I am looking forward to my upcoming stays at FS at Maldives as well as at Jimbarayan Bay in Bali. In special resort places like there as well as in the Caribbean, I just can't think of staying at Hyatts or Starwoods. For that matter, I am also a big fan of some of the Aman resorts, where points and awards just don't come into my mind, but I just charge everthing on my AAdvantage Visa card. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

We spent 10 days at Kuda Huraa on our honeymoon; it has to be the best tropical resort in the world!

Amen. And the service there is truly amazing.

Personally, while the service was terrific, and the water villas provide great ambiance, I found the FS Kuda Huraa to be a let down after a week at the Soneva Fushi. It was not that the hotel did anything wrong, and it does do many things very well, but it lacks the same sense of privacy.

wigs, I agree that Soneva Fushi is more private, but as I recall it was situated on quite a large island, and when cruising the atoll, I remember it took at least several hours by speedboat to get to that area from Kuda Huraa. Probably a helicopter is the way to do it.

When were you there (FS on KH) last? IMO, the best season is the 'shoulder' in May as the Maldives head towards the low season during the monsoons. The room rates at FS fall to US$4-500 or so, but better yet, the occupancy rate drops to almost single digits. For all that, you just have to put up with perhaps a 20-minute shower in late afternoon.

The FS Kuda Huraa was not initially built as a Four Seasons property. It was only 'converted' by name only a few years ago and now managed by FS. The property is independently owned by a Singaporean company.

UAL Traveller,

I was there over New Years (last year), and the resort was definitely full. The difference in terms of privacy that I was trying to allude to was subtle, and may simply reflect the relative lack of vegetation along the beach bungalows.

By no means do I mean to denegrate the resort; it offers everything that makes the Four Seasons such a terrific hotel chain. And I would definitely use the hotel again, which is the ultimate complement I can offer.

My wife and I stayed at the FS Jimbaran Bay for our honeymoon, and I believe it was the finest hotel experience I've ever had. Unfortunately, I had a significant letdown when I stayed at the FS Wailea last summer.

Incidentally, just came back from a week at the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru - Maldives, fantastic - not quite as refined as the service at FS Jimbaran Bay, but very much a completely relaxing, spectacular vacation (trip report will follow). Went on the excursion to the tourist "trap" island adjacent to the FS Kuda Huraa - hard to tell anything from the outside, but seemed quite big.

Also stayed at the Peninsula - BKK - fantastic river view room for $145 (including car one way) - amazing deal and the Peninsula amenities/service are fantastic.

Greg

This is something that we did notice too, some of the beach bungalows were much less private than others. We found that the sunset side bungalows (especially those with pools) had much more vegetation and privacy - that is the side we were on, and we probably would have felt simalarly if we had been on the other side.

Our bungalow was quite secluded, and had a little nook carved out of the vegetation at the edge of the beach - perfect for a couple of chaise lounges. Having said that, the service was perfect, the diving great, the seafood fantastic. It is also close to Male and the airport.

We can't wait to go back.

I can also second the comments about Wailea; it is a bit of a letdown, I'd skip Maui and head to the FS resort at Hualali.

My wife and I are planning to spend our fifth anniversary -- three nights at FS in the Maldives and four nights at FS Jimbaran Bay. For those of you who have been to the area, we are going in August, and I know that is the rainy season in the Maldives, but we can't move our anniversary! For anyone who has been there in August, how rainy is it? So much, that its not worth going or just occasional showers? We will be staying in the water bungalows at FS Maldives. Are these private or would we be better off at Soneva Fushi's water bungalows or some other resort? FYI -- we spent our honeymoon at PSV, which was the ultimate in privacy. Any advice appreciated, thanks!

DealerJack,
As a FS stockholder are you privy to discounts or any other perks?

I'm also an FS shareholder (well, really an ADRholder) and have never gotten any perks as such. But I'd gladly forego them, and points, for the level of service and general comfort at an FS. For me, a good hotel is part of the destination on a pleasure trip, and on a business trip I want to make sure I get my faxes (which has been a repeated source of difficulty at other properties). I've tended to prefer Ritz-Carltons over FS's because I think the rooms are usually prettier and I love the R-C club rooms, but have had a number of less than stellar experiences at R-C's lately, and fear Marriott stewardship may be taking its toll. I also like Peninsulas, Mandarin Orientals, many Relais & Chateaux and the like.

Speaking of Four Seasons, I am in process of planning a wedding reception a the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara, CA for September 2002. Has anyone had good/bad experiences there? It seems like a wonderful property, but I have seen a few negative comments on age/condition on the Fodors website. I value FT options significantly more. Thanks for the feeback.

For those interested, there is a great running discussion of my honeymoon plans to Bali using Delta Skymiles on both the Delta and SQ forums. The feed back has been wonderful and has prompted this question here.

If there are any perquisites, such as discounts, I'm unaware of them.