I should also update here. Booked for 6 nights in a over water villa for Nov. Also all on points.
That's great. Maybe you can answer my questions after coming back.
I should also update here. Booked for 6 nights in a over water villa for Nov. Also all on points.
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If you have any questions, post them. I've been 3 times and got back only last week from the last visit.That's great. Maybe you can answer my questions after coming back.
If you have any questions, post them. I've been 3 times and got back only last week from the last visit.
Thanks Cynicor. I'm just overexcited that we've booked. That was a decision made after having watched a number of Youtube videos in a week, plus reading about the "No news, no shoes" motto in the Maldives. And now just waiting for my partner to confirm his leave. So here are my questions:
1. Shoes. You've answered my question. I'm surprised that most are wearing shoes as the photos posted on Tripadvisor and other places show otherwise. Also, as I've mentioned, on the Conrad website, it says "bare feet are encouraged." So obviously the people are not heeding the advice!
2. I've read that while Maldives is a Muslim country, but is the resort and the staff are gay friendly. Did you see any gay couples around?
3. People mention that the underwater restaurant should be booked well ahead of arrival. How far ahead would you recommend?
4. Which free and paid activities would you recommend? I read that there's a tour going to a village to another island.
5. What is the tipping situation like? How much and how often?
6. Is 10 days too much - 5 in beach villa and 5 in over water villa?
7. Is there any shopping?
8. Which restaurant is the best and why? The dinner for the first 5 nights will be at Atoll Market as it's part of the package,
That's all for now.
It's hot in the sun and you're still walking around on the open ground. Shoes make a lot of sense, they just aren't compulsory (and not allowed in Ithaa, and not sensible on the beach dinners). Most people wear shoes for foot protection and this place is no different. They aren't encouraged either. It's nothing. No one talks about shoes at all.
The resort is gay agnostic. I haven't seen anything pro- or anti- gay. There were openly gay couples there and it seemed fine to me but no idea what they thought.
Depends on your luck. We had Ithaa to ourselves but it was booked solid all the days prior and the day after. So go figure! The first time I went I booked 2 days out and the second time about the same. Depends when you go and how much you want to dine there. Max 3 weeks out, I'd say.
Local village tour was simple but nice enough. Good to see at least. Do other tours as you fancy. No real need to do anything. The whale shark tours are a bit of a mad rush with lots of boats around so may be worth avoiding and doing in AU. Benefit is that you are very likely to see one and it's a great place to do it for the sea conditions.
No tipping. I didn't get out my wallet until the airport- KFC there is great.
10 days is enough but that depends on you. What will you do, what do you like to do? Too hard to answer.
No shopping. Well, 3 "boutiques" or so. But basically no. Not sure what you'd want to buy there, it's not NYC.
Best depends on tastes. I wouldn't eat at Atoll 5 nights running, package or not. I'd use that time to eat everywhere. The lobster and champagne is probably the best if you drink (ruinart). The fondue is decent too and is cheap and simple. Room service is nice. So too hard to say.
Thanks for the detailed reply. The heat doesn't bother me too much as I'm used to walking around barefoot all the time outside of work. Really looking forward to it and wanting to see if the water is really that blue.
Ok, I've taken the plunge and booked the first trip ever to the Maldives in January/Feb.
5 nights in BV on cash and 5 nights in OWV on points. Is that too many? The cash part is a package and includes the seaplane transfer, dinner and 30 mins spa treatment.
From Conrad's website, it says "Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants are open-air and have sea views. The dinner dress code is smart-casual and bare feet are encouraged."
Is that really true? From the pictures I see, every one is basically barefoot in all restaurants and everywhere else. If so, I'll be in heaven.
Thanks Cynicor. I'm just overexcited that we've booked. That was a decision made after having watched a number of Youtube videos in a week, plus reading about the "No news, no shoes" motto in the Maldives. And now just waiting for my partner to confirm his leave. So here are my questions:
1. Shoes. You've answered my question. I'm surprised that most are wearing shoes as the photos posted on Tripadvisor and other places show otherwise. Also, as I've mentioned, on the Conrad website, it says "bare feet are encouraged." So obviously the people are not heeding the advice!
2. I've read that while Maldives is a Muslim country, but is the resort and the staff are gay friendly. Did you see any gay couples around?
3. People mention that the underwater restaurant should be booked well ahead of arrival. How far ahead would you recommend?
4. Which free and paid activities would you recommend? I read that there's a tour going to a village to another island.
5. What is the tipping situation like? How much and how often?
6. Is 10 days too much - 5 in beach villa and 5 in over water villa?
7. Is there any shopping?
8. Which restaurant is the best and why? The dinner for the first 5 nights will be at Atoll Market as it's part of the package,
That's all for now.
Yes, the water really is that blue and the sand really is that white .
It’s almost 10 years since our visit to Rangali, but still remember every minute of it. It’s the only place I’ve ever been which was EXACTLY like the pictures in the travel brochures. We stayed in a superior water villa, and absolutely loved it. We did go barefoot most of the time - the only time we wore “shoes” was during the middle of the day when we’d have to wear thongs (or flip flops, depending where you’re from LOL) as the wooden walkways and the bridge would get extremely hot to walk on.
We are heading back to Rangali for the 2nd time in September (Last trip was end of 2016).
1. You will be fine with no shoes especially in the morning and night, the walkways will get quite warm during the day so thongs are fine the sand never got too hot to walk on.
2. I have no personal experience but I would expect there will be no problems but discretion may be advisable in the public areas to avoid causing offence to local staff (the same should be said for straight couples).
3. If you have your hear set in Ithaa I would book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. There is no real advantage to booking late. We only did the coughtail hour which was enough for us. I would rather spend the money elsewhere during our stay.
4. If you have Gold/Diamond status then the coughtail/afternoon tea is a good option. The fish feeding at Mandhoo is also worth going to at least once.
5. There is no need to tip, a 10% service charge is included in everything which does get distributed to staff.
6. 10 days is not too much as long as you are happy to relax, swim, read etc there is enough variety in the food offering and activities to keep us occupied. We are only going back for 5 nights but that is because of it being part of a larger 1 months Europe trip. It is up to you but I would enquire about the upgrade cost to a Deluxe Beach Villa and either a Superior or Deluxe water Villa (these two are both on the sunset side). Alternatively request a Water Villa on the sunset side and your beach villa on the sunrise side.
7. There are only a couple of small shops that are ridiculously expensive. $50 for sunscreen being an example so make sure you pack your own.
8. Best is rather subjective. Ithaa is their most expensive and most unique but you are paying a very large premium for the location.
We found Sunset Grill and Vilu much better value while still having fantastic views. We didn't go to Mandhoo last time but most likely will this time. Ufaaa and Rangali Bar were good reasonably priced (in relative terms) options for lunch. Koko Grill was great but we will probably swap this for one of the beach dinners (Champagne & Lobster or Fisherman's BBQ).
Vilu is much better for breakfast than Atoll if you don't need the massive buffet.
I did a trip report here but unfortunately a lot of the photos are broken.
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That's good to know. I'm not keeping my hopes up on the upgrade as the basic villas are more than adequate.The status upgrade doesn't apply but you may be surprised we received a complimentary upgrade to a DBV and an extra night in the WV last time (back when only the the base BV could be booked on points).
We were offered $90USD per night to the DBV or SWV and $200USD to the DWV.