Maldives Recs for 2019 trip
May 6, 2018, 12:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 285
Maldives Recs for 2019 trip
Know there's been quite a few threads on Maldives but I can't find anything too recent. I'll be in Maldives in Feb 2019 and trying to maximize my time there. ill be arriving late from HK and would like to get to a resort that same night versus staying overnight in Male. I also have the midnight flight going home so I'd like to stay on resort for as long as possible. I figured traveling via speedboat would be more efficient? I've seen some recs such as FS Kuda, Jumeirah and Taj. Any other ones im missing? I'm into newer resorts and we dont care much for snorkeling. Looking for nicer rooms and beaches preferably.
May 6, 2018, 3:41 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,600
Know there's been quite a few threads on Maldives but I can't find anything too recent. I'll be in Maldives in Feb 2019 and trying to maximize my time there. ill be arriving late from HK and would like to get to a resort that same night versus staying overnight in Male. I also have the midnight flight going home so I'd like to stay on resort for as long as possible. I figured traveling via speedboat would be more efficient? I've seen some recs such as FS Kuda, Jumeirah and Taj. Any other ones im missing? I'm into newer resorts and we dont care much for snorkeling. Looking for nicer rooms and beaches preferably.
FS Landaa, if you prefer a more modern style and spa
I don’t like Jumeirah but that’s more of a personal preference.
Maldives Hotel choice depends hugely on personal style and preference. Possibly Soneva Jani may be worth considering, if you prefer more nature and less polished — I don’t really like their villas.
May 6, 2018, 9:56 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
reethi rah also by boat (and is big island)
when staying overnight at MLE, should stay at such a resort for that one night, FS for example published discounted rates when doing exactly that
depending on choice, may be able to boat to a second resort too
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post26788474
when staying overnight at MLE, should stay at such a resort for that one night, FS for example published discounted rates when doing exactly that
depending on choice, may be able to boat to a second resort too
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post26788474
May 6, 2018, 10:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: UA/EK(Gold) CX(Diamond) Marriott Gold Accor Platinum Hilton Diamond Shangri-la Jade
Posts: 585
I like Gili Lankanfushi which is only a 20 minute boat ride away but don't think it fits your "newish" criteria. I also enjoyed my time at Como's Cocoa Island but it is a longer boat ride. Planning on Huvafen Fushi next year which is also a boat ride away.
May 6, 2018, 10:07 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: UA/EK(Gold) CX(Diamond) Marriott Gold Accor Platinum Hilton Diamond Shangri-la Jade
Posts: 585
I also enjoyed my time at Naladhu, a much more private and more attentive service compared to the sister resorts. Think only a 20 min boat ride away.
And in my experience all the resorts allowed me a late check out up to 8.00pm or provided a smaller villa to stay for a few more hours.
And in my experience all the resorts allowed me a late check out up to 8.00pm or provided a smaller villa to stay for a few more hours.
May 7, 2018, 1:25 am
#6
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
I also enjoyed my time at Naladhu, a much more private and more attentive service compared to the sister resorts. Think only a 20 min boat ride away.
And in my experience all the resorts allowed me a late check out up to 8.00pm or provided a smaller villa to stay for a few more hours.
And in my experience all the resorts allowed me a late check out up to 8.00pm or provided a smaller villa to stay for a few more hours.
There are positives to the place as you say - the villas are HUGE and each with a private pool. No overwater villas, but they do have nice open views (on the quieter and open side of the island). Having said that, with no overwater villas, the resort also lacks 'beach' villas with private beachfront (there are only a couple of these). The design is simple and interesting enough but Kerry Hill, Ed Tuttle, Jean Michel Gathy it isn't.
The issue is that once you go to the other side of the island, it gets a big ugly. The two huge Anantaras are an eyesore. Yes you get to use their facilities and restaurants (and they can't come to Naladhu), but Naladhu itself is tiny so there really isn't much to do other than go to the other islands, kind of defeating the point of "private island"
Apart from convenience to Male (and even then), there are better resorts to stay at within easy access/reach.
Maintenance isn't great, service was okay but lacks attention to detail, especially for a resort that only has ~20 villas.
May 7, 2018, 7:04 am
#7
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Europe
Posts: 82
Last month we stayed in Cocoa´s one bedroom Villa which is not brand new but still very well maintained. We left at 9pm and used a day room. Really good food and great stay. Only 30-40min from Male by boat.
May 7, 2018, 3:11 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
Creative Routing to MLE
Hi All,
Coming out of SFO, curious if anyone has a business class routing to get to MLE.
My searches via google flights seem to show routings but costing 7-10k (for 2 people). Just wondering if there is an alternative/creative way to get there that I am missing (i.e. flying through Europe, etc).
Coming out of SFO, curious if anyone has a business class routing to get to MLE.
My searches via google flights seem to show routings but costing 7-10k (for 2 people). Just wondering if there is an alternative/creative way to get there that I am missing (i.e. flying through Europe, etc).
May 8, 2018, 4:12 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 107
If you want the get-away-from-it-all feel (which excludes much of Male atoll) then consider resorts accessible by domestic transfer. That way you can still get there the same day. Last domestic flights tend to leave Male around 10pm-ish.
May 11, 2018, 8:22 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 1999
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Posts: 4,010
We did Gili recently which was very good. But thinking of O&O next trip. Any thoughts if O&O Is still good?
May 12, 2018, 8:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA EP 4MM, UA 1MM, DL 1MM
Posts: 407
Going to the Maldives in July. Any opinions on the two Four Seasons Hotels there?
May 12, 2018, 10:20 pm
#12
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
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Kuda Huraa is easier access, speedboat, and all that comes with it - including generally considered the more suited towards families. Having said that, though, they have recently done a big refurbish and added beautiful new infinity pools in many of the villas.
There's also (correct me if wrong) the option of staying at one, then transfering to the other via their yacht (Soneva does this too).
May 13, 2018, 4:00 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Hi All,
Coming out of SFO, curious if anyone has a business class routing to get to MLE.
My searches via google flights seem to show routings but costing 7-10k (for 2 people). Just wondering if there is an alternative/creative way to get there that I am missing (i.e. flying through Europe, etc).
Coming out of SFO, curious if anyone has a business class routing to get to MLE.
My searches via google flights seem to show routings but costing 7-10k (for 2 people). Just wondering if there is an alternative/creative way to get there that I am missing (i.e. flying through Europe, etc).
From the west coast, you could go either way.
EK, EY, BA (TATL)
Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo etc... are possible connections. Maybe ICN also? You could look at pricing separately, e.g. tickets to Bangkok, and then PG tickets to MLE.
Perhaps Amex Platinum two for one J or F tickets could be an option (although you have to pay full fare for one person).
Colombo is the closest connection, serviced by Sri Lankan.
I suggest looking up MLE airport on Wikipedia, and using the airlines/destinations list, figure out potential options. Then search for good deals on flights to the connecting airports and figure out the price on separate tickets.
BKK, ICN, KUL, Taipei, Mainland China, Colombo etc... are often not business heavy routes with high fares (unlike HKG, SIN, NRT, etc...). So get a bit creative.
May 13, 2018, 4:06 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Know there's been quite a few threads on Maldives but I can't find anything too recent. I'll be in Maldives in Feb 2019 and trying to maximize my time there. ill be arriving late from HK and would like to get to a resort that same night versus staying overnight in Male. I also have the midnight flight going home so I'd like to stay on resort for as long as possible. I figured traveling via speedboat would be more efficient? I've seen some recs such as FS Kuda, Jumeirah and Taj. Any other ones im missing? I'm into newer resorts and we dont care much for snorkeling. Looking for nicer rooms and beaches preferably.
FS Kuda Huraa
Gili Lankanfushi
Taj Exotica
Naladhu
All do not require sea plane transfers and are close to MLE.