Hotel Review – The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa!

Previous posts on this around-the-world journey:

My short stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives was courtesy of the Hyatt credit card I had recently acquired. It comes with two free nights at any Hyatt property. This is a very expensive hotel with rooms typically going for $1,200 – $1,600/night. I would not have stayed here without the free nights.

After the ride from the Koodoo airport, the speedboat crew unloaded us at the Park Hyatt dock where a hotel representative greeted each party. The staff, of course, was prepared for our arrivals since they had arranged the flight and speedboat transfer and knew exactly when we would show up.

Arrival at the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

The hotel has a reception facility, the Dhoni or upside down fishing vessel, right on the beach (sand floor) where guests are registered and welcomed with a cool tropical drink. Then a hotel agent transports each party to their lodging in a golf cart.

Park Pool Villa

All of the rooms at this hotel are villas, and there are only 50 of them. I stayed in a 120-square meter, free-standing Park Pool Villa right on the beach. The Park Pool Villa is the mid-priced accommodation here. Park Water Villas, which are built over the ocean, are more expensive although slightly smaller.

Each villa has a host assigned to handle any questions or requests. My host communicated with me to ensure that I knew the time for the speedboat ride to the airport for the return flight to MLE. He also coordinated the necessary check out time with the staff.

My Park Pool Villa had a plunge pool with a deck and comfortable seating, a private beach with lounge chairs, personal bar, indoor and outdoor showers, king-size bed, flat-screen TV, vaulted ceiling, and free WiFi.

The bathroom was equally spectacular. Dual sinks flanked the exit to the courtyard with outdoor shower and tub.

Courtyard with rain shower and terrazzo tub

A separate indoor shower and toilet completed the bathroom.

Water Villas

The prime accommodations at the Park Hyatt Maldives are the 14 Water Villas built over the Indian Ocean. There are two types of Water Villas, seven Park Water Villas that go for about $1,400/night and seven Park Sunset Water Villas that go for about $1,600/night. The water villas are all the same size and have the same floor plan. The difference is that the Sunset Water Villas have better sunset views.

At the Sheraton Full Moon Resort Maldives I was given a complimentary upgrade to a water villa. Here, since I was staying on free nights, it would cost $400/night for an upgrade to these lovely accommodations that were actually slightly smaller than the Pool Villa.

Dining

Because the hotel is the entire island, the hotel is the only place to eat. The breakfast buffet is included with the room. Guests can purchase a meal plan for dinner and lunch if desired. The hotel has only two restaurants. Cocktails are served in the pool/beach bar and the Dhoni.

The Island grill has buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner service

Pool and ocean view from the Island Grill

Since the audience is captive, the food is not cheap but it is very good

As a Hyatt Diamond, I received a free cocktail each evening at the pool/beach bar. I had drinks served on the beach where the evening views were outstanding.

Activities

The main activity at this hotel is simply taking in the beauty of the location. Other activities include snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, the spa and fitness center and cooking classes.

I opted to try scuba diving. I’m not certified and it had been several years since my last dive. The scuba instructor, Marta, put me through a refresher course in the pool before we went for a dive along the reef.

The dive was only 30 minutes, but the sights were great as the reef was teeming with tropical fish. We even saw reef sharks. This was my first experience with sharks on a dive. They kept their distance though, never approaching us (and I certainly did not approach them) or behaving aggressively. I wish the hotel sold underwater cameras.

The Final Word

The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa was all that I’d heard it would be and more. If you can get some free nights or have the cash to shell out, this hotel and the Maldives generally are well worth the effort and expense. When I left I was definitely a happy camper.