Saturday, February 11, 2017

Sunset Water Villa, Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives

Sometimes we need to be analytical in checking the room rates of most resorts, especially for Maldives.  Apart from checking on the websites, we had better check on the other travellers' photos and videos postings.  Beside this, checking on the room rate either it's half board, full board, all-inclusive....etc. is very essential to save your money.  Some resorts may be an all-inclusive basis regardless of whatever room you book.  If you don't drink, that means your room cost is in a "communism" manner to "share" with the others.  So whenever possible, I wouldn't choose those resorts on all-inclusive, unless it's inevitable.  Then you have to check on the price difference of half board and full board.  For instance, this resort charges BB at US$400 net for a water villa, AI at US$900.  In this connection, if you don't drink, the price difference would be US$500 for 2x2 lunch and dinner meals (4 meals in total) plus drinks.  That means each meal is about US$90 if you drink water and soft drinks to go with your meals. However, the lunch cost is just US$55 and dinner US$65.  That means 2x2 meals is US$240.  Plus drinks, that will be US$260.  As for me, I just take water, it would be even less at US$256 for a whole day.  So the price difference is US$250 for alcohols.  Even if you drink, if a beer is US$5 and a bottle of wine is US$30-40.  You have to take 4 cans of beer and 5 bottles of wine to offset this AI cost.  Also, I don't recommend doing so because you would get dehydrated easily if you go out for sun-bathing and also a high risk for snorkelling.  Ends up your holiday is a dreamy world of light, wind and sound.   Then why flying over hours to come here and spend US$900 for a day of this mood.
Back to the room, it's quite on a fancy colour and light tune.  Very spacious (95 sq. m.) with a large sun deck with a jacuzzi on the corner.  So US$400 net for the room (remarks, Maldives Gov't tax has gone up to 12% from 7%.  Total tax is 10% (service charge) plus 12% (GT) and also US$8 per person as green tax).  The original room rate is about US$320.

1 comment:

SS said...

Yes you are right Sea you are a smart consumer.
Just like the all-inclusive hotel package, if you are a small eater or vegan then you do not get the benefit of all the unlimited food and drink so no need the all-inclusive.
End up you pay the premium price for something you don't need.