am
Dec 5, 2018, 12:25 am
#2279
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
Don't fool yourself. Maybe in a big city and maybe to Westerners / Americans (who value the almighty dollar above everything else), yes. But in a place like the Maldives and to the locals your statement couldn't be further from the truth. As an example, the old pastry chef Linda who was South American absolutely loved the huge bottle of chili I gave her (which she wouldn't have been able to get anywhere else in the world except in the small city from which it came) and words that came from her mouth were to the effect of "There's nothing better you could have given me!". In a place where staff work in the middle of nowhere, have to keep out of sight for the sake of the guests, work long shifts and hardly ever get a holiday but earn a very decent wage and where cash is not the be all and end all, we saw plenty of the above.
"Maybe in a big city and maybe to Westerners / Americans (who value the almighty dollar above everything else), "
That comment is even more broad brushed than my cash recommendation.
Dec 5, 2018, 1:23 am
#2280
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 417
All - was just about to book a family water villa for 3 nights. Family of four, kids are 16/18. I like the location of the family water villas, though a bit put off by single bathroom.
Then realized a) I have a free night cert and b) I'm long points.
Therefore, considering putting the kids in water villa for "free" (cert + points), and booking Mr & Mrs into either Superior or Deluxe water villas.
Now, my kids are fully functional, I'm not worried about safety, we typically book them their own rooms in hotels and don't obsess what floor they're on. However, the point of this holiday is to be together.
So, how much of a haul is it between villas types? Also, would Mr & Mrs villas have enough room that the four of us could relax together in the mornings/evenings between activities?
My kids prefer the independence of their own villa. But I also love the idea of the four of us being in the same villa, though again, the bathroom is an issue.
Thoughts? Mr and Mrs both Diamond so would probably book parent + child /parent + child in the event that helps with perks.
Thanks in advance! - Jamie
Then realized a) I have a free night cert and b) I'm long points.
Therefore, considering putting the kids in water villa for "free" (cert + points), and booking Mr & Mrs into either Superior or Deluxe water villas.
Now, my kids are fully functional, I'm not worried about safety, we typically book them their own rooms in hotels and don't obsess what floor they're on. However, the point of this holiday is to be together.
So, how much of a haul is it between villas types? Also, would Mr & Mrs villas have enough room that the four of us could relax together in the mornings/evenings between activities?
My kids prefer the independence of their own villa. But I also love the idea of the four of us being in the same villa, though again, the bathroom is an issue.
Thoughts? Mr and Mrs both Diamond so would probably book parent + child /parent + child in the event that helps with perks.
Thanks in advance! - Jamie
The decks outside in the WV/DWV/SWV will seat 4 in the evening without any problem but won’t be roomy with 4. You’ll struggle to be inside the villa together though as there’s no really the seating inside for 4.
The FWV have more room for you all on the deck outside and to some extent inside too. The bathroom is in the middle of them (between the 2 bedrooms) and is effectively completely open plan with glass.
As you’ve realised from you question I think - the FWV are quite a way from the WV, enough that you’d have to make an effort to go between them.
I would say that most people find the venues on the island are where they’ll choose to spend their evenings - all 3 bars are excellent - so I suspect you might find you spend less time actually in the villa together than you may imagine.
The Sunset water villas are pricey in peak periods but can often be got for a pretty reasonable upgrade price at other times - obviously more in total than 2 x cost of other villas, but if you’re determined to spend time in the villa together then they have the facilities and would be awesome for it.