[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
#1727
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 443
I am going in August. Just got an email from the hotel:
Kindly note with respect for our guests’ privacy and security, third party/ own transfer is not permitted to enter the resort.
Did anyone arrange their own transportation would like to share? Or everyone paid the $350+23.2% per person per way? Really not looking forward to pay the $1700 round trip for 2 people.
Kindly note with respect for our guests’ privacy and security, third party/ own transfer is not permitted to enter the resort.
Did anyone arrange their own transportation would like to share? Or everyone paid the $350+23.2% per person per way? Really not looking forward to pay the $1700 round trip for 2 people.
#1728
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 119
Email was from before the resort opening. What amenities on the transfer made it "unforgettable"... Diet Coke and A grape on a piece of melon impaled by a tooth pick.
#1729
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
We certainly do. We've never wasted a single cent on alcohol poison so lucky for us the only 2000% markups we have to worry about are the transfer fees to and from the resort.....oh, and the food, LOL.
Jeez. 2K for a room and they aren't even giving colour maps. WTH?
And very useful post, BTW!
Jeez. 2K for a room and they aren't even giving colour maps. WTH?
And very useful post, BTW!
#1730
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 3
Received the following upgrade offers via email for a 6 night points stay, December 5-11.
King Reef Villa with Pool : US$200+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
King Overwater Villa with Pool : US$400+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
Also received this info:
For the payment, we can either send you an online payment link or can settle upon arrival. Kindly bear in mind that the same cancellation policy will apply for the upgrade charges as well.
So can cancel up to 15 days prior to stay, at least for my stay.
Based on what I’ve read here, I was moderately concerned about privacy and views depending on which RV you get. Its our first time going to Maldives, went ahead and opted for OWV for the full experience and of course pay upon arrival.
King Reef Villa with Pool : US$200+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
King Overwater Villa with Pool : US$400+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
Also received this info:
For the payment, we can either send you an online payment link or can settle upon arrival. Kindly bear in mind that the same cancellation policy will apply for the upgrade charges as well.
So can cancel up to 15 days prior to stay, at least for my stay.
Based on what I’ve read here, I was moderately concerned about privacy and views depending on which RV you get. Its our first time going to Maldives, went ahead and opted for OWV for the full experience and of course pay upon arrival.
#1731
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
The color of the water at BB is just like what you see in photos online.
Maldives is flat as a pancake all the way through.
BB is very busy with boat traffic compared to Maldives atoll.
Maldives is peaceful and quiet as you are quite literally in the middle of no where and 1 island = 1 resort.
Snorkeling at Maldives is easier bc of house reef. And the good ones are very rich in marine life. If you stay at Motu Piti Aau, you need a boat ride out
BB is not really known for its snorkeling - what you can see off your resort villa is not as exciting as what you can see on a good house reef at Maldives. Much better place elsewhere in FP to snorkel if you are after a good spot.
High-end Maldives resort (Cheval Blanc etc) is over-the-top luxury, like, very OTT; BB is shabby in comparison but by no means run-down.
In terms of local cuisine, both French/Asian combo and Maldivian dishes appeal to me.
Am never a person who is really into molecular gastronomy or one who goes all the way to Maldives to partake at japanese/italian or some foreign cuisine (given the chance, I would prefer to be just served Maldivian fish curry any and every day), so bc of this, BB wins out for me on food aspect due to the flexibility and availability of dining options outside of hotel (food truck all the way to Villa Mahana). Poisson Cru...
At both locales, seafood are very fresh and good, unsurprisingly.
More activities and nooks/corners to explore in BB compared to Maldives.
Not "trapped" on an island at BB
Maldives is a good place to visit to "zone out and do nothing", or for the serious divers/snorkellers, to do their thing.
#1732
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
Of course, this wasn't meant to happen. Remember this is a U.S. company and liability issues arise if there happens to be injury or death as a result of something they don't take due diligence with. Lack of them supervising unauthorized/uncontracted agents is a liability.
#1733
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Let alone the first billionaire guest who is booked into the private island. I bet they want to slum it on the Waldorf Astoria's yacht.
#1734
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 586
You're enjoying your first early evening cocktail watching the sunset fall into the horizon, and in the distance slowly appearing are several high-speed cigarette boats from AYTE, the Agency of Yacht Task Enforcement headed straight for you.
#1735
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
Received the following upgrade offers via email for a 6 night points stay, December 5-11.
King Reef Villa with Pool : US$200+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
King Overwater Villa with Pool : US$400+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
Also received this info:
For the payment, we can either send you an online payment link or can settle upon arrival. Kindly bear in mind that the same cancellation policy will apply for the upgrade charges as well.
So can cancel up to 15 days prior to stay, at least for my stay.
Based on what I’ve read here, I was moderately concerned about privacy and views depending on which RV you get. Its our first time going to Maldives, went ahead and opted for OWV for the full experience and of course pay upon arrival.
King Reef Villa with Pool : US$200+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
King Overwater Villa with Pool : US$400+ 23.2% Tax and service charge per night
Also received this info:
For the payment, we can either send you an online payment link or can settle upon arrival. Kindly bear in mind that the same cancellation policy will apply for the upgrade charges as well.
So can cancel up to 15 days prior to stay, at least for my stay.
Based on what I’ve read here, I was moderately concerned about privacy and views depending on which RV you get. Its our first time going to Maldives, went ahead and opted for OWV for the full experience and of course pay upon arrival.
TD
PS..we saw about 20 dolphins from our room yesterday!
#1736
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
I doubt they can enforce it though, I mean I didn't even see security personnel at the resort - sure 10 guys can come round a guest up but would they? And the Maldivian police are 40 minutes away, arriving by the time you've landed and enjoying a welcome drink.
Let alone the first billionaire guest who is booked into the private island. I bet they want to slum it on the Waldorf Astoria's yacht.
Let alone the first billionaire guest who is booked into the private island. I bet they want to slum it on the Waldorf Astoria's yacht.
TD
#1737
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
Turtle needs a new home. If you are here PM me and I’ll have the concierge bring it over tomorrow.
TD
TD
#1738
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 158
Thank you for the comparison. Can you explain what this means though? As in the Maldives aren't as visually appealing as in their pictures? BB waters do look stunning to me.
#1739
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 27
Can someone please post up some images of the in-room dining menu?
#1740
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 114
So what's the initial thoughts on this property vs St Regis Maldives for an award booking?