The Waldorf Astoria Maldives will be opening as of July 1, 2019, and looks spectacular. Based on their current pricing, this will by far be the most expensive Hilton property in the world.
Continue reading: Waldorf Astoria Maldives: Transfer Costs, Breakfast, Upgrades, And More
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Is the breakfast a continental one with egg salad etc costing extra or the same buffet breakfast as everyone else?
Is that $862 per person or per room (i.e. for 2 people)?
I hope youre disputing the increase in price if the website was different when you booked.
Was deciding between this and the Conrad on a points booking. The cost of the transfer is just significantly more and if food prices wind up in the same basket, I think I'll save the extra 100k points from a 5 night booking and enjoy an overwater villa at the Conrad. I get the point that the WA is supposed to be ultra lux/exclusive, but there's a point where it just becomes too much. To each their own though.
There were some pictures when this resort was first announced showing a room with a bedroom below water -- see the last picture here: http://maldives.net.mv/21175/waldorf-astoria-to-return-to-maldives-in-2019-with-waldorf-astoria-maldives-ithaafushi-resort/
But I don't see that in the pictures on the hotel's website, I guess it got scrapped? That seemed like a really cool and unique idea (although also maybe kind of claustrophobic).
Realistically, the cost difference for 5 nights between the 2 is 125000 points so 475000 at the Conrad vs 600000 at the Waldorf. For that much, I think the cost difference in points is rather insignificant. Both aren't going to come cheap when it comes to any expense (food, spa etc) and you aren't spending real money to stay there other than boat transfers, food and activities. There's no resort fee as far as I can tell. Considering that 5 night stay would cost you upwards of $16000. Dropping a 1/4 of that for the same experience is a good value.
Traveling the world and staying at nice hotels does in fact open the mind to a better understanding how to appreciate life and opens doors to infinite possibilities.
@ Sean -- Sorry, wasn't disputing that, my point is that I think the Conrad Maldives will be much cheaper for everything else. Most people going to the Maldives want to spend at least some time in an overwater villa, so that's $500 per night cheaper at the Conrad, since you don't need to upgrade to that. I'd also guess that most activities, food, drinks, etc., will be at least 50% more expensive at the Waldorf Astoria.
So I'm not trying to suggest people shouldn't go to the Waldorf, but rather that many people would probably save hundreds of dollars per day, in addition to the points, if staying at the Conrad.
If they boat transfer is this expensive, what’s the upside of that?
Might as well go with Park Hyatt and get a better sea.
I've been planning for a while a trip to Conrad Maldives water villa. I'm a bit short of the points required for 4 night with 5th night free. But I could easily remedy that by upgrading my Apsire to Ascend and get the bonus. Should I try to do this now at 95,000 per night. Any risk that they will raise point requirement later?
@sung .I cant say for certain but I'm fairly confident that the Conrad Rangali Maldives will be the first to move up to the 120000 category ( Or somewhere in between 95-120K ) . As SAii Lagoon Maldives is maxing out at 95000 points and is half the price of the Conrad I think its inevitable there will be an increase at the Conrad soon maybe maxing out at 120K with low season at 95K . Unlike other chains where they have an annual review and announce changes, Hilton just seem to be changing maximum requirements throughout the year as it suits them . I would be looking at securing at 95K asap
FYI Lucky, I heard back from the hotel that they're honoring the $370++ transfers roundtrip. Not sure if you had to book with that language in the confirmation (I did), but at the very least they are honoring it for existing bookings that raise the question over email.
And a bit nitpicky here, but the upgrade rates I was quoted matched the standard rate differences exactly... I think they do in your writeup too.
Please don't tell me that boat transfer fee is PER PERSON. Cause Maldives or not, that would be outrageous.
I'm also not a fan of this trend of hotels including outdoor space in the square footage of the rooms. 2500 sqft room sounds huge until you realize 1500 of that is outdoor space.
Hmmm.... the talk was that Hilton Honors is a subpar program because Hilton does not offer 'aspirational' (read: expensive) properties. And now that they have one that is quite expensive (in a long list of such properties that already in the pipeline [1]), including the cost of getting there, it is funny to see the reaction. Everyone ought to be jumping up and down at the news!
[1] "Hilton Worldwide Is Set To Become A Force In the Luxury Hotel Market" Forbes Magazine, Dec 6 2018.
Growing organically Conrad and Waldorf now have 63 properties that are open for business with 38 more in the pipeline, likely to open in the next five years, says Martin Rinck, Hilton's global head of luxury.
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Cut ans paste the title of the article in your search engine. A very interesting piece, with a nice historical perspective on why Hilton is just now playing catch-up in the luxury hotel business..and scoring big.
BTW, the room cash rates vary dramatically by season.
For the time of the year I booked my 5-night award stay (straddling New Year day), the $ cost of the introductory villa is $3,296 (yielding, with taxes and fees, a redemption value of 4.2cpp) vs. @Lucky's $2,122 for the same introductory villa, but likely booked for an earlier stay than mine.
is there anything preventing entrepreneurial individuals unaffiliated with the hotel from taking people on their own boat to the hotel? why do waldorf astoria guests have to reserve the round trip boat transfer thru waldorf astoria?
Hey DCS... been reading your posts for years (with amusement sometimes, in a good way)
On the flyer talk thread on this hotel there are some entitled people demanding, threatening legal action even already! They claim an email stating transfer cost is a “contract” and they’ll have em for breach of contract. Generally being somewhat cheap, making noise, already giving point redeemers a bad name.
I’ve been flamed badly for saying cmon guys don’t do this, and branded a troll from hell, which maybe has an element of truth. I was a tad aggressive actually 😉 but cos I’m sick of entitled cheapos making noise and insisting programs give them outsized value always and on their terms.
People jumping up and down, shouting at hotels to give them free stuff just isn’t sustainable and frankly it’s rude. I appreciate the opportunity to do what we do, and am a huge fan of the Conrad Maldives, and mostly Hilton in general.
My main point is the WA Maldives will say “you know what? You’re never happy, point redemptions are 600k... take it or leave it”
And I wouldn’t blame em one bit.
Thoughts? I’m genuinely interested. I wouldn’t be surprised either if you join the camp of I’m wrong and ready for that!
Cheers
@Andy - You just succinctly stated why I avoid FT like the plague. It's a real zoo, where folk thrive on bitching about practically everything under the sun. I have not posted or ready any threads (except when following a specific link) there in many years.
We have a good thing going playing the mile/point game; the antics at FT that you just described could spoil it for us!
Thanks DCS. I was feeling like I was the insane one for a brief moment.
What a shame we have to deal with idiots who think they are the only ones that matter.
All the best to ya
@Greg. Yes, absolutely. Used 2 WE free nights, tagged onto a 5th night free redemption for a 7-night stay there last year. And Gold Elites got free full buffet breakfast for 2.
Thank you, Tracy. My plan is to do exactly the same, 5+2 with my wife. I was thinking about the new Astoria but with the recent boat ride increase I don't trust them anymore. What is the best time to go and are there any additional benefits for diamonds besides the breakfast?
FYI, When I was at the Conrad this past December, they were in the middle of an entire resort renovation. At the time, the regular beach villas have been renovated. They were in the process of doing half of the Deluxe Beach Villas. After those are done, they will work on the water villas. I won't be surprised that the rates and points redemptions will increase by next year.
@Jr - Just get over obsessing with me, will you? It will traumatize your little brain if I should decide to take you head on. Just go away.
If it's basically $1000 per person for a 30 minute boat, then I'd much rather just stay at the Park Hyatt, or Conrad, not that big of a difference. Hell, the St. Regis is probably still better and since both are so outrageously expensive, might as well just go there instead.
Hi All
could anyone send me a copy of the former approximately 400 dollars round trip per person (not single way )
thanks
Hi All again
could anyone send me a copy of the former approximately 370++ dollars round trip per person (roundtrip instead of single way )
thanks
Hi! We’ve just booked the Waldorf on points too and emailed them to ask about arranging our own transfer where they said yes!! We then found an option of $580 return per speed boat (6pax) from https://www.atolltransfer.com/private-speed. This is going to save a ton of money. I was wondering if you’ve heard of this transfer option?
to Faye
True it'll save a lot of money if atolltransfer costs are flat rates per speed boat , not per passenger
Have you pursued this option ?
Has Anybody else ?I'm surprised to read so few info about competition transfer costs
Apparently atolltransfer is charging 650 $ round trip , for a speed boat , 4pax max
you never know !
I'm seeing the option to book two room types in January 2021 for a 10 night stay for 120k points each. One is the reef villa and the other is called the ocean villa. One thing to note is there is no picture for the ocean villa and the cash price is exactly the same as the over water villa. I think it's the same one. I'm also not able to find any reviews for the ocean villa online. Can anyone shed further light?