skunker

Here now. A few things:

2 hour and 45 minute wait for Q2 flight after arriving on EY278 from AUH. But our arrival into MLE was early so that added 20 minutes. Literally the first people through customs though.

Arrived around 9 pm to our villa. Was greeted by rooms manager and staff upon arrival. Personal host drove us to our room and gave a very detailed introduction.

Used one Chase suite and 5 nights from passport escape and was given pool villa, which I like. I'm sure the OWB would be nice but walking to the beach in the morning is nice. Our personal host is unfamiliar with the passport escape so I will need to track down a manager of some sort to make sure we get it.

Was told about 50% full when we checked in but seems to be busier today.

Just did house reef dive which was amazing. Snorkel gear is free but dive equipment is expensive and you are charged per dive not per day which adds up quickly.

Was just told about happy hour this morning. Slept through it yesterday during a down pour coupled with jet lag.

bsaced

I had heard that the transfer from the airport to this hotel is over $100. Can anyone confirm? I would like to travel here but I hear it's very expensive to get to and to eat here.

skunker

You might want to check the website again. I believe the current price is $477 per person roundtrip.

whimike

Having just come back from the Maldives, if you are worried about "expensive", you likely should not go. The prices were complete insanity for mere mortals like myself, but I figure you should go insane at least once in your life.

peter42

And if you do not need the flight, it actually gets more expensive, as they sell it as a private transfer then...

canyonleo

Well, prices are insane, but for the Diamond "experienced at discount traveling" traveler, one can do it cheaply (I'm not suggesting it be done this way, I'm just offering the tips).

1. Combine Chase award and points to do a 2+5 or 2+7 night stay. Accommodation = free.

2. Breakfast is included. I don't like to eat much breakfast, a meal bar or fruit is what I like to eat anyway... so bring some bars from home, and save the free breakfast (breakfast menu includes lots of great "lunch food" items, like curry and fried noodles/rice) for lunch. Use extra HGP points to do an escape package and get all but two of your dinners included. Be really cheap and bring some healthy snacks (nuts, jerkey, dried fruit, etc.) to cover the two not-included dinners (or spend some money on food. Food = free or a couple of hundred for an entire week.

3. For transportation use miles, MH or SQ both fly to MLE and allow one to avoid an airport transfer in CMB or China. The one place the discount traveler has no option to save is the local Q2 air transfer MLE>Hyatt>MLE. Air cost = $477/person plus taxes on mileage award flights.

4. For entertainment, don't use the spa, don't do excursions... there's plenty of free paradise at this place. If one is an avid snorkeler, you'll likely bring you're own gear and one can spend hours each day on the house reef. An underwater camera adds even more hours of fun. Or, for the relaxing types, read your books/magazines or just love the beach and the pool or your villa pool. Or, work out each day, in the nice little gym, or do your own routine on the beach.

Personally, I couldn't go to Maldives and not dive anymore than I'd go to the Alps in winter and not ski, but of course bring your own gear (if you own none then rent or at least compare the prices of renting at home vs. onsite). I found diving pricing to be average, actually, not insanely priced like the meals (especially with discounts for advance booking), and one could do some unguided diving on the house reef instead of boat diving every day if you must save. I spent a little over $100/day for boat diving, that's comparable to so many other dive spots (Cozumel, Cayman, FL, Bahamas).

I actually changed my vacation plans from Sipadan to Maldives and I don't think I spent anymore than originally planned (although I used more miles and used hotel points I hadn't planned to use).

It's a great place to blow it out for a honeymoon, sure... but it can also be done economically if one desires.

price123

We wil be staying 5 nights with 2 nights prior in Singapre, 2 in Bangkok and 1 near MLE. Business class flights out and first class back, using BMI miles. Will be under Ł5000 total (allowed money for food, diving etc), which isn't bad for 12 nights away (especially taking into account almost Ł2000 on flight taxes+cash).

canyonleo

Here's a data point:
Other than diving and spa, the latter of which can rack up $200-300/day by the wife, we did 9 nights for way under US$ 2,000, and remember half of that is local Q2 air transfer.

thexfactor

I actually confirmed with the GM that the Hyatt Suite Nights are not autoupgraded to OWB because "all room are suites at the Hyatt Maldives."

Other than that, I appreciate the advice!

cherbes

Skunker-

Glad to hear you are at the island safely. We are currently en route from NYC and have finished flight 2 of 5 this morning and are now waiting for the next one from Bangkok to SIN.

Wondered if you could speak to the laundry facilities on the island? Any easy way to wash clothes if need be? Tried to find info regarding this but couldn't see any. Thanks! Hope to see you there in a few days!

Cherbes

wpj

hotel has laundry like every other hotel, If this is what you are asking. and prices I found relatively reasonable. for example a t-shirt 3$. comparing to PH melbourne that charges for t-shirts 8 dollars.

skunker

Yes, prices range from $2 to $7 per article with most things in the $3 to $5 range.

Sorry but no coin-op laundry around here.

onlysuites

What?? So no soda machines outside the rooms?

wpj

HaryoS

Nice picture ^ Park Hyatt Maldives is in my "Wish List" in 2012 or 2013