Readers' review: the Conrad Rangali Maldives. "The steal of the century, but even if you use points everything else is (too) expensive."

Another round, another race, another reader's review. Today Giuseppe - whom we thank - takes us to the Maldives, to the Hilton Conrad Rangali if the story sounds like déjà vu to you, it really is because Joseph had already told us how he was able to make reservations.

The purpose of this space is to make it clear how more and more people reading TFC are able to get some things off their chests.

Reservation

The reservation was made through the use of HH points accumulated over the past year from various stays, supported by the purchase of the missing points with the 100% bonus promotion. In total, for 10 days at Christmas at this super resort in the Maldives, we brought home a 28,000$ trip with an expenditure of "only" €1,400.

If you do not have the points and you want to book cash this facility you can take advantage of Hilton Impresario and get double points and free nights, a very substantial savings.

Location

The Conrad rangali is located about 50 minutes by seaplane from theMalé International Airport. Upon arrival at the airport one is greeted by a facility manager who escorts guests to the "terminal" on the water from which all flights to the various resorts depart.

One is escorted to the hotel's reserved lounge. A very polite attendant already does the paperwork in advance to check into the hotel and onto the internal flight. At that time we were the only guests in the facility. Very nice and pleasant buffet.

"Negative" note: Here comes the first sign that it will be a "free" vacation but certainly not a cheap one. The pre-auth required for services and extras is 6,000 USD.

The transfer cost is 675USD per adult, including taxes, and 380USD for children under 12. The feeling is that the price is somewhat charged by the facility.

But alternatives, except for a very long boat ride, there are none. The flight is not direct but makes a stopover at the Lily Beach resort about 15 minutes before arrival at the Conrad. Exciting ditching.

Check-in

Upon arriving at the pier we were greeted with a fresh coconut, water, refreshing wipes and waited in the cooler for our luggage to be unloaded. At this time we were handed our room key and were informed, much to our surprise, that we had received a upgrade To a sunset view watervilla. As I will explain later, this is one of the most beautiful rooms on the "small" island, which allowed us to enjoy the view, privacy and tranquility.

The upgrade issue deserves further discussion. Apart from my wife's delight, I discussed it with the check in clerk because, from Hilton regulation, even with Diamond status is not provided for stays in the Maldives: it was explained to us that it is at the discretion of the facility and, in my case, it weighed both the status and the "presentation" made by the Amex concierge. I mean, it's not due or guaranteed, but it absolutely can happen. We were then escorted by golf car to our villa and were shown the layout of the resort, restaurants, and services. In addition, the "contact person" who will follow the guest throughout the stay leaves his whatsapp contact for any needs, as it happens at the Conrad Koh Samui.

Sunset Overwater villa - Adults Only

As I anticipated we got an upgrade to a sunset overwater villa located in the "small" part of the island. This islet, compared to the larger one, houses a pool area, two restaurants (including one for a la carte breakfast) a gymnasium, and the more "private" villas. In this area of the resort No children or in general under the age of 16 are allowed to enter.

The villa is in very well maintained condition, although it would deserve some sprucing up, in the style already seen at Conrad on Koh Samui. The pool is enjoyable and allows direct access to the lagoon.

Water (filtered) is supplied free of charge throughout the day. The rest, well, gave us the second signal that the stay would not be "cheap."

A packet of chips travels about 25USD. Ultra-stocked bathroom and always very clean. Bathtub with spectacular view and nice spacious walk-in closet.

The rooms, as in any high-end facility, are set up at least 2 times a day.

I benefit Hilton Honors

As I mentioned, and as explained by Matteo in other reviews, benefits in the Maldives working differently And they differ according to status.

As a Diamond in this hotel we received:

• Breakfast of your choice Atoll Market main restaurant (buffet) or Vilu Restaurant (a la carte).
• VIP welcome bottle of wine in villa and fruit basket.
• Afternoon Happy Hour 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Vilu restaurant (choice of a prosecco and a cocktail of the day + a small plate of appetizers)

The benefits are also extended to a guest sharing the same room. In our case we also got the upgrade as I explained in the introduction. But this is a special case.

Wi-fi

Coverage present throughout the resort and speeds around 30mb/s, absolutely enough to work and also entertain. Phone coverage everywhere.

The Resort - Two Islands Two Souls

This resort consists of two islands in one lagoon (and a third where the staff lives). The largest houses the reception, main restaurant, giant public pool, kids club, "big" gym the spa, diving and activity center, overwater villas and beach villas. There are also several restaurants.

It is definitely the most "chaotic," as chaotic as such a large resort can be.

The smaller one, where we were, is definitely quieter and I would recommend it without question. Here there are 2 more restaurants, a second gym, a "detachment" of the main spa and a second smaller pool also adults only.

The pools were not very busy. Maybe a few more people in the main one, probably because they were in rooms without private pools. Otherwise, at least for us, having a private pool effectively excludes the public ones.

But regardless of which island you choose everything is super clean and well-maintained everywhere: there are teams of gardeners who incessantly throughout the day, clean, tidy and sweep.

If you like snorkeling you will find, especially on the big island, a surprisingly vibrant and colorful reef. Free fins mask and snorkel are provided

Christmas in the Maldives

Also for us first experience of a warm Christmas. The resort was very well decorated with an impressive amount of lights on almost every palm tree. The evening effect really beautiful. Upon arrival we were handed the "celebration" program and are politely invited, as I will explain in the "food" section, to book as many dining experiences as possible.

The whole resort changed for the holiday, including menus and activities.Then, on the afternoon of Christmas Day, Santa Claus also arrived with the Jet Ski with attached helpers and elves. A very cute village was set up with refreshments for all guests and gift-giving for all children present. I guess the facility agreed with the parents on the gifts themselves. Really a nice experience, even for the little ones.

As good Italians, we made reservations for Christmas Eve dinner. The buffet was impressive: frankly, I have never seen such an amount of food, variety and choice in a buffet, even in much more expensive and emblazoned restaurants and establishments.

The bill was very steep 420USD + Drinks + Wine + Tax for a total of 620USD. Cost significantly higher than a good starred restaurant in Italy. There is to consider, however, that this is the line for the entire resort (as well as the other Maldivian resorts) and that you are in the middle of the Indian Ocean consuming products that come from all over the world.

Expensive but, overall, acceptable. Very nice evening show with lights, music and dancing.

Food & Beverage

Here is the sore point (along with hiking). The food is varied and of good quality (excellent, not sublime) but it costs a lot and sometimes too much. But there are no alternatives. There are 5 "real" restaurants (meaning structure, cuisine and menu): Atoll Market, Vilu, Ufaa By Jereme Leung, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Sunset Grill. As well as several "special" evenings that rely on, charging substantial extras, the restaurants: Mandohoo Spa, Cheese & Wine Cellar, Beach events (special events), Koko Grill. Finally, we have the bars the Rangali and the Quiet Zone. They are located near the two main pools.

The two main ones are Atoll Market, where we also had Christmas dinner, and Vilu, on the small island. The former is buffet style the latter a la carte. Both serve, in the same manner, breakfast.

I review the ones we tried. We did not go to the Ithaa undersea. the requested cost is 434USD pp plus drink and tax. The bill, being very quiet for the wine, would have exceeded 1200USD extensively for a dinner. Honestly, we have spent significantly less in 3-star hotels in Italy and around the world. So, no thanks.

Our approach, common in all vacations, Provide a hearty breakfast, skip lunch or eat fruit or light snack, and then dinner. At the Conrad Maldives it also proved to be a sensible strategy to avoid spending of extra more than what the stay would have cost. In general, fixed menus (at least from 250USD per person and up) do not make sense. Much better to choose a la carte restaurants. You spend significantly less and choose what you want. The only exception, because of the atmosphere the show, etc., is the Christmas or New Year's Eve dinner.

Of course it all has to be proportioned to what the other, paying guests spent on the stay, over 28,000 Dollars. So in proportion the cost of meals is fair.

Vilu

We had a couple of a la carte breakfasts at this restaurant before discovering the endless buffet at Atoll Market. We had a few dinners there because it offers an acceptable Italian-inspired a la carte menu. Absolutely satisfactory quality, good wine list, and tiramisu space. We have, several times, complimented the staff.

Cost of a dinner for two, with a glass of wine and water, averaged 180USD + tax. Not cheap but acceptable.

Atoll Market

It is the main restaurant on the main island. At breakfast buffet really endless and varied. We haven't left it since. It is used on theme nights like Christmas.

Ufaa By Jereme Leung

Chinese restaurant touted as being of "very high standard." Frankly, having tried really high-end Chinese, we expected much more. 250USD plus tax ordering a la carte, no exaggeration. Would not recommend.

Sunset Grill

Few expectations that, however, were exceeded. Fairly elaborate and fish-based dishes. Lovely setting on the water. Worth trying again. Dinner cost again, a la carte, about 250USD.

Rangali Bar

We nibbled on something a couple of nights. Without infamy or praise.

Prices in line with the rest of the facility.

Room service

Used a couple of nights, the products are from the different restaurants. Very fast and impeccable service. Lots of guests pretty much always dine in the room.

Excursions, check out and general customer service

Excursions expensive though well organized. Overpriced. The staff on the island and the customer service deserves a mention. We are at the level of St. Regis and other facilities of a higher level. Everyone super nice and helpful for any request or need.

On our return to Malé we were escorted to the terminal, then to the outside lounge to wait for boarding to open. Meanwhile the hotel attendant took care of our luggage. Once we opened check in he escorted us throughout the airport, to the drop to the security check escalators. In short i we really felt pampered. Spectacular.

In conclusion

Is it worth it then? It depends. It depends on expectations, both in terms of expense and structure. I would never, ever spend 28,000 $ + extras + flight for this vacation. And not because of the amount in an absolute sense but because it is not worth it. With that money you book other facilities, of a much higher standard, at less expensive times (neither at Christmas nor New Year's) and certainly better as weather (from mid-January onward); not to mention, then, the thousands of other trips you can take around the world.

With the points then? With points, the issue changes. In contrast to Matteo's perceived. In the other Hilton resort in the Maldives, I felt that I had invested it well. Of course the flight and extras weighed heavily, but overall, the Christmas vacation, including a nice stop over in Doha, cost 1/3 of what we would have spent at much uglier resorts.

And then to look at everyone else and think about what they had spent is priceless. That's the magic of The Flight Club.

You just have to get "smart" about food and, I suggest, maybe think about going in January or February. you spend less on flights, avoid the overpriced themed buffets, and find definitely better weather. To quote my wife, "it's the first place that looks better in person than in pictures."

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