The entire experience was spectacular.

The moment we arrived in Male, the Conrad Resort & Spa, Rangali Island experience took over.

We were transferred to the Hul Hul Hotel and were provided a deluxe room which was a pleasant surprise after a long haul trip. As we arrived in Male around 10pm, we transferred straight to the Hotel.

We didn’t experience any of the facilities as we caught the sea plan at about 7am the following morning. Conrad Maldives Rangali has a transfer lounge at the sea plane terminal and we were looked after from the outset. We were on the island resort by 8am to have breakfast and were in the room by 10am. We were given an island host Fazeel who helped us arrange activities for the week while checking on us each day. He was very personable and helpful.

The over water bungalow was fantastic although we viewed a deluxe beach villa which was very spacious and offered a different experience. The bungalow was cleaned each day while we were at breakfast so our room contact time was not interrupted by any staff which was fantastic.

Food was good but they have many restaurants trying to cater for too many different cuisines (ie. Indian / Italian / Asian / etc.). They should just offer local seafood cuisine and make sure they get it right!

Everything was pricey and in USD so we had a bit of a win on the exchange rate but the local staff were educated in the basic information but if you asked questions outside the norm or ventured from the script, they couldn’t provide the answers. They were also trained in the art of ‘upselling’ and were always pushing the more expensive item and / or offering experiences which you were not necessarily interested in.

• We spent USD $175 for both of us to have a Day Spa package and as soon as we were finished they were trying to get us to return the next day for more. Just felt a little pressured and didn’t think it was necessary.
• We just wanted to use the kayaks for a bit of an exploration paddle with the staff then trying to sell us a half day sailing learn / sail yourself experience. Something we had no interest yet they still persisted on giving us all the information while we were organising the kayaks.
• I felt like a Cinzano Bianco USD $9.50 with Soda Water. They charged me US $2.00 for the Soda Water which simply irked me. Especially since everything attracted a 10% surcharge.

Given the money one pays to go to such an island resort, I just thought they could have been a bit more relaxed about things. We still spent approx. USD $1,750 while on the island resort for our evening meals and excursions.

These little irks aside;

• the place was spectacular
• the weather was 28 - 32 degrees each day with only 1 over cast day
• the service was great
• the water was 26 degrees
• the accommodation was everything like the brochures with coral and fish immediately outside the bungalow
• snorkeling was amazing with us swimming with reef sharks / turtles / etc.

all to be an experience which does not get replicated anywhere else.

My wife and I have been to a number of places and would travel back to the Maldives but will experience other places first. The tropical trip was second only to the Greek Islands which was a different experience as it was more a village atmosphere v’s island resort atmosphere.

We ended up staying at the Pan Pacific in Singapore which was fantastic although shopping in Singapore has become over rated.

All in all, thanks for your assistance in organising our trip. It was memorable and well worth it.