130-Villa Hyatt Regency Maldives Opening In 2027, With Regency Club

Hey Lucky, I understand there’s a lot of interesting news today as there was with Southwest yesterday, but it would be really nice if you could share your experiences flying Copa Airlines’ 737 MAX 9 lie-flat business class before the weekend starts and the flow of articles starts to trickle.

I’m especially eager to hear your experience given that your last attempt to fly it, in September 2022, ended up in two extremely old 737-800 products with zero connectivity or entertainment, so I trust that this time the only truly all-Boeing Star Alliance member didn’t disappoint with its ‘Dreams’ product. Thanks and sorry for the trouble! 🙂

@ VT-CIE -- I promise the post is coming today! Working on it as we speak... thanks for the interest!

I recently stayed at the Alila Maldives. Property is gorgeous with some quirks in the room (namely - only outside bathroom and shower for the island villas). Service was kind of meh, expected a lot more and it was just so so...

Considering the quality of the island itself is a factor in Maldivian properties, based on my experience, I'd disagree with the assertion that Hilton/Marriott are winning in the country.

Between Conrad, St R, WA, and PH, I think PH takes the cake. The island of Hadahaa is truly special and spectacular, and its seclusion from the rest of the world gives it a solid edge, vs the larger properties Hilton/Marriott sport.

Obviously a Reef Villa at the W.A is peak for a standard redemption.

And we all have our personal preferences. I certainly would jump at the chance to visit both Conrad and W.A again- were my vacation days unlimited. That said, I will actively avoid Marriott, and in particular the St. Regis Maldives. (unfamiliar with Ritz, Alila, Hilton Amangiri, and J.W)

I spent 7 days at the Alila Kothaifaru earlier this year, (booked with points, paid upgrade to villa). The property was stunning. I found the service to be fantastic and thought the food was quite good. I haven’t been to the Park Hyatt there, but have stayed at several other Park Hyatt locations and many other luxury hotels and can say hands down that was the best service I’ve ever received.

HR Maldives is definitely an interesting choice for branding. I would have thought it'd be branded as an Andaz. But there are mid-level properties from the competition, such as Hilton Maldives and Westin Maldives, so I suppose there is precedent.

How many other properties in the Maldives have you stayed at, though? I see this comparison a lot and it’s kind of meaningless. The Alilas and PH Maldives don’t compare well against real high end Maldives properties (hence they price below the JWM etc, and at a fraction of the likes of RC and WA).

Same thing in e.g. Bangkok when you sometimes see people say ‘the St. Regis Bangkok is amazing!’. I mean yeah, if you’ve only ever stayed in hotels in the US and it’s your first trip to Asia every five star hotel will be amazing, in reality it’s basically a dump at this point by Bangkok standards…

Enjoy your Regency with its kids club, we’ll be over on Kudadoo with the grownups.

@Tom. All top-tier points properties in the Maldives have their pros and cons.

You say PH and Alila doesn't compare well to somewhere like the WA... I disagree. W.A was great, and certainly had a higher luxury factor, but PH still was luxurious, it was more intimate, the island quality was superior and felt more natural.... and it'll be my first pick every time.

Even the Conrad had a ton to offer that the W.A couldn't compare to.

Often depends on what you're after. That said, I'd stay at any of them over the resorts I see frequently advertised in Maldives facebook groups.