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Park Hyatt Maldives REVIEW - MASTER THREAD

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Old May 30, 2013, 1:45 pm
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Best Weather
http://www.holiday-weather.com/maldives/

High season/low season
High season: December to April
Staying for free
30,000 Hyatt points per night (Cat 7)
This is a Suite Award Ineligible Property" and a free upgrade is unlikely unless you are a Globalist and the resort has low occupancy.

Paid Upgrades For October 2021
Pool Villa: $200++
Deluxe Pool Villa: $400++ (with direct view of beach, just 3 villas)
Water Villa: $500++
Ocean Pool Villa: $700++ (with small 6ft x 6ft plunge pool)
Two Bedroom Pool Villa: $1,000++


These rates fluctuate depending on high/low season.

Globalist Benefits
  • Complimentary upgrade to Park Pool Villa subject to availability.
  • Late checkout at 1600 hrs.subject to availability.
  • Breakfast: Order two main dishes off the menu along with water, juice and coffee. You also have access to the buffet which consists of breads, sweets, cheeses, cold cuts, cereals etc.
  • Sundowner- 1 free cocktail (from a limited cocktail menu) & canapes, daily between 5pm and 7pm (August 2016)
  • Complimentary Management cocktails on Saturdays from 06:30 pm to 07:30 pm
  • 15% off cocktails and wine (by the glass)
Excursion and Diving Costs
January 2022: See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33815708-post4161.html
Also see https://www.experienceparkhyattmaldives.com/ under 'Experiences' and 'Diving'

Tip: Pre-book diving activities online before arrival for 10% discount (May not be applicable anymore).
Tip: Boat 2-tank day will have to be on day following Orientation Dive (required by law for all divers. Typically done the first full day at 10am; a short in-water abilities test followed by a tank dive on the house reef.)

Spa Menu and Costs

Free Stuff
Snorkle gear for duration of your stay (masks, snorkel & fins)
Use of glass-bottomed kayaks
Back-of-the-house tour
Yoga several days a week

Dining Menu and Costs
Menus (click on specific restaurant, packages under "The Dining Room"): https://www.experienceparkhyattmaldi...t-in-maldives/
Breakfast (current as of Jan. 2022): for those who do not have status/do not have breakfast included in their rate, the options are a la carte items at ~$12-$20 apiece, and juices at ~$6-$8. Or you can order the buffet for $40, which includes two a-la-carte items, the buffet, and drinks.

Transfers and Costs
Domestic flights are operated by Maldivian Air and waiting times may vary from a minimum of 1 hour to a maximum of 4 hours.
The shortest flight from Male Domestic terminal to Kooddoo Domestic Airport is ~55 minutes and the longest flight takes ~1 hour 45 minutes due to a stop over in Kadhdhoo Domestic Airport.

A scenic and short speedboat journey of approximately 30-40 minutes (weather dependent) will follow as the final stretch of the journey to our island.
Any last minute name changes on domestic flight ticket are subject to a fee levied by the Maldivian Air. All such changes will be charged at the rate of USD 100 net per person.The exact flight timings are released two days before departure, but tend to be around these times:
  • Arrivals (Departure from MLE) : 10:30-11:00, 12:00, 13:40, 17:30hrs and last flight at 23:30
  • Departures (Departure from Kooddoo) : 0545hrs, 0800hrs, 1130hrs, 1530hrs and last departure at 1830hrs
Cost (Jan 2021): USD $520 round-trip/adult, $475/child, $175/infant - paid before you arrive via cc authorization form

Luggage restriction
Transfer prices include the baggage allowance of 32 kg per passenger (20 kg is the domestic airline allowance and 12 kg will be covered by The Resort as a courtesy service) and hand luggage of 5 kg per passenger. Excess baggage will be charged and is subject to space availability and terms and conditions of the Air Carrier.

Map of the resort
Best Villas
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), skip lunch, and only pay for dinner
The Saturday free cocktail social (manager's reception) is at 6:30pm
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 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
As at January 2022, the resort's wifi speed is 10-12Mbps.
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 those 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 that has 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.
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Property Email
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Park Hyatt versus other Maldives resorts


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Park Hyatt Maldives REVIEW - MASTER THREAD

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Old Jun 17, 2016, 2:14 pm
  #2926  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,723
Awe, no one said there was going to be math.

But you are not considering the part of the water temperature impacting the solubility of the water which impacts just how dense the mix is, which impacts buoyancy/mass, or something like that
canyonleo is offline  
Old Jun 20, 2016, 6:47 am
  #2927  
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 89
Originally Posted by jwgmaldives
Are they charging $10 per person for life jacket rental for snorkeling now? Was this always the case? I was under the impression that we could snorkel whenever we want for free.
They were charging for it when I was there in NOV 2015. I do not think a life jacket is necessary considering there are barely any waves or currents around the island. I was more like a giant still lake.
BLTraveler is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2016, 10:46 am
  #2928  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat, IHG Diamond AMB
Posts: 52
They do still charge $10/day. The one in your room is an emergency life jacket, not the same "recreational" type you get and wife was told not to use it for snorkeling.

Just came back from 5 night stay and WOW this place was incredible. Wife and I did the Discover Scuba w/open water for $360 (wife has never went diving) and we both absolutely loved it.
mikeb99 is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2016, 11:34 am
  #2929  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 279
Originally Posted by mikeb99
They do still charge $10/day. The one in your room is an emergency life jacket, not the same "recreational" type you get and wife was told not to use it for snorkeling.

Just came back from 5 night stay and WOW this place was incredible. Wife and I did the Discover Scuba w/open water for $360 (wife has never went diving) and we both absolutely loved it.
Oh yeah? Hyatt concierge was trying to sell me on the PADI open water course ($1350 per couple). Neither of us has scuba'd before either. Can you describe what you did with the Discover Scuba package? did it require elearning as well?

Thanks!

Edit: I just saw the description for it....it's 2 hours of diving. How much learning and supervision was there?

Last edited by jwgmaldives; Jun 22, 2016 at 2:31 pm
jwgmaldives is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2016, 8:57 am
  #2930  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat, IHG Diamond AMB
Posts: 52
Originally Posted by jwgmaldives
Oh yeah? Hyatt concierge was trying to sell me on the PADI open water course ($1350 per couple). Neither of us has scuba'd before either. Can you describe what you did with the Discover Scuba package? did it require elearning as well?

Thanks!

Edit: I just saw the description for it....it's 2 hours of diving. How much learning and supervision was there?
From what I recall:

- ~20min safety video (it's pretty good & important for first timers)
- 10min getting dressed/fitted
- 20-30min in the pool testing capabilities, hand signals, etc.
- ~45-1hr in the ocean

My wife had never done scuba and can't really swim but picked up the basics fairly quickly. We had Kai as a trainer and she was awesome! Did the pool quickly then hit the ocean. She controls your BCD for you which means she pretty much carries you! Setup: my wife and I held hands while she floated above us with one hand on each essentially pushing us up/down and pointing where we need to go. She was always 1-2ft from us the entire time, diving down to 10-12m or so.

The reef is incredible and has a steep drop-off down to 70m so you are essentially "scaling" the reef mountain, going up & down - amazing
mikeb99 is offline  
Old Jun 24, 2016, 2:31 pm
  #2931  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Western North Carolina
Programs: HH Diamond,Ambassador Club,Delta FF,USAIR FF
Posts: 237
Originally Posted by mikeb99
They do still charge $10/day. The one in your room is an emergency life jacket, not the same "recreational" type you get and wife was told not to use it for snorkeling.

Just came back from 5 night stay and WOW this place was incredible. Wife and I did the Discover Scuba w/open water for $360 (wife has never went diving) and we both absolutely loved it.
kirkpt is offline  
Old Jun 24, 2016, 2:32 pm
  #2932  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Western North Carolina
Programs: HH Diamond,Ambassador Club,Delta FF,USAIR FF
Posts: 237
Do they REQUIRE you to rent a life vest, if you do not need one?

Last edited by kirkpt; Jun 24, 2016 at 2:32 pm Reason: more info
kirkpt is offline  
Old Jun 24, 2016, 11:30 pm
  #2933  
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,235
Originally Posted by kirkpt
Do they REQUIRE you to rent a life vest, if you do not need one?
No. If you dont want it, no need to pay for it.

I bought one for myself at home (<10$) and took it to the resort.

You still can borrow their fins and goggle for free.
3rdworldresident is offline  
Old Jun 25, 2016, 2:54 am
  #2934  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Originally Posted by jwgmaldives
Oh yeah? Hyatt concierge was trying to sell me on the PADI open water course ($1350 per couple). Neither of us has scuba'd before either. Can you describe what you did with the Discover Scuba package? did it require elearning as well?

Thanks!

Edit: I just saw the description for it....it's 2 hours of diving. How much learning and supervision was there?
It will be the same PADI open water course as anywhere else. You can read about it on the PADI website.

You should do e-learning or read the written materials before going on vacation. Or, better yet, get certified at home before you go, if that is an option.

What they are offering is a very reasonable price for two people.
MikeFromTokyo is offline  
Old Jun 28, 2016, 4:42 pm
  #2935  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 279
Originally Posted by mikeb99
From what I recall:

- ~20min safety video (it's pretty good & important for first timers)
- 10min getting dressed/fitted
- 20-30min in the pool testing capabilities, hand signals, etc.
- ~45-1hr in the ocean

My wife had never done scuba and can't really swim but picked up the basics fairly quickly. We had Kai as a trainer and she was awesome! Did the pool quickly then hit the ocean. She controls your BCD for you which means she pretty much carries you! Setup: my wife and I held hands while she floated above us with one hand on each essentially pushing us up/down and pointing where we need to go. She was always 1-2ft from us the entire time, diving down to 10-12m or so.

The reef is incredible and has a steep drop-off down to 70m so you are essentially "scaling" the reef mountain, going up & down - amazing
Originally Posted by MikeFromTokyo
It will be the same PADI open water course as anywhere else. You can read about it on the PADI website.

You should do e-learning or read the written materials before going on vacation. Or, better yet, get certified at home before you go, if that is an option.

What they are offering is a very reasonable price for two people.

Yup it definitely sounds reasonable. Right now I'm debating between these two options - 360 for 2 hours or 1350 for the complete package. To be honest I'm leaning towards the 2 hours because I don't want to be tied to a schedule...much rather just relax and have fun.

Mike, for the 2 hours scuba, how did you guys feel afterwards? Exhausted or left wanting more?

Thanks guys.
jwgmaldives is offline  
Old Jul 1, 2016, 3:20 am
  #2936  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Plat, IHG Diamond AMB
Posts: 52
Originally Posted by jwgmaldives
Yup it definitely sounds reasonable. Right now I'm debating between these two options - 360 for 2 hours or 1350 for the complete package. To be honest I'm leaning towards the 2 hours because I don't want to be tied to a schedule...much rather just relax and have fun.

Mike, for the 2 hours scuba, how did you guys feel afterwards? Exhausted or left wanting more?

Thanks guys.
As first timers, we thought it was just right - pretty tiring if you are not used to it. However, I DID want to dive again because it is so damn beautiful, but we stuck to daily snorkeling

I would recommend the complete package if you really want to get into diving and go on multiple dives during your stay. I hear some of THE best diving is done out in the channel (east?) between breaks in the atoll (where there is a current, rich minerals and sea life, etc.)
mikeb99 is offline  
Old Jul 4, 2016, 7:18 am
  #2937  
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco (Marin County), CA
Programs: UA Global Services, AA Lifetime ExecPlat, LH Senator, SQ PPS Solitaire, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 3,003
Can anyone who has stayed here comment on the specific AV device int he room? Is it Sonos? I asked the resort and they replied with a very generic response that the villas have "CV/DVD player; media center".

I'd like to be sure I can play my music in the villa. Thanks.
thesilb is online now  
Old Jul 5, 2016, 8:31 am
  #2938  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,723
Originally Posted by thesilb
Can anyone who has stayed here comment on the specific AV device int he room? Is it Sonos? I asked the resort and they replied with a very generic response that the villas have "CV/DVD player; media center".

I'd like to be sure I can play my music in the villa. Thanks.
I can't remember the specifics - so if you need that we'll need someone visiting/visited to answer, but I always travel with various cables (HDMI, stereo-mini male-male, component) and I know I hooked up my camera to the TV, so I can say that the connections aren't boxed/locked away requiring tools to access.
canyonleo is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2016, 8:40 am
  #2939  
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 16
I was about to finalize booking for 8 nights here in October, but with the increasing number of terror attacks in the Middle East we are growing a bit weary of traveling through the area. Specifically, we would have a 9 hour layover at IST in Turkey.

I'm not usually one to concern myself with these threats, as you have no control over them, and it could happen anywhere. See Orlando. Just curious what some opinions on general safety would be right now. Thanks.
TigerDeBaiter is offline  
Old Jul 5, 2016, 9:17 am
  #2940  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,723
FYI, the problem at IST was not in the terminal (airside), it was outside the checkpoint and curbside. IMO it's a nonfactor, and if anything it's even safer now (for some time) as there is greater scrutiny (and easier for a hit elsewhere).
canyonleo is offline  


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