[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
Jan 12, 2019, 5:30 am
#166
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 179
I wen't through the flexible dates calendar for a six month period for the WA Amsterdam and WA Qasar Al Sharab. Amsterdam did not have a single night available for the standard room rate, and every night available at the premium room rate of 398k points per night. Qasar Al Sharab also didn't have a single standard room rate available, the next best option was 140k points per night. Will be interesting to see how the Ithaafushi will be loading their rates.
Jan 12, 2019, 9:58 am
#167
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 253
Last August we spent 3 nights/2 rooms at WA Amsterdam, I know I had to keep checking and checking re points availability.. finally got some of the night for 95,000/ or weekend certificate and then paid for the other nights... also did paid guaranteed upgrade. Lovely hotel and staff. Would return to WA Amsterdam
Jan 12, 2019, 12:43 pm
#168
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,844
QQ for those on the forum. I know it is just speculation at this point, but do you think the cash difference between different room types is likely to be the cost to upgrade from a base points stay? (e.g., $200++ to upgrade from a beach villa points stay to a Reef Villa)
Yeah no kidding. There is not a single new element in this article that we did not discuss here first.
Last edited by Canarsie; Apr 30, 2019 at 11:49 am Reason: Consolidation.
Jan 12, 2019, 1:00 pm
#169
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Last August we spent 3 nights/2 rooms at WA Amsterdam, I know I had to keep checking and checking re points availability.. finally got some of the night for 95,000/ or weekend certificate and then paid for the other nights... also did paid guaranteed upgrade. Lovely hotel and staff. Would return to WA Amsterdam
Jan 12, 2019, 5:52 pm
#170
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
The experts may know better than I, but I suspect all the WAs have a 95K room. Maybe not for high season and maybe only one room a day. Making it seem like ”never”.
My prediction is the WA Maldives will open with good 95K availability. Once they have DPs to prove they can command $2K a night they will tighten those up.
TD
Last edited by Traveler Dave; Jan 12, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Jan 12, 2019, 6:06 pm
#171
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,844
Jan 12, 2019, 6:24 pm
#172
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
Not to hijack this thread about other WAs, but since we are trying to guess what this WA is going to look like, this DP might be relevant.
I could not find any 95K nights for WA Jeddah Qard Al SHarq. But I did find many nights like the screen shot below. If the WA Maldives has base rooms for $362US a night I won’t complain. And while 140K is not 95K, that is not too shabby either.
I still stand by my previous prediction. They still have to compete with other reward rates in the area.
I could not find any 95K nights for WA Jeddah Qard Al SHarq. But I did find many nights like the screen shot below. If the WA Maldives has base rooms for $362US a night I won’t complain. And while 140K is not 95K, that is not too shabby either.
I still stand by my previous prediction. They still have to compete with other reward rates in the area.
Jan 13, 2019, 9:23 am
#173
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen, HH Diamond, IC RA
Posts: 313
My wife took a photo from the Seaplane on December 21st when we were on the way to the Conrad Maldives.
Resort looks huge, first thought was, it could be the new Curio, but I think this is the WA.
Resort looks huge, first thought was, it could be the new Curio, but I think this is the WA.
Jan 13, 2019, 5:28 pm
#174
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Thanks for the pic! Do you have it in anything higher than 1,024 × 768?
Jan 13, 2019, 10:33 pm
#175
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen, HH Diamond, IC RA
Posts: 313
I will send you the picture via E-Mail, hope it is better than.
Last edited by tom-schmitt; Jan 13, 2019 at 11:18 pm
Jan 14, 2019, 7:45 am
#176
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 7
a few thoughts based on the recent conversations:
The admittedly high estimated prices are like the rack rates on the door of the hotel room, noone really ever pays them. For peak travel times, they are in line with St. Regis and Conrad and for off-times, they will likely be much lower. The Maldives boasts lots of very high-end properties so the competition will be good for consumers.
Not sure why some posters begrudge a blogger for compiling the most thoughtful commentary available on the FT thread into a much more readable blog post, and for the person who seemed particularly disturbed that the blogger gets some bonuses and freebies... FT isn't a charity or did you miss the advertisements to the right and all over this site?
95,000 point redemptions is a competitive advantage for Hilton, which has an interest in strengthening brand loyalty in the wake of the Marriott-Starwood merger, which left many previously loyal Marriott and Starwood customers looking for alternatives. There are already some exclusions for specialty properties, but I don't think WA Maldives would try this. I expect we will see entry-level rooms available at the 95,000 price point, especially in the beginning when the property is 100% vacant since they know this is being watched closely by Hilton loyalists, travel bloggers and FTers.
The admittedly high estimated prices are like the rack rates on the door of the hotel room, noone really ever pays them. For peak travel times, they are in line with St. Regis and Conrad and for off-times, they will likely be much lower. The Maldives boasts lots of very high-end properties so the competition will be good for consumers.
Not sure why some posters begrudge a blogger for compiling the most thoughtful commentary available on the FT thread into a much more readable blog post, and for the person who seemed particularly disturbed that the blogger gets some bonuses and freebies... FT isn't a charity or did you miss the advertisements to the right and all over this site?
95,000 point redemptions is a competitive advantage for Hilton, which has an interest in strengthening brand loyalty in the wake of the Marriott-Starwood merger, which left many previously loyal Marriott and Starwood customers looking for alternatives. There are already some exclusions for specialty properties, but I don't think WA Maldives would try this. I expect we will see entry-level rooms available at the 95,000 price point, especially in the beginning when the property is 100% vacant since they know this is being watched closely by Hilton loyalists, travel bloggers and FTers.
Jan 14, 2019, 7:55 am
#177
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 179
a few thoughts based on the recent conversations:
The admittedly high estimated prices are like the rack rates on the door of the hotel room, noone really ever pays them. For peak travel times, they are in line with St. Regis and Conrad and for off-times, they will likely be much lower. The Maldives boasts lots of very high-end properties so the competition will be good for consumers.
Not sure why some posters begrudge a blogger for compiling the most thoughtful commentary available on the FT thread into a much more readable blog post, and for the person who seemed particularly disturbed that the blogger gets some bonuses and freebies... FT isn't a charity or did you miss the advertisements to the right and all over this site?
95,000 point redemptions is a competitive advantage for Hilton, which has an interest in strengthening brand loyalty in the wake of the Marriott-Starwood merger, which left many previously loyal Marriott and Starwood customers looking for alternatives. There are already some exclusions for specialty properties, but I don't think WA Maldives would try this. I expect we will see entry-level rooms available at the 95,000 price point, especially in the beginning when the property is 100% vacant since they know this is being watched closely by Hilton loyalists, travel bloggers and FTers.
The admittedly high estimated prices are like the rack rates on the door of the hotel room, noone really ever pays them. For peak travel times, they are in line with St. Regis and Conrad and for off-times, they will likely be much lower. The Maldives boasts lots of very high-end properties so the competition will be good for consumers.
Not sure why some posters begrudge a blogger for compiling the most thoughtful commentary available on the FT thread into a much more readable blog post, and for the person who seemed particularly disturbed that the blogger gets some bonuses and freebies... FT isn't a charity or did you miss the advertisements to the right and all over this site?
95,000 point redemptions is a competitive advantage for Hilton, which has an interest in strengthening brand loyalty in the wake of the Marriott-Starwood merger, which left many previously loyal Marriott and Starwood customers looking for alternatives. There are already some exclusions for specialty properties, but I don't think WA Maldives would try this. I expect we will see entry-level rooms available at the 95,000 price point, especially in the beginning when the property is 100% vacant since they know this is being watched closely by Hilton loyalists, travel bloggers and FTers.
Jan 14, 2019, 8:10 am
#178
Join Date: Jan 2019
Programs: Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 7
they really are rack rates, when Hilton puts their property online for booking there are a host of discounted rates available, including Honors Discount rates, Leisure Escapes, AAA/Senior Rates, Weekend Getaway, etc. And this doesn't even take into account the frequent promotions like the 25% promo that is going on now that would have included WA Maldives had the property been open as originally scheduled. When you are calling to book a not yet open hotel you are almost certainly going to get the highest rates possible, not the best rates available.
Jan 14, 2019, 1:23 pm
#180
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: New York City
Programs: TK E/*G, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 151
Any information on lounge access at Male airport yet, is it possible the WA will share the Conrad lounge?