Review: Park Hyatt Maldives Breakfast & Diamond Cocktails

Breakfast looks good and agree with you that the prices of food and drinks are more than reasonable imo. In fact,I'd say it's even cheaper than most high end hotels in LA.

I appreciate the detailed reports but I'm really not sure we need 5 separate reviews of this hotel that most of us will probably never visit.

I appreciate the detailed reports but I’m really not sure we need 5 separate reviews of this hotel that most of us will probably never visit.

I'm sure we need more of these kinds of trip reports!

If you are not a diamond - how much does breakfast cost?

@Eric

It's included on all stays except on non-Diamond point redemptions.

@Lucky

I think this hotel is on my list for future travel. Thanks so much for the detailed review, especially for covering all the rooms in detail.

@ Eric -- For non-Diamonds on points stays, breakfast is $30++ per person, which isn't half bad for what you're getting, in my opinion.

"only non-Diamond members on points stays don’t receive complimentary breakfast" ... do you realize that this covers something like 95% of your readership? The vast majority of us are not Hyatt Diamonds, nor are we in the price range to pay cash for this place. I'm not usually one to be indignant, but you do realize all that ... right?

@ Luis -- Appreciate the feedback, though for what it's worth I know this is a property many are looking to visit, so I wanted to be as detailed as possible. Totally understand if it doesn't interest you, in which case you can hopefully just skip the post. I don't expect all my posts to be interesting to everyone, though hopefully I can at least make the post titles clear enough so people can quickly tell whether they want to read or not.

@ Andrew -- Definitely not 95% of my readership. If the blog readers I ran into at the resort were any indication (there were about a dozen of them), virtually all of them were Diamond members on points stays. Anyway, I'm just stating facts, so not sure which part of it you take issue with, exactly?

I am going to this hotel 10 days on points and free nights and I had no status. I am completing the diamond challenge in 10 days and that will save me a lot of money. Thank you so much for your reviews and tips for this hotel! Keep them coming please!

Same question as Eric. I bet much of your readership is neither Diamond, nor would pay to stay here, but could very likely stay with points.

how do they police the guests who are not entitled to free breakfast? i have been to similar resorts before and if you act confident you are supposed to get free breakfast, they do not question you... just sayin'. 😉

"While I’m usually easily board"

I'm sure you meant "bored", unless there's a joke about wood in there I'm missing? 😉

I was intrigued by the tuna dish you liked so much, tuna mashuni, and looked it up. Here's the Park Hyatt recipe: http://www.gorgeouslywed.com/2013/03/maldivian-tuna-salad-recipe/

I assume they only used fresh tuna and not canned?

Agree with Andrew on the whole Diamond readership point. So you polled about a dozen guests that you ran into and figure that's a good sample size of your blog readers? Be more off base...you can't.

@ Jacques Lamoreaux -- I'm not suggesting all my readers are Diamond. What I'm suggesting is that WAY more than 5% of my readers who do visit the Park Hyatt Maldives are Diamond. Regardless, I'm not sure I see the issue in the context of what I posted?

@ Craig -- Very cool! Yep, it definitely tasted fresh.

@ wwk5d -- Good catch!

@ Lantean -- For what it's worth, they ask for your villa number when you sit down.

Any place with an affogato menu is good by me!

Thanks for the report - I'd agree with you about reasonability of pricing.

Based on the prices I saw (although I'd be interested in lunch/dinner prices, too), it doesn't seem any more expensive than an upper-end resort on one of the Neighbor Islands in Hawaii.

I will pipe up and say that I stay with points with some regularity at various hotels, but don't have top-tier elite status. I may be exceptional in that regard, but I'm betting that there's a sample bias at work if you're looking at travelers to the Maldives. By nature, if they're not on a group package, I suspect they're more likely to be high-end frequent flyers, because the Maldives are so freaking far away.

Greg

Going soon to the resort, but really appreciate the detailed review of the resort. It helps in terms of planning and knowing what to expect.

Not related to the breakfast, but what watersport activities or equipment does PH Maldives provide for free?

Thanks, Lucky! Looking forward to the further installments of this trip report.

The food looks incredibly delicious! And the presentation is spot on!

Why y'all gotta be so mean to Lucky?

While I was curious about the breakfast price too, I would bet that most of the guests are eating "free" breakfast. With the amount of points that it takes to stay there, there's bound to be mostly Diamonds redeeming points for stays and cash guests get "free" breakfast too.

Thanks Lucky for this detailed report. To all the naysayers, I enjoy this level of detail because it allows me to experience the trip vicariously to some degree. I am a Hyatt Diamond member with plenty of points, but between two conflicting work schedules and finding care for our young children, it's unlikely we will be traveling to the Maldives anytime soon. For now, we're just happy to get out of the house for an evening and trips with the children typically require a second vacation afterwards.

To be fair to Ben - I (a regular reader of this site) might consider staying here. I probably wouldn't, much for the same reason that Ben initially gave i.e. I think that I would be a bit bored after a while (but might also feel a sense of panic that I couldn't leave!) However if I were to spend the small fortune which it costs to stay here (I have no Hyatt status - they aren't big in the UK nor is there a linked credit card here) which again I might do, I would want to know absolutely as much as possible in great detail about the hotel and its associated costs. So whilst it doesn't currently appear in my travel plans, I am grateful for the review. It is exactly the sort of thing I look for on the net when I'm planning to part with hard earned cash.

@lucky are you saying for 30++ you can order ala carte anything and everything on the menu? haha that is quite a good deal.. I like the fact you do not have to deal with a buffet for 30++ that is a STEAL.

Ben,

My first reaction was also to gently chide you for overkill in doing five reviews on one hotel. It feels like a marathon! But after reading your comments and those of others, I can appreciate other perspectives. I also want to complement you again on the quality of your blogging. I've been reading a lot of luxury travel blogs recently while doing some trip planning and yours is head and shoulders above any others I've found. I won't name names! I AM looking forward to your upcoming Cathay business class reviews. I'd echo what some others have suggested - that you should consider slumming more often and flying in J, as that is often all that's available to many of us without much flexibility in making and changing travel plans.

So for two people Hyatt Diamond is saving you $30x2 + $16x2 for the cocktails + tax and tip so let's say about $120 a day. Not a bad return.

Lucky,
Thank you for such detailed trip report! To all the haters, if you don't like the post or if you think it's something that's too far out of reach for ya, feel free to skip it. There are many of us here that appreciate the information and entertainment in reviews like these.
Whoever mentioned that 95% of the readers aren't diamonds and will pay only with cash, maybe you could learn a few things from this blog by paying with C+P, perhaps pick up a status or two through your stay.

Question: does the diamond happy hour drink only allow for one drink/appetizer per room or do you get one for each registered guest to the diamond member's room?

BTW, I found Ben's comments about award staying Diamonds to be interesting from another perspective. It can't be the case that Lucky spoke to every single guest who was staying on points. I really wonder what the percentage of guests on points is, and how profitable that hotel is?

Greg

I'm just curious Ben..do I need to phyisically check-in at a hotel or is it enough to book the stay for the diamond challenge and just tell the hotel via phone that it's just for generating nights?:)

Tom wrote:
"So for two people Hyatt Diamond is saving you $30×2 + $16×2 for the cocktails + tax and tip so let’s say about $120 a day. Not a bad return."

I agree with the $30 x2 and $16 x2 and tax, but not tip. I stayed at the Hilton Bora Bora a couple years ago, and as Hilton Gold, I got free breakfast. I always tipped what I would've tipped had I paid for the breakfast. If you bypass tip just because your breakfast is free, well... that just sucks.

I assume the prices on those menus are USD? That would be cheaper than a mid-range resort in Australia (esp for the cocktails) so I think thats quite reasonably priced.

Hey Ben, just a general question. Would you say that the PH Maldives is pretty well maintained or starting to "show its age"? Thanks!

@Jonathan -- it's one plate and one drink per person per room

@Ben S - yes prices in USD. The ++ is 22% on top though.

@Mike -- I was there in mid-May. I'd say it's VERY well maintained. Pretty immaculate actually. If you read TripAdvisor what people seem to complain about the most is...ants. On a tropical island. Go figure.

@TheBeerHunter

Thanks! I've been to quite a few resorts in Asia, some that have only been open for a year or two and look like they've been open for 10 years. Nice to know the PH knows how to maintain their hard product

Do the guest of honor diamond booking entitle one to same privilege?

I think taking away the food benefits from point stay was a unclassified move by phm.

I am not a Hyatt Diamond, but I read the blog all the same, and I have no issues with Lucky pointing out the perks of a Hyatt Diamond. In fact, I find that informative! And Lucky is stating a fact. A fact that Hyatt Diamonds get those perks. I cannot understand why Lucky should be faulted for that.

So read the Travis vs Nick debate on Hyatt Challenge, and weigh if Hyatt Diamond is worth the cost and trouble, or not. I have status in other chains at the moment and will not take the Hyatt Challenge in the near future, but indeed, if one were to be planning a Park Hyatt Maldives stay on points, and breakfast costing 30*2++ daily, the cost for breakfast for a week for a couple is nearly the cost of the Diamond Challenge, if one can do what Travis has proposed.

Finally, even though I am a reader that is not a Hyatt Diamond, I find nothing wrong with Lucky's post, especially he is just stating a fact, that Diamond receives breakfast benefits.

Whether how many % of the readers are Diamonds are indeed irrelevant, and most importantly, if a post upsets you because you are not a Diamond, or AA Exec Plat (I am not one as well btw), then you should not be reading Lucky's blog.

Sensible words @flyingfish - there seems to be an agenda by some to make out that Lucky is being snobby and is only interested in elites (and reporting for them) which is utter tosh. He's just comprehensively giving out all the facts (Diamonds on points get free breakfast, other point stay patrons don't).

Given that staying at this property is expensive, it makes sense to comprehesively cover all aspects of a stay in a trip report, so people can really figure out if it's worth it to them. That's just good reporting.

And I say this as someone, who after reading these reports, determined that this property doesn't make much sense for me! Just because I ultimately decided it wasn't a good match for me doesn't mean I didn't appreciate a comprehensive report on what a stay entails.

Is there a price list for the bar snacks and/or lunch & dinner menu?

Are there newspapers delivered when the first flight and boat arrive or is all news accessed through the television and internet? I always like reading a real newspaper with breakfast...

@ Paul -- Yep, will try to include those with the next installment.

As far as newspapers goes, that's a good question. I access all my news online so I didn't ask. But I don't recall seeing any newspapers.

@ flyingfish @ Kieran -- Thanks, guys!

@ Blah -- They sure do!

@ Mike -- Agree with TheBeerHunter, thought it was very well maintained.

@ Ben S -- Indeed, plus tax and service charge.

@ Dave -- For what it's worth, there is a service charge which is evenly distributed among employees. While you can certainly still tip at the end of the stay in cash, in practice there wasn't really an opportunity to tip otherwise. In other words, there was nothing you could sign at breakfast, etc.

@ Philip -- You do technically have to check-in.

@ greg99 -- Do keep in mind that in many cases Gold Passport is reimbursing the hotel at close to the average daily rate if the hotel is fairly full. So it's possible that the hotel is partly profitable at the expense of Gold Passport.

@ Jonathan -- Thanks! It's one per guest per room. So if a Diamond has two people registered in their room, they'd get two drinks/appetizers.

@ Mike -- Thanks for the kind words, Mike, and lots of business class travel coming up soon. 🙂

@ Jay -- Yep, and agree it's a good deal.

@Dave, just let me echo Ben's reply to you about tipping in non-U.S. locations. With few exceptions, it's not required, or even appreciated! In Turkey when a colleague of mine wanted to leave a tip over and above the service charge, a local friend chided him, saying it furthered a stereotype of Americans as cluelessly imperialist and condescending. :^/ Seemed harsh, but I see the point.

Tipping in the U.S. is, of course, de rigeur, since hospitality staff are paid with tips in mind. But outside the U.S., even at American-branded properties, tipping is not necessary -- and as Ben said, that's the case even when there's no bill because a meal is included in your rate.

@eric.w I agree it 'spoils the market' when people start to expect tips where it is traditionally not required. But even in the US, I would not tip for a club lounge, especially if it is a buffet, now if I am having an exceptionally good night and the drinks keep flowing or something to that effect, I might leave a tip. Or if it is ala carte for some reason in the club lounge I might leave a 5 or 10 dollar tip if the service was good.

I would most definitely not leave a tip wherever I go in the maldives for example, unless service is exceptional.

I do however always leave a $5 or equivalent tip whenever I have my room cleaned, That does not change, no matter where I am.

Hey Ben,
Always love your reports! Do you happen to know if this resort offers room service ? Part of being on vacation and picking certain ultra-high resorts ( for us) is the availability of room service.

Cheers
RCR

@ Ron R -- Yep, they sure do offer room service, and you can choose from most things on the restaurant menus.

Breakfast for Platinums were $73 US per couple (inclusive of 10% gratuity and GST), for up to 3 ala carte options. We ordered 1-2 ala carte options per person, then ordered a 3rd per person wrapped up for take-away, stored in room fridge which became lunch (Asian options travelled the best). Skipped (bland) dinners half the nights using this approach, as breakfast portions are quite large (all), and very tasty (esp. Asian). The resort could benefit from larger food variety and/or more preparation styles (e.g., grilled food, more seasonings).. Discussions for a new restaurant (possible occupying the closed-off, dilapidated pier beyond villa 51 are underway but no plans have been approved and available capital skeptical)

Hi Ben,
I for one is enjoying your very detailed report on your trip to Maldive, and stay at Park Hyatt. We are planning a 4 night stay in October using points for 2 nights, and my hubby's 2 nights award certificate after applying for Hyatt credit card....awesome! I have Diamond status, and nice to know what perks to expect. Your blog is quite useful in planning & knowing what to expect. Based on your report, we may consider one night stay at OWV...on our last day? If we have a choice, would staying at OWV be best at the beginning, middle or end of our stay?

My advise to others who find your blog too long/detailed....just skip! Lucky has followers who always benefit from his blogs/report, regardless.

Lucky, please continue what you're doing and thank you. Your time & efforts in sharing your opinions and comments from your trips are truly appreciated.

@ Lena -- Thanks for the kind words, and I'm sure you'll have a great stay. Assuming you're not leaving early the last day, I would do an overwater villa for the last night. You don't want it the first night, and ideally don't want to move rooms twice, so don't want it in the middle.

[…] a change at the moment. During my stay this past weekend, we noticed that the tower that both Ben and Gary talk about often, has been discontinued since August 2015. Instead, there is a buffet that […]

Thanks for your review. Would you please post the actual costs of the breakfast items? For example, if one does not want to pay the full buffet price of $37, but instead wants to order oatmeal, what is the cost?

if one just wants to order yogurt, what is that cost?

Maldivian Tuna Curry alone? What us that cost?

I think this is the kind of breakdown of breakfast costs most of us are looking for, please. Many of us don't have an interest in paying $70 per couple for breakfast and would like to know the prices if we just wanted to order oatmeal or maldivian tuna curry alone. These individual costs are not listed on any of their menus.

Same question as Eric. I bet much of your readership is neither Diamond, nor would pay to stay here, but could very likely stay with points.

A la Carte breakfast meals are between ~$16-30. Egg dishes are about $20ish, while oatmeals and porridges were closer to $16ish. Asian dishes were around $20-30ish. Real question though, who can't afford $70 for breakfast for two?