SAii Lagoon Maldives (Hilton Curio Collection) Opening This Summer

SAii Lagoon Maldives (Hilton Curio Collection) Opening This Summer

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Historically one of my issues with Hilton Honors has been that they don’t have as many premium properties as Marriott and Hyatt, for example, which in many ways makes earning Hilton points less tempting.

However, there’s no denying that they’re really improving in some key markets, and there are quite a few hotel openings I’m looking forward to. The Maldives is one market where Hilton is nicely increasing their footprint.

For years there has been the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, which I’ve heard mostly good things about. However, as I wrote about last April, Hilton will be opening two further hotels in the Maldives this year:

I’ve written in the past about how excited I am about the opening of the Waldorf Astoria, given that it promises to be a great property. However, we don’t yet know what the points redemption options will look like, though I think we’re all hoping it will be bookable for 95,000 points per night (at least for some rooms).

Anyway, I realized I haven’t yet written about the SAii Lagoon Maldives, which started accepting reservations a couple of months ago.

This hotel is supposed to be part of the Maldives’ first-ever integrated leisure and entertainment resort destination.

The hotel will be one of the bigger properties in the Maldives, at 198 rooms. What’s also interesting is that you’ll be able to reach it by speedboat from Male, rather than having to take an additional flight. There are pros and cons to this. On the plus side, it’s cheaper and easier to get to (a transfer is $135 roundtrip), though chances are the surroundings also won’t be as beautiful.

The rates at this hotel are very reasonable by Maldives standards. For example, picking a random date in August, I see pre-paid rates starting at $237 per night.

October is the start of high season, so rates there start at $450 per night.

It looks like the points rates for base rooms range from 78,000 points per night to 95,000 points per night, so in many cases these won’t be a great use of points, assuming paid rates are reasonable. On the plus side, when redeeming points you do get a fifth night free.

The rooms at this hotel look beautiful, but so far we only have renderings, so who knows…

The base room is a “King Sky Room,” described as being 473 square feet and having sea views. Then the premium rooms are as follows, in order of price:

  • King Beach Room, which seems to be the same as the King Sky Room, but with direct beach access
  • King Beach Villa, which has direct beach access and is 645 square feet
  • King Overwater Villa, which is 904 square feet
  • King 2 Bedroom Beach Villa, which is 1,292 square feet, and has direct beach access
  • King 2 Bedroom Overwater Pool Villa, which is 1,292 square feet and has a private pool

The lowest rate I can find for an overwater villa is $687 per night, and the points rates are quite high, given that this is a non-standard room.

I’m not really sure what to expect of this hotel, though it’s certainly one that I’m keeping an eye on. I hope to check out the Waldorf Astoria Maldives when it opens, and will try to visit this property as well, since it’s close by.

One other benefit of staying here is that I imagine the prices for food, beverages, activities, spa treatments, etc., will be significantly lower than at the Waldorf Astoria.

Anyone plan to or interested in checking out the Curio Collection Maldives? What’s your take on this property?

Conversations (6)
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  1. Jonathan Hanley Guest

    Terrible expetience. Saii Lagoon cancelled 3 weeks before our August vacation as resort is not finished. OPEN date us September now. Offered no alternative claiming Hilton Group has no other resorts in Maldivies - lie.

  2. DSK Member

    Actually asked about the Curio last night. It was supposed to open in late 2018. Didn’t happen. It was then changed to an opening date of January 31. Nope. Was told that whatever date the hotel actually accepts guests, give it three more months. It is far from ready now. Maybe they will make June, but who knows?

  3. Russell Michelson Guest

    I've been Diamond for a few years (based on travel), with over 2 million Hilton points now, and also now Platinum Elite with Marriott "bonvoy" through work. Call it Marriott/SPG. Haha. Similar comment, the 4 and 5 star options from the merged Marriott/SPG absolutely blow away Hilton in every city I've been exploring around the US and around the world. Curio is a cool idea, and always seek them out where I can, but Marriot...

    I've been Diamond for a few years (based on travel), with over 2 million Hilton points now, and also now Platinum Elite with Marriott "bonvoy" through work. Call it Marriott/SPG. Haha. Similar comment, the 4 and 5 star options from the merged Marriott/SPG absolutely blow away Hilton in every city I've been exploring around the US and around the world. Curio is a cool idea, and always seek them out where I can, but Marriot has Autograph collection, Luxury Collection Tribute portfolio, etc all on par with or better with more locations than Curio.

    Still a loyal Hiltoner, but they're getting outclassed it feels. With 2 new Hilton properties in Maldives now I get to stress more on which hotel to stay at if/when I make that trip! Nice problem to have though. =)

    Russ M. New Jersey

  4. Matt Guest

    @Daniel. Hilton almost makes it too easy. We're in a similar situation where we won't earn status organically and the Aspire offers true benefits to cardholders. My wife has had her card for 4 months now and it's easily paid for itself. The free night has been redeemed for a $400+ night in Tokyo this summer, we had two rooms upgraded to the Executive Floor on a recent Chicago stay and with the bonus promos...

    @Daniel. Hilton almost makes it too easy. We're in a similar situation where we won't earn status organically and the Aspire offers true benefits to cardholders. My wife has had her card for 4 months now and it's easily paid for itself. The free night has been redeemed for a $400+ night in Tokyo this summer, we had two rooms upgraded to the Executive Floor on a recent Chicago stay and with the bonus promos we're earning 20-25% point returns on the 1 to 2 night stays we'll primarily use it for. That more than justifies the annual fee and doesn't even account for the airline and resort credits. It may be the single most valuable card on the market right now if used properly.

  5. Kate Member

    Hilton working for us. Treating us very well in Malaysia and India. Diamond only by aspire card.

  6. Daniel Guest

    As a mid-tier traveler I am thinking more and more of going all-in with Hilton:

    - They always give me free breakfast
    - They have tons and tons of properties
    - The aspire card is very tempting
    - The Hyatt card has been a bust for me so far (no free breakfast, no upgrades, no chance of getting globalist so “nights” are pointless)

    Aspire looks nice. Real nice.

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The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Jonathan Hanley Guest

Terrible expetience. Saii Lagoon cancelled 3 weeks before our August vacation as resort is not finished. OPEN date us September now. Offered no alternative claiming Hilton Group has no other resorts in Maldivies - lie.

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DSK Member

Actually asked about the Curio last night. It was supposed to open in late 2018. Didn’t happen. It was then changed to an opening date of January 31. Nope. Was told that whatever date the hotel actually accepts guests, give it three more months. It is far from ready now. Maybe they will make June, but who knows?

0
Russell Michelson Guest

I've been Diamond for a few years (based on travel), with over 2 million Hilton points now, and also now Platinum Elite with Marriott "bonvoy" through work. Call it Marriott/SPG. Haha. Similar comment, the 4 and 5 star options from the merged Marriott/SPG absolutely blow away Hilton in every city I've been exploring around the US and around the world. Curio is a cool idea, and always seek them out where I can, but Marriot has Autograph collection, Luxury Collection Tribute portfolio, etc all on par with or better with more locations than Curio. Still a loyal Hiltoner, but they're getting outclassed it feels. With 2 new Hilton properties in Maldives now I get to stress more on which hotel to stay at if/when I make that trip! Nice problem to have though. =) Russ M. New Jersey

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