Are the Maldives Worth It?
The question I have received most frequently about our stop in the Maldives during our around-the-world journey last year was are they worth it? There are thousands of beaches we could visit around the world, but is it worth hauling to to the other side of the world and spending lots of money and points to go to the Park Hyatt Maldives specifically?
This post will be dedicated to trying to answer that question from my point of view, as well as to share another point of view from someone who has gone to the Maldives every year for the past several years.
Are the Maldives Worth it?
Before I try to answer the question with 1,000 written words, here is a video that may do a better job.
I interviewed BoardingArea blogger, Gary Leff from View from the Wing, while he is also on the island with his wife. They have been to the Maldives every year for the past several years, and have no intention of changing that pattern any time soon.
If you live in North America, it will take you at least a full day of travel on both the front and back end of your trip to get to and from the Maldives. You can go through Europe or Asia to get there, and there are no short cuts. You will have at two long flights to get from the United States to Male, if not more. Then, once you are in Male you will still need to take at least one more flight and a speed boat ride to get to the Park Hyatt Maldives. That's a minimum of 3-4 flights, and a boat ride to get there. In other words, it is both far and remote.
There are white sand beaches and beautiful water much closer to home than the middle of the Indian Ocean. So, if all you are after is a pretty beach, that goal can be met with much less expense and hassle than the Maldives. However, for some remote and far are attractions to the Maldives, not negatives.
If you want to keep vacation costs as low as possible then the Maldives are also a poor choice as even if you use airline miles and hotel points because you will be hit with a $500 per person charge for the flights/boat from Male to the resort, and of course food on the island served by the resort will not be inexpensive. Though costs can be controlled to an extent by following the tips in this post. If you want beach without that type of cash outlay, then consider an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean you can book with Hyatt points or similar.
If you like high energy, lots of activities, lots of interaction with others, and ample opportunities to explore on your vacations, then the Maldives are not for you. I like adventurous trips, too, but I'm also okay with some trips devoted to unwinding and enjoying the company of my partner.
The Maldives, and the Park Hyatt Maldives may be worth it if:
- You want to really relax and unwind
- You like either spending time alone or in the company of your partner
- You don't want to battle with hundreds or thousands of other tourists for spots by the pool, umbrellas, dinner times, etc
- You love the idea of a private island that will have no more than 49 other villas worth of people (plus staff)
- You enjoy looking at, swimming in, and listening to a beautiful ocean
- You want to see stars you thought you would never see with your own eyes
- You like world class snorkeling and/or diving
- You don't need lots of activities, events, and distractions to have an enjoyable day
- You are okay with spending a fair amount of money on fresh food each day during your vacation
- You enjoy just showing up and not having a packed agenda (though you could book lots of excursions if you wished)
- You want access to a fantastic spa
- You want to just sit, breathe, appreciate, and enjoy
- You have the miles, points, and dollars to spend without having to stress about every purchase
The Maldives are not for everyone, but they are absolutely perfect for some people on some trips. I can't think of a better place for us to have spent this specific trip. I do wish we had gone when the weather allowed for more excursions and activities, but overall the Maldives were amazing. We were able to truly relax, enjoy a breathtaking setting, enjoy the company of our friends while still having pretty of time for ourselves, and there was no hustle and bustle at all. None.
Because of the cost, distance, and other places we still want to explore, we won't be "Maldives regulars", but I do hope to be able to return at some point, perhaps for my own 40th birthday several years down the road. It is a special place that miles and points made possible when it would otherwise never have been attainable.
So yes, the Maldives and the Park Hyatt Maldives were unquestionably worth it for us on this big and special trip. They are not right for every trip or every traveler, but then again, no destination is. I very much hope we get to go back, eventually.
Have you been to or considered the Maldives and the Park Hyatt Maldives? What makes it worth it, or not worth it, for you?
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.