[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
Aug 10, 2019, 4:16 pm
#1891
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Edit: The TripAdvisor servers are still updating so sometimes the 2-star review is there, sometimes not.
2nd edit: The original 2-star review appears to have been deleted / changed permanently so am unable to C+P its contents.
Stunning property, excellent leadership from management
My wife and I are about to finish a weeklong stay at the new Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. I recommend that you strongly consider this resort if you are planning a stay in the Maldives.
First, the property itself is spectacular. The property itself is even better than it looks in the videos and pictures. The design and attention to detail is world class and exceeds the highest expectations. The ambition of this project is difficult to process at first becomes more and more apparent with more time on the island. The villas are brilliant - they have spared no expense on the design and construction, and the attention to detail is remarkable. Even the smart features of the room control (which always seem to be like more of a bother than anything else) added value to our stay.
Guests have certain expectations about service and staff interactions at a resort like this, and frankly our expectations were not met during the first half of our stay. I find discussing issues with management to be a waste of time that usually yields nothing other than empty promises and apologies.
This was not the case here. The management team, in particular Simone C. and our concierge, Aida, stepped up and addressed each issue and then some. Last night at dinner it was immediately apparent that things had changed and after Simone introduced himself we understood why. The professionalism and competence of these two individuals completely altered our experience for the better in a way I did not think was possible. It is clear that the staff here is working very hard on delivering for guests. Work needs to be done and certain things, such as the transfer from MLE need to be materially improved, but expert leadership is in place and I expect that they will get there quickly.
The excursion team with Ocean is fantastic – do not hesitate to invest your time and money in activities managed by this company.
First, the property itself is spectacular. The property itself is even better than it looks in the videos and pictures. The design and attention to detail is world class and exceeds the highest expectations. The ambition of this project is difficult to process at first becomes more and more apparent with more time on the island. The villas are brilliant - they have spared no expense on the design and construction, and the attention to detail is remarkable. Even the smart features of the room control (which always seem to be like more of a bother than anything else) added value to our stay.
Guests have certain expectations about service and staff interactions at a resort like this, and frankly our expectations were not met during the first half of our stay. I find discussing issues with management to be a waste of time that usually yields nothing other than empty promises and apologies.
This was not the case here. The management team, in particular Simone C. and our concierge, Aida, stepped up and addressed each issue and then some. Last night at dinner it was immediately apparent that things had changed and after Simone introduced himself we understood why. The professionalism and competence of these two individuals completely altered our experience for the better in a way I did not think was possible. It is clear that the staff here is working very hard on delivering for guests. Work needs to be done and certain things, such as the transfer from MLE need to be materially improved, but expert leadership is in place and I expect that they will get there quickly.
The excursion team with Ocean is fantastic – do not hesitate to invest your time and money in activities managed by this company.
So folks. We now know they're up to bribing guests who write negative reviews and are still at the property.
Last edited by MaldivesFreak; Aug 10, 2019 at 4:48 pm Reason: Added info
Aug 10, 2019, 5:02 pm
#1893
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
Did I miss something? Who is MikeM or Michael M? What’s going on?!
Aug 10, 2019, 5:13 pm
#1894
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 29
+ 1 who is this Michael guy?
I'll be here in a couple weeks. I'm not getting my Hope's up as we have been to conard maldives and conrad Bora Bora which both exceeded our expectations. But do I have something to worry bout???
I'll be here in a couple weeks. I'm not getting my Hope's up as we have been to conard maldives and conrad Bora Bora which both exceeded our expectations. But do I have something to worry bout???
Aug 10, 2019, 5:13 pm
#1895
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
@pineapple First read this post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilt...l#post31399851 then re-read my post.
Aug 10, 2019, 5:14 pm
#1896
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 158
I'll gladly write a 5 star review for them if they throw me a bone.
Aug 10, 2019, 5:15 pm
#1897
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
This AM there was a 2-Star review on TA from a MichaelM. That post is now gone. There is now a 5-Star post from a MikeM that was not there this AM.
So if you are following the conspiracy theory the WA pulled a Jedi Mind Trick on the poster. Got them to change their TA handle and update their 2-Star review to a 5-Star.
TD
Aug 10, 2019, 5:17 pm
#1898
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
@pineapple First read this post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilt...l#post31399851 then re-read my post.
Aug 10, 2019, 5:19 pm
#1899
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
The people with the aluminum hats have now joined the thread....
This AM there was a 2-Star review on TA from a MichaelM. That post is now gone. There is now a 5-Star post from a MikeM that was not there this AM.
So if you are following the conspiracy theory the WA pulled a Jedi Mind Trick on the poster. Got them to change their TA handle and update their 2-Star review to a 5-Star.
TD
Tin hats don’t really suit me. Looks good on that cat though, haha!
Aug 10, 2019, 5:21 pm
#1900
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 29
O dang thanks guys for clarifying. Ya they threw him a bone so that he would change his review. I'm sure this is going to continue to happen till they establish enough reviews. This is the beginning so they need as many 5 star reviews. Write a review and you might get thrown a bone or two 😉
Aug 10, 2019, 5:26 pm
#1901
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
I’m wondering if mgmt are following this thread, the way Rangali used to. They have to be. Although the Rangali rep used to actually post on the thread back in the day, not anymore though. I guess they don’t need to.
Aug 10, 2019, 5:31 pm
#1902
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,306
My comments are based on the resorts themselves. But I will say I prefer BB scenery and off property opportunities over the Maldives.
TD
Aug 10, 2019, 5:39 pm
#1903
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 29
No you don’t, assuming you understand the costs for FB and activities are sky high. Good with that and you will have an amazing time. We were at the Conrad BB last year and IHG Thalasso the year before. WA Maldives hard/soft product blow both of those away...even if you combine the best of both those places vs. WA.
My comments are based on the resorts themselves. But I will say I prefer BB scenery and off property opportunities over the Maldives.
TD
Thanks @Traveler Dave appreciate it. We are prepared. Or as prepared as one can be. Haha. It's not cheap. That yacht though $$$$$ haha
Aug 10, 2019, 5:57 pm
#1904
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
For those who have stayed in a beach villa, how is the privacy when you are on the deck between the units? I like how you have a view to the beach/ocean from the deck with the lower shrubbery, so I am not concerned with people potentially seeing in from walking on the beach. I did want to make sure that you can't see your neighbors next door on their deck. Is there fencing/taller shrubbery between the units for privacy?
They told me that the King Beach Villas are 208, 216, 220, 213, 601, 605, 609, 612, 613, 618, 622, 623, 625, and 628. That list may not be 100% accurate.
I recommend emailing them and double check that and request 213 or one of the odd 600 villas, or 618 or 622.
