Emily Jablon: Daraius and I used our miles and points to have a fabulous honeymoon in Bora Bora.
We heard that the Maldives Islands rivaled the beauty and splendor of Bora Bora, so we planned a trip to decide for ourselves!
The Maldives is known for its luxury resorts, and most resorts have their own private island. There are beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water. The islands also have fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving!
We booked 5 nights using Hilton points at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a 30-minute seaplane ride from Male, the capital of the Maldives. We booked this trip to make the most of our Hilton points before the Hilton devaluation last year.
Snorkeling in the Maldives Is Magical
Our $27,000 Vacation to the Maldives for ~$5,000 & How You Can Do It Too Index:
Part 1 – Introduction & Planning
Part 2 – Flights from US to India
Part 3 – Flights from India to the Maldives
Part 4 – Conrad Airport Lounge and Seaplane Ride
Part 5 – The Grounds of the Conrad Rangali Island Hotel (Conrad Rangali Island Base Room)
Part 6 – A ~$1,300 per Night Beach Villa for Free
Part 7 – Saving ~88% on a $3,000 per Night Overwater Bungalow
Part 8 – Activities at the Conrad Maldives
Part 9 – Breakfast in the Maldives
Part 10 – Cheap Food
Part 11 – Underwater Restaurant
Part 12 – An Afternoon in Male
Part 13 – Male Airport and Plaza Premium Lounge
Part 14 – Conclusion & Blog Giveaway
The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean, just south of India. Getting to the Maldives is a long journey, but the trip is definitely worth it! Daraius and I have been to many beach destinations such as Bora Bora, Maui, and Kauai on miles and points, but the Maldives tops them all!
Traveling to the Maldives is also very expensive, but you can do it for much less than the retail cost! This trip would have cost us ~$27,000, but we only paid ~$4,300!! These series of posts will show you how you can also take a trip to the Maldives on miles and points!
Activities at the Conrad Maldives
Link: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Activities Guide
There are a lot of fun activities in the Maldives. Some of my favorites were just lounging by the pool and snorkeling.
The activities can get expensive, but luckily the Conrad also offered many free activities, like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, ping-pong, etc.
The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa also has activities including snorkeling and scuba diving. You can use your Hyatt hotel points, or transfer Chase Ultimate Reward points to Hyatt for a free stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives.
Snorkeling
My mom, Mark, and I went snorkeling in the resort’s house reef. It’s located near rooms 224 and 225. The hotel rooms around the reef would be perfect to stay in. However, Daraius and I stayed in room 207 and we appreciated how centrally located we were (it was a 5 minute walk to activities and restaurants). And we were still very close to the most incredible snorkeling I’ve ever seen!
We prepared for our snorkeling excursion by going to the activities desk and getting 3 life jackets. We are a little out of practice when it comes to swimming and I didn’t want to take any chances in the ocean! Plus the life jackets were great to have a relaxed swim out to the reef drop off.
We then went to the dive center to get snorkeling gear which included goggles and a breathing tube.
Preparing for Our Snorkeling Trip
Mark got swim fins. They have many different sizes.
Need Swim Fins? The Conrad Has You Covered
The equipment was all free, except for the prescription strength goggles that we got for my mom. In the end she didn’t think she needed them. It would have been better for her to try snorkeling with the regular goggles 1st to see if she needed the prescription goggles.
The Conrad Rents Goggles Free of Charge (But Beware of Leaks!)
We got 2 extra goggles in case any of them leaked.
Our Snorkeling Loot
We were also shown a map with the good snorkeling destinations.
Stop by the Watersports Hut and Pick Up a Map of the Best Snorkeling Spots
After we got our gear we went to our room and picked up my dive boots. Dive boots are waterproof shoes that help protect your feet when you snorkel.
I also changed into my snorkel shirt and shorts. Wearing these type of outfits helps protect against sunburn. With as much time I wanted to spend in the water, I didn’t want to risk getting a sunburn!
My Mom & I Ready for a Day of Snorkeling
We walked to the beach by room 224 and put our stuff down.
If You Love Snorkeling, Rooms 224 & 225 Are Closest to the Best Snorkeling on the Island
The beaches near the snorkeling reef also have good swimming.
The Only Thing More Beautiful Than the Beaches of Maldives Is the Marine Life Under the Water
We tested out our equipment and then got into the water.
Geared Up and Ready to Hit the Reef
Since my mom was new to snorkeling I gave her a lesson on how to breathe and float along the top of the water.
The Maldives Has Over 70 Different Species of Coral
She quickly got the hang of it. Mark had snorkeled before, but it had been several years.
Giving My Parents a Snorkeling Lesson
After a few minutes, my mom got a little scared of breathing through the tube. So she decided to sit out.
The Reef Behind Us Was Waiting to
Be Explored
Mark and I went on out towards the reef. There is a channel where you can swim out and see coral on either side of you. Mark and I got about half way out and then he turned back because his goggles were leaking.
I decided to keep going because I wanted to see the end of the channel. I was told about how the coral drops off and how the sights are beautiful. I kept swimming along gently and floated along the surface. Wearing the life jacket helped a lot because I could float without the need to swim.
The snorkeling was so amazing! I saw hundreds of fish in nearly every color in the rainbow. Some of them literally swam right in front of my face. The coral was uniquely shaped and just as beautiful as the pretty fish. If I wanted to, I could reach out and touch it. It was that close.
I’d highly recommend snorkeling on your 1st or 2nd day at the resort because it’s so fantastic. I wish I could have gone more!
You can also scuba dive, but you have to pay. The cheapest option is $150.
Scuba Diving Can Cost Up to $600, But It May Be Worth the Price to Swim With Manta Rays and Whale Sharks!
Swimming
We went swimming for hours in the resort’s pools. The quieter island had a small pool.
I Spent a Lot of Time Here
I loved the infinity pool because it felt like you were swimming in the ocean.
The Conrad Has 2 Swimming Pools, 1 on Each Island
My mom waded in the water while Mark swam a few laps.
One Was Smaller and More Private
The water sure felt great!
I’ve Never Seen So Many Shades of Blue
The views of the over-water bungalows made it even more special.
I Didn’t Want to Leave!
Rustom, Daraius’ dad, also enjoyed the pool.
Daraius’ Dad Relaxing in the Shade
The larger island had the bigger pool with more lounge chairs. It was also more centrally located with restaurants and shops nearby.
A grey heron visited the pool for a drink of water.
We Got a Visitor by the Pool, Daraius Said He Looked Delicious
I loved seeing the detail of its feathers as it flew away.
He Must Have Heard Him! Bye, Bye Birdie!
Mark and my mom really enjoyed just splashing around. Mark is an excellent swimmer and would swim underwater for several minutes at a time.
My Parents Taking Advantage of a Lazy Day at the Pool
Near the swimming pool is the activities desk. You can sign-up for many activities, but they are very expensive.
You can go tubing…
These Kids Were in for Lots of Fun!
rent a boat for a day, water ski…
They Have all the Equipment You Need for Water Skiing
…go fishing, snorkeling, and ride on jet skis. These activities are expensive though!
Ride a Jet Ski for a Hefty Charge
The paddle boats were free.
Most of the Non-Motorized Water Sports Were Free
Near the activities desk was table tennis. Mark and Rustom had fun dueling it out!
These 2 Took Their Ping-Pong Matches Very Seriously
I sat back and watched the game while taking in the scenery.
Another Grey Heron Stopped By
There was also a volleyball net.
Play Beach Volleyball for Free
Swimming Under the Over-Water Bungalow
One day I went for a dip behind my parents’ bungalow.
The King Water Villas Have a Private Jetted Plunge Pool
I then went into the ocean below. There were jagged rocks at the bottom. So ideally I should have worn my water shoes. But because I didn’t have them with me, I carefully went in without them.
Taking a Dip in the Lagoon
The water was clear, but shallow, and I didn’t want to step anywhere because I was afraid of hurting the coral.
The Lagoon Is Your Backyard in an Over-Water Bungalow
Fish Spotting on the Conrad Bridge
After dinner 1 evening, we walked back to our parents’ bungalows. We heard that you can spot many fish from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm on the bridge, so we stopped to have a look. The bridge was barely lit, except for thin lights along the sides.
The Conrad Bridge Lit Up at Night
We saw lots of rainbow fish…
You Could See Fish From the Bridge
…little fish, and even a huge manta ray! The manta ray was so big, and so fast that I could hardly get a picture of it.
Two Manta Rays Live at the Conrad. Manta Rays Can Be Up to ~20 Feet Wide!
It was much bigger than the stringrays I pet in Bora Bora.
Cocktail Reception at the Vilu Restaurant
Before dinner, we decided to go to the Vilu Restaurant for cocktail hour. Hilton Gold and Diamond status members get free drinks during happy hour every night from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Complimentary Drinks Menu at Vilu Lounge
Hilton Gold and Diamond members plus 1 guest also get free breakfast every day at Atoll Market. You get free Hilton Gold status when you sign-up for the Citi Hilton Reserve and the American Express Hilton Surpass cards.
We started off with a round of pina coladas, the classic cocktail of the day.
Cheers to the Conrad!
You can choose almost anything you want and the staff will make it for you. We had fun trying the different specials of the day.
Daraius’ Dad Regaled Us With the Story Of His Ping-Pong Victory
Soon we were on to our next round of chocolate martinis.
Great Cocktails…Chocotini!
We were offered an appetizer to eat, but the portions were very small.
But Small Portions…Teeny-Weenie!
Don’t expect to get your fill at the reception, because the food portions were extremely small (bite size). And we were only served 1 plate.
The next evening, we played a round of UNO with a gorgeous view of the ocean.
We Played Cards the Next Evening…Winner Gets the Next Appetizer!
My mom was on a winning streak and everyone was having fun trying to beat her.
Maldives Card Shark
We were served jamon iberico on a biscuit. We only got 1 serving and were not offered any more after that.
Jamon Iberico Is Very Expensive Ham That’s Been Cured for at Least 1 Year
Manager’s Cocktail Reception on the Beach
Tuesday nights managers invite the guests to have drinks with them by the beach. We received a letter the day before informing us of the event.
It started at 6:45 pm, which was a perfect time to take pictures by the beach and watch the sunset.
Mingle With Staff & Guests at the Manager’s Reception
There was live music which made it more enjoyable.
I Felt Like Dancing Because of the Live Music & Drinks. Daraius’ Excuse Not to Dance Was He Was Too Full From the Ham Cracker.
There were a few different kinds of white wine.
Wine on the Beach
There was also juice.
Fresh Juice
During the reception the managers occasionally greeted guests and asked how their stay was. The head restaurant manager and sous chef introduced themselves, and I was the 1st to thank them for handling my fish allergy with the utmost care and attention. I literally put my life in their hands, so it meant a lot to thank them personally.
Salud!
We also met the hotel manager and learned about how she moved to the Maldives from Hong Kong and is lucky enough to live on the resort!
Servers walked around with plates of food. There was much more food here than at the cocktail reception, but it still was not enough to replace a meal.
Expect to Still Need Dinner After the Manager’s Reception
How You Can Do It Too!
Our favorite way to get to the Maldives from the US is with American Airlines miles on Etihad or Qatar Air.
If you’re willing to book separate award tickets (i.e. 1 award ticket from the US to Hong Kong & another from Hong Kong to the Maldives), you could even fly on Cathay Pacific or Malaysia Air using American Airlines miles to the Maldives.
Here are ways to get lots of American Airlines miles. And here’s my series on using American Airlines miles. It could also be worth using an award booking service to book the flights for you.
You can also use Alaska Airlines miles on Emirates or Cathay Pacific. And folks say you can get the Alaska Airlines credit card multiple times.
We used United Airlines miles because we wanted to go to India first. But folks who only want to fly from the US to the Maldives would likely use American Airlines miles or Alaska Airlines miles.
1. Using American Airlines Miles
Link: American Airlines Award Chart
A flight from the US to the Maldives costs:
45,000 American Airlines miles 1-way in coach
67,500 American Airlines miles 1-way in Business Class
90,000 American Airlines miles 1-way in First Class
You can use American Airlines to fly many different ways to the Maldives, including on Etihad, Sri Lankan, Qatar, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airways. If you want to book on Etihad, first find the available flights on the Etihad website and then call American Airlines to reserve the tickets. See this step-by-step guide for more information.
2. Using Alaska Airlines Miles
Link: Alaska Airlines partner award chart to Middle East
From the US to the Maldives you’ll pay:
42,500 Alaska Airlines miles 1-way in coach (Emirates)
50,000 Alaska Airlines miles 1-way in coach (Cathay Pacific)
62,500 Alaska Airlines miles 1-way in Business Class (Cathay Pacific)
70,000 Alaska Airlines miles 1-way in First Class (Cathay Pacific)
72,500 Alaska Airlines miles 1-way in Business Class (Emirates)
90,000 Alaska Airlines miles 1-way in First Class (Emirates)
You can book Emirates flights on the Alaska Air website, except for Cathay Pacific, which has to be reserved by calling Alaska Airlines customer service. See this post for more ways on using Alaska Air miles to get to the Maldives.
And folks say you can get the Alaska Airlines credit card multiple times.
3. Using United Airlines Miles
Link: United Airlines award chart
To fly from the US to India, you’ll pay:
42,500 United Airlines miles 1-way in coach
70,000+ United Airlines miles 1-way in Business Class
140,000 United Airlines miles 1-way in First Class
Here’s a post on how to use United Airlines miles.
And here’s how you can get the airline miles and hotel points for your trip to the Maldives!
Bottom Line
There are a lot of activities at the Conrad Rangali Island hotel! My favorite activities were free, swimming and snorkeling. The snorkeling was the best I have ever seen!
I also enjoyed the cocktail reception each night. Enjoying a few drinks, playing cards, and sharing stories with my family in paradise are the moments that will stay with me forever.
* If you liked this post, why don’t you join the 16,000+ readers who have signed-up to receive free blog posts via email (only 1 email per day!) or in an RSS reader …because then you’ll never miss another trip report!
Related Stories
Our $27,000 Vacation to the Maldives for ~$4,300 & How You Can Do It Too: Part 7 – Saving ~88% on a ~$3,000 per Night Overwater Bungalow
Our $27,000 Vacation to the Maldives for ~$4,300 & How You Can Do It Too: Part 6 – A ~$1,300 per Night Beach Villa for Free!
Which Credit Card Earns the Most Points for Hilton Stays?