[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi {MDV}
Jun 18, 2019, 7:19 am
#1066
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 199
Well, it was fun to play the game anyway! But seriously, I've been giving the cost of the transfers some thought, and while the $700pp++ does seem very high, my guesses as to the reasons behind it are:
1. They must own these boats, and therefore, have to maintain them (not true of seaplanes)
2. They only serve 1 resort (not true of seaplanes), so no economies of scale
3. They can probably operate after dark....again, not true of the seaplanes. If your plane lands after dark, presumeably you can still get to the resort instead of paying for an overnight in Male, like you would have to do if taking a seaplane.
Anyone know what the One & Only charges for their yacht transfers?
1. They must own these boats, and therefore, have to maintain them (not true of seaplanes)
2. They only serve 1 resort (not true of seaplanes), so no economies of scale
3. They can probably operate after dark....again, not true of the seaplanes. If your plane lands after dark, presumeably you can still get to the resort instead of paying for an overnight in Male, like you would have to do if taking a seaplane.
Anyone know what the One & Only charges for their yacht transfers?
Jun 18, 2019, 8:05 am
#1067
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Silver, AA, WN, DL
Posts: 4,091
The per person yacht fee is a bit over the top. I'm trying to think of comparable costs of chartering a yacht anywhere else in the world that can rate that high for the amount of time used.
I get its WA, and I get it's the Maldives... but the price for what you get is excessive. At least with Conrad Maldives you get a plane, which I suspect has higher operating costs.
And while I suppose the appeal could be getting to the property like a high roller, I'd imagine the main attraction is to get to the hotel, and not some high falutin' boat taking its time to get there.
To each their own I suppose.
I get its WA, and I get it's the Maldives... but the price for what you get is excessive. At least with Conrad Maldives you get a plane, which I suspect has higher operating costs.
And while I suppose the appeal could be getting to the property like a high roller, I'd imagine the main attraction is to get to the hotel, and not some high falutin' boat taking its time to get there.
To each their own I suppose.
Jun 18, 2019, 8:08 am
#1068
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Well, it was fun to play the game anyway! But seriously, I've been giving the cost of the transfers some thought, and while the $700pp++ does seem very high, my guesses as to the reasons behind it are:
1. They must own these boats, and therefore, have to maintain them (not true of seaplanes)
2. They only serve 1 resort (not true of seaplanes), so no economies of scale
3. They can probably operate after dark....again, not true of the seaplanes. If your plane lands after dark, presumeably you can still get to the resort instead of paying for an overnight in Male, like you would have to do if taking a seaplane.
Anyone know what the One & Only charges for their yacht transfers?
1. They must own these boats, and therefore, have to maintain them (not true of seaplanes)
2. They only serve 1 resort (not true of seaplanes), so no economies of scale
3. They can probably operate after dark....again, not true of the seaplanes. If your plane lands after dark, presumeably you can still get to the resort instead of paying for an overnight in Male, like you would have to do if taking a seaplane.
Anyone know what the One & Only charges for their yacht transfers?
Jun 18, 2019, 8:18 am
#1069
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 179
This entire hotel was designed to entice HH members to burn points and their wallets (above and beyond normal Maldives rates) at the same time.
Jun 18, 2019, 9:21 am
#1070
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
LOL! Right you are.....but don't forget to add "for rich Arabs to burn their oil dollars"
Jun 19, 2019, 1:39 pm
#1072
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 83
I think if people start finding their own transfers to/from the resort, they will revisit their yacht pricing. I don't mind paying a premium but I also don't want to be gouged. They need to be priced competitively to the point where most people won't even bother looking for alternatives. At this point it seems like we're all seeing what other options are out there. Luckily my stay isn't until early next year so I have some time to see how it all plays out.
Jun 19, 2019, 2:50 pm
#1073
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
How about 'Roils' 
I wholeheartedly agree and that's exactly what I'm going to do when we get around to staying at this resort (and anyone else I know that plans on going). First I have a very long stay at Rangali which will burn almost every single point in the point bank. Maybe visit in late 2020. Thank god we have folks like @alanslegal who will get to the WA right on opening day and kick service butt where needed 
and maybe throw some plant growth hormones onto the flora for us latecomers, heh. Thanks buddy! 
I think if people start finding their own transfers to/from the resort, they will revisit their yacht pricing. I don't mind paying a premium but I also don't want to be gouged. They need to be priced competitively to the point where most people won't even bother looking for alternatives. At this point it seems like we're all seeing what other options are out there. Luckily my stay isn't until early next year so I have some time to see how it all plays out.
and maybe throw some plant growth hormones onto the flora for us latecomers, heh. Thanks buddy!
Jun 19, 2019, 4:17 pm
#1074
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 153
I think if people start finding their own transfers to/from the resort, they will revisit their yacht pricing. I don't mind paying a premium but I also don't want to be gouged. They need to be priced competitively to the point where most people won't even bother looking for alternatives. At this point it seems like we're all seeing what other options are out there. Luckily my stay isn't until early next year so I have some time to see how it all plays out.
Jun 19, 2019, 4:40 pm
#1075
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 82
I'm late to the party, only realizing now that this property exists and that I have enough points/desire to go there, and now the availability has dried up significantly for the Dec 2019 - Mar 2020 high-season. There is no 5-day availability during that time. However, there is availability in October (when there is a higher chance of rain), or there is also wide-open availability during high season at the Conrad Maldives which I am also considering.
My wife and I have never been to the Maldives before. The closest comparative I have is Bora Bora (stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui), which was our favorite trip of all time, due primarily to the upscale hard product, activities available, and the service. Is there anyone here who has been to the Maldives in both high and rainy seasons, and/or has also experienced both the Conrad Maldives and one of the Bora Bora hotels I mentioned, who can provide some perspective?
1. Based on what we know about the WA Maldives, do you think the hard product is better "enough" in comparison to the Conrad Maldives to justify going in potentially-rainy October vs likely sunny January?
2. (Bonus question: Is the Conrad Maldives vs Conrad Bora Bora going to be similar in terms of hard and soft product, or will I be disappointed?)
(Also, I'm looking to go anytime during that Jan-Mar period, on the extreme longshot that someone has days booked they are looking to cancel)
My wife and I have never been to the Maldives before. The closest comparative I have is Bora Bora (stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui), which was our favorite trip of all time, due primarily to the upscale hard product, activities available, and the service. Is there anyone here who has been to the Maldives in both high and rainy seasons, and/or has also experienced both the Conrad Maldives and one of the Bora Bora hotels I mentioned, who can provide some perspective?
1. Based on what we know about the WA Maldives, do you think the hard product is better "enough" in comparison to the Conrad Maldives to justify going in potentially-rainy October vs likely sunny January?
2. (Bonus question: Is the Conrad Maldives vs Conrad Bora Bora going to be similar in terms of hard and soft product, or will I be disappointed?)
(Also, I'm looking to go anytime during that Jan-Mar period, on the extreme longshot that someone has days booked they are looking to cancel)
Jun 19, 2019, 5:54 pm
#1076
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
I'm late to the party, only realizing now that this property exists and that I have enough points/desire to go there, and now the availability has dried up significantly for the Dec 2019 - Mar 2020 high-season. There is no 5-day availability during that time. However, there is availability in October (when there is a higher chance of rain), or there is also wide-open availability during high season at the Conrad Maldives which I am also considering.
My wife and I have never been to the Maldives before. The closest comparative I have is Bora Bora (stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui), which was our favorite trip of all time, due primarily to the upscale hard product, activities available, and the service. Is there anyone here who has been to the Maldives in both high and rainy seasons, and/or has also experienced both the Conrad Maldives and one of the Bora Bora hotels I mentioned, who can provide some perspective?
1. Based on what we know about the WA Maldives, do you think the hard product is better "enough" in comparison to the Conrad Maldives to justify going in potentially-rainy October vs likely sunny January?
2. (Bonus question: Is the Conrad Maldives vs Conrad Bora Bora going to be similar in terms of hard and soft product, or will I be disappointed?)
(Also, I'm looking to go anytime during that Jan-Mar period, on the extreme longshot that someone has days booked they are looking to cancel)
My wife and I have never been to the Maldives before. The closest comparative I have is Bora Bora (stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui), which was our favorite trip of all time, due primarily to the upscale hard product, activities available, and the service. Is there anyone here who has been to the Maldives in both high and rainy seasons, and/or has also experienced both the Conrad Maldives and one of the Bora Bora hotels I mentioned, who can provide some perspective?
1. Based on what we know about the WA Maldives, do you think the hard product is better "enough" in comparison to the Conrad Maldives to justify going in potentially-rainy October vs likely sunny January?
2. (Bonus question: Is the Conrad Maldives vs Conrad Bora Bora going to be similar in terms of hard and soft product, or will I be disappointed?)
(Also, I'm looking to go anytime during that Jan-Mar period, on the extreme longshot that someone has days booked they are looking to cancel)
Jun 19, 2019, 6:16 pm
#1077
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Thank god we have folks like @alanslegal who will get to the WA right on opening day and kick service butt where needed and maybe throw some plant growth hormones onto the flora for us latecomers, heh. Thanks buddy!
and maybe throw some plant growth hormones onto the flora for us latecomers, heh. Thanks buddy! My wife and I have never been to the Maldives before. The closest comparative I have is Bora Bora (stayed at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui), which was our favorite trip of all time, due primarily to the upscale hard product, activities available, and the service. Is there anyone here who has been to the Maldives in both high and rainy seasons, and/or has also experienced both the Conrad Maldives and one of the Bora Bora hotels I mentioned, who can provide some perspective?
1. Based on what we know about the WA Maldives, do you think the hard product is better "enough" in comparison to the Conrad Maldives to justify going in potentially-rainy October vs likely sunny January?
2. (Bonus question: Is the Conrad Maldives vs Conrad Bora Bora going to be similar in terms of hard and soft product, or will I be disappointed?)
1. Based on what we know about the WA Maldives, do you think the hard product is better "enough" in comparison to the Conrad Maldives to justify going in potentially-rainy October vs likely sunny January?
2. (Bonus question: Is the Conrad Maldives vs Conrad Bora Bora going to be similar in terms of hard and soft product, or will I be disappointed?)
Having been to BB and Maldives two times each, Maldives wins on most categories 1. higher prices 2. better service 3. better food 4. newer resorts 5. better access if you can get to Asia/Middle East .... Bora Bora wins on postcard views of Mt Otenamu but the Conrad has little views of that. You can bring in alcohol - so six bottles of good champagne per couple duty free. At Bora Bora most resorts have access to the main island, whereas many resorts in Maldives you are held captive. Oh and I will definitely miss those bicycles they have at the Conrad Bora Bora.
Jun 19, 2019, 6:30 pm
#1078
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
Having been to BB and Maldives two times each, Maldives wins on most categories 1. higher prices 2. better service 3. better food 4. newer resorts 5. better access if you can get to Asia/Middle East .... Bora Bora wins on postcard views of Mt Otenamu but the Conrad has little views of that. You can bring in alcohol - so six bottles of good champagne per couple duty free. At Bora Bora most resorts have access to the main island, whereas many resorts in Maldives you are held captive. Oh and I will definitely miss those bicycles they have at the Conrad Bora Bora.
For what it's worth having been to both the Conrad Rangali Island and Conrad Bora Bora, both are fantastic hotels. I'm skeptical about the WA, but let's see how the reviews go. I'm already predicting certain issues in reviews.
Jun 19, 2019, 7:27 pm
#1079
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
For Americans, surely Bora Bora is significantly easier than getting to the Maldives? There are now multiple options to Papeete and it's just an hour flight from there. Obviously if you're in Dubai, then the Maldives wins out for those times when you want a 5* hotel on water that's not in a desert.
For what it's worth having been to both the Conrad Rangali Island and Conrad Bora Bora, both are fantastic hotels. I'm skeptical about the WA, but let's see how the reviews go. I'm already predicting certain issues in reviews.
For what it's worth having been to both the Conrad Rangali Island and Conrad Bora Bora, both are fantastic hotels. I'm skeptical about the WA, but let's see how the reviews go. I'm already predicting certain issues in reviews.
We've been to both Conrads Maldvies/Bora Bora as well and they are excellent properties - I just anticipate/hope/expect that this WA to be much better than those two. There's a few of us arriving in the first week July, so we'll hear feedback very soon.
Jun 19, 2019, 9:47 pm
#1080
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 179
I kind of doubt it. I can't imagine any prospective cash-paying guest deciding not to stay at the WA because the transfer is a couple hundred bucks more expensive than it probably should be when you consider what the room rates look like. The only people staying there who are that price sensitive are people staying on points and the resort is not going to lower prices to appease people staying on points. If anything, they probably look at barriers to entry for people staying on points as a positive thing.