WorldTraveler1752

MaldivesFreak

Sure, you can charge everything to a card. Tips are already included as there is a 10% service fee which is distributed evenly among the staff. Some people bring cash for tips though so whatever you feel is comfortable. As for exenditure, they pre-authorize your CC for $500 per day (not inclusive of tax) on arrival as that's approximately the average spend of the average non-millionnaire guest. You can get a much better idea of how much you will spend if you take a look through the F&B menus, spa menus and excursions / Daily Planner pdf should you wish to.

Majuki

I gave $5 to our room boy every morning (and $20 on the last day), and I feel like he was practically waiting for us to go to breakfast every morning. For the pricier restaurants, such as Ithaa and Koko Grill, I left a $20. I gave a $20 to our room host upon check-in, but he disappeared after the introduction to the property and review of our dinner arrangements not to be seen again until it was time to depart. Each bill that you can charge to your room has the option for a gratuity, but, as MaldivesFreak indicates, the service charge does get distributed to the staff. (I'm skeptical in most situations whether or not that is actually the case.)

One thing stateside we don't really pay attention to but is important elsewhere is the condition of the banknotes. I've never had a $20 bill scrutinized as closely as the one I handed to the attendant when entering the National Museum in Malé. Make sure the bills are mint condition if you expect to use them outside of paying gratuities.

MaldivesFreak

The room boys have only 3 villas each to service so they are really able to take notice of when their guests depart in the mornings and evenings and have the time to do fancy bed decorations and whatnot.

Majuki

Yep. I remember you mentioning that here in the past. They hustle and seem to take pride in their work.

Nstaskey

Awesome - Thanks for the response. I did get an India E-Visa just in case. That process was very easy and only took 2 days to get it.

SponsorSFC

For those that pay cash rates this flash sale that starts 9am GMT today may be handy (pending actual rates) as it also includes a 15% dining discount, that would be a decent bonus given the usual food and beverage spend at Rangali.
https://discover.hilton.com/en_ap/of...624670_3508315
Enjoy up to 35%* off your stay plus 15% dining discount at our restaurants* in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and other South East Asia destinations.

Cynicor

SponsorSFC

Just the Waldorf Astoria Maldives according to the T&C, no mention of Rangali.
"Discount is applicable at all participating F&B outlets for all hotels except Saltbush (DoubleTree Alice Springs) and all outlets at both Waldorf Astoria Bangkok and Waldorf Astoria Maldives."

Cynicor

pineapple_09

rslb75

mendezka

Hi All, apologies if questions like these have been answered before, I read through quite a few pages & couldn't find answers to a few of these. Any help/suggestions/tips would be greatly appreciated as this will be my first time out to Maldives!

Just booked flights out to MLE in Nov/Dec. flight is scheduled to land on a Tuesday at 10:05 PM. Looking at transfers to the island, I read that the cutoff is 10:00 PM. Assuming I'm past that time by 5 minutes, I'll need to find a place my first night. Would that assumption be correct?

Further, as noted above I will be arriving at MLE on Tues Nov 26th, departing on Wed Dec 4th at 12:05 AM (so really Tuesday night...). I will hopefully be using points for a 5 night stay at the Conrad (willing the availability doesn't disappear in the next month, once my sign up bonus points hit). My first question is, as I only have the means of doing a 5 night stay on points. Would you suggest spending 2 nights near MLE on arrival, then departing Conrad on the latest possible flight on Tuesday Dec 3rd? Or, spend my 1st night near MLE, 5 days at conrad, then 1 more night near MLE?

Further, as of right now, availability for a Water Villa shows up on every day except Friday, Nov 29th... So, when I go into booking I am only given the option of a beach villa for the 5 day period. Is it possible to somehow book the water villa for 4 nights & get the beach villa for 1 and still take advantage of the 5th night free on reward purchases? I haven't redeemed with Hilton before & I don't know if this is possible or not.

Any help on these questions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

MaldivesFreak

Well.....they'd probably get you to the resort the same night, and you'd check in at like 1:30 or 2:00 in the morning. Ugh.

I would pay for an extra night in cash or buy the points from Hilton when there's a promo going on to reduce the cost. Believe me, 5 nights will fly by like you never knew and the extra expense for a 6th night will be worth it. If you can't do that, then take 2 nights at MLE, especially if you're coming from the USA where it's a very long haul to get to MLE. Sleep half a day on the first night, go see the museum and check out some local food. Then have another good rest then head off to the resort at the crack of dawn the next morning. And check out this post for more info on why it's better to arrive at Rangali as early as possible and leave as late as possible.

This is easily sorted. Call HHonors and get them to get the resort's reservation department on the phone while you are making the points booking and they'll do it from there.

mendezka

I greatly appreciate the help. I'm flying out from San Francisco, doing a stopover for 3 days in Hong Kong. Planning on getting some rest there & just do some simple exploring of the city. Originally I was planning on using a free night cert at the Conrad Hong Kong. But, I think I'll take your word for it with 5 nights being too quick at Rangali & use free night cert for a 6th night at Rangali. Definitely worth more on value for point stand point anyway.

Seriously thank you for the tips posted throughout this thread. It is insanely helpful!