Park Hyatt Maldives REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Dec 8, 17, 3:14 pm - Wikipost
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Best time of the year for weather
http://www.holiday-weather.com/maldives/ High season/low season High season- December to April Staying for free 25,000 Hyatt points per night (cat 6) and or 2 free nights stays from chase Hyatt CC sign up bonus (get an additional 2 nights by having your significant other sign up for the chase Hyatt card as well) Diving Costs (US$/per person) Orientation Dive (one tank)* $80 Boat Fees for Two Tank Dives $50 Guided Dive $ 160 (one tank $80) Full Set of equipment $ 99 ($33 per tank) Sub Total: $389 10% Service Charge $38.90 8% GST Tax US$31.12 Total: $459.02 http://milesabound.com/miles-to-the-...u-alifu-atoll/ Tip: Pre-book diving activities online before arrival for 10% discount. Tip: Boat 2-tank day will have to be on day following Orientation dive. (* Orientation dive required by law for all divers to take this course. Typically done the first full day at 10am; a short in-water abilities test followed by a tank dive on the house reef.) Free stuff Snorkle gear for duration of your stay (masks, snorkel & fins) Use of kayaks Back-of-the-house tour Yoga several days a week Excursions and costs http://www.cchang.com/forums/Dive%20...Mar%202014.jpg There is an iTunes app for the resort that has a wealth of information about everything at the resort. Dining menu and costs Menus http://weekendblitz.com/park-hyatt-maldives-menus/ Transfers and costs Domestic Maldivian flights from Male to Koodhoo, the new airport which is nearer to the resort than Kaadedhdhoo which they used to use, but still about 45 minutes in a boat. Flight schedule is similar but not identical to that posted on the website - sometimes additional random flights pop up one/two days before travel. You'll be met at Male by a hotel rep, taken around to the domestic terminal (200 yd walk) and deposited in the lounge there (shower available), while he checks you/luggage in. Plane is Dash-8, flight about 40 minutes (may have a connection at Kadhdhoo). Same in return. Timings are totally flexible to fit with Maldivian/int'l schedule, we left the resort at 5am  Timing: Resort will confirm flights ~24 hours departure as the final domestic flight schedules are not available until the day before. Cost: $520 round-trip per person (November 2017) - paid before you arrive via cc authorization form Upgrades- free and paid Free upgrade- unlikely unless you are diamond and the resort had low occupancy For 2014 +$210 per night for pool ($370 in peak season from 21st Dec to 7th Jan) +$365 per night for water villa ($580 in peak season from 21st Dec to 7th Jan) For 2015 (Price for July) +$235 per night for pool +$465 per night for water villa +$701 per night for Sunset water villa Add 10% Service charge and 8% tax to above prices. For 2017 (Price for November) +$210+23.2% tax = $258.72/night for pool +$310+23.2% tax = $381.92/night for deluxe pool +$410+23.2% tax = $505.12/night for water villa +$610+23.2% tax = $751.52/night for sunset water villa +$1400+23.2% tax = $1724.80/night for 2 br pool villa Diamond Benefits
Map of the resort http:// http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20097457-post715.html https://www.google.com/maps/@0.50595.../data=!3m1!1e3 http://www.mondomaldive.com/maps/Gaafu_alifu.html Best land villas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20345989-post813.html Best pool villas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20345989-post813.html Best water villas Generally the higher number the better. #51 is the most private How to save money during stay have Late breakfast (breakfast is free for all guests except if you are redeeming points after a change made in December 2013) skip lunch and only pay for dinner The Saturday free cocktail social (manager's reception) 6:30pm onward Bring family? This resort is not orientated for children. No kids club, pool is not suitable for young kids, and you will need to pay the transfers for each child and plenty of PDA. That said, some families have loved their experience here. http://travelsort.com/blog/park-hyat...hadahaa-review If you bring children the Hyatt does provide sitting service for $20/hour. Also note that the resort now charges $250 per child age 3 and up per night (even if the child does not require an extra bed). Only kids 2 and under are free. http://travelsort.com/blog/park-hyat...a-bed-fee-ever Wifi Speedtest app on my iPad reports ~1.5 Mbps down, and 0.6 Mbps up. Tipping The management views employees as each part of a team, with no one more important to the hotel's success. No one wants to order room service if the groundskeeper or housekeeper has not created an inviting place to enjoy it for instance. So employees share equally the 10% service charge added into everything, including the room charge. Tipping beyond that is not necessary, but at your discretion. Unlike the service charge which is shared with all employees on the entire property, if you choose to add additional gratuity to the bill for a meal or an activity, that money is shared amongst employees of the department responsible for that meal or service (e.g. additional gratuity on a dive center bill will be shared amongst dive center employees, while additional gratuity on a Dining Room bill will be shared amongst the food service employees). Employees are also allowed to keep cash tips that they receive directly. Employees are rewarded with trips and other gifts when their outstanding service is brought to management's attention. A great way to reward a good employee is by letter to management. See this post which provides more details http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22508516-post1525.html Ipad App There is an Ipad in each room & it contains an app with a lot of useful / interesting information. If you have an Ipad, you can search & download the app for: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. It doesn't work on an iPhone due to the page size. Some info may be out of date or missing, so check with the resort. Reviews http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20409958-post93.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20409962-post94.html http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfr...ahaa-maldives/ http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20345989-post813.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20194512-post756.html"]http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20194512-post756.html"]http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20194512-post756.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19700966-post16.html http:// http://milesabound.com/miles-to-the-maldives-park-hyatt-maldives-our-villa-and-the-property-facilities/ http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18400856-post354.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18326860-post328.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/17994156-post275.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/17468055-post209.html http://www.driven2travel.co.uk/park-...ter-villa.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20437085-post853.html Park Hyatt versus other Maldives resorts http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20506309-post892.html http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20511054-post896.html http://milesabound.com/destination-g...staying-there/ 
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May 26, 15, 8:25 pm
#2416
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,304
Originally Posted by m0hamed
I'm surprised how many FTers haven't flown a Dash-8 before. They are a large part of the QF fleet for regional towns and cities under the QantasLink brand.
May 27, 15, 10:51 am
#2417
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 5,119
Originally Posted by MikeFromTokyo
And widely used in North America for regional flights (e.g. US Airways Express).
May 27, 15, 5:31 pm
#2418
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,363
Originally Posted by skunker
Horizon (regional carrier for Alaska Airlines) use them as well. They are essentially a booze cruise because Horizon serves free local beer and wine on all flights.
May 28, 15, 8:34 am
#2419
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,162
Hello Guys, I am currently booked for 6 nights at this hotel. I booked with points. However I was thinking about changing to P+C if its possible to use DSU (diamod suite upgrade) on the reservation.
Have anybody used DSU on this hotel? What room do you get?
Other than that. is there another benefit of being Diamond other than the free cocktails?
I have no status with Hyatt now, but I have many stays left this years that I can switch to Hyatt and become diamond.
Thanks in advance.
Have anybody used DSU on this hotel? What room do you get?
Other than that. is there another benefit of being Diamond other than the free cocktails?
I have no status with Hyatt now, but I have many stays left this years that I can switch to Hyatt and become diamond.
Thanks in advance.
May 28, 15, 8:36 am
#2420
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The best place on Earth.
Posts: 59
Just got back. So incredible!!!! I'm still on such a high from this place.
Diving was awesome. We saw leopard shark, reef sharks, turtles, cuttlefish, parrot fish, crabs, and so much more
Also, try the night snorkeling! It's 80$ a person but worth it because the have good eyes and pointed out a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen. We saw the coolest 3 huge cuttlefish dancing with the light in the night snorkel. Night snorkeling on house reef better than night diving, because a lot of the cool stuff happening on surface. We couldn't dive in the channel b/c of the current - unforunately. But we still had some amazing dives. Visibility was mediocre at about 25 meters, apparently during the dry season it can be as far as the eye can see. House reef is really cool for snorkeling - we even had a dolphin appearance!
Diving was awesome. We saw leopard shark, reef sharks, turtles, cuttlefish, parrot fish, crabs, and so much more
Also, try the night snorkeling! It's 80$ a person but worth it because the have good eyes and pointed out a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen. We saw the coolest 3 huge cuttlefish dancing with the light in the night snorkel. Night snorkeling on house reef better than night diving, because a lot of the cool stuff happening on surface. We couldn't dive in the channel b/c of the current - unforunately. But we still had some amazing dives. Visibility was mediocre at about 25 meters, apparently during the dry season it can be as far as the eye can see. House reef is really cool for snorkeling - we even had a dolphin appearance!
May 28, 15, 8:39 am
#2421
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The best place on Earth.
Posts: 59
oh and BTW we flew Turkish Airlines Biz for 70k RT from Tel Aviv, which IMHO is a steal. We used 2x 2 free night certs and paid the hefty price for the over water bungalow but *IT WAS SO WORTH IT*. We were upgraded to the magical villa 51 due to wifi issues after a storm. On the last day with late checkout we couldn't stay in our over water villa so they moved us to a pool villa from noon until we left at 6PM. We got to experiecne teh pool villa for a bit which was cool to see - and honestly it was very nice, but there is just no comparing.....
May 28, 15, 5:36 pm
#2422
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,363
Originally Posted by lotrbfme
Hello Guys, I am currently booked for 6 nights at this hotel. I booked with points. However I was thinking about changing to P+C if its possible to use DSU (diamod suite upgrade) on the reservation.
Have anybody used DSU on this hotel? What room do you get?
Other than that. is there another benefit of being Diamond other than the free cocktails?
I have no status with Hyatt now, but I have many stays left this years that I can switch to Hyatt and become diamond.
Thanks in advance.
Have anybody used DSU on this hotel? What room do you get?
Other than that. is there another benefit of being Diamond other than the free cocktails?
I have no status with Hyatt now, but I have many stays left this years that I can switch to Hyatt and become diamond.
Thanks in advance.
May 28, 15, 7:07 pm
#2423
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,162
Originally Posted by m0hamed
Answered many times. No, the hotel does not accept DSUs. Breakfast is a Diamond benefit and the GM's cocktail reception.
Jun 1, 15, 6:54 pm
#2424
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Posts: 102
Does anyone know if they still do transfers from KDM airport? I am arriving at 07:40 via QR and it seems the closest domestic flight is from MLE to KDM rather then wait another few hours for the 11:00 MLE-GKK.
Jun 1, 15, 7:03 pm
#2425
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL FO, AA LT PLT, SPG Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, HHonors Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Other Crap...
Posts: 5,479
Originally Posted by tbonephile
Does anyone know if they still do transfers from KDM airport? I am arriving at 07:40 via QR and it seems the closest domestic flight is from MLE to KDM rather then wait another few hours for the 11:00 MLE-GKK.
Jun 1, 15, 7:09 pm
#2426
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Posts: 102
Originally Posted by ma91pmh
Check with them but I doubt it .... a lot more time and boat fuel to send a crew to KDM and back
Jun 1, 15, 7:26 pm
#2427
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,363
Originally Posted by tbonephile
Does anyone know if they still do transfers from KDM airport? I am arriving at 07:40 via QR and it seems the closest domestic flight is from MLE to KDM rather then wait another few hours for the 11:00 MLE-GKK.
Jun 3, 15, 7:17 am
#2428
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 29
You are so lucky! Good for you! We saw sharks but no turtle, and we got 3 consecutive bad weather night that we didn't have a chance to do night snorkeling.
Originally Posted by TelAvivLife
Just got back. So incredible!!!! I'm still on such a high from this place.
Diving was awesome. We saw leopard shark, reef sharks, turtles, cuttlefish, parrot fish, crabs, and so much more
Also, try the night snorkeling! It's 80$ a person but worth it because the have good eyes and pointed out a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen. We saw the coolest 3 huge cuttlefish dancing with the light in the night snorkel. Night snorkeling on house reef better than night diving, because a lot of the cool stuff happening on surface. We couldn't dive in the channel b/c of the current - unforunately. But we still had some amazing dives. Visibility was mediocre at about 25 meters, apparently during the dry season it can be as far as the eye can see. House reef is really cool for snorkeling - we even had a dolphin appearance!
Diving was awesome. We saw leopard shark, reef sharks, turtles, cuttlefish, parrot fish, crabs, and so much more
Also, try the night snorkeling! It's 80$ a person but worth it because the have good eyes and pointed out a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen. We saw the coolest 3 huge cuttlefish dancing with the light in the night snorkel. Night snorkeling on house reef better than night diving, because a lot of the cool stuff happening on surface. We couldn't dive in the channel b/c of the current - unforunately. But we still had some amazing dives. Visibility was mediocre at about 25 meters, apparently during the dry season it can be as far as the eye can see. House reef is really cool for snorkeling - we even had a dolphin appearance!
Jun 16, 15, 9:10 am
#2429
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,517
Added an additional day to my booking (Dec. 26, instead of arriving the 27th). Originally booked back in January. Now when I go to book, I got a link to this page at the time of booking. It states that it is mandatory (although it does not say mandatory on the page I'm linking to.
$570 is absolutely insane, especially for what it sounds like they are offering. As a non-drinker, I will be canceling my stay if this is truly mandatory. $1300 + tax for 2 people for a glorified buffet is a holiday tax, and they should call it as such if that's what they want to do.
I've emailed the hotel and will provide an update when available about if it is truly mandatory or not. From reading this thread, it appears that least year they changed the policy for it to be optional. However, on the booking page it clearly says "mandatory New Years gala."
NEW YEAR’S EVE 31 DECEMBER 2015
Ring in the New Year at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa with an extensive international buffet featuring European classics, Asian delicacies, local favorites, and other irresistible offerings.
Start your journey with a champagne reception at Hadahaa beach while enjoying the views of the setting sun. All guests will then be escorted to their pre-reserved tables. Your culinary experience will begin at the Dhoni, an architectural masterpiece and heart of the island, featuring interactive displays and a live salad station, Arabic mezze, antipasti, international cheeses and a seafood counter with home cured reef fish & Japanese sushi. Your journey will continue to the pool side Dining Room where our chefs will carve BBQ beef rib, baked tuna in Brioche and prepare international kebabs and seafood a-la-minute on our island BBQ. Signature dishes from the Maldives and China will also be on offer. Ease your way to our beach front bar where a lavish display of desserts including Black Forest cake and sour cherrie clafoutis and a live counter of eclairs and profiteroles, to name a few, will complete your journey. The celebration continues until late on Hadahaa beach with a wide selection of beverages available while you immerse yourself in the tunes of our live DJ.
*Entertainment: We will have a musician (Saxophone/Guitar/Indigenous) during dinner and DJ on the beach afterwards
USD 570 net per adult and USD 285 net per child Including champagne reception, international food buffet, house wine and beer.
Ring in the New Year at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa with an extensive international buffet featuring European classics, Asian delicacies, local favorites, and other irresistible offerings.
Start your journey with a champagne reception at Hadahaa beach while enjoying the views of the setting sun. All guests will then be escorted to their pre-reserved tables. Your culinary experience will begin at the Dhoni, an architectural masterpiece and heart of the island, featuring interactive displays and a live salad station, Arabic mezze, antipasti, international cheeses and a seafood counter with home cured reef fish & Japanese sushi. Your journey will continue to the pool side Dining Room where our chefs will carve BBQ beef rib, baked tuna in Brioche and prepare international kebabs and seafood a-la-minute on our island BBQ. Signature dishes from the Maldives and China will also be on offer. Ease your way to our beach front bar where a lavish display of desserts including Black Forest cake and sour cherrie clafoutis and a live counter of eclairs and profiteroles, to name a few, will complete your journey. The celebration continues until late on Hadahaa beach with a wide selection of beverages available while you immerse yourself in the tunes of our live DJ.
*Entertainment: We will have a musician (Saxophone/Guitar/Indigenous) during dinner and DJ on the beach afterwards
USD 570 net per adult and USD 285 net per child Including champagne reception, international food buffet, house wine and beer.
I've emailed the hotel and will provide an update when available about if it is truly mandatory or not. From reading this thread, it appears that least year they changed the policy for it to be optional. However, on the booking page it clearly says "mandatory New Years gala."
Jun 16, 15, 10:10 am
#2430
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,727
I believe this has been discussed before. Yes it's expensive, but this is what you're looking at when you're booking the Maldives during this time of the year. Spending the 31st on a remote island is a trophy thing and resorts drives their revenue this way. They will ultimately overdeliver and offer more than stated in the text and there have been reports that it is not mandatory in reality, as people have found ways around it by contacting management.
