[ARCHIVE 2020] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Mar 26, 20, 5:52 pm
#751
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 63
Stuck at home and getting low on work to do so I might as well post some additional photos and some observations I had. My trip was March 10-15 so just before Covid-19 dramatically changed the feeling at the resort.
We spent the first 3 nights in a Deluxe Beach Villa and I shared photos here. I'll say again, this is our favorite room we've ever stayed in. We spent the next 2 nights in a Grand Water Pool Villa (#411 .) They told us renovations were completed but I think they still need to add some artwork and other decor. Here are some photos:
Front entry sitting area and coffee/fridge area.
Main living area and door to deck.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathtub and shower
The pool
Deck and pool, this is what you're paying for
The suite looks better in person than it does in photos (I didn't want to wait for a better time of day so there are some WB issues.) It also smells like a sauna which we really liked. #411 is a great unit with better privacy than most of the GWV w/ pools. We loved watching the sharks and rays swim by. We spent way more time in our pool than the ocean around us but still loved the ocean there as a backdrop.
Here are some other random observations from my time there. For reference, my wife and I are in our 30s and are pretty well-traveled. Our travel is almost entirely leisure, very minimal business travel. We're comfortable staying in everything from hostels to to places like the Conrad so we're probably a little more easy-going on some lapses in service than some of the snootier people out there
-We absolutely loved the Maldives and will be back. The Conrad has a very casual, yet professional service I haven't seen anywhere else. The service overall was exceptional, not flawless but I'd really be nitpicking to find any issues worth discussing.
-The food was mostly excellent. We ate at Rangali Bar, Mandhoo (honeymoon dinner), Sunset Grill, Vilu, Ufaa. Rangali Bar was the only disappointing meal and the only time we had less than great service (slow to respond and inattentive.) The rest were all very good. In general I'd say the food is like a tier-below the best restaurants in great food cities. Really good, but not the type of food you'd travel for specifically.
-Happy hour fun. We (I really) were served a good number of drinks which helped save money for dinner.
-We took a tour of the employee island which was really interesting and very nice. I'll share some photos if anyone is interested. Just an FYI, they have a full bar and drinks are about 10-20% the cost for guests
Our host told us during the tour that he has many good friends who went to work at the WA, most would like to come back to the Conrad.
-We spent about $4,000 over 5 nights. We ate a big breakfast, snacks we brought for lunch and didn't skimp at dinner (4 plates and 2-3 drinks typically). We didn't attend any specialty dinners. One 2-tank dive and one spa treatment.
-The entire dive center was excellent, staff and equipment. I did a 2-tank dive and ended up being the sole guest which was really fun.
-Ignoring problems with Covid-19 currently, if anyone has been reading the 'issues' with service and was hesitant about booking the Conrad for the first time, I would go for it - I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.
We spent the first 3 nights in a Deluxe Beach Villa and I shared photos here. I'll say again, this is our favorite room we've ever stayed in. We spent the next 2 nights in a Grand Water Pool Villa (#411 .) They told us renovations were completed but I think they still need to add some artwork and other decor. Here are some photos:
Front entry sitting area and coffee/fridge area.
Main living area and door to deck.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathtub and shower
The pool
Deck and pool, this is what you're paying for
The suite looks better in person than it does in photos (I didn't want to wait for a better time of day so there are some WB issues.) It also smells like a sauna which we really liked. #411 is a great unit with better privacy than most of the GWV w/ pools. We loved watching the sharks and rays swim by. We spent way more time in our pool than the ocean around us but still loved the ocean there as a backdrop.
Here are some other random observations from my time there. For reference, my wife and I are in our 30s and are pretty well-traveled. Our travel is almost entirely leisure, very minimal business travel. We're comfortable staying in everything from hostels to to places like the Conrad so we're probably a little more easy-going on some lapses in service than some of the snootier people out there
-We absolutely loved the Maldives and will be back. The Conrad has a very casual, yet professional service I haven't seen anywhere else. The service overall was exceptional, not flawless but I'd really be nitpicking to find any issues worth discussing.
-The food was mostly excellent. We ate at Rangali Bar, Mandhoo (honeymoon dinner), Sunset Grill, Vilu, Ufaa. Rangali Bar was the only disappointing meal and the only time we had less than great service (slow to respond and inattentive.) The rest were all very good. In general I'd say the food is like a tier-below the best restaurants in great food cities. Really good, but not the type of food you'd travel for specifically.
-Happy hour fun. We (I really) were served a good number of drinks which helped save money for dinner.
-We took a tour of the employee island which was really interesting and very nice. I'll share some photos if anyone is interested. Just an FYI, they have a full bar and drinks are about 10-20% the cost for guests
Our host told us during the tour that he has many good friends who went to work at the WA, most would like to come back to the Conrad.-We spent about $4,000 over 5 nights. We ate a big breakfast, snacks we brought for lunch and didn't skimp at dinner (4 plates and 2-3 drinks typically). We didn't attend any specialty dinners. One 2-tank dive and one spa treatment.
-The entire dive center was excellent, staff and equipment. I did a 2-tank dive and ended up being the sole guest which was really fun.
-Ignoring problems with Covid-19 currently, if anyone has been reading the 'issues' with service and was hesitant about booking the Conrad for the first time, I would go for it - I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.
Mar 26, 20, 7:21 pm
#752
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Unfortunately they haven't finished the GWVs. If you compare the pics in my post here you'll see that the bedroom has remained exactly the same (no bedhead), the entry has no wall hanging (one will be put above the bed as well), there are those lights on the mirrors in the bathroom which are to be changed, it doesn't look like the floors and other wood have been re-polished. They probably didn't want to tell you "Sorry, they're still only half-finished".
Mar 27, 20, 11:16 am
#753
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold, UA Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 342
Stuck at home and getting low on work to do so I might as well post some additional photos and some observations I had. My trip was March 10-15 so just before Covid-19 dramatically changed the feeling at the resort.
We spent the first 3 nights in a Deluxe Beach Villa and I shared photos here. I'll say again, this is our favorite room we've ever stayed in. We spent the next 2 nights in a Grand Water Pool Villa (#411 .) They told us renovations were completed but I think they still need to add some artwork and other decor. Here are some photos:
Front entry sitting area and coffee/fridge area.
Main living area and door to deck.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathtub and shower
The pool
Deck and pool, this is what you're paying for
The suite looks better in person than it does in photos (I didn't want to wait for a better time of day so there are some WB issues.) It also smells like a sauna which we really liked. #411 is a great unit with better privacy than most of the GWV w/ pools. We loved watching the sharks and rays swim by. We spent way more time in our pool than the ocean around us but still loved the ocean there as a backdrop.
Here are some other random observations from my time there. For reference, my wife and I are in our 30s and are pretty well-traveled. Our travel is almost entirely leisure, very minimal business travel. We're comfortable staying in everything from hostels to to places like the Conrad so we're probably a little more easy-going on some lapses in service than some of the snootier people out there
-We absolutely loved the Maldives and will be back. The Conrad has a very casual, yet professional service I haven't seen anywhere else. The service overall was exceptional, not flawless but I'd really be nitpicking to find any issues worth discussing.
-The food was mostly excellent. We ate at Rangali Bar, Mandhoo (honeymoon dinner), Sunset Grill, Vilu, Ufaa. Rangali Bar was the only disappointing meal and the only time we had less than great service (slow to respond and inattentive.) The rest were all very good. In general I'd say the food is like a tier-below the best restaurants in great food cities. Really good, but not the type of food you'd travel for specifically.
-Happy hour fun. We (I really) were served a good number of drinks which helped save money for dinner.
-We took a tour of the employee island which was really interesting and very nice. I'll share some photos if anyone is interested. Just an FYI, they have a full bar and drinks are about 10-20% the cost for guests Our host told us during the tour that he has many good friends who went to work at the WA, most would like to come back to the Conrad.
-We spent about $4,000 over 5 nights. We ate a big breakfast, snacks we brought for lunch and didn't skimp at dinner (4 plates and 2-3 drinks typically). We didn't attend any specialty dinners. One 2-tank dive and one spa treatment.
-The entire dive center was excellent, staff and equipment. I did a 2-tank dive and ended up being the sole guest which was really fun.
-Ignoring problems with Covid-19 currently, if anyone has been reading the 'issues' with service and was hesitant about booking the Conrad for the first time, I would go for it - I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.
We spent the first 3 nights in a Deluxe Beach Villa and I shared photos here. I'll say again, this is our favorite room we've ever stayed in. We spent the next 2 nights in a Grand Water Pool Villa (#411 .) They told us renovations were completed but I think they still need to add some artwork and other decor. Here are some photos:
Front entry sitting area and coffee/fridge area.
Main living area and door to deck.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bathtub and shower
The pool
Deck and pool, this is what you're paying for
The suite looks better in person than it does in photos (I didn't want to wait for a better time of day so there are some WB issues.) It also smells like a sauna which we really liked. #411 is a great unit with better privacy than most of the GWV w/ pools. We loved watching the sharks and rays swim by. We spent way more time in our pool than the ocean around us but still loved the ocean there as a backdrop.
Here are some other random observations from my time there. For reference, my wife and I are in our 30s and are pretty well-traveled. Our travel is almost entirely leisure, very minimal business travel. We're comfortable staying in everything from hostels to to places like the Conrad so we're probably a little more easy-going on some lapses in service than some of the snootier people out there
-We absolutely loved the Maldives and will be back. The Conrad has a very casual, yet professional service I haven't seen anywhere else. The service overall was exceptional, not flawless but I'd really be nitpicking to find any issues worth discussing.
-The food was mostly excellent. We ate at Rangali Bar, Mandhoo (honeymoon dinner), Sunset Grill, Vilu, Ufaa. Rangali Bar was the only disappointing meal and the only time we had less than great service (slow to respond and inattentive.) The rest were all very good. In general I'd say the food is like a tier-below the best restaurants in great food cities. Really good, but not the type of food you'd travel for specifically.
-Happy hour fun. We (I really) were served a good number of drinks which helped save money for dinner.
-We took a tour of the employee island which was really interesting and very nice. I'll share some photos if anyone is interested. Just an FYI, they have a full bar and drinks are about 10-20% the cost for guests
Our host told us during the tour that he has many good friends who went to work at the WA, most would like to come back to the Conrad.-We spent about $4,000 over 5 nights. We ate a big breakfast, snacks we brought for lunch and didn't skimp at dinner (4 plates and 2-3 drinks typically). We didn't attend any specialty dinners. One 2-tank dive and one spa treatment.
-The entire dive center was excellent, staff and equipment. I did a 2-tank dive and ended up being the sole guest which was really fun.
-Ignoring problems with Covid-19 currently, if anyone has been reading the 'issues' with service and was hesitant about booking the Conrad for the first time, I would go for it - I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.
Mar 27, 20, 8:25 pm
#754
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 63
IF you're paying cash, the difference from a SWV to GWV isn't a ton but the upgrade cost difference from points is pretty huge. When we go back we'll do at least 6 nights and spend 3 in a DBV and 3 in a SWV, I think those two are the sweet spots.
Mar 28, 20, 1:09 am
#755
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen, HH Diamond, IC RA
Posts: 313
Travel ban for all tourists from March 27th...
No more tourists are allowed to enter the country from now on...
https://www.ttgasia.com/2020/03/27/m...rist-arrivals/
https://www.ttgasia.com/2020/03/27/m...rist-arrivals/
Mar 28, 20, 8:39 am
#757
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 247
Unfortunately they haven't finished the GWVs. If you compare the pics in my post here you'll see that the bedroom has remained exactly the same (no bedhead), the entry has no wall hanging (one will be put above the bed as well), there are those lights on the mirrors in the bathroom which are to be changed, it doesn't look like the floors and other wood have been re-polished. They probably didn't want to tell you "Sorry, they're still only half-finished".
Also, expected something a bit more from the new pool/deck area too ... have my fingers crossed for the renovations on small island ...
Mar 28, 20, 10:11 am
#758
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold, UA Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 342
Wife is pregnant and we didn't think we'd end up using the jacuzzi much as hot as it was in the Maldives. I would prefer to be on the other side of the pier facing the sunrise side. Given the cost, next time I'd prob just do a superior water villa but we did end up hanging out in the pool a whole lot so that was nice.
IF you're paying cash, the difference from a SWV to GWV isn't a ton but the upgrade cost difference from points is pretty huge. When we go back we'll do at least 6 nights and spend 3 in a DBV and 3 in a SWV, I think those two are the sweet spots.
IF you're paying cash, the difference from a SWV to GWV isn't a ton but the upgrade cost difference from points is pretty huge. When we go back we'll do at least 6 nights and spend 3 in a DBV and 3 in a SWV, I think those two are the sweet spots.
i honestly dont think that WVs at Conrad are all that nice.. my WV at Ayada and the one i saw at Outrigger Konotta were nicer, larger, and cheaper.
however i value views a lot and absolutely fell in love with the views from the deck of the regular GWV on the sunrise side. ive been to the maldives 6 times (never to conrad, i generally dont love US hotel chains in the maldives but i had points to burn) and the views from this room might rival some of the best ive seen. i was gonna do a 3/4 split with the DBV but ended up upgrading all 7 nights since the price was okay (270 including tax).
does anyone know if this is what they anticipate the GWVs to look like? https://hoteldesigns.net/industry-ne...signed-villas/ (first set of pictures).
also, both the GWV and the GWV w/pool have the redesigned bedroom/living room set up right? i like the idea of walking into the living room more vs walking into the bedroom. ive seen videos of the GWV w/pool but not of the regular GWV so wanted to confirm.
Mar 28, 20, 1:36 pm
#759
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,326
Unfortunately they haven't finished the GWVs. If you compare the pics in my post here you'll see that the bedroom has remained exactly the same (no bedhead), the entry has no wall hanging (one will be put above the bed as well), there are those lights on the mirrors in the bathroom which are to be changed, it doesn't look like the floors and other wood have been re-polished. They probably didn't want to tell you "Sorry, they're still only half-finished".
Mar 28, 20, 4:23 pm
#760
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, Hyatt LT Glob, Marriott LT P, Hilton LT Dmd, IC Amb, GHA Tit, Sixt/Av/Hrtz Dmd/Pres
Posts: 6,778
No more tourists are allowed to enter the country from now on...
https://www.ttgasia.com/2020/03/27/m...rist-arrivals/
https://www.ttgasia.com/2020/03/27/m...rist-arrivals/
Mar 28, 20, 4:48 pm
#762
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold, UA Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 342
i was due to go to W this past week but obviously canceled as its not safe to travel right now. most resorts (around 60/70%) are temporarily closing down until June 30th, some until october such as Como Maalifushi.
im not sure what stance conrad will take on this. being part of a larger hotel group maybe they have the funds to afford staying open even with 10/20% occupancy while some of the other smaller hotel chains might not.
Mar 29, 20, 2:17 am
#763
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
In the one-bedroom villas, yes.
Mar 29, 20, 2:52 am
#764
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
They are actually reasonably lucky because they were going to lose a lot of revenue with 1/3 of their capacity being taken out of inventory with the closure of all the WVs on Rangali Island in a month or two (and presumably Vilu, The Wine Cellar, The Quiet Zone and maybe Koko Grill also being closed). I guess maybe they'd keep the beach dinners going but they were planning on closing the whole island so who knows.
Mar 29, 20, 6:43 am
#765
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
does anyone know if this is what they anticipate the GWVs to look like? https://hoteldesigns.net/industry-ne...signed-villas/ (first set of pictures).
Last edited by MaldivesFreak; Mar 29, 20 at 6:56 am
