kmd0506

This probably isn't the best answer but $250-$500 depending on what wine we chose that night, and that is usually 1 appetizer, 2 mains and 1 dessert. We will normally do 1 nicer meal at their nicer restaurant or room service and 1 night at Teppanyaki. We typically have a bottle of wine around the $75-100 point, but have celebrated with a nicer bottle of champagne the last 2 visits that was about $250. We have not done dinner at Lime (their all day a la carte restaurant) on any of our visits, but that would probably come in under $200 with wine.

Of note, we just booked a trip for 2019, and they were offering a half-board package that I hadn't seen before that included dinner nightly at Lime (it is during Lunar New Year so that might impact why it's available). When we did the math, it didn't work out to be cheaper as we are staying longer this time, and want to have flexibility with our dinner plans but it could be something to consider.

patchan8984

Looking at March 2019. Under Travelzoo's luxury vacations selection, the Movenpick Maldives came up as an option, since they are soft opening. ~$500 incl taxes till end of Dec and ~$700 incl taxes till April-ish. I'm trying to negotiate in booking directly with the hotel and getting the TZ inclusions. 6 nights @ $750/night that includes taxes + $445 per person for sea plane, incl breakfast, 2x lunch and 2x dinner. Base room is overwater w/ pool with space avail upgrade to a sunrise view. Booking 2 villas and may book an additional 2 if i get some additional inclusions.

I am confirming that if I go in March, all facilities are open. Getting copies of menus and excursions as well. Wanted to get people's feedback as going during soft opening is a risk...

chinmoylad

1. Going during soft opening is always a risk, but that's also why (theoretically) hotels will offer great deals during this period. As a general rule, find out what's open/what isn't and negotiate accordingly.
2. I don't think this this is the right forum for discussing Movenpick resorts.

Lambi

I'm also going to Maldives in March. Do you have any more recommendations? 3k USD a night is too much, and I get really annoyed if they're robbing me with activities such as dolphin scouting (or whatever) for 2k USD. I understand it's very expensive in the Maldives, so I'm prepared for it. Important points for me are dining, drinking, house reef and living in a villa on poles in the water.

Except for Four Seasons, I've been looking at Fairmont, The W, St. Regis and Conrad. I'll be going there to snorkle, dine and dive (learning at the hotel). Any deals coming up I should wait for (based on historical deals)?

BESVISOR

If you can push to a later month, Cheval Blanc will have their usual Stay 7 pay 5 + 10% early bird special...so it can bring it down to around $1,850-ish ++/night, assuming a 7 night stay. I do think this is fantastic value for CB.

Just booked a client at St. Regis as their 4th night promotion just became available. can also get the entry categories for under $2k++/night.
I can hop on FSPP site later this evening to see what's available and share anything interesting.

Lambi

Sorry I can't push to a later month, have to get back home to celebrate birthdays (my whole family have birthdays late March -> April). Also this is an extension of a Shanghai (Pen), Bangkok (MO) -> Maldives tour . I'll be staying 4-5 nights at the Maldives

atojbk

the fairmont had special opening rates when I first opened this thread. id check their site

chinmoylad

@Lambi - just to follow up on this, the Stay 7/Pay 5 + 10% early bird should be available over March period as well which should bring the price down but @BESVISOR is that in it won't bring it down to the USD 1,550/1,750/1,850 per night range until after Easter period.

Also, you may be able to have Cheval Blanc's (shared) dolphin cruise as a complimentary inclusive experience (also, it's not USD 2,000 at CBR).

COMO Maalifushi another good option.

MikeFromTokyo

Kagehitokiri

does FS maldives still do 50% off explorer via european travel companies? if so that would be $1350.

chinmoylad, $2,000 would translate to $800+ per person
edit: huh, perhaps referring to charter vs shared

nice that FS seems to be publishing offer dates again

spring is peak season in maldives

cocoa has always had fans here for reef

chinmoylad

I think the CBR (shared) dolphin cruise experience is ~USD 150 per person?

@Lambi - may also want to check W Maldives. It's a W, but an excellent reef.

Lambi

Cocoa looks cool! Is there any point going for the double property deal with COMO except for the change of scenery?

cathaana

Just checked Dertour Deluxe and they still do as long as the trip is booked together with 3 nights in either FS.

Kagehitokiri

moved

LinLant