December 31, 2015

Review: Park Hyatt Maldives Water Villa

Introduction
Planning & Booking
American Express Centurion Lounge DFW
Emirates A380 First Class Dallas to Dubai
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa Dubai
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai
Emirates 777-300ER First Class Dubai to Male
Transfer to Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
Park Hyatt Maldives - Resort & Park Villa
Park Hyatt Maldives - Water Villa
Transfer to Male
Singapore Airlines 777-200ER Business Class Male to Singapore
Grand Hyatt Singapore
Singapore Airlines The Private Room Singapore
Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class Singapore to Hong Kong
Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class Hong Kong to San Francisco

We made our way through the interior of the island to the jetty that contains the overwater villas.  The further the villa, the better the view.  So I just smiled and crossed my fingers that we'd keep on driving.  We eventually pulled over at villa 43 which is about half way down the curving jetty (6th of 14 to be exact).


Villa 43


Villa 43 ladder to reef


Ladder shot

We entered the villa which looked very similar in both decor and size to the park villa.  Minus the outdoor shower.  Plus the overwaterness!!








There is a giant deck with a couple of lounge chairs and tables and an overwater chaise lounge sort of thing.








And of course, the ladder to snorkel heaven.

Our bags were delivered to the room and we quickly unpacked while smiling like little kids.  We threw our snorkel gear on and headed down the ladder into the water.  What an unbelievable experience.  So many fish right outside our villa.  We were lucky enough to see a handful of reef sharks (maybe 4-5 feet in length) and tons of fish.  My only "complaint" is that as the tide goes out, there is very little room to maneuver on top of the coral.  You definitely want to be careful as you select your route from the villa out to the reef.


Evan snorkel shot

Emily snorkel shot

Reef at low tide sticking out of the water

The outdoor space is amazing and totally private.  We enjoyed coffee in the morning and a few beers/cocktails in the afternoon.  We watched the sunset from our room with nothing to focus on but the waves and the sun.


Villa selfie

I had the best night of sleep on the island in the water villa.  I had read that the villa rocks a bit with the waves but we didn't experience anything like that.  


Entryway to villa


Tip of the jetty

The next morning we did our normal thing as we needed to pack and depart the villa at noon as the hotel was fully booked.  


Emily's morning snorkel

While we were packing a storm rolled in which kicked up waves and wind and a bit of rain.  

The end result was PERFECT.


Not surfable


Rainbow all the way

Natalia was kind enough to arrange a "spa villa" for us to relax in/shower before our transfer to Male.  I'll have a few thoughts/pics on the spa villa in the next installment.


Hadahaa island

Seriously no filter

Is the water villa worth it?  I would say for at least one night -  absolutely.  Especially if you are staying (and if you are reading this blog, you are likely looking to do so) on points/free nights.  While the cash (~$500) upgrade wasn't cheap, both of us thought it was totally worth it.  Once in a lifetime worth it.  We both left the villa with smiles knowing that we would be back to this very, very special place.

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