Learn how to travel to the Maldives on a budget
To maximize the amount of time I would spend at the resort, I had decided earlier to stay overnight at a transit hotel near the airport and fly in early morning the next day.
I briefly explored Male and went to bed early, saving my energy for the next day.
My flight was scheduled at 7:45 AM, so I woke up early morning and was then dropped off by my transit hotel at the domestic side of Male international airport. A Hyatt employee quickly greeted me and assisted me with my bags.
Maldivian air uses primarily Dash-8 propeller aircraft, wherein all your carryon bags had to be checked in.
I was then escorted to the Maldivian airport lounge, where they served complimentary soft drinks and food. I highly recommend the fish curry as it was delicious. The fish was fresh and the flavors, complex. However, it might be better to avoid the cold foods. I had one spoonful of yogurt and it definitely tasted like it was not properly chilled.
After a couple minutes, a Maldivian air representative arrived and escorted us through security and onto our quick flight to Kooddoo Island. It was a relatively small flight, consisting of mostly locals and a few tourists.
I was assigned to seat 7A, which had a quite limited view. I highly recommend asking the Hyatt representative to have you seated in Row 1-4 or row 21 (the last row). That way, you will be able to enjoy the whole flight with an unobstructed view, but regardless where you are seated, you will still be treated to some gorgeous scenery.
The flight was quite short and we soon landed in Kooddoo Island. I grabbed my luggage and met another Hyatt representative who quickly took care of my belongings. Apart from me, there was only one other passenger on our plane who was heading to the Hyatt, a French sommelier.
We were then escorted onto an electric buggy cart for a quick 5 minute drive from the airport to the pier, where a speedboat was waiting for us.
The weather was gorgeous, and we had a pleasantly smooth boat ride. On the way to the resort, the boat captain noticed dolphins swimming ahead and asked if we wanted to stop and look at them. Who wouldn’t want to stop and look at dolphins?!
Of course we said yes. The engines were throttled back, and we headed out to the front of the boat to witness the elusive creatures.
It was so mesmerizing to see them swim gracefully, bobbing their heads up and down the water. It was simply magical and until no, we still couldn’t believe our luck.
After a couple of minutes, the dolphins disappeared into the sea and we resumed out journey.
When we arrived at the Park Hyatt, a whole team was waiting for us, including the general manager. I found out later on that the GM personally meets every arriving and departing guest.
We walked from the pier to the reception area, which was shaped liked an upside down boat.
While I was chatting with the general manager, the butler introduced himself and brought me a delicious welcome drink.
At the Park Hyatt Maldives every guest is assigned his/her own “butler”, essentially an on call representative that will cater to any request they need. My butler was a gentleman from China who lived near Shanghai. All butlers are multilingual and speak fluent English. When possible, they do assign certain butlers depending on the nationality and language preferences of each guest.
At check in, I was delighted to hear that since I was a diamond member, I was upgraded to the Park Pool Villa (upgrades are assigned at check in based off availability).
Before heading to my room, I decided to take a tour around the small private island. Just outside the entrance area, I immediately came across the centerpiece of the hotel, a huge infinity pool spanning across the length of the main restaurant.
Beyond the pool is a white sandy beach, along with the clear blue water the Maldives is so famous for.
In the middle of island is the resort spa, which features a more private swimming pool.
On the other side of the beach are the world famous Water Villas, but more on that later.
My first impression of the private hotel island was one filled with awe and wonder. The resort looks exactly like it does on the pictures, and that itself is hard to replicate anywhere.
