Maximizing Miles in the Maldives: Cathay First, Eating in Singapore, and a Park Hyatt Water Villa – Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa:

  1. Introduction
  2. Positioning flights to San Francisco, Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, and Some Dim Sum for the Day
  3. Cathay’s New San Francisco Lounge
  4. Cathay Pacific First Class, San Francisco – Hong Kong
  5. The Wing and Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Singapore
  6. A Grand Suite at the Grand Hyatt Singapore
  7. Eating in Singapore
  8. Dinner at Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands
  9. Singapore Airlines Business Class: Singapore – Male
  10. Transfer to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives
  11. Park Hyatt Maldives – Part I
  12. Park Hyatt Maldives – Part II
  13. Park Hyatt Maldives – Part III
  14. Maldivian, Kaadehdhoo – Male
  15. Singapore Airlines Business Class, Male – Singapore
  16. Cathay Pacific Business Class, Singapore – Hong Kong
  17. Conrad Hong Kong
  18. Cathay Pacific First Class, Hong Kong – Chicago
  19. American’s Chicago Flagship Lounge and the Final Journey Home

Service here is very friendly and very good. Far from perfect, but much better than I’ve experienced in French Polynesia. Excursions are pricey, but spa treatments aren’t especially so. This isn’t Thailand, but they charge about $120 for a treatment which under a special was for 90 minutes instead of 60.

At the gym, with brand new equipment, the treadmill was connected to the internet. No one was ever there.

There were complimentary yoga classes, the woman leading the classes would wait in the yoga room in case guests turned up, usually they didn’t.

The main pool was equally deserted most of the time.

Each evening we would receive a complimentary dessert item delivered to our room along with a sheet showing upcoming resort activities, one night there was a manager’s reception on the beach with complimentary snacks and drinks, they advertised excursions which were by far the most expensive proposition at the resort, excursions may run several hundred dollars per person.

Here’s the beach from the villa walkway:

They offered fishing, cruises to the equator, and other adventures but without those sorts of activities and if you prefer snorkeling (free — although no snorkel equipment is in the room, you have to pick it up from the hotel) over diving you really don’t run up significant bills. And you can walk straight down off your villa into the water to snorkel..

Our host told us that each evening we were entitled to a ‘sundowner’ — evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at sunset. We took those on the beach, it was a perfect way to watch the sun go down, and with the price of cocktails it was nice that they were offered complimentary, apparently a diamond benefit (since internet and breakfast are free for all guests).

Part three of this portion of the trip report, which I will post tomorrow, will focus on the food.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. Wonderful pictures and trip report, as always! When my wife and I have time to finally go over there, your detailed report will be invaluable in our trip planning. Thanks!

  2. How fast was the internet access? I know in Koh Samui it was VERY fast…that made sitting by the pool that much better…

  3. I’d like to go there, but I am really no fan of Maldivian seaplanes…wondering if Conrad Maldives, closer to Male, would be comparable…

  4. I second @Dan’s question as to the cost of activities. With these types of resorts–i.e., out in the middle of nowhere–I often wonder if I will get bored after a day or two. What did you do with all the time there?

    Thanks!

  5. I was wondering along the same lines as @Keith. I like to do a lot of sightseeing, etc on vacations. I can’t really tolerate more than a day or two of just going to the beach/doing nothing. You weren’t totally bored after the second day?

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