Park Hyatt Maldives REVIEW - MASTER THREAD
Jan 11, 19, 9:09 am - 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 For Jan 2020 Park Pool Villas: Upgrade Supplement- USD210 plus taxes of 23.2%, total USD258.72 per night. Deluxe Park Pool Villas: Upgrade Supplement- USD410 plus taxes of 23.2%, total USD505.12 per night. Park Water Villa: Upgrade Supplement- USD410 plus taxes of 23.2%, total USD505.12 per night. Park Sunset Ocean Pool Villa: Upgrade Supplement- USD750 plus taxes of 23.2%, total USD924 per night. 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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Feb 13, 12, 8:25 am
#286
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 743
Originally Posted by canyonleo
I went back and reread my post, and I'm thinking I meant to write something a little different (maybe I meant to ask the question)... that post was before my trip to there.
I will confirm that I was given an OW villa, and that I used the two Diamond suite Chase nights (as the two of nine nights before my 7-night Escape Pkg reward redemption) - but I never meant to imply that I discussed the topic with Hyatt or property management... I have no confirmation that this is a rule/policy/likelihood - only that it is what happened for me (data point of one).
I suggest calling the property ahead of your trip and making a personal request, if it's what one wants.
I will confirm that I was given an OW villa, and that I used the two Diamond suite Chase nights (as the two of nine nights before my 7-night Escape Pkg reward redemption) - but I never meant to imply that I discussed the topic with Hyatt or property management... I have no confirmation that this is a rule/policy/likelihood - only that it is what happened for me (data point of one).
I suggest calling the property ahead of your trip and making a personal request, if it's what one wants.
As suggested, I emailed the GM there and there is no "auto-upgrade" to an OWB when using the Diamond suite nights. He said they can be upgraded depending on their capacity at the time. We'd want to go in early May, though, and he said that that is indeed their busy time
Time to contemplate dusting off the ol' wallet...
Feb 13, 12, 8:31 am
#287
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
early May is busy? I would have thought April is busiest time given European school holidays etc
we went in early June and occupancy was < 20%
we went in early June and occupancy was < 20%
Feb 13, 12, 9:55 am
#288
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: LH SEN, SPG Gold(SCI Gold), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,381
Originally Posted by ma91pmh
early May is busy? I would have thought April is busiest time given European school holidays etc
we went in early June and occupancy was < 20%
we went in early June and occupancy was < 20%
Feb 13, 12, 10:06 am
#289
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 peter42
June is already rainy season AFAIR...
Feb 13, 12, 10:07 am
#290
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: South Carolina
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 313
Originally Posted by ma91pmh
early May is busy? I would have thought April is busiest time given European school holidays etc
we went in early June and occupancy was < 20%
we went in early June and occupancy was < 20%
Feb 13, 12, 10:35 am
#291
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 reed2x
Korean honeymooners swarm to the Maldives that time of year. When I visited back in the alila days, they had a Korean manger on staff who was certainly one of the busiest workers.
Feb 13, 12, 3:43 pm
#292
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 743
Originally Posted by ma91pmh
Yes the biggest portion of the other guests I'd say when we visited were Korean. A few Germans and Russians too. But I will reiterate occupancy was less than 20% when we arrived and we were told peaked at around 40%. It ain't going to be full anywhere in June in the Maldives, and you can get decent weather too
We're thinking of going for our honeymoon and would only endure the 20+ hours of travel time if we could get a fairly decent shot at being upgraded to an OWB (the one thing we "must" have on our honeymoon).
Yes, yes, we could upgrade to OWB for ~$400/night, but though I wish it otherwise, we currently don't have the scratch to pay for it outright.
Feb 13, 12, 4:03 pm
#293
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
If it were for my honeymoon I would pay up. I am really not sure any time is "safe". Also would they upgrade you from base level island villa to OWB? I thought it was one step only (island villa -> pool villa?)
Personally I prefer an island pool villa... nice to have a real beach in front of you to wade in the sand and snorkel and then clean off in the pool outside your room when you get back. Overwater villas look great in coffee table books but we declined the option of using one when we went to this place as Alila (and we paid cash for the whole thing back then)
Personally I prefer an island pool villa... nice to have a real beach in front of you to wade in the sand and snorkel and then clean off in the pool outside your room when you get back. Overwater villas look great in coffee table books but we declined the option of using one when we went to this place as Alila (and we paid cash for the whole thing back then)
Feb 13, 12, 9:09 pm
#294
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: Hyatt Plat, SPG, UN MileagePlus, TrueBlue Newbie, NYCDOE, Adobe Youth Voices
Posts: 4
Tips & Other Questions
Hello all,
Thank you for such in-depth and helpful reviews. After four months of reading this flyer talk forum, I feel well prepared for our trip.
My husband and I leave for Park Hyatt Maldives from NYC this Wednesday and were wondering if anyone could give us advice on the standard tipping procedure at the resort.
This may be a silly question but is there any mechanism to get cash on the island or should we bring enough for cash tips for 7 nights? Are there areas where you can tip on credit cards (such as dinner service, etc)? Is there a standard percentage that you suggest leaving for certain services (we obviously want to honor all the employees who give the amazing service I keep hearing about)...
Thanks so much! Hope to see a few of you there this weekend.
Thank you for such in-depth and helpful reviews. After four months of reading this flyer talk forum, I feel well prepared for our trip.
My husband and I leave for Park Hyatt Maldives from NYC this Wednesday and were wondering if anyone could give us advice on the standard tipping procedure at the resort.
This may be a silly question but is there any mechanism to get cash on the island or should we bring enough for cash tips for 7 nights? Are there areas where you can tip on credit cards (such as dinner service, etc)? Is there a standard percentage that you suggest leaving for certain services (we obviously want to honor all the employees who give the amazing service I keep hearing about)...
Thanks so much! Hope to see a few of you there this weekend.
Feb 13, 12, 9:28 pm
#295
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 961
Originally Posted by cherbes
Hello all,
Thank you for such in-depth and helpful reviews. After four months of reading this flyer talk forum, I feel well prepared for our trip.
My husband and I leave for Park Hyatt Maldives from NYC this Wednesday and were wondering if anyone could give us advice on the standard tipping procedure at the resort.
This may be a silly question but is there any mechanism to get cash on the island or should we bring enough for cash tips for 7 nights? Are there areas where you can tip on credit cards (such as dinner service, etc)? Is there a standard percentage that you suggest leaving for certain services (we obviously want to honor all the employees who give the amazing service I keep hearing about)...
Thanks so much! Hope to see a few of you there this weekend.
Thank you for such in-depth and helpful reviews. After four months of reading this flyer talk forum, I feel well prepared for our trip.
My husband and I leave for Park Hyatt Maldives from NYC this Wednesday and were wondering if anyone could give us advice on the standard tipping procedure at the resort.
This may be a silly question but is there any mechanism to get cash on the island or should we bring enough for cash tips for 7 nights? Are there areas where you can tip on credit cards (such as dinner service, etc)? Is there a standard percentage that you suggest leaving for certain services (we obviously want to honor all the employees who give the amazing service I keep hearing about)...
Thanks so much! Hope to see a few of you there this weekend.
We tipped cash, maybe 10% on dinners. You will already have a service charge added to each bill. I am sure at some point you will have Hamid, who is outstanding, tell him hello.
I don't remember any way to get cash while there on the island, best to have it in advance. I did hear that every few weeks a bank rep arrives for the workers to exchange/deposit money. None of the bills we received had a line to add a tip, but I believe you could write one in.
Enjoy paradise! Bring an underwater camera!
Feb 13, 12, 9:37 pm
#296
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: Hyatt Plat, SPG, UN MileagePlus, TrueBlue Newbie, NYCDOE, Adobe Youth Voices
Posts: 4
Tips & Other Questions
Originally Posted by soonerfanatic
Hi cherbes,
We tipped cash, maybe 10% on dinners. You will already have a service charge added to each bill. I am sure at some point you will have Hamid, who is outstanding, tell him hello.
I don't remember any way to get cash while there on the island, best to have it in advance. I did hear that every few weeks a bank rep arrives for the workers to exchange/deposit money. None of the bills we received had a line to add a tip, but I believe you could write one in.
Enjoy paradise! Bring an underwater camera!
We tipped cash, maybe 10% on dinners. You will already have a service charge added to each bill. I am sure at some point you will have Hamid, who is outstanding, tell him hello.
I don't remember any way to get cash while there on the island, best to have it in advance. I did hear that every few weeks a bank rep arrives for the workers to exchange/deposit money. None of the bills we received had a line to add a tip, but I believe you could write one in.
Enjoy paradise! Bring an underwater camera!
Feb 14, 12, 12:18 am
#297
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
Posts: 1,461
Originally Posted by ma91pmh
If it were for my honeymoon I would pay up. I am really not sure any time is "safe". Also would they upgrade you from base level island villa to OWB? I thought it was one step only (island villa -> pool villa?)
Personally I prefer an island pool villa... nice to have a real beach in front of you to wade in the sand and snorkel and then clean off in the pool outside your room when you get back. Overwater villas look great in coffee table books but we declined the option of using one when we went to this place as Alila (and we paid cash for the whole thing back then)
Personally I prefer an island pool villa... nice to have a real beach in front of you to wade in the sand and snorkel and then clean off in the pool outside your room when you get back. Overwater villas look great in coffee table books but we declined the option of using one when we went to this place as Alila (and we paid cash for the whole thing back then)
I wouldn't pay in advance. As a Diamond you very well may receive an OW villa. I did a nine night stay using the two Chase nights (suite reward though) followed by a 7 night Escape, and I was given an OW (#51 no less). I think it was due to the Chase suite nights being the first nights, my communication in email and phone of my preferences, based on availability understandably, and the hotels occupancy. If you are Diamond, and they know you want OW, and they're not so full, I think they will accommodate you.
And, as pointed out by others, the beach villas are not bad... maybe even a preference if one is not a "spend every hour in the water" type. I am a non-stop free diver, so for me an OW would be a near must.
And, you can always do your upgrade upon arrival, if you aren't given an OW villa, if you really want to try to save the $300-500/night extra expense (at the risk of high occupancy cause OW to be sold out, of course).
Feb 14, 12, 2:52 am
#298
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,361
Originally Posted by soonerfanatic
Thanks and good suggestions for all. Looking back, I wish I would have been diligent in gathering all of these details prior, which is normal protocol. I guess I just had enough faith that the property would take care of all of this.....especially after having a confirmation email in writing saying a max of 2 hours in MLE, which was after they knew our arrival flight info.
I was a bit disappointed with the quality of communications I received from PH Maldives prior to my arrival. Some of it was not at all clear and one mail was sent to me and then, for no discernible reason, was sent again a few days later. Which left me scratching my head as to whether they expected some reply from me. I played it safe and asked - and received a rather enigmatic reply along the lines of "don't worry, we will take care of you".
It didn't fill me with confidence.
Feb 14, 12, 8:40 am
#299
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: LH SEN, SPG Gold(SCI Gold), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,381
Originally Posted by soonerfanatic
Hi cherbes,
We tipped cash, maybe 10% on dinners. You will already have a service charge added to each bill. I am sure at some point you will have Hamid, who is outstanding, tell him hello.
I don't remember any way to get cash while there on the island, best to have it in advance. I did hear that every few weeks a bank rep arrives for the workers to exchange/deposit money. None of the bills we received had a line to add a tip, but I believe you could write one in.
We tipped cash, maybe 10% on dinners. You will already have a service charge added to each bill. I am sure at some point you will have Hamid, who is outstanding, tell him hello.
I don't remember any way to get cash while there on the island, best to have it in advance. I did hear that every few weeks a bank rep arrives for the workers to exchange/deposit money. None of the bills we received had a line to add a tip, but I believe you could write one in.
Edit: Lonely planet suggests similar values, unless when a service charge is charged, then LP says to tip is necessary.
Feb 14, 12, 8:48 am
#300
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
Maybe I'm a tight a** but I did not tip at all when I went when it was Alila. I am a big tipper here in the USA where it is part of the cultural norm but I am not a big believer in tipping where it is not the norm. So everywhere expcept here in the USA basically.
