Conrad Maldives- any experiences or questions?

[daveozsydney]

Hey Cynicor - i'm guessing you're referring to this thread from the citi-KF/VA thread.

any updates from your recent visit?

cheers

ha ha - found it from there too!

 

[Cynicor]

Hi guys. Sorry, don't like dragging threads too OT.

This stay was as good or better than the last, apart for the ongoing destruction of the reefs by tourists. Please, if you can't swim or snorkel well, stay off the coral and keep to the deeps!

New restaurant Ufaa is nothing special, I feel. In AU we have good access to fine Chinese (and cheaper too). The new gym gets pretty hot at sunset.

Always recommend the Fondue for a decent feed and evening. Ithaa is a must do, I recommend the dinner over lunch because of the menu and the ambient temperature/light that streams in at lunch.

Upgrade in advance if you want something specific. The more you want it the earlier you should email them, but I suggest best prices are around a month out. There is a massive thread on Flyertalk that is quite informative, in between the argy bargy.

This stay I had a beach villa (not tried one before) and a base overwater villa instead of the Superior water villa. Prefer the base ones because the plunge pool is unheated instead of a heated spa in the superior.

Any specific questions?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

if you can't swim or snorkel well, stay off the coral and keep to the deeps!

Ah....I suspect that there is a flaw in your suggestion.

 

[boomy]

This stay was as good or better than the last, apart for the ongoing destruction of the reefs by tourists. Please, if you can't swim or snorkel well, stay off the coral and keep to the deeps!

I know what you mean, noticed the same thing when we were there, however it may have more to do with culture rather then swimming skills. On a recent stay at Conrad Koh Samui we went snorkelling with the local crew and to our disbelief they actually encouraged us to stand on the corals if we felt like taking a brake while in the water. Further more, one of the local guides was conveniently standing and sometimes waking in the reef while we were swimming. Coming from Australia it was shocking to see that.

 

[diningdecadence]

How does the house reef compare to say GBR? Otherwise in terms of coral and wildlife? Should I temper expectations?

And did you do any excursions/ paid activities this time round?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

This stay was as good or better than the last, apart for the ongoing destruction of the reefs by tourists. Please, if you can't swim or snorkel well, stay off the coral and keep to the deeps!

I can't agree more! We were horrified at the number of people that would pick up coral and even move it out to the beach. The reefs are to look at not break up into tiny pieces! What is so difficult to understand about that concept?

I also agree about Ithaa. We only got in for the morning tea (I think it was) as we didn't book early enough and to be honest, it was ordinary. Apart from the bragging rights that "we've done it", the memory that remains with us can be summed up in three words..... hot, crowded, stingy. Sitting down for a meal would be much nicer and at night would be the pick. I think overall though, Ithaa is expensive for what is really not a great restaurant (aesthetically, can't comment on the food) and it possibly just boils down to whether the "we've down it" concept is worth it for you.

We tried three different accommodation types; the beach villa, the deluxe beach villa and the premier water villa. In my mind, the deluxe beach villa was the pick. Don't get me wrong, they were all superb. The beach villa was exceptional (when compared to so many other resort rooms we've enjoyed), the premier water villa was simply awesome in every aspect......but, the deluxe beach villa was (for us) the pick. The reasons were 1) the location, on the main resort island, they are close to most of the activities (as opposed to the premier water villa which is stuck out miles from anywhere, really); 2) the size, this villa (it is far more than a room, it's a destination in itself); 3) the facilities within the villa, beautiful spa in it's own gazebo, excellent private plunge pool plus all the usual expectation of such a quality room; 4) the access to the beach, straight out in front; 5) the privacy, even with the excellent beach access, the privacy of these villas have been maintained by well positioned vegetation (as opposed to the premier water villa where the outdoor areas offer little or no privacy, but stunning views).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

How does the house reef compare to say GBR? Otherwise in terms of coral and wildlife? Should I temper expectations?

And did you do any excursions/ paid activities this time round?

House reef is Ok, especially given it's convenience to your accommodation but when comparing to GBR, perhaps compare it with GBR touristy reefs like Green Island, nice but not stunning. Don't try to compare with say Opal Reef or Michaelmas Cay.

Depending upon the time you're there for, I'd suggest definitely doing some excursions. Swimming with the wale sharks was excellent, Island hopping and snorkelling was fun, and jet skiing to other deserted Islands and then snorkelling there was also fun (and well worth the costs IMHO), but don't try to do too much. We originally had 1/2 day tours booked for just about every day and ended up cancelling some of them as we found we wanted time just to chill out on the island!

 

[Cynicor]

Ah....I suspect that there is a flaw in your suggestion.

No, there is no current on the house reef and they give you life jackets.

I'd prefer people drown than destroy the reef, but that's just me.

 

[Cynicor]

The house reef that most people get to isn't spectacular for coral, but has amazing wildlife In the shallows and deep.

I couldn't get in the water without seeing a few reef sharks. Turtles every day, heaps of morays and rays too.

If you are more confident you can go out to the reef further up towards the end of the island, about another 500m-1km past the last villas (400-414+) and the coral gets better.

 

[Cynicor]

I know what you mean, noticed the same thing when we were there, however it may have more to do with culture rather then swimming skills. On a recent stay at Conrad Koh Samui we went snorkelling with the local crew and to our disbelief they actually encouraged us to stand on the corals if we felt like taking a brake while in the water. Further more, one of the local guides was conveniently standing and sometimes waking in the reef while we were swimming. Coming from Australia it was shocking to see that.

The staff here are very good, it's the guests lack of education around reef etc mainly. The hotel actually fined a guest for reef destruction whilst I was there

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The house reef that most people get to isn't spectacular for coral, but has amazing wildlife In the shallows and deep.

This was my impression as well. Also just walking along the beach, the many little reef sharks and fish was just wonderful.