injian

COVID was and continues to be a pain in everyone's you know what. Our last trip was in August 2019 and we were well overdue for a break from it all. After monitoring ongoing updates to Canada's border restrictions and reopening, I pulled the trigger on booking a trip and the best time to go was around the wife's birthday.

After looking at various options for flights and destinations, flights were booked round trip on Emirates to Maldives and Dubai.

The Emirates flights were booked in business class using Alaska Airlines points at 85k per person each way for a total of 510k points.

The next decision was to book a suitable resort in the Maldives. As there was a considerable bank of Marriott Bonvoy points stashed away, it was best to use it on one of the top end resorts (also make the wife happy). We ended up booking the St.Regis Maldives in an Overwater Villa for 6 nights (1 night was free since due to the standard 5th night free promotion) for a total of 470k points.

For Dubai, I booked Sheraton MOTE using 2 free night certificates and then using 2 SNA certificates.

The itinerary:
1. Emirates - YYZ-DXB-MLE-DXB-YYZ
2. Maldives - St.Regis Maldives (6 nights)
3. Dubai - Sheraton Mall of the Emirates (2 nights)



Tip of the hat to Short hair Francis for booking the flights.

injian

A clear evening for our departure out of Pearson airport. Our flight was scheduled to depart at 9:45pm and we arrived around 6:45pm to ensure there were no delays during check in and security.




All J class check in counters were busy and we waited 5 minutes before being helped by the next agent. All documents were checked including PCR results and after, our bags were tagged all the way to Male (Maldives). The check in agent said to remember to fill out the Maldives health declaration form while we were in transit at Dubai airport.





Pearson airport was fairly quiet in the check in hall. Security was quick and we were on our way to the Plaza Premium lounge.







The lounge had apparently reached its ‘maximum capacity’ but still allowed Emirates F/J passengers to enter. Everyone else was denied entry. We had a small bite to eat to keep us full till the dinner service on the plane. Food and alcohol was served by the staff while non alcoholic drinks was self service from a machine.














Junior was getting bored hanging around and doing nothing, so we left around 8:45pm and went down for a walk around the gate area. Boarding was at gate E73 and had already begun well before the indicated time on the boarding pass.









Our seats were in the mini cabin which was in front of the lounge area. The entire J class was full for this flight and we had a bad luck of a group of young gentlemen who stayed up the entire flight being loud.



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The flight was delayed by 30 minutes due to a baggage incident in the airport. Once resolved, we were on our way with the taxi to the runway being super short.





The amenity kit - looks like Emirates is reducing costs.





Menus were distributed and meals choices for dinner were taken while on the ground and served around 90 minutes after take off. Meal choice for breakfast was also taken.


















Aberfeldy scotch on the rocks and nuts to start.




Arabic mezze for the appetizer.



Lamb curry for the main which was delicious.



Chocolate gateau for dessert which was meh.



Between dinner and breakfast, it was a toss up of trying to get sleep, tend to Junior’s needs and ignore the chatter from the bar area.

Starry night.




Breakfast was served around 2 hours to landing. Went with the scrambled eggs and sausage option and it was tasty.




Landing was uneventful and we disembarked fairly quickly. We had 10 hours of transit before our next flight to Male. We decided to book a room at the Dubai International Airport hotel which was located on the airside part of the terminal.









Overall, nothing much to rave about. No issues to complain about other than the loud chatter from the bar area (bit of a toss up whether there will be people or not and unfortunately, it was a packed flight).

injian

We were met by a representative from the DXB Airport hotel and were escorted through security (bypassed the entire queue) and to the hotel check in. The Meet and Assist service is free of charge but has to be requested via email after the booking is made.





We were escorted to the entrance that was located at gate B14. The other entrance for the B concourse is located at B22. The hotel is also in concourse A and C.



Took the elevator up to the 5th floor where the hotel is located. Interesting to note that the Emirates lounge was one floor before and you could see passengers sitting around. After the check in formalities were completed, we were escorted to our room.



















While the Mrs and Junior were freshening up, I went in search of dinner for us. Say what you will but the Mighty Zinger sammich is ze best … heck, KFC in the Middle East is way better than North America.



We had a few hours of sleep before getting ready for our Male flight.

Overall verdict - a good place to stay if you have a long layover as it saves time having to go through immigration and out into the city. It was not cheap (300 CAD) but it was a no brainer as the big factor us to consider was time, sleep and Junior being with us.

injian

Folks, please advise if you see the pictures appearing or not. It appears when I view on my laptop but not on my mobile. Google Photos not being kind to me.

Ryanfozzie

I can't see the photos I'm afraid

Davvidd

How was the screening in DXB for MLE? Did they check the Health Declaration and how was the arrival at MLE?

GregWTravels

I can't see the photos either. Interested to see them, and interested in the report. Thank you for posting. Hopefully you can find a way to share the photos.

Synapseturquoise

Can't see the pics either. I tried different browsers

injian

Fixed!

injian

Absolutely no screening in any sense other than a passport check at the boarding gate. No check on the health declaration form either. Arrival at MLE was smooth - the immigration officer just scanned our passports, stamped us and sent us on our way.

injian

We hoofed it over to gate B29 where our flight was departing from. Pre boarding into the holding pen had already begun.




Boarding then began by zone and was strictly enforced.






We were in the main business class cabin and it was approximately 75% full.




Champers and some healthy juice to start. The flight attendant came by and kept offering more top ups and I did not refuse. 🙂




The flight was delayed for a bit but eventually we were underway.












Round 4 was served shortly after takeoff.





The window covers were closed to allow everyone to sleep for a few hours and breakfast was served closer to landing.




For breakfast, I went with the omelette again and was delicious.




An hour to landing, we were treated to fantastic views.












The plane taxi-ed all the way to the end of the runway, turned around and taxi-ed back to the stand. The 09:15am EK flight was just departing and was behind schedule.








All F and J class passengers disembarked first while Y was held back. We got onto a bus that took us to the immigration hall. Customs/Immigration was super quick as we were first in line and processing took a couple minutes. For all tourists entering the Maldives, a health declaration form had to be submitted within 24 hours of departure. The declaration was an online form that required a photo, PCR test results and proof of vaccine attached to it. Once submitted, a QR code was generated immediately. When our passports were scanned, the information showed up on the officer’s screen (yes, I snuck a peek).

While immigration was quick, our bags took a while to come out (specifically mine). Once collected, we walked out and was met by the St.Regis Maldives representative.

injian

The St.Regis Airport butler was waiting outside and greeted us all by our names. He escorted us to the Trans Maldivian Airways check in area where he completed all the formalities for us. All luggage and carry on bags were weighed to ensure weight requirements were met (20kg for luggage and 5kg for carry on).



We were then escorted to the car waiting to take us to the lounge.



Once seated inside the car, we were offered cold towels and was given access to wifi.



It would take 10 minutes from the airport to the lounge.



The road went around the outskirts of the airport.



We were escorted inside the lounge and told we could sit anywhere we liked. There was another couple already in the lounge.





















One of the other butlers came by to introduce herself and gave us an iPad with a food and beverage menu.



The Mrs and Junior were in a sweet tooth mood because vacation. 😀



We were then shown a welcome video from our resort butler Akram. Every guest at the St.Regis gets a butler to take care of their needs.



I went to use one of the shower rooms to freshen up.







The staff then surprised the Mrs with a birthday cake and sang for her. She was pleasantly surprised.




After an hour of relaxing, we were notified that our flight was ready and we were driven in a shuttle van for 30 seconds to the airport terminal.






Our tickets were scanned and we were told to sit on the left side of the waiting area. Every few minutes, one of the seaplane staff would come in and announce boarding of a seaplane for specific resorts. After 10 minutes of waiting, an announcement was made for the St.Regis and 2 other resorts which I did not hear.



We were then escorted outside to our seaplane. Our names were crossed off the manifest as we boarded the plane.




Our chariot.



Everyone was asked to sit in specific rows so as to ensure proper balance of the plane. We sat in the third row. Along with the two pilots, there was also a cabin steward who gave us the lightning round safety demo – “Here is the emergency door, lifevests are under your seat, do not smoke.”










Up, up and away.










The engines are pretty loud but not loud enough that it hurts your ears. After 40 minutes, we landed at the resort and docked at a pontoon. The resort boat took us the rest of the way to the main dock. Our luggage was handled by the staff and we did not see it until we got to our room.

dcmike

Going in February and this is getting me totally excited!

Davvidd

Yes it is extremely full in Maldives right now. Expect delays on arrival with aircraft holding for more than 45 mins too. There has been a circular out for airlines from the airport to expect extra long holding times. The main reason is they still have a single runway and no taxiway and to makes matters worse all domestic land based flights are based on the International flights.

injian

Our butler Akram was waiting for us on the pontoon and welcomed us when we stepped out of the seaplane. It was a fairly quick ride over to the main dock where the St.Regis staff were waiting to welcome us.











Junior was ridiculously over tired but the moment he stepped off the boat and onto the golf cart, it was like he got an energy boost and perked up.

Rejuvinating coconut water.



Akram drove us around the property and gave us a quick tour before driving us to our overwater villa.










To the left of the overwater villa boardwalk, was the beach and the Whale Bar. To the right was beach villas.










We drove past this dock. You can see the John Jacob Astor villa in the back.






We stopped at villa 514 and were escorted inside.



Each villa had two bikes allocated for use around the island. There was one even for Junior.




Inside was another surprise for the Mrs and she was over the moon. Her response was “Now I know how it feels when all the Marriott hotels give you attention because of your status!” 😀



As you enter the villa, there is a liquor cart to the left wall and a writing desk to the right.




Behind the desk was the minibar and a fridge.




The closet is immediately to the left of the entrance door.



Through the closet is the bathroom of which exists in my dreams.













Bed and Living area.






The outside deck.








Stairs leading down to the water.




We were given a bottle of champers as a welcome gift.



A lovely bubble bath was also laid out for the Mrs.



And delicious sweet treats.



Junior was given a plushie as a gift.



Once the tour was completed, Akram completed the billing formalities. After he left us, we decided to stay in the room for the rest of the day. We spent time in the pool for most of the afternoon and eventually got room service for dinner.

Ordered Fish Tikka (top right), Chicken Biryani, Chicken Satay and Nasi Goreng. Accompaniments were provided with no charge. Everything was delicious.



We went to bed fairly early …



… and woke up to a spectacular sunrise.



Next post is up on the blog.