Maldives

Hi V Flyers


I am starting the process of planning a holiday in the Maldives, the trip is to celebrate a significant birthday so looking for something special.

Basic requirements are for

Business Class Travel
All Inclusive hotel

I have had a quick look at the Virgin Holidays web site & they have flights with Sir Lanken who don't get good reviews or Qatar who I understand are excellent, we are looking for 10 days in the Maldives with maybe a night or two somewhere on the way out if we don't fly none stop.

Any advice would be appreciated


Thanks in anticipation

oldboy

Hi Oldboy, Have done the Maldives many times, flew mainly Thomson Premier but once with Sri Lankan which was ok.I know BA now fly there and should have Club Class.
Stayed in Kuredu, Meeru,Vilamendhoo, Reefthi Beach & Veligandu (which was the best). All basis AI. With the Maldives you can spend alot if you wish, but would think 10 days AI Business Class would set you back around £8k possibly more (for 2).

Perhaps see what Virgin Holidays can do with Virgin to Dubai and then Emirates to Maldives?

Thank you both, option of Virgin to Dubai to rack up some additional Flying Club miles would be good, I have never flown Emirates but understand they are good.

oldboy

[mitchja]

Pretty much all of the resort islands in the Maldives are all inclusive I think.

10 days though? I personally found 7 days was enough for me. Whilst it was a fantastic place, there's nothing to do what so ever other than water sports, the beach, eating and sleeping.

Both Emirates and Qatar are mentioned in the thread about VS Sydney service ending, the former favourably the latter less so.

forum/index.php?f=4&t=284420&p=866096&hilit=qatar&rb_v=viewtopic#p866096

Emirates do complete packages to the Maldives. Have a look here

http://www.emirates.com/uk/english/plan ... idays.aspx

Personally I wouldn't bother with a mixed VS / EK itinerary, I'd go EK all the way. Arrange it so you fly ex LHR to get the 380 to DXB, get CDC included if within 70 mile radius of the airport and less chance of getting completely flummoxed by the terminals at DXB.

Might be worth looking at BA holidays as it's a direct flight and club world AI is circa 3.5k but will probably be even cheaper during next sale which I expect will come in late April early May

We've done both BA and Emirates in business. You've got to weigh up whether you want to go direct or not. If we are having just 7 days in the Maldives, BA is better as it's direct. However, if we have a little longer, ie. 10 or 14, we use Emirates and have a couple of nights stop over on the return leg in Dubai to try to get back into city life again before coming home. The EK return flight also has a slightly longer transfer time in DXB so we prefer to stay in Dubai instead of hanging around the airport.

If you go with EK, you will get the chauffeur drive which is useful. They don't offer this on Qatar. Check EY out as they may offer the chauffeur. I've never travelled with them so don't know.

On islands, you will never get a 5* AI, the highest they go is 4+. The 5* resorts tend to offer B£B or HB. We've stayed at Kuramathi, Baros and Veligandu and Baros was our favourite where we went B&B. I personally don't get the use out of AI as the drinks I like aren't often available and I can't eat 3 meals a day - we only did that on Veligandu to please the in laws as they didn't want to pay anything more when we were there.

If you have an Amex Plat they're currently offering automatic upgrade to Etihad First Suite on purchase of normal J fare. Must be booked through Amex PTS & paid for on Plat.

Perhaps see what Virgin Holidays can do with Virgin to Dubai and then Emirates to Maldives?

I think that could be cool.
We went on Emirates but because of the flight times the flight leaving dubai was at around 2 am local time so it was a bit tough.
We did 10 days which was perfect but as said up thread it depends on how relaxed you like your holidays. Personally we loved it. No mobile phone no email just sitting under a palm tree on the ridiculously soft white sand only a few feet from the turquoise Indian Ocean. Doesn't get much better than that.

Many thanks to all for your feedback, I am going to enjoy many hours pouring over the options while sipping a glass of wine.

oldboy

[preiffer]

One big thing - be CAREFUL with your flight timings if you're in a resort which is accessed by seaplane.

The seaplane offering has to be booked through the resort (don't worry, they'll include it in the package) BUT they don't operate at night.

If you're staying in a resort in an area close to the airport (like North Male Atoll), then there's no issue because access is via speedboat (nice ones, of course!). However, many of the islands further out are accessed by plane and if you land after 6/7pm you'll have to stay a night at the airport hotel (Hulhule Island Hotel) before getting your transfer the next morning. The seaplanes don't really have a "schedule" either, they go roughly based on demand and with a bit of negotiation from the resort. So you might find that by landing at 6pm you don't actually arrive at your destination until the next afternoon...

Same applies going back. An early morning flight (there aren't many) means you'll likely have to go to Male the night before and a flight that's really late (some are 11pm/12am) means you'll be leaving the resort around 4pm to get out with the seaplane before it gets dark.


Of course, all irrelevant if you choose a speedboat-able resort, but if you do chose one further out, be careful with your arrival and departure times to make sure you get the most out of your holiday


(PS - sat in the lounge in KL right now, heading to the W Maldives this time... ): )

Whilst it was a fantastic place, there's nothing to do what so ever other than water sports, the beach, eating and sleeping.

Perfection!! y)

One big thing - be CAREFUL with your flight timings if you're in a resort which is accessed by seaplane.

The seaplane offering has to be booked through the resort (don't worry, they'll include it in the package) BUT they don't operate at night.

If you're staying in a resort in an area close to the airport (like North Male Atoll), then there's no issue because access is via speedboat (nice ones, of course!). However, many of the islands further out are accessed by plane and if you land after 6/7pm you'll have to stay a night at the airport hotel (Hulhule Island Hotel) before getting your transfer the next morning. The seaplanes don't really have a "schedule" either, they go roughly based on demand and with a bit of negotiation from the resort. So you might find that by landing at 6pm you don't actually arrive at your destination until the next afternoon...

Same applies going back. An early morning flight (there aren't many) means you'll likely have to go to Male the night before and a flight that's really late (some are 11pm/12am) means you'll be leaving the resort around 4pm to get out with the seaplane before it gets dark.


Of course, all irrelevant if you choose a speedboat-able resort, but if you do chose one further out, be careful with your arrival and departure times to make sure you get the most out of your holiday


(PS - sat in the lounge in KL right now, heading to the W Maldives this time... ): )

Many thanks, have a great holiday

oldboy

10 days though? I personally found 7 days was enough for me. Whilst it was a fantastic place, there's nothing to do what so ever other than water sports, the beach, eating and sleeping.

We did some other stuff as well ): ,but agree that seven days is sufficient.

You could always route in from HKG via SIN; extra tier points and miles and the opportunity to sample two fine destinations.

NV and Tank Girl