MaldivesFreak

Hi tjs121.
Don't misunderstand, I'm not knocking you but 6 hours of research won't get you close to the answer you're looking for. I spent somewhere in the vicinity of 200 - 300 hours researching our first trip to Rangali so you can get an idea of how much time one can spend on this kind of thing. Mind you, in addition to spending time to choose the resort, it was not only to get an idea of overall value by looking at menus and getting to know the prices of everything but a whole bunch of other information as well, such as villa selection, excursions, spa treatments for the missus, etc etc.

Hopefully I can save you a lot of time with the following summary:
There are now quite a few resorts vastly more expensive than Rangali and a lot quite a bit cheaper, too. Pricewise, Rangali is situated in the middle and considering its brand (being a Conrad), size, number of villas, privacy, service (excellent placement in the 'rankings' as with the really luxurious properties you aren't really getting that much more for your money, service-wise), staff to guest ratio and sheer variation as far as food and beverage goes (not only 'fancy' food but reasonably priced options and remembering that it's the biggest F&B operation in the Maldives), it's right in the sweet spot and I'm sure many on this thread would agree. I'm not a millionnaire so I don't have money to burn but I have paid cash for a couple of trips out of the 5 we've been there. Those were in low season which is when you are thinking of going (makes sense to burn your points in high season and pay cash in low). If you have Hilton points then it's extremely good value, especially considering you can now get an OWV / OWB for the same number of points as a BV(beach villa). If you are paying cash in low season I am of the opinion that it's still excellent value. After they have renovated the OWVs I'm sure the cash prices of everything will be going up (as they will have renovated all villas by that time) and so I believe that before this happens (see my post I made about renovations a page or two back for expected completion dates) is the best time to go there on a cash stay.

That was the long answer. Short answer: get your butts over to Rangali while the going's good! You won't regret it in the least!

And if you need help with a dining plan (I know it sounds weird but believe me it's a good thing to do) let me know. Since you're not into fine dining per se I will recommend all the best standard options that will fill up your evenings with great tasting food for the best value for your buck. And if there's anything else you want to know, reading through the wiki and a few hundred pages of this thread is a must and if there are still questions unanswered we'll be happy to help!

SponsorSFC

While the dining plan offer is being thrown around by your esteemed self @MaldivesFreak.

What would you recommend for our 2nd trip to Rangali in September we arrive on EK658 on a Saturday morning and leave on Thursday night via SQ451?

We have no real need to visit Ithaa again, went to Koko Grill last time which was good but probably wouldn't go again.

MaldivesFreak

In addition to Koko Grill and Ithaa, what restaurants did you visit and special dinners did you have last time? 5 nights isn't many so it will give me a better idea and avoid recommending others you've already done.

Cynicor

Hey MF, any feedback on my question around the 2 beach buffets at all? I read about them in here and I think that the champagne was the main difference?

CHSDOC

@MaldivesFreak, can you help with a dining question. We arrive Monday morning next for a 5 night stay. Since we arrive Monday aftera long flight in I imagine we would skip the maldivian night buffet. We are not foodies or fine dining types. We don't usually eat enough to justify a buffet. Do we have an option other than 5 nights at the bar?

JRV62

We arrive the day before you, doing Mandhoo on Sunday, Cheese fondue Monday,Ufaa Thursday and Sunset grill on Friday-- Tuesday and Wednesday we have to figure out but I know one of those days will be Rangalli bar. If you aren't worried about the cost do the lobster and champagne on Saturday night, its just lobster on the grill, all the champagne and a ton of other meats and deserts.We did it last year and it was worth the cost.
Otherwise, fondue and Tapas nights, the bar one night and Mandhoo would be my picks.
I saw you were asking about whale shark sightings earlier, what day are you doing it? we currently have Wednesday booked but may change it to Friday based on a couple other excursions we want to do

SponsorSFC

Cheers mate. The last trip was festive season 2016.

We went to Sunset Grill and Vilu both were pretty good. No special dinners last time. We had room service another night in our WV watching the sharks swim underneath the deck.

Lunch we had at Rangali Bar and Ufaa.

dcht

@MaldivesFreak staying for 7 nights in November and would love to get your critique of our dining plan. We're not big fine dining people and don't have a huge budget, but don't want to just eat at the Rangali Bar each day.

Monday: Rangali Bar. We will arrive in the evening and will have eaten on our flight to MLE so likely won't need a big dinner.
Tuesday: Vilu
Wednesday: Fisherman's BBQ. We both love BBQ so are making this our one splurge dinner.
Thursday: Mandhoo
Friday: Rangali Bar
Saturday: Quiet Zone. Not sure about this one.
Sunday: Cheese & Tapas. I love cheese.

Thank you for your continued help!

MaldivesFreak

Jeez, I certainly have my work cut out for me with dining plans (and with PMs for them as well), LOL. OK, here goes;

@dcht
Looks good. May I suggest some things;
Wed: If this is rained out, do the Champagne & Lobster dinner on Saturday so initially keep Sat 'open' with Rangali Bar. Change Friday to Sunset Grill as you don't want to go to Rangali and not go there. Even better, put Sunset Grill on your last night and do the Cheese & Tapas (or Cheese Fondue) on the Friday.
Some advice on the Cheese & Tapas. This is a really filling meal and the cheese bit is a few pieces at the end. If you really like cheese either get them to put the cheese at the beginning of the evening or do the Cheese Fondue instead.
So, adjusted, it would look like this;

Monday: Rangali Bar
Tuesday: Vilu
Wednesday: Fisherman's BBQ (or Rangali Bar if rained out)
Thursday: Mandhoo
Friday: Cheese & Tapas or Cheese Fondue
Saturday: Rangali Bar (or Champagne & Lobster if Wednesday's Fisherman's BBQ is rained out) or even The Quiet Zone or something else like Ufaa if you are not wanting to do Rangali Bar twice*
Sunday: Sunset Grill

* my advice is not to visit the same outlet twice unless you're doing 10-12 days or more


@SponsorSFC
For your Saturday to Wednesday evening dining with no Ithaa and no Koko Grill I would suggest;
Sat: Mandhoo
Sun: Cheese and Tapas or Cheese Fondue
Mon: Maldivian Night or, if buffets aren't your fancy, Ufaa
Tue: Wine Pairing Dinner at The Wine Cellar (held on Tue & Fri nights). If you don't drink and think it's not worth the expense, you could go to Vilu instead
Wed: Sunset Grill


@CHSDOC
You certainly do have options other than 5 nights at the bar!
Mon: Rangali Bar (or maybe Ufaa)
Tue: Mandhoo
Wed: Cheese and Tapas or Cheese Fondue or maybe Ufaa if you fancy Chinese
Thu: Vilu
Fri: Sunset Grill


@Cynicor
Sorry, forgot your question. There was a post about the differences, or lack thereof, maybe a month ago but it's not worth searching for as basically it's just the champagne that's the biggest difference and they'd have more lobster out for guests than the Fisherman's BBQ, not that they'd run out of lobster at the Fisherman's BBQ! Other than that they're identical. Location is different though with the Fisherman's BBQ having the better location although there is usually much more wind there (at the DWV beach).

Nstaskey

If I am checking in on May 9th - Does anyone know that the timeframe is of when the hotel reaches out to you ahead of your check-in date? I assumed a month but wasn't sure.

Cynicor

SponsorSFC

@MaldivesFreak great stuff thanks.

alanslegal

If you have Hilton points and Diamond status, then it's almost silly not to stay at the Conrad. It is one of the top value redemption properties in the Hilton chain. In terms of food and beverage, it has been said here, including from me, that you could easily get away with not spending anything else after enjoying/feasting on your complimentary breakfast and then waiting 4 - 5 hours for complimentary afternoon tea / happy hour. Obviously if you did, you will miss out on enjoying many other restaurants and specialty dinners that are available - each are enjoyable in their own way except of the 'bill shock' that comes with it.

Without status or points, then I would be looking at package deals such as those that appear on Luxury Escapes for example. There can be some really good value all-inclusive deals out there.

Alan Pugh

Thanks so much for this. We'll be following this pretty closely. Pretty interested in the Maldivian Night buffet so we'll probably go that route.

With any luck, we'll have a second trip eventually.

tom-schmitt