Conrad Maldives- any experiences or questions?

[Deleted member 29185]

Is that what you meant, or have I missed the point? Sorry!

That was exactly what I meant. Thank you. I realised all sundry costs would be ++ but I had a sudden uneasy feeling that they may try to add ++ to the prepaid room rate . Good to know that is not the case. So the 8% is a service charge first and the 10% is a GST on top of everything including the service charge (a tax on a tax), so they hit 18.8% on everything and probably a US$8.00 per person per night charge for good measure (not a biggie for us, US$168 or US$224 depending on who is going).

On checking the room sizes (and ruling out the 2 x beach suites and sunset water villas as nothing more than a pipe dream), it seems at 300m2, the beach deluxe villas may be the best upgrade to aim for (for us). As you say, many of the OWVs are considerably smaller (still large by hotel standards) and if we work to your negotiated upgrade rate (63% of web prices) I estimate they'd ask about US$353/night to upgrade from 150m2 to 300m2 with a private plunge pool. As much as my Scottish ancestry fights that notion, I'm thinking it may be worth it.

As for the underwater restaurant, if it's US$195/person than I'm happy......I thought it was about US$300/person :shock:.

OT but I've been thinking of buying a prescription mask as well as I'm spending a lot of time in an area with some nice snorkelling reefs. Any idea of costs and whether they are just a magnified glass or a genuine prescription (of sorts)? Worthwhile?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

that money gets you 5 star service and and no hands out for tips.

So tipping is not expected? Discouraged?

 

[Cynicor]

That was exactly what I meant. Thank you. I realised all sundry costs would be ++ but I had a sudden uneasy feeling that they may try to add ++ to the prepaid room rate . Good to know that is not the case. So the 8% is a service charge first and the 10% is a GST on top of everything including the service charge (a tax on a tax), so they hit 18.8% on everything and probably a US$8.00 per person per night charge for good measure (not a biggie for us, US$168 or US$224 depending on who is going).

On checking the room sizes (and ruling out the 2 x beach suites and sunset water villas as nothing more than a pipe dream), it seems at 300m2, the beach deluxe villas may be the best upgrade to aim for (for us). As you say, many of the OWVs are considerably smaller (still large by hotel standards) and if we work to your negotiated upgrade rate (63% of web prices) I estimate they'd ask about US$353/night to upgrade from 150m2 to 300m2 with a private plunge pool. As much as my Scottish ancestry fights that notion, I'm thinking it may be worth it.

As for the underwater restaurant, if it's US$195/person than I'm happy......I thought it was about US$300/person :shock:.

OT but I've been thinking of buying a prescription mask as well as I'm spending a lot of time in an area with some nice snorkelling reefs. Any idea of costs and whether they are just a magnified glass or a genuine prescription (of sorts)? Worthwhile?

Lunch underwater is 195. Dinner is 280. Both menus are available online, I believe.

I will dig out what they requested with regards to upgrades. Not sure if you should email now, or hold out on them to see if they become in need of standard beach villas. I think your first offer from them will be 400USD++ for the upgrade to a deluxe beach, and they may not negotiate.

I am doubtful they will charge the $8, unless it is a new tax, but they will want to charge for breakfasts, as I've mentioned.

My prescription mask has +2 and a +3 lense, and is a Tusa Liberator plus, the plus is the model that takes other lenses. I actually have 2 now, as I forgot mine so on the way to Thailand last week I quickly bought one during my 4 hour stopover. I love them, but it depends how blind you are. I don't even remember snorkelling without one anymore, but it means you can see things out of the water as well as in it, such as when trying to find your boat, out of all the other speedboats.

I think it comes down to how bad your vision is. My astigmatism on the left is quite bad, so anything helps, even though the lenses are't true to my prescription.

My latest set with basic snorkel cost $260 SGD, as I didn't have time to negotiate and just needed a set
It works brilliantly, at least.

 

[Cynicor]

So tipping is not expected? Discouraged?

While is is not actively discouraged, and every slip you sign will have a tip section, it is not pushed and I never felt any imperative to tip, nor any pressure from the staff.

I feel the 10% service charge should cover the wages to a good extent, and this seems to be the general feeling even on flyertalk, the bastion of American travellers and tipping.

 

[drdpr]

Finished my 3rd stay here and great as always. It is +10% SC and +8% GST on top. Tax on alcohol (as like many countries) is way more like 50%, hence the expensive nature of drinks (wine, beer etc) in Maldives. I have noted this time I did not received points on the service charge. I reviewed the T&Cs (HHonors Terms & Conditions) and I can not see where the 10% SC is not part of the folio charges. Quite frankly it is complete BS NOT to get awarded as this is simply to pay the staff so how is this supposed charge any different to the main component. I complained to hhonors email stating clause 9 "Any applicable federal, state or local taxes, including, without limitation, city occupancy tax, are not considered "eligible folio charges" and will be omitted for purposes of point accrual for hotel stays." makes no mention of SC. Again just yet another convenient means of avoid/devaluing by 10%. Also we had some internal discussions with other diamonds over the "free" drinks, whether the rates given on Hilton website are inflated over the package deals/tour deals. I meet a Danish family and they travelled with 2 kids (5/7yo), had the beach deluxe villa and half board (breakfast and dinner $75/adult 35/child/day value), including return flights came out to total of 12k$. So I back calculated the estimated rate of ~ $920 and sure was a lot less than the web site rate for same room (~$1300).

 

[froggerADL]

So the 8% is a service charge first and the 10% is a GST on top of everything including the service charge (a tax on a tax)

How is a service charge a tax? It is a charge for service. A tax is paid to a government. A service charge is not paid to a government. Therefore, it is not a tax on a tax, it is a tax on a service charge.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

How is a service charge a tax? It is a charge for service. A tax is paid to a government. A service charge is not paid to a government. Therefore, it is not a tax on a tax, it is a tax on a service charge.

You are right of course. I did notice this faux pas of mine, but was too late to edit!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

have noted this time I did not received points on the service charge. I reviewed the T&Cs (HHonors Terms & Conditions) and I can not see where the 10% SC is not part of the folio charges. Quite frankly it is complete BS NOT to get awarded as this is simply to pay the staff so how is this supposed charge any different to the main component. I complained to hhonors email stating clause 9 "Any applicable federal, state or local taxes, including, without limitation, city occupancy tax, are not considered "eligible folio charges" and will be omitted for purposes of point accrual for hotel stays." makes no mention of SC.

Did HH reply? I think you make a very valid point and one they would surely struggle to argue!

As for the charges on the site, would varying exchange rates be the difference?

 

[Cynicor]

Woohoo.
200000 points posted now. That's almost 8 more nights in niseko for free!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Woohoo.
200000 points posted now. That's almost 8 more nights in niseko for free!

Obviously not all from the Maldives! (Unless you were a big spender) Did you happen to get points on the service charges?

Off for a bit of skiing? Coincidentally, we're also planning a Niseko Village redemption as the points redemption looks OK and we're keen to ski Japan. Perhaps Jan. 2016. (My biggest problem is wanting more holidays than time permits)

 

[serfty]

Obviously not all from the Maldives! (Unless you were a big spender) Did you happen to get points on the service charges?
...

I thought 100K points was the maximum earn from a single "stay" - unless that's on base points ... [+ 50% Diamond Bonus + 50% My-Way bonus = 200k]

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I thought 100K points was the maximum earn from a single "stay" - unless that's on base points ...

I'm not sure..........I don't expect to ever reach that mark!

 

[Cynicor]

All the Maldives stay.

100k is the base points limit for a stay, so you cannot make Diamond in a single stay, unfortunately. Anyone who is likely to be in this situation should checkout and clear the bill then re-check in!

Under the current promotion, a Diamond with a 4+ night stay could earn 501k points at max spend!

 

[Cynicor]

Niseko is better points value in Feb, as it is "peak" in Jan and at 60k a night. Feb is only 30k and will stretch you stay to double time!

I'm there this Jan-Feb and probably there next year too. Will keep going til I get bored of the area or lose Diamond!

 

[drdpr]

Yes they did. This is all they said:

"With regard to your stay at the Conrad Maldives, our records indicate that correct folio total was credited for your incidentals, as taxes and service charges care deducted for the purposes of calculating Base Points.

To view your stays online please visit Hilton HHonors | A Hotel Rewards Program and sign on to your account using your HHonors number and PIN. You may view your posted stay details under My Points by clicking the 'All Points Activity' link.

If there is anything else we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact us. For immediate assistance, please click on the link below for the contact number of the Hilton Worldwide Service Center location nearest you."

 

[Deleted member 29185]

service charges are deducted for the purposes of calculating Base Points.

I haven't checked myself, but you say there is nothing in the T&Cs to support this statement? Even logic suggests service charges should accrue points (base and bonus) as let's face it, the entire folio (except taxes) is basically a service charge.

 

[Cynicor]

I've found that if you challenge things enough, eventually you get a sensible answer.

My first reply for my claim on Maldives points was that it was a non-participating hotel in the latest promotion.

Bollocks, I replied.

Second reply stated that my 1 night stay was not eligible.

Bollocks, I said again, as I had a 5 night stay, quite clearly from my bill. It wasn't my fault the hotel split it into 4 nights and 1 night for some reason.

Last reply said sorry for the time it took, and here're your points.

If you feel bored, push the issue. Include the relevant section from the t+c and ask them for proof. Involve the FTers too. I can smell a class action!

 

[drdpr]

They conceded they were in the wrong...

"Thank you for your reply regarding stay credit. I apologize, as there are only 'service charges' references for Event Planner Program and Gaming Chip rewards.

Now for reward stays using a standard reward, you will earn base points and tier bonus points for all eligible charges. After review, your stay is now adjusted including the xx_ amount.

If there is anything else we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact us. For immediate assistance, please click on the link below for the contact number of the Hilton Worldwide Service Center location nearest you.

 

[drdpr]

"It wasn't my fault the hotel split it into 4 nights and 1 night for some reason."
Yes I have noted this with the Conrad Maldives, I have yet to get a correct summary of my HHonors points after 3 stays. Especially so if you break the stay into multiple confirmations. This time as it was all one it was on their part done ok except for the SC. I strongly urge all to throughly check their points balance on completion of the stay. At check-out make sure they add the flights and consolidate the bill to one. This makes life much easier post stay to clear up any errors. A Happy New Year to all AFFs

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I strongly urge all to throughly check their points balance on completion of the stay. At check-out make sure they add the flights and consolidate the bill to one.

Princess Fiona made a post just recently about the folio consolidation pitfall and my +1 has been caught out by this as well (albeit for multi rooms). Congratulations drdpr on your win! May I ask, are the MLE-CONRAD connection flights genuinely OK for points accrual?