[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
Jul 25, 2019, 9:29 am
#1741
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
I would much like to avoid paying the $370 yacht transfer but don't want to risk the hotel not letting us to land.
TIA
Jul 25, 2019, 9:55 am
#1742
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: HHonors Diamond; Royal Ambassor
Posts: 478
I don’t believe that the WA will send paying guests away, when they arrive at their front door.
Of course they don’t like it but I don’t think they will refuse the boat to dock, when it arrives.
Of course they don’t like it but I don’t think they will refuse the boat to dock, when it arrives.
Jul 25, 2019, 9:57 am
#1743
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: HHonors Diamond; Royal Ambassor
Posts: 478
I don’t believe that the WA will send paying guests away, when they arrive at their front door.
Of course they won’t like it and try to scare off guests, who want to try it. But I don’t think they will refuse the boat to dock, when it arrives.
As far as I know, they didn’t write anything about a compulsory yacht transfer in their booking confirmation.
Of course they won’t like it and try to scare off guests, who want to try it. But I don’t think they will refuse the boat to dock, when it arrives.
As far as I know, they didn’t write anything about a compulsory yacht transfer in their booking confirmation.
Jul 25, 2019, 10:16 am
#1744
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
TD
Jul 25, 2019, 10:17 am
#1745
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 3
The big privacy issues are related to the beach villas. The reef villas are very private. We spent 6 days in a garden and have been in a reef for 4 days. Once you are inside the gates or your reef villa you can not tell if it is reef or fully OW. I was glad we saved the money and only opted for the reef upgrade.
TD
PS..we saw about 20 dolphins from our room yesterday!
Your deck view looks nice and unobstructed - are you north facing? Mind sharing the villa #? Did you request a specific villa before arrival, and if so, did they confirm it beforehand?
Jul 25, 2019, 10:18 am
#1746
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
Just as a side note, the captain of our boat said the WA boat would pick us up (just outside the lagoon) when we arrived so we did not have to take the tender. We asked the cost for that. He assured me there would be none. I laughed and said I doubted that, but was OK if there was no charge. The next morning he said we would be taking the tender.
All the staff I have talked with have said they are getting a bunch of push-back on the transfer cost. So perhaps if continued pressure is applied they will adjust the cost. But I presume they will just add it in somewhere else. So your total trip cost will be the same.
TD
Last edited by Traveler Dave; Jul 25, 2019 at 10:59 am
Jul 25, 2019, 11:42 am
#1750
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Emirates Gold, United Silver, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Gold
Posts: 299
Jul 25, 2019, 11:56 am
#1751
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
Maldives atolls has no mountains or hills per se, it's a bit like a bunch of sandbanks with shrubbery where humans later erect resorts on them.
just google for photos and satellite images and you will get the idea.
BB water color is unreal, though it's not the only place in the world with that color. But it's one of the top ones for me.
Jul 25, 2019, 12:12 pm
#1752
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
plus sometimes people to do liveaboard then resort, or resort then liveaboard. or resort to resort. in these scenarios, they would arrive/leave hotel one-way via boat.
they need to put such clause into the booking system in order to avoid an overwhelming number of guests having a lightbulb moment and engaging their own private transport to get there.
they also have valid reasons for doing that, bc imagine, if even 50% of the people are smart enough to think abt that option and start arriving by their own boat, then the resort will start losing the "luxurious" feel, because ya know, any Tom, Dick, and Harry's zodiac is landing there at all times of the day. but perhaps one can safely estimate at this stage, 80% of people will still be using WA yacht, due to various reasons (risk of the "unknowns" in Maldives, private boatman flaking on them, chinese organized tour package, want the classy WA yacht experience etcetra)
most resorts will have such clause. and also clause that prohibits you from engaging outside outfitters (meaning, not hotel-operated) to go on excursions. but rules and enforcement of rules are two different things. i can see enforcement happening when it happens at a frequency that affects their bottomline or when hotel guests start complaining
Jul 25, 2019, 3:11 pm
#1753
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 31
The hotel asked for my flight details to arrange my transfer.
Out of curiosity I looked at my email confirmations (one for a free night, and another for points based) and didn't find any mention of the transfer. Looking at previous posts, looks like this used to be mentioned on emails initially.
Did they at some point take it out of the email confirmations? I made my reservations on May 18th.
Out of curiosity I looked at my email confirmations (one for a free night, and another for points based) and didn't find any mention of the transfer. Looking at previous posts, looks like this used to be mentioned on emails initially.
Did they at some point take it out of the email confirmations? I made my reservations on May 18th.
Jul 25, 2019, 3:32 pm
#1754
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Thanks, looks like the video was taken prior to the official July 1 opening. Resort looks pretty much deserted, no towels etc on any of the villas, no other water sports boats in the lagoon etc.
For anyone interested in the 60minute guided snorkelling tour, I was told the route occurs at the the drop off that can be seen from 3m38s to 3m55s.
For anyone interested in the 60minute guided snorkelling tour, I was told the route occurs at the the drop off that can be seen from 3m38s to 3m55s.