Hyatt’s Alila Villas brand is developing a new resort in the Maldives, expected to open this fall. That means a new place where we can burn Hyatt points – and of course Hyatt points are easy to get because Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer instantly.
I’ve been to the Park Hyatt Maldives five times. I’ve booked and cancelled trips to the St. Regis Maldives three times. And there’s a new Waldorf=Astoria property there that looks fantastic – but that set a new record for the number of Hilton points required for a standard room.
Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives
Alila Villas is one of the brands Hyatt gained with its Two Roads Hospitality acquisition. Alila began adding properties to World of Hyatt back in June. Ironically the current Park Hyatt Hadahaa in the Maldives opened as an Alila Villas (when they weren’t part of Hyatt).
Now, according to the developer’s website (.pdf), there’s a new Alila Villas under construction.
To get to a resort in the Maldives you first fly to the capital city Male. From there you may need to take a sea plane or a domestic flight followed by a boat. This property is situated nearest the Raa atoll which is served by the Ifuru airport (IFU) although a new closer airport is being developed).
Properties of this sort almost never open on time. Presumably they’re projecting an October open in order to be ready for high season. I’d love to be able to visit next February. If Hyatt follows its current pattern, the hotel should be priced at no higher than 30,000 points per night (category 7).
(HT: bcosinteno)
Did they not have any of the SLH Maldivian properties on their list of bookable hotels at one point? I thought I could recall Barros being on their website and a few others… or am I mistaken
Maldivian reefs are extensively bleached and many are dying, almost as badly as many parts of the Great Barrier reef in Australia.
What’s the point of building these out of the way hotels that take four flights to get to when in 5-10 years the snorkeling will be trash (already the situation in many places such as the Conrad) and the islands themselves will be inundated in 30-50 years?
I’ve been to the Maldives only twice – The Park Hyatt and the Sheraton Full Moon Resort. I suspect the Hyatt might be like many high-end hotels in the Maldives. It is luxurious but isolated. A wonderful place for a honeymoon or special time with someone, but not so much for those wanting to get out of the hotel. Maybe a bit like having a Hyatt on Gilligan’s Island. (The low-rent Sheraton is different because it is only a 25-minute speedboat ride from Male.)
@ Gary — Great, a new Hyatt where they can rip you off on peak awards!
I’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives. I can’t wait to get there some day! Maybe this is where I will stay.