Conrad Maldives: Overpriced or tropical paradise ? Summary: The $8,000 a night pricetag, lack of attention to details, and aged villa, don’t make up for the tropical beauty, amazing sunsets, incredible service, and warm breezes.
Getting There: From the USA, this is a combination of flights that will total 20 hours. Unless you acclimate in Dubai, you will be jetlagged for most of the week during your expensive stay.
The underwater restaurant and underwater villa experience are incredible, for the price of admission. Some of the most unique experiences you can get in the Indian Ocean.
Superior service from the Conrad staff are consistent throughout its properties, but I suggest staying at a newer resort, such as the Waldorf Astoria, which is closer to Male (the airport of entry into the region).
While I loved the Maldives, the Conrad in Bora-Bora is my pick for worlds top vacation destination experience
Follow us on InstaGram: pepe.g6
@conrad_maldives
Funded by: @ cruisingreview.com
-----
Full Review: Stepping off the seaplane ($500+ per person round trip), one would think you had been transported to paradise. The warm breeze and azure waters immediately invite you to relax. Unfortunately with the $8,000 a night over-the-water-villa charge, your relaxation ends quickly.
Lack of attention to detail, and the aged property, makes you wonder why you’re paying so much. Upper management is courteous at first blush, but quickly to upsell anything, and everything. The resort staff is kind, attentive, and happy to work there (always a good sign for great service and a signature at Conrad Properties).
This is a resort where you can stay a few nights, then move on to another resort. While the breakfast buffet is amazing (both in food quality, presentation, and service), the other food options are limited. If you want healthy or vegan fare, you’ll find your options very limited. Food prices are expensive to outragious, but about what you’d expect for such a remote luxury location.
Ithaa, the underwater restaurant is around $240 per person (drinks not included), and that’s for lunch. Want to dine there? Might think twice about buying that Lambo.
The over-the-water villa was spacious, and had a beautiful plunge pool facing west. Sunsets were amazing. The villa was aged, and showing it. The wood has the five (or older) year aged look about it, and lots of tiles were missing from beautiful infinity pool. Plenty of bottles of Panna water were always provided in the pantry, but we weren’t asked until the last few days we were there (we were there almost a week), what we wanted stocked in the pantry (I had to request items). While there is a a-la-carte snack and beverage list, our pantry items were included. For $8,000 a night, I expected a better selection of snacks, fresh fruit, flowers, etc. This is in contrast to the Conrad Bora Bora (my litmus test for similar experience resort under the same brand). The lack of attention to detail, became a familiar theme during our 6 day stay.
The remote location of our sunset villa, meant long wait times for food, and golf cart transportation. We inquired about bikes (which are offered at most resorts like this, and at the Conrad Bora Bora) but none are provided. It turns out they get that request a lot of guests, so not sure why they don’t provide them (would save staff transportation time and provide a better guest experience).
There seems to be a disconnect between reservations and the day staff. I was charged a duplicate seaplane fee ($3,400) on my bill, which was quickly corrected after I pointed it out. We were initially charged a mandatory $480 per person festive days fee for New Year’s Eve buffet (drinks not included), which I refused to pay (since it was not included, nor mentioned on my large paid-in-advance resort charges). They removed the charges. Nobody likes surprises, and for me, a $2,400 buffet dinner (for our party of six) charge seemed a bit outrageous.
Kids Program: There is a wonderful kids program on site. They even gave the kids a tour of the hydroponics farm (I would have liked to see that) where they grow the resort salad vegetables.
Value: From a scale of one to ten, I give this resort a three (poor) for value for money spent. I should have stayed there a few nights, then tried the Waldorf Astoria for a better experience.
Summary: For the money, I’d stay at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives which is a new property. It is closer to Male (arrival airport) and a new resort. Prices are equivalent, but a better value at the new resort. Until upper management starts to value the customer experience over profit, I’d avoid the Conrad Maldives, and head straight over to the Waldorf Astoria.
0 Comments