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[ARCHIVE 2020] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}

[ARCHIVE 2020] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}

Old Jan 3, 20, 7:08 pm
  #31  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 385
Originally Posted by vnfilm1
It is nice of you to share your inputs. Do you mind sharing:
a) What room number you stay in on this trip. And how much is your upgrade cost .

b) How much the front desk charge for deposit on your account . I do not recall how much is the deposit money on hold in my last trip. I worry that CR put a large amount on hold and will it takes time to release it, it may cause trouble for us since we are still in the middle of our trips after leaving CR .


Please sent me a PM if you not want do put your answer here. Thank you.
We were in 342 (the end SWV next to the DWV) - Id thought it would be a good choice of SWV and it certainly was in every respect except for a single one, that being there was literally zero sealife underneath it or near it. There wont be much that side of the island at all to be fair but Im pretty sure the next block up (the block of 4 containing #338) at least have the off rock that might attract something to see for a 5 minute snorkel. We did see stingrays, eagle rays and sharks swim by the villa though.

When we booked the stay we just competed the difference between the room we booked and the SWV was $100++ (and still was just prior to our arrival). We were quoted and agreed to pay slightly more than that. Attempted to tell them how daft that was but lost the will to live with the conversations and hence just paid it!

Not sure if youre asking about the deposit for the next trip we book or the amount they held on arrival when we checked in for this trip. I booked the next one online while we were there (rather than through the front desk) and it said it was charging my card a $15k deposit/hold on my card. The booking confirmation came through but as far as I can tell it was just a glitch on their website because no hold has been put on my card. (We booked with points so the website saying it was also holding $15k was unusual anyway.). They didnt swipe our card when we checked in this time - I guess they know us by know and that well pay up at the end!
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Old Jan 3, 20, 8:06 pm
  #32  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 482
Originally Posted by Splotly
We were in 342 (the end SWV next to the DWV) - Id thought it would be a good choice of SWV and it certainly was in every respect except for a single one, that being there was literally zero sealife underneath it or near it. There wont be much that side of the island at all to be fair but Im pretty sure the next block up (the block of 4 containing #338) at least have the off rock that might attract something to see for a 5 minute snorkel. We did see stingrays, eagle rays and sharks swim by the villa though.

When we booked the stay we just competed the difference between the room we booked and the SWV was $100++ (and still was just prior to our arrival). We were quoted and agreed to pay slightly more than that. Attempted to tell them how daft that was but lost the will to live with the conversations and hence just paid it!

Not sure if youre asking about the deposit for the next trip we book or the amount they held on arrival when we checked in for this trip. I booked the next one online while we were there (rather than through the front desk) and it said it was charging my card a $15k deposit/hold on my card. The booking confirmation came through but as far as I can tell it was just a glitch on their website because no hold has been put on my card. (We booked with points so the website saying it was also holding $15k was unusual anyway.). They didnt swipe our card when we checked in this time - I guess they know us by know and that well pay up at the end!
I am asking about the deposit money to place on hold at check in counter (your completed trip recently). I have enough fund in my CC, but if the checkin counter at Conrad place 10 K or more and it takes a long time to release it, we will not have enough funding in our CC to cover hotel stay at another destination.

I will see if they swipe out card this time when we arrive there.
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Old Jan 3, 20, 8:19 pm
  #33  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Originally Posted by pineapple_09
MaldivesFreak could you do me a favour and try to find out the name of the instrumental music they played at Mandhoo for afternoon tea? I loved it and want to listen to it again so I can pretend Im back there again remembering those blissful moments!
Sure, will do.
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Old Jan 3, 20, 8:34 pm
  #34  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 385
Originally Posted by vnfilm1
I am asking about the deposit money to place on hold at check in counter (your completed trip recently). I have enough fund in my CC, but if the checkin counter at Conrad place 10 K or more and it takes a long time to release it, we will not have enough funding in our CC to cover hotel stay at another destination.

I will see if they swipe out card this time when we arrive there.
In that case I can only partially answer you - from past history with this rather than our latest trip (because they didnt ask for a deposit this time). Im sure others may have recent experience they can chime in with...

From memory the amount is not that large (assuming youve already paid for the room in advance so its just extras theyre putting a hold on your card for). And crucially I do recall overhearing others in the lounge discuss the amount with staff on previous occasions, and requesting a lower figure which the lounge staff were happy to do for them (they were suggesting sensible figures to the staff). I did fly my son and his girlfriend out there to meet us one year and asked the staff to wind them up on arrival and tell them they were swiping the visa electron student debit cards for a hold of $20k (because theyd have had about $10 in their accounts each!) so the staff are certainly up to a laugh and a play around with the figure.

My advice is just to be candid with the staff on your arrival in the lounge - its easy to be discreet in there and would feel awkward to do at all. Saeed runs the lounge and is a really nice guy so perhaps simply ask for him when you arrive...
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Old Jan 3, 20, 8:38 pm
  #35  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 385
Originally Posted by pineapple_09
Splotly - Id totally agree with you. I love Rangali, want to go back again for our 4th trip.

MaldivesFreak could you do me a favour and try to find out the name of the instrumental music they played at Mandhoo for afternoon tea? I loved it and want to listen to it again so I can pretend Im back there again remembering those blissful moments!
Youre right to ask MF about anything music related. When we went to meet him in the bar he was with the DJ - I think bossing him around about what music he demanded be played, in what order, out of which speakers and at what volume.
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Old Jan 3, 20, 9:00 pm
  #36  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 482
Originally Posted by Splotly
In that case I can only partially answer you - from past history with this rather than our latest trip (because they didnt ask for a deposit this time). Im sure others may have recent experience they can chime in with...

From memory the amount is not that large (assuming youve already paid for the room in advance so its just extras theyre putting a hold on your card for). And crucially I do recall overhearing others in the lounge discuss the amount with staff on previous occasions, and requesting a lower figure which the lounge staff were happy to do for them (they were suggesting sensible figures to the staff). I did fly my son and his girlfriend out there to meet us one year and asked the staff to wind them up on arrival and tell them they were swiping the visa electron student debit cards for a hold of $20k (because theyd have had about $10 in their accounts each!) so the staff are certainly up to a laugh and a play around with the figure.

My advice is just to be candid with the staff on your arrival in the lounge - its easy to be discreet in there and would feel awkward to do at all. Saeed runs the lounge and is a really nice guy so perhaps simply ask for him when you arrive...
Thanks for good advise, I always carry a back up card (just in case needed) , but I will tell them up front that I do not want to see a large sum amount to place on hold .
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Old Jan 3, 20, 9:13 pm
  #37  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Originally Posted by vnfilm1
but if the checkin counter at Conrad place 10 K or more and it takes a long time to release it
It's released at the speed your bank releases it. Got nothing to do with Rangali.
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Old Jan 3, 20, 9:14 pm
  #38  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 63
Originally Posted by bishj5
FWIW - I too am planning a honeymoon stay in March 2020. Below is the email I received from the Assistant Reservations Manager:

"Maruhabaa from Conrad Maldives Rangali Island! On behalf of the entire Conrad Maldives team, we would like to thank you for choosing our award-winning resort for your upcoming vacation.
Dear Mr. ---, we have noted your reservation as arriving -- March 2020 for 05 nights for your special occasion for your Honeymoon. So you will be entitled for the below benefits but a copy of marriage certificate of less than 12 months to be presented at check-in, in order to qualify for the offer
.....

We would like to offer you the below special supplements if you would like to upgrade your room to enhance your experience in our resort as following. You can have the upgrade for the entire stay or part of the stay only. Attached the resort brochure for your kind reference.
From Water Villa to Deluxe Beach Villa : $ 138.60 net per night inclusive of taxes.

From Water Villa to Superior Water Villa : $ 73.92 net per night inclusive of taxes.

From Water Villa to Grand Water Villa : $ 369.60 net per night inclusive of taxes.

From Water Villa to Deluxe Water Villa : $ 525.00 net per night inclusive of taxes."
When will you be there? We're arriving March 9th. We received a little bit different rates for upgrades, this is what we were offered:

Upgrade from Water Villa to Superior Water Villa US$ 60 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from Water Villa to Deluxe Beach Villa US$ 142 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from Water Villa to Retreat Water Villa US$ 285 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.
Upgrade from Water Villa to Deluxe Water Villa US$ 522 + 10% service charge + 12% T GST per night.

We're doing 2 nights in a DBV followed by 3 nights in a SWV.
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Old Jan 3, 20, 9:36 pm
  #39  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 482
Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak
It's released at the speed your bank releases it. Got nothing to do with Rangali.
Thanks for letting me know that .
Do you mind I ask you a question. If I must choose two dinner plans among all CR offer. Which current dinner plan do you think it is still worthy and valuable in term of well money spend for it . Thanks.
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Old Jan 3, 20, 9:41 pm
  #40  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott PPE with Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 218
SWG








Sorry to hear of your experience. Looks like we were villa neighbors! We were told that the AC went out as a Rangali XMas gift for our whole villa group (401-409). Not very pleasant to be without AC in the Maldives.

We also stepped on screws / construction materials in our Villa (see attached photo of just some of the loose construction material we found in our refurbished Grand Water Villa). As with most of my solutions during the stay I found a way to work around a CMRI issue (instead of them solving the problem) and I just made sure to wear sandals when walking around our unit.



vnfilm1 Regarding your question about exposure to management / attention. My opinion is that there are three groups of guests who are more likely to get the attention of management:

1. Famous / VIP guests OR those staying in underwater villa. e.g., during our stay the GM told me a VIP asked him to procure a Piano overnight to be installed by morning. Apparently the GM was successful in getting one from Male by the AM! I am not sure if even MaldivesFreak gets to receive that kind of service

2. Influencers or bloggers: MaldivesFreak and ScubaRoo (whom management paid attention to on your stays) maybe you guys could be considered among our forum influencers due to your professional reviews and/or FT presence?

3. Guests who have an extremely bad stay and request to speak with management (the group we fell into during our last stay). The GM agreed to meet with us and he was receptive to our feedback.

We were even invited to the VIP weekly sunset cruise for the very first time - I suspect because of our request to meet with the GM due to our challenging stay (we had never been invited before on any other visit). They even offered to let two of our friends join (which was very nice). However, we declined because we felt awkward given how bad our stay was and we thought the invite was only to try and make us feel better / more appreciated. All we really wanted was a normal vacation without hassle.


My opinion is that people in the above three groups are more likely to be treated better and could be insulated from some of the current service issues at CMRI (due to management attention). However, this shouldnt be the case at a true 5 star resort where every guest should get treated with a baseline of quality / attention.


BTW - vnfilm1 for Bangkok I highly recommend the new WA. We had a fantastic experience there in January 2019 right after it opened.


Originally Posted by SWG
I can attest that I had some similar issues as brandonpkt on some of the same days. Not sure why there is distrust from some on the veracity of his story, but perhaps my experiences will be useful. I was in RWV #408 .

- There were multiple AC failures. We spent one night without AC and another (Christmas night) getting shipped off to a BV while they did repairs. With an early departure on the 26th, this was unfortunate timing. Also had to call or use the app several times throughout the day of the 25th to report the issue as we were not given updates on the progress of the fix.

- There were exposed nails and screws on edges of the Retreat walkway (right where you would walk when one of the many construction carts were passing you). The worst area I saw was between Mandhoo and #401 . This was reported to management with photos and I hope no barefoot walker was injured.

- There was frequently rust or sawdust in the hot tub (not just sand), likely a byproduct of construction. Had to ask for extra cleaning.

- I was offered nothing for the AC failures, involuntary room downgrade, the nail/screw issues, and some other issues that I encountered with the door locks on Christmas evening. I had to ask firmly for anything in the moments before I had to board the plane early on the 26th. They either don't care, or don't employ any sort of CRM system to keep track of guest experiences (other than your bill) throughout the stay. I knew I would be the first person to stay in #408 after the refresh, and I expected some technical issues. The fact that no one proactively checked with us on the condition of the room and how they handled the customer service once issues were reported was disappointing.

- I also encountered a $2000 mistake on the bill related to the upgrade which should have been covered 10 months prior. It was fixed, but was one more scramble after a sleepless night and before an early departure.

I have no comments on how things may have been in the past, this was a first visit.

Last edited by brandonpkt; Jan 4, 20 at 5:08 pm
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Old Jan 3, 20, 10:05 pm
  #41  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 385
Originally Posted by brandonpkt
1. Famous / VIP guests OR those staying in underwater villa. e.g., during our stay the GM told me a VIP asked him to procure a Piano overnight to be installed by morning - I am not even sure if MaldivesFreak can command that kind of service
Oh believe me he could. When I met him in the bar he was moaning about some sand between his toes. I tried to dust it off for him but missed a gain and he made me do it again. And then of course that made me slow fetching him his face towel. Thought he was going to tell on me and call Stefano... if hed said piano to me Id have fetched it for him (immediately) or hed probably have named and shamed me in the wiki. YOU DONT MESS WITH MF.
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Old Jan 3, 20, 10:09 pm
  #42  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 385
Originally Posted by brandonpkt
SWG
Sorry to hear of your experience. Looks like we were villa neighbors last week! We had heard that the AC went out as a Rangali XMas gift for our villa whole group (401-409). Going without AC is really bad in the Maldives, hopefully this issue does not repeat. We also stepped on construction screws / materials in our Villa - I just made sure to wear sandals when walking around our unit.


vnfilm1 Regarding your question about exposure to management / attention. My opinion is that there are three groups of guests who are more likely to get the attention of management:

1. Famous / VIP guests OR those staying in underwater villa. e.g., during our stay the GM told me a VIP asked him to procure a Piano overnight to be installed by morning - I am not even sure if MaldivesFreak can command that kind of service

2. Influencers or bloggers: MaldivesFreak and ScubaRoo maybe you guys could be considered among our forum influencers?

3. Guests who have an extremely bad stay and request to speak with management. We unfortunately fell into this group during our last stay. The GM agreed to meet with us and he was receptive to our feedback. We were even invited to the VIP weekly sunset cruise for the very first time - I suspect because of our request to meet with the GM due to our challenging stay (we had never been invited before on any other visit). They even offered to let two of our friends join (which was very nice). However, we declined because we felt awkward given how bad our stay was and we thought the invite was only to try and make us feel better / more appreciated. All we really wanted was a normal vacation without hassle.


My opinion is that people in the above three groups are more likely to be treated better at CMRI and could be insulated from some of the service issues that have been reported (due to management attention). However, this shouldnt be the case at a true 5 star resort where every guest should get treated with a baseline of quality / attention.


BTW - vnfilm1 for Bangkok I highly recommend the new WA. We had a fantastic experience there in January 2019 right after it opened.

Should have gone on it!!!!

Thats always a great evening (on the boat) with them - and he definitely wasnt offering it to placate you - hes just not like that: Hell have done it because he had feedback that you were a nice guest (reacted reasonably to issues etc).

Theres no shop talk on the cruise - its just fun, great views and limitless decent wine and bubbles... although Alex did fail to spot us any dolphins which was a major issue, especially the day before his annual review
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Old Jan 3, 20, 10:27 pm
  #43  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 482
Originally Posted by brandonpkt
SWG

vnfilm1 Regarding your question about exposure to management / attention. My opinion is that there are three groups of guests who are more likely to get the attention of management:

1. Famous / VIP guests OR those staying in underwater villa. e.g., during our stay the GM told me a VIP asked him to procure a Piano overnight to be installed by morning - I am not even sure if MaldivesFreak can command that kind of service

2. Influencers or bloggers: MaldivesFreak and ScubaRoo maybe you guys could be considered among our forum influencers?

3. Guests who have an extremely bad stay and request to speak with management. We unfortunately fell into this group during our last stay. The GM agreed to meet with us and he was receptive to our feedback. We were even invited to the VIP weekly sunset cruise for the very first time - I suspect because of our request to meet with the GM due to our challenging stay (we had never been invited before on any other visit). They even offered to let two of our friends join (which was very nice). However, we declined because we felt awkward given how bad our stay was and we thought the invite was only to try and make us feel better / more appreciated. All we really wanted was a normal vacation without hassle.


My opinion is that people in the above three groups are more likely to be treated better at CMRI and could be insulated from some of the service issues that have been reported (due to management attention). However, this shouldnt be the case at a true 5 star resort where every guest should get treated with a baseline of quality / attention.


BTW - vnfilm1 for Bangkok I highly recommend the new WA. We had a fantastic experience there in January 2019 right after it opened.
Hearing from you about meeting the GM. It is good to know the reason why we see no GM or DoO at the seaplane dock and it explains why no staff is follow up with us to ask how our stay entire time we were there. Since we are not VIP nor blogger, I am not surprise that if we become invisible guest again this time too .

Thanks for sharing another good WA hotel. It gives me more option to choose my hotel in Bangkok . Can you please share what you like and dislike and the good service / benefit you experience at WA Bangkok . Or if you have written a report, I would love to read it.

We already talk about Bangkok trip at end of this year. However, with this coming trip at the corner and the next trip in line in June , which we still unsure where we stay yet. I have not had the time to look further to plan my Bangkok trip.
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Old Jan 4, 20, 1:15 am
  #44  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott PPE with Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 218
Originally Posted by Splotly
Should have gone on it!!!!

Thats always a great evening (on the boat) with them - and he definitely wasnt offering it to placate you - hes just not like that: Hell have done it because he had feedback that you were a nice guest (reacted reasonably to issues etc).

Theres no shop talk on the cruise - its just fun, great views and limitless decent wine and bubbles... although Alex did fail to spot us any dolphins which was a major issue, especially the day before his annual review
You are probably right - and I want to reiterate we thought is was very nice that he agreed to add two more guests for our friends. I just think we had been beaten down by that point and justifiable or not we just didnt know what to think of the Conrad management (this was the first time we had been invited on the cruise even as 3rd visit diamonds).

I like to think we are nice guests, but on this one trip we may not have been the most pleasant to management. We never give critiques or negative feedback to front line staff because I think most issues are not their fault and typically a reflection of management (eg poor training, low staffing levels or resource constraints - some of which is likely happening at the Conrad now as they replace staff who departed to the WA).

Therefore, whenever we are giving harsh critiques (like on this trip) we always ask to speak with management directly. I hope we reacted reasonably to the issues we experienced, but honestly not sure...

Last edited by brandonpkt; Jan 4, 20 at 4:46 am
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Old Jan 4, 20, 9:25 am
  #45  
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mumbai
Programs: Gold Member w/Hilton & Marriott
Posts: 48
I had received an email from Conrad Maldives regarding the updated In Villa Dinning Menu. I'm not sure if it's here but I thought I'll upload it as it will help others.






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