Maldives Recs for 2019 trip
Jun 18, 2018, 12:16 pm
#46
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Jun 18, 2018, 7:23 pm
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 285
Ended up extending my trip to 6 nights. Decided on FS landaa. Any tips or must do excursions? figured since my flight leaves late, would they let me hang out at Kuda for a few hours instead of the airport?
Jun 19, 2018, 10:32 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: London
Programs: Avios
Posts: 166
Re Velaa. For me it was the ridiculously poor value for money. I thought the rooms were beautifully appointed but all food and activities were outrageously expensive. If I had loved the overall experience I could have accepted that but I didn't. We much preferred Gili Lankanfushi.
Jun 19, 2018, 11:40 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Gili Lankanfushi and Soneva Fushi are among my favorites. Actually very good value, understated elegance. And their environmentally friendly operations are something I appreciate very much.
Part of me wants to try Velaa out of sheer curiosity. But, knowing that the prices are so horrendous, and considering that vuittonsofstyle didn’t care for it at all, I probably should stay away from it. That is, unless MacMyDay gives it a positive review!
Part of me wants to try Velaa out of sheer curiosity. But, knowing that the prices are so horrendous, and considering that vuittonsofstyle didn’t care for it at all, I probably should stay away from it. That is, unless MacMyDay gives it a positive review!
Jun 20, 2018, 8:02 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,265
I truly liked the soft product at Gili. Service was tremendous! Liked the food although it was expensive (in comparison to Soneva Jani for instance, in the end food in Maldives will always be expensive, even at Holiday Inn I would assume). Overwater bungalows are nice enough but slightly dated compared to other resorts. Only thing I disliked was the location: way too close to MLE, other resorts and a local island. There’s noice and light pollution. Views are not what you can have on other private islands. Would I return? Yes, but always in combination with another resort. If Gili is the only resort you will visit on a holiday in Maldives, you will truly miss the best part.
Jun 22, 2018, 6:00 am
#54
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 12
Hard to go wrong with the Four Seasons Kuda. Food, staff, rooms, environment all top notch.
Jun 22, 2018, 10:50 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
Few pics
Jun 23, 2018, 12:08 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
good to hear theyre keeping it up!
I recently (March 2017) stayed at Cheval Blanc Randheli for 7 nights, and was very, very impressed. All around, it's the hands down the best stay I have ever had at a beach resort.
They follow the extensive prep list you fill out perfectly
Butler service worked beautifully (and this is perhaps the only stay anywhere where I would say that),
I can't recommend the place more highly -- it is world class.
They follow the extensive prep list you fill out perfectly
Butler service worked beautifully (and this is perhaps the only stay anywhere where I would say that),
I can't recommend the place more highly -- it is world class.
Jun 26, 2018, 11:14 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: England
Posts: 1,361
I don't think anyone could deny that the rooms at CB are far better than Velaa, but I much preferred being led directly onto the beautiful beach with soft, white sand at Velaa. The spa, activities and setting are unequivocally better than Cheval Blanc, and I suppose the rest is up for discussion. I still prefer Cheval Blanc, but I had much more fun at Velaa.
What was interesting was hearing both GMs talk fondly of each other, yet trying to differentiate themselves by saying the type of guest most likely to visit their neighbour, but both assumed the same of each other, that is, they both assumed the type of person that would go to the other property was someone different to who actually stays in their property. So let me tell you how they separate. Cheval Blanc is like your elegant, successful Aunt that everyone looks up to and admires; Velaa is your crazy Uncle that let you go watch Aliens when you were 9, then let you drink beer for his own amusement. Sure, we all love Aunt Mildred, but really our fond memories are with Uncle Cletus. I had probably the most fun I've ever had on holiday, with great memories of flying around at 35mph on jet skies....with the GM deciding to join us. There are times where you just appreciate life, and this was one. Yes, it costs $700, but I’ve eaten hundreds of meals that cost that and gave me nothing.
Submarines, jetpacks, yachts faster then speedboats, squash courts, climbing wall, tennis courts, largest gym I've ever seen, football with the staff, live pianists and bands...that's Velaa.
Price wise, Cheval and Velaa are very similar, but the main difference is the lack of group activities at Velaa, so if you want to see dolphins then cough up $2000 compared to $145/pp on a shared tour at Cheval. I like dolphins, but not that much. Perhaps better we leave them alone, I say.
So pack your bags, Mike, you're going to Velaa!
And if you don't like Velaa, try telling that to his 31 year-old man-child. Just look at that stupid grin on his stupid face, having the time of his life:
^ MacMyDay , I am completely sold on visiting both resorts after reading your extremely helpful and, as always, very entertaining review. I really cannot wait for both resorts. On one hand you have Gathy design at CB and excellent Teppanyaki - definitely reason enough for me to go! - but on the other hand Velaa sounds like a blast (quite literally if one uses the “jetpacks”)!!