Part 4 – The Villas
We were thrilled to finally arrive at the Park Hyatt Maldives and our exhaustion from travel wore off as soon as we arrived. The island is tiny – we would walk around the entire perimeter of the island in 20 minutes.
After disembarking the high speed boat, the general manager and a host for each couple traveling was at the Dusk Jetty to greet us. Our host took us to the arrival area to begin the check-in process. We were offered a tropical juice and cold towels. After signing an invoice for the transfers and overwall villa upgrade, our host went over a map of the island with us explaining the different restaurants, activities, etc. He then gave us a tour of the common areas to show us where each place once and finally drove us on a golf cart to our first villa.
Here is a map of the island:
- A – arrival open air area –
- B – lounge area
- C – gift shop, library, 24 hour ‘front’ desk office
- D – The Dining room (breakfast, lunch, & dinner)
- E – The Bar
- F – Blue Journey (dive center, snorkeling gear pickup, excursions)
- G – Spa
- H – The Island Grill (dinner)
- I & J – Fitness Center/Yoga
- 1 thru 37 – Park Villa & Park Pool Villa (we stayed in #25)
- 38-44 – Park Water Villa
- 45-51 – Park Sunset Water Villa (we stayed in #50)
We stayed for 8 nights. By using 25,000 Hyatt points per night for this award booking, you are only guaranteed the standard Park Villa. After making the original reservation online with my Hyatt points, I emailed the hotel to inquire about the cost of upgrading to an over water villa. Here are the rates they quoted:
Park Pool Villa: Nestled within the natural vegetation, this villa is constructed with native timber and stone and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows allowing for ample natural sunlight, a constant flow of ventilation, and a king size bed. Outdoor luxuries include a private deck with table, chairs and lounge bed, plunge pool, two sunbeds, private outdoor bath and shower area including a terrazzo bathtub and private beach access.
USD 205 plus taxes of 23.2%, total USD252.56 per night on double occupancy.
Park Water Villa: (villa number from 38-44) With panoramic 180 degree views of the Indian Ocean this villa sits above the ocean, constructed with native timber and stone and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, individual access to the coral-filled waters below and a king size bed. Minimalist style and an earthy warm palette highlight the understated luxury of the Park Hyatt brand.
USD 405 plus taxes of 23.2%, total USD498.96 per night on double occupancy.
Park Sunset Water Villa: (villa number from 45-51) Offering unparalleled views of the horizon and unrivalled access to the Maldives Healthiest Reef the seven Park Water Sunset Villas situated towards the reef end of the jetty, deliver a truly Maldivian Sunset experience. With panoramic views of the Indian Ocean this villa sits above the ocean, constructed with native timber and stone and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a king size bed. Minimalist style and an earthy warm palette highlight the understated luxury of the Park Hyatt brand.
USD 610.00 plus taxes of 23.2%, total USD751.52 per night on double occupancy.
Park Hyatt Maldives has a written policy to upgrade Diamond members to a Park Pool Villa based upon capacity & availability. Luckily during our visit, our host said there were at 75% capacity, we were upgraded to the Park Pool Villa. It seemed to me to be only at 40-50% – walking around the entire island, we would maybe pass 3 or 4 people.
I also wanted to spend at least a couple nights in one of the over water villas so I confirmed ahead of time the Park Water Villa for the last 2 nights of our stay. While we only paid for a #38-#44 villa, we were lucky again and got upgrade to the second to last Park Sunset Water Villa #50!
Park Pool Villa
The on land villa was AMAZING and huge at almost 1200 SF! The only difference between the Park Villa and the Park Pool Villa is a plunge pool off the deck. I’ll let the photos speak for themself:
Park Pool Villa entrance from island
Park Pool Villa bed
Park Pool Villa desk area
Park Pool Villa front area
Park Pool Villa ‘his’ bathroom area
Park Pool Villa ‘hers’ bathroom area
Park Pool Villa indoor shower
Park Pool Villa toilet
Park Pool Villa outdoor tub & shower
Park Pool Villa deck and plunge pool
Park Pool Villa private beach
Park Pool Villa view from beach
Park Sunset Water Villa
After spending 6 nights in the on land villa, we were excited to be moving to the over water villa for the last two nights of our stay. Our host called the day before to tell us that we would be picked up at noon to be transferred to the over water villa. As we were being driven out to the over water villas in a golf cart, the host kept driving and driving and driving until we arrived at villa #50 – the second to last over water villa. We were THRILLED to get another complimentary upgrade from the standard over water villa that we had paid for.
The over water villas are also huge – the same ~1200 SF as the on land villas. While there is obviously no beach area, there is a huge deck and ladder directly into the water for snorkeling. Here are some photos:
Park Sunset Water Villa front entrance
Park Sunset Water Villa main room
Park Sunset Water Villa bathroom vanity
Park Sunset Water Villa tub and closets
Park Sunset Water Villa toilet
Park Sunset Water Villa shower
Park Sunset Water Villa
Park Sunset Water Villa sun deck
Park Sunset Water Villa sun deck
Park Sunset Water Villa snorkeling ladder
Park Pool Villa vs Park Sunset Water Villa
The upgrade costs if using points:
- standard on land villa – 25,000 Hyatt points per night
- on land villa with plunge pool +$250 per night
- over water villa +$500 per night
- last six over water villa +$750 per night
We used points and paid for #1 & #3 but were luckily upgraded to #2 & #4.
I was happy we paid the $1000 to upgrade to the over water villa – it was our first time staying at over water villa anywhere and it was amazing being able to climb down a ladder into the crystal clear water.
If I was to return would I pay to upgrade again? Probably not. There were a few negatives about the over water villa – specifically, the sun and heat. The air conditioning had a hard time keeping up with the heat – it wasn’t terrible, just a little hot. There is also no shade on the deck in the afternoon – so you bake.
We both loved the on land villa – the private beach area, the plunge pool, the outdoor shower and tub, etc. But I probably wouldn’t pay an extra $250/night for a plunge pool – in my next post I’ll show you all of different pools in the common area.
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