TravelSummary

Thanks to everyone for the updates. I've been convinced to book this hotel for a relaxing few days with a friend. I'll probably return to the PH or Conrad if I ever get married

NYC2TLV

I have booked a water villa (paid) for four nights and was curious if the property will upgrade to an ocean villa based on availability?

atxtraveler

Thank you for these recent awesome summaries. We just confirmed our flights and hotel stay for early March, and am very encouraged now after hearing these reports.

FlyProf1

I just spent two nights here on my way to stays at the Conrad and Park Hyatt, so thought I'd add my experience. It was not a good deal on points during the time of our visit, so we paid cash and used SNA to upgrade to the overwater bungalow. We enjoyed both the resort and the room. As others have said, it is not a "luxury" resort, but it is a beautiful resort nonetheless and in my view well worth the room price, considering Maldives rates. The main detraction is the lack of a house reef. Although we enjoyed the ability to snorkel right off our deck, there really is no coral to speak of or much to see (though we did see a surprisingly large shark) and visibility is not great. Also the food was not great and is expensive given the quality (even by Maldives standards). We only had dinner one night there (at the Thai restaurant) and found the fish to be dry and not very good. If we had another night, I would have followed the advice above to order indian dishes from room services, as the indian dishes on the breakfast buffet were quite tasty. The wine tasting ($15 for three pours) is a bargain and in a beautiful setting. The shark feeding is also worth watching.

In short, we'd go back for a quick trip if we happen to be in that part of the world again, as I expect we will be later this year. But I would not come all the way from the US to stay there, given the lack of a reef. But the rooms and resort itself are really quite nice, I thought, and certainly worth the price. And platinum recognition was great -- we got free breakfast and an in-room amenity (macaroons) and extra water each day. I wouldn't hesitate to return (again, as part of a larger trip or if I only had a few days).

I should also mention that the proximity to the airport is a bonus if you don't have much time. A quick 10 minute boat ride and you are there, which is a relief after a long flight over.

VAFlyerSAN

I emailed the hotel about the speed boat transfer and received the following response about the lounge that was supposed to open this past summer:

"The SPG Platinum lounge will be opened at the start of November."

1 month too late for my trip

Football Fan

I have a practical question that I haven't seen answered on the thread (apologies if I missed it). We will be arriving at 1:10 a.m. from Colombo. Will it be possible to book a speedboat to take us to the hotel in the middle of the night (and then back sometime during the next day)? We only need it for a one-night stay on our way to the Conrad (the Hulhule hotel is fully booked).

Thank you!

Starwood Lurker IV

Hi Football Fan,

For those requests it would be best to contact the hotel directly. Find all contact options here.

Best regards,

Alice Kons
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

DC777Fan

Given the number of CMB-MLE flights on a daily basis, you'll probably save money and headache by just overnighting in CMB and flying out first thing...

Football Fan

So we are just wrapping up our one-night stay here before moving on back to the Conrad. As others have said, it is nice enough and I would not hesitate to stay here for a few nights but I would not make it the destination.

We did go to the new lounge (the Club) and it has quite a nice pool and deck on the side where the sea is rough and you hear and see the waves quite a bit. The lounge attendant ladies were very friendly. At the time we were there, we were the only guests. They told us that even when they have the evening snacks, there really aren't more than 10 or maybe 15 people there. But the shortest way to get there is to walk through the staff area, which isn't very nice to look at (and you better wear something on your feet).

The beach looks nice. There is some dead coral in it, so walking in the water is so-so. We also saw a shark in the very shallow water, maybe 1,20-1,50 m long that scared two Russian ladies who were standing in the water quite a bit.

Breakfast was ok, nothing too great. The GM (French) was there, seemed like a friendly man. He briefly chatted with us and told us that there will be a St. Regis in the Maldives within a year or two (further away than the W from the main island).

The crowd here is distinctly different from the one at the Conrad. You see quite a few tattooed package tourists.

Speedboat transfer was easy.

We only received a moderate upgrade to an island cottage although I assume there aren't very many Plats here (very different from the Conrad, where I assume many people are Hilton Diamonds) and although all higher room categories were available and although I had previously told my ambassador that this was going to be my 500th night at a Starwood hotel. My wife also briefly mentioned that to the GM while they were having a conversation (I wouldn't have), but it didn't seem to interest him.

Overall, certainly nice enough. They liase directly with the Conrad to arrange when they take you back by speedboat.

As a sidenote, I find the whole Sheraton brand tired. This beige style, the logo, the signs, all of it reminds me of the late 70s/early 80s. Not "fresh".

whimike

I am currently at the Conrad and there are plenty of tattooed people here too. Though, not likely tourists that have been packaged.

margarita girl

I've read back 4-5 pages of this thread, but haven't read the whole thing so apologize if this is already covered.

Am thinking of spending 2-3 nights here in August before doing one of those QR fares out of CMB.

The hotel website indicates $136 charge for round trip boat transfer from MLE. I read that this is a 10 minute boat ride! What am I missing? Considering I can fly from MLE-CMB for $150, this seems ludicrous.

Are there alternative options to get to the hotel?

TerryK

Swim? No, there is no other way which is also answer to your question about pricing. This is true to most Maldiven resorts. Many have $500+ transfer fees; e.g. Park Hyatt $510, Conrad $560, Cheval Blanc $950.

Football Fan

I only saw one, that was former German swimmer Franziska van Almsick.

margarita girl

I better get myself a tattoo as I certainly won't be going to any of those other resorts.

I guess the reason they charge those exorbitant prices is because they can!

Thanks

worldtraveller73

Don't forget that this involves the individual meet and greet at the MLE airport.

Regretfully, this is pretty much the going rate for boat transfers for comparable properties. You might be able to leverage your stay with SPG Cash and Points for a better value.