[ARCHIVE 2018 to 2019] Conrad Maldives Rangali Island {MDV}
Dec 5, 2018, 1:15 pm
#2296
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
It was heavily promoted during our stay in October with studio lights and a small table in the reception area and we have seen many guests using it (much more than on previous visits). I never heard anybody mention it being free, though (but I also never inquired about the details).
Dec 5, 2018, 1:48 pm
#2297
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Random / Elites getting it free, perhaps? Or maybe one session of the day is offered gratis to a guest.
Dec 5, 2018, 2:39 pm
#2298
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,690
Actually I reckon it makes money to offer it free, as it seems that almost everyone who does it ends up paying for the full photo set since they are so good. Better to offer for free and sell to 6 out of the 8 slots per day, than charge fully and only get 2 bookings per day.
If anyone is there now, there is a poster over at the jet ski / kayak shack so maybe it says something on that?
Actually I notice that they now make more use of the TV messaging system, for example at checkout previously we would get a letter in the villa mailbox, but this time it was on the TV. I only realized after I went to front desk wondering why I had not got departure details on the last night.
Dec 5, 2018, 2:52 pm
#2299
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
The SWV/DWV are no distance at all from the WV - a few hundred yards. Close enough that if the kids tell you it’s too far then they simply don’t like you! (The end DWV to the furthest WV is maybe 5 minutes, but I’d imagine, as they know you’re together, they’re highly likely find 2 that are fairly close - closest you could get might be less than 100 yards. However some of the SWV nearest the WV are close to the spa which means the view and privacy isn’t as good as the others.). If you’re going in the months that are lower prices/occupancy then there’s a very good chance they’ll simply upgrade your kids from a WV to a SWV next to you, which maybe you’ll want or prefer not.
The decks outside in the WV/DWV/SWV will seat 4 in the evening without any problem but won’t be roomy with 4. You’ll struggle to be inside the villa together though as there’s no really the seating inside for 4.
The FWV have more room for you all on the deck outside and to some extent inside too. The bathroom is in the middle of them (between the 2 bedrooms) and is effectively completely open plan with glass.
As you’ve realised from you question I think - the FWV are quite a way from the WV, enough that you’d have to make an effort to go between them.
I would say that most people find the venues on the island are where they’ll choose to spend their evenings - all 3 bars are excellent - so I suspect you might find you spend less time actually in the villa together than you may imagine.
The Sunset water villas are pricey in peak periods but can often be got for a pretty reasonable upgrade price at other times - obviously more in total than 2 x cost of other villas, but if you’re determined to spend time in the villa together then they have the facilities and would be awesome for it.
Jamie
Dec 5, 2018, 2:55 pm
#2300
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: HH Diamond, BAEC
Posts: 1,341
This was precisely the sort of input I was looking for. Very much appreciated. Sounds like we'll be taking our three sunsets in public places with drinks in our hands, hence not that urgent to pack everyone into a villa. Might just go with two adjacent basic water villas, as long as I can be (reasonably) assured that they aren't too grim.
Jamie
Jamie
Dec 5, 2018, 3:04 pm
#2301
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,541
Appreciate your input - Jamie
Dec 5, 2018, 3:30 pm
#2302
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
Trying to decide if a return visit in on the books for 2020. I've got 1.5 million points I don't know what to do with unless I come back to the Maldives!
Dec 5, 2018, 3:38 pm
#2303
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
i already mention this before. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29692644-post2782.html
it can be quite detrimental to bring a tipping culture to a country that doesnt have it, as it leads to undesirable consequences
but this notion seems to be quite difficult to be accepted and understood by someone who grew up under a tipping culture, who still insist they are doing the right thing by tipping even when there is no need to. (just like how it can be difficult for some outside of US to comprehend why tipping is customary when they visit America)
a few examples of host behavior mentioned above should serve as a early warning of what can happen. not everywhere works the same way as USA
it can be quite detrimental to bring a tipping culture to a country that doesnt have it, as it leads to undesirable consequences
but this notion seems to be quite difficult to be accepted and understood by someone who grew up under a tipping culture, who still insist they are doing the right thing by tipping even when there is no need to. (just like how it can be difficult for some outside of US to comprehend why tipping is customary when they visit America)
a few examples of host behavior mentioned above should serve as a early warning of what can happen. not everywhere works the same way as USA
Dec 5, 2018, 4:59 pm
#2304
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 190
Any recommendations between picking between a lunch or dinner at the Ithaa? I heard it can get a bit hot in the restaurant during lunch. Hows the food compare between lunch and dinner?
Dec 5, 2018, 7:56 pm
#2305
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
This was precisely the sort of input I was looking for. Very much appreciated. Sounds like we'll be taking our three sunsets in public places with drinks in our hands, hence not that urgent to pack everyone into a villa. Might just go with two adjacent basic water villas, as long as I can be (reasonably) assured that they aren't too grim.
Jamie
Jamie
Dec 5, 2018, 9:16 pm
#2306
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
Looks to be free indeed
Hmmm.....another TA review (from yesterday) mentioning the photography and saying it's free
First in line if you ever decide to give them away or sell them dirt cheap..... 
We would also recommend partaking in the photo shoot that the resort makes available. The photographer, Ismail, was talented and had us laughing during our session; it made for memorable souvenir photos from the trip.
Dec 5, 2018, 9:25 pm
#2307
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Back in Hell
Posts: 4,178
The WV pools can be heated.
Dec 5, 2018, 11:40 pm
#2308
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 417
- it was on the side that’s between the 2 islands so probably couldn’t see the sun rise in practice (but I could be wrong there)
- it was pure sand underneath and rather sandy in the water column so made for pointless snorkelling (although could just have been a particularly poor day for visibility); the sunset side water is shallower and is ok for a snorkel (unless you’re really into snorkelling in which case it’s rubbish compared to the reefs)
- have stayed many times in SWV/DWV/PWV and noticed that the WV felt a lot newer and had some pretty cool aspects (but personally still noticeably prefer one for the other bill types).
The place to see the sunrise is really sat on the beach at 6am on the larger island. You’ll be literally alone on a chair there (save for people coming past combing the beach so it looks perfect for when everyone wakes up), and the view is uninterrupted (unless the new undersea villa has spoilt that) and quite something if the clouds are right.
All that said though - if you end up in 2 WV on the sunrise side I assume you you’ll still think you’ve landed in heaven and will love it.
Dec 5, 2018, 11:45 pm
#2309
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 417
Dec 5, 2018, 11:51 pm
#2310
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL; Virgin Gold; HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 417
New Years Eve
Been many times but this will be our first time staying over New Year’s Eve. Has anyone seen/got their Festive Planner they can share (I googled and found one from years ago but it’s obviously too old to be much use). Keen to see what the other restaurant options might be like (even though there’s the compulsory party fee that night for the buffet).
Anyone been before over new year and can offer some tips for what’s good on the evening and what to expect and not miss? Does Rangali Bar get packed and difficult to get a nice seat in the sand unless you time it right etc?
Anyone been before over new year and can offer some tips for what’s good on the evening and what to expect and not miss? Does Rangali Bar get packed and difficult to get a nice seat in the sand unless you time it right etc?