[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charlotte
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All the villas look like they are infinitely nicer than the Conrad from the video; looks like a huge pool for all villas, even the base beach villas, and a huge improvement to the tiny pool and deck on the base water villas at the Conrad. Hopefully they don’t have those huge walls extending 25+ feet out into the ocean blocking all wind and airflow like the Conrad does.....those decks got 🔥🔥
#17
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
As for the beach villas, I am concerned about those mini-jetties every 3 units or so, which suggest a strong current which would otherwise wash away the sand, and will definitely detract from the tropical island beach feeling. With characteristics comparable/superior to the Conrad's deluxe beach villas, no doubt they will be in high demand as standard awards, perhaps in a Bora Bora like scenario where each night has to be booked 365 days ahead of time.
Also, I appreciate the Conrad for its non built-up areas on the smaller island, and relative sense of space on the larger island, which seem to be missing from this new W-A with admittedly highly specified villas on every available piece of land (and water). Great for staying in/by one's pool, but CR might have the edge for water/beach/land activities. The ratio of water villas to 'public' beach front also looks very low, for water villa residents who would like some time in the sand.
The nearby empty islands on Google maps might make for good snorkeling trips.
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Charlotte
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I’d assume they would build concrete breakwaters around the island to take the effect of the current and waves away like they do at the Conrad....
I’m hoping they will allow boat transfers between the Waldorf and Conrad, say you wanted to do 5 and 5. It was only about 10 minutes away from the Conrad by seaplane when we flew over it; one would think a boat transfer to the other would be possible.
I’m hoping they will allow boat transfers between the Waldorf and Conrad, say you wanted to do 5 and 5. It was only about 10 minutes away from the Conrad by seaplane when we flew over it; one would think a boat transfer to the other would be possible.
#19
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
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I thought the opening couple of minutes felt very much like "Dubai by the Sea", but I do have to admit that the Villas look nice - very reminiscent of the Cheval Blanc Randheli which clearly wins in pure luxury terms vs. the Conrad.
#20
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
The steep dropoffs off Ithaafushi's middle island must make it a challenge to keep the sand on its beaches in the desired configuration.
Hopefully not too apt a metaphor... The 'sandless' arrival pier and lobby do seem set up for the W-A brand's target audience.
#21
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Rangali island has a much larger 'continental shelf', so to speak, which enables the implementation of such breakwaters, and it still suffers from erosion problems especially on the northwestern side of its big island, where onshore perpendicular concrete walls make for an unattractive section of beach.
Yes. This is a shame. This property is going to fall far short on natural beauty compared to Rangali. The undergrowth on both Rangali and Rangalifinolhu at the Conrad, and the pathways through it, give you a completely immersed feeling.....like you're in a hospitable jungle. The W-A will feel rather fake, like the O&O Reethi Rah. Like you say, it's going to appeal to a certain audience but it's not everyone's cup of tea. Certainly not mine but perhaps I will visit once if the base villas aren't hiked up to something like 150K pts per night which Hilton could well do.
#22
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Either resort will be able to provide a speedboat service but expect to pay in the region of 3000-3500K++ for the transfer. It will be far cheaper for even a family of 4 to take the seaplane back from the Conrad to MLE then speedboat to Ithaafushi or vice versa.
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
Looking forward to this one. Whenever rooms become available please can someone post in this thread.
#25
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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Looks great much more like the St Regis than the Conrad, where the room design feels well past its sell by date. Why would anyone choose the Conrad as a redemption rather than this? I look forward to trying next year.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney
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Better start saving those HHonors points!!
#27
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Wish that they could swap the hard product around (with the Conrad). Then you'd have the best of both worlds.
#28
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The Conrad is presumably beyond bringing up to the latest accommodation standard though. You would have to do so much work and drastically cut the number of guests and force up prices.
#29
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
So it will be interesting to see what the UWS looks like when finished. I don't really think the number of guests / villas needs to be cut, though I suppose this would differ from person to person. It's a huge resort with good shape and layout and you don't realise there are 500 or so guests there at any one time. 150 villas is about right for a good balance between size and privacy. There are plenty of resorts with a much higher ratio of villas to actual land area.
#30
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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So it will be interesting to see what the UWS looks like when finished. I don't really think the number of guests / villas needs to be cut, though I suppose this would differ from person to person. It's a huge resort with good shape and layout and you don't realise there are 500 or so guests there at any one time. 150 villas is about right for a good balance between size and privacy. There are plenty of resorts with a much higher ratio of villas to actual land area.
The Conrad villas are about half the size of their equivalent at other luxury properties. To me that makes the Contad a total non starter as the rooms are so sub par. This is a shame because I like the resort but couldn't ever see how I could stay there again after the SR. It would be like visiting a youth hostel after a luxury hotel
Last edited by Land-of-Miles; Apr 15, 2018 at 11:19 am