onlysuites

Thanks for the excellent review! ^^^

I can't wait to go... Would love to see some pics.

canyonleo

I've read in TA that some islands have a lot of mosquitoes and that travelers need to be sure to bring bug spray/lotion/deet... but then others note that some islands are so small and they've treated any place where water pools and there are no mosquitoes. Can you report on this? Thx!

ma91pmh

when we stayed there we had no problems with mossies, and i doubt the transfer from allila to hyatt had any impact on that they (allila) did provide mossie repellant in the rooms (which i still have here at home) but never found the need for it

niketrev

Thankfully, the whole time I have been here, I haven't ever worried about or seen a mosquito. I didn't travel with any bug spray, nor have I needed it.

In the Park Hyatt in-room info guide it states that, "In order to control insects on the island, we schedule fogging at dusk on a daily basis (around 18:30hrs daily). This service incorporates a "fogging machine" which generates insecticide vapours or mist to eliminate mosquito breeding. The insecticides used are permitted for Public Hygiene, produced in the United States of America and meet the requirements of the USA and European hygiene standards and are approved by the World Health Organization."

I leave my glass doors open at times during the day and night and never worry about bugs.

You'll see occasional ants outside and geckos at night. Maybe seen 4 flies during my whole stay. A couple of birds apparently live on island but I have seen them twice.

It has rained here while I've been on island and there has been no noticed addition of any bugs - seems the same as a sunny day.

Housekeeping also does a fabulous job here, so the rooms (serviced twice daily) are so well kept and clean.

canyonleo

Thanks much for the info on mosquitoes.

Can you give an update on how the weather has been in your week already there... or on the most accurate weather sites for follow (staff on property suggested the Maldives government site, but it typically conflicts with what eyewitness reports provide). Here are some sites I'm following, they often conflict with each other:

http://202.21.178.203/mms/ (click on Kaadedhdhoo) - reporting lots of rain

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/...ry=Kaadedhdhoo - reporting lots of storms

http://www.thomson.co.uk/holiday-wea...afu-atoll.html - reporting cloudy but no more than 20% chance of rain

http://www.zoover.com/maldives/maldi...-atoll/weather - reporting pretty nasty weather

orion2185

Yes, would LOVE to see your photos
As I have always wanted to visit the Maldives...and we are planning to visit soon.

Also wondering if you could give a better idea of pricing for the Hyatt.
What did you seaplane and boat transfers cost?
It's my understanding that Hyatt takes care of the details- but this is an extra charge. Which there is no way around it- only way to get there.

I have contacted the dive center (Hyatt has 5 star PADI dive center)
got the updated pricing and services offered

also a excursion list with prices.

They did note after Jan 2012 there will be a 6% local tax (currently 3.5%)
and all fees are subjected to a 10% tax ontop of local tax.

Also wondering if you would care to share what you did while on the island. Did you do anything? As would love to hear reviews on the "extras"

Thanks!

niketrev

Hey There-

I have looked at the weather reports for each of the links you listed and compared to what I see from the island. I will report back at the end of the day and let you know which is true. Either way, I wouldn't stress too too much on it because as you know with tropical climates like this, things can be great in one spot and cloudy in another. Overall, the weather hasn't played a factor other then providing beauty (even if it did rain yesterday).

niketrev

Hey Orion-
I traveled to the Maldives alone and on my folio it lists 'Guest Transfer' $465.75

I will post a photo of the diving prices and excursion list/prices as well once I have time to upload everything within a week or so for all to enjoy.

A few things I did while on island.......

-Two Scuba Diving trips
-Lots of snorkeling (something new every day and so nice to just jump right in from Park Water Villa or walk right in from the land/pool villas)
-Four Hands Massage
-Dolphin Cruise (planned to do but was cancelled due to choppy water)
-Read a lot
-Enjoyed the food
-Swam in the ocean a lot
-Walked around the island
-Enjoyed my pool villa (moved part way during the stay to experience different villa lifestyles)
-Sat in the sunshine and read a magazine
-Engaged in various conversation with the lively staff
-Caught myself staring at the stars forever at night and often going to the reception area to borrow the telescope
-Watched some cricket or a movie on TV in villa
-Enjoyed paradise

(There are other excursions and more additions coming to this property and I will list those in the near future)

Time flies here on the island! Been here nine days but its been great!

brianll

niketrev, how was the diving? I am seriously considering a trip to Hadahaa, and diving is an important consideration. Have you been any of the resorts in the North? How does the diving compare?

onlysuites

Also how is everything priced? What would be a reasonable daily budget for a couple?

canyonleo

Since some recent posters asked:

Spa, diving, and excursion menus/pricing are available from the property, send an email or look online at the website. I had also received restaurant menus in email (probably obsoleted by now).

tripadvisor has a ton of photos of the property.
The dive op's facebook page has photos of diving: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-J...53581731358963

orion2185

Hi-

Sorry guys-- I guess that I was not clear when I wrote that I got the information sent to me from the Hyatt.

For those who are interested- I have uploaded screenshots of the Dive list and Excursions list that Hyatt sent me.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/68773343@N03/

As I noted in 2012 the local tax will be 6% (currently 3.5%)
all prices are in USD
and subject to 10% VAT
and 3.5% local tax (to be 6% in 2012)

Still waiting on the booklets for the Spa and Dinning.


Would love to know if there is anything that is not on the list- that the Hyatt offers on site. Please advise with pricing.
As I think one person said- that there were some new items that are coming soon.

Hope this helps

niketrev

Hey Orion-

Spa is being taken over by a new company REAL SOON which is welcomed. I'd say by Dec 1 expect the spa to be up and running and everyone properly trained (assuming no setbacks) but that is the plan. So, pricing and services will all be new. Anything right now will be going away.

Dining wise you can anticipate paying between $30-$55 US for a dinner meal. The full 3-course breakfast is included in the room price and is very filling and full of options. Their lunch menu is being expanded. Coke costs $7 - Water is free through delivery from your personal host - both still and sparkling in glass bottles.

niketrev

Hey Brian-

I did dive while I was on this most recent trip. I found the dive staff to be great. As with everything at this property, they are getting better each day after this takeover. I felt comfortable with each dive staff I interacted with. Nice facilities as well. Dive equipment was all great which I rented.

I have not been to any resorts up North but I can tell you that you will not leave your trip to the Park Hyatt wishing you were elsewhere. The diving is beautiful. Even snorkeling is amazing so you can imagine the diving just gets better. I spent pretty much 65% of my last day in the water snorkeling around the whole house reef. I won't spoil it, but I will say it kept my interest for hours and I have seen a good amount of marine life in my travels.

Let me know if I can answer anything else. I think I paid $70 for a dive which is not bad at all. The dive staff (local Maldivians, which helps) looked after me in a very comfortable way.

niketrev

Hey Lallyr-

Food is def a bit on the higher end price wise but the quality is there to match. I did not have one meal that I did not enjoy. They make as many things as they can in-house and are even starting to grow some food on the island which is super exciting. To have a salad each night that was grown not far from my villa is excellent and the salad was AWESOME.

Average dinner price per person for an entree is $30-$55 USD area.

I will put up photos of some of the menus as well.

With a FULL FULL breakfast being complimentary (for all, not just Diamond) that does help with the higher prices of meals.