15 mths, 5 Maldives trips, 6 5-star hotels, all happy EXCEPT for Hideaway.
I was assured during booking that a seaplane-ride directly to hotel, no long domestic/speedboat trip, or no booking.
3 days before departure, no seaplane info, usually within a wk from booking. Repeatedly called to obtain until 2hrs before flying.
In Male, waited in Hideaway/Lily Lounge, "plane is coming", 2hr delay not hotel's fault, but no lunch items offered, usually ample food/drinks from other hotels.
Samsara: Salad with avocado, no sign of avocado. US$25 edamame badly cooked and not fresh, London Zuma or Nobu would not dare to price like that. Poor manager tried to redeem situation on our next meals when we complaint.
Breakfast: nightmare from noise level, droves of all-inclusive Chinese groups. US$16 for a green coconut, locally grown wild, in Conrad Rangali US$7, Shangri-La US$6.
Spa SUBPAR, good therapists but CHEAP and old constructions. Taj Exotica, Conrad and Shangri-la beautiful spas.
Rm Service never return to pick-up trays.
PRIVATE US$825 dirty dhoni charter was a joke, unsafe upper-deck banister. Snorkeling guide was the ONLY good thing.
Sunset Pool Cafe, GREAT professional Indian chef saved a few dinners by making special meals, making up for many things offered but not available, and not taken off the menu.
Hotel pen, usually a give-away asking US$20!!
Poor Villa Host pushed to "sell".
Return transfer was a disaster.
