Hilton's newest Maldives resort opens this summer
If you're holding on to a haul of points and miles with hopes of spending them this year, here's something to consider. Hilton's newest resort in the Maldives is opening on July 1, and no matter what room you book, you'll be staying in a villa with a private pool. A large portion of the villas are over-the-water accommodations at that.
Thrifty Traveler was the first to point out that the property has started accepting bookings.
The Hilton Maldives Amingiri resort, like so many in the Indian Ocean archipelago, looks pretty compelling, at least according to the renderings Hilton has shared; the resort's website does not have actual photos just yet. With 109 villas, this is Hilton's fourth resort in the Maldives, to go along with its Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and Curio Collection properties.
It's located on Amingiri Island, not far from Male's Velana International Airport (MLE). Of course, because we're talking about the Maldives, when we say not far, we mean not far by speedboat. The resort is about a 15-minute boat ride away from the airport, Hilton says. The ride costs $300 for travelers age 13 and over, $150 for those age 6-12, and free for younger children.
Related: The best way to get to the Maldives on points and miles
While the rooms at the resort certainly are not cheap, but when you consider what you can end up paying for this kind of stay, the prices you'll find in the first few months might not be quite as high as you'd expect.
The property
The new Hilton Maldives Amingiri includes a combination of over-the-water and beach villas, but each of them has a private pool.
At the resort, you'll also find a spa, fitness center, salon and six restaurants and bars.
From a pool bar and cocktail lounge, to a champagne bar, tea lounge and seafood dining options, the property's eating and drinking spots appear to capitalize on the surroundings, with a wealth of covered outdoor spaces, waterside seating and incredible views of the water.
Indoors, the resort's spa uses floor-to-ceiling windows to ensure you can still take in the beautiful scenery.
While the property certainly caters to couples, there are also two-bedroom options and a six-bedroom villa for larger groups or families traveling together.
Below is a rendering of the property's least expensive accommodation. You can see the above-water villa, surrounded mostly by glass windows, with a private pool, hammock and private ladder down to the ocean.
Booking
The resort will take bookings for stays starting July 1. I was able to easily find villa availability starting on that day and throughout the summer and fall months, well into 2023. The villas can also be booked with cash, Hilton Honors points or a combination of the two.
Taking a look at a week-long stay at this property from its first day available, I found a nightly rate of $739 for a villa. That seems to be a pretty consistent starting price as I looked into August and September, with the prices trending upward toward the later months of the year.
Better yet, if you've been waiting for the right time to spend your points, it's a decent redemption. You can get this villa for 110,000 points per night. According to TPG's valuations, that's worth about $660 per night.
As mentioned, the one-bedroom villa is just the starting point. If you're looking for two bedrooms (or more) you'll obviously pay more. I found two-bedroom villas listed at above $2,000, and upwards of 900,000 to just over a million points per night.
Related: A honeymoon trip to the Maldives on points and miles
The property currently has availability throughout the summer and much of 2022.
Other Hilton properties
As you consider Hilton resorts in the Maldives, keep in mind there are three others in its portfolio including the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, and the Saiid Lagoon Maldives, which is a Curio Collection property.
The latter included some rooms at far less expensive rates than the new Hilton property, but it's worth considering what you'll get for your money.
Related: Everything you need to know about resort transfer fees in the Maldives
Looking at that early July timeframe, I found an on-the-beach room for $278 at Saiid Lagoon, but there's no private pool. To get a more comparable accommodation to the new Hilton, you'll pay similar prices.
Getting to the Maldives
Checking Google Flights for the best airfare to Velana International Airport during the first week this Hilton resort is open, the best cash fare I found out of New York was on Qatar. The $1,871 round trip includes stops in both directions at Qatar's Hamad International Airport (DOH).
As is the case for many destinations in 2022, the prices drop significantly if you're willing to wait until the fall months. I found an $1,107 round trip on Ethiad, although take a good hard look at the itinerary to ensure you're OK with the lengthy layovers before you book that trip.
Now, back to points and miles. If you've got them, you can get a better deal than you'll find in cash. I found a round trip on United out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in July for 90,000 MileagePlus points. TPG values that at about $1,089, so when you compare that to fares in the $1,800 to $1,900 range, that's a much better value in miles.
Related: Which is better: the Maldives or Bora Bora?
Bottom line
This is an exciting resort opening not just because it is (what appears to be) a stunning new property in a bucket list-worthy destination, but one that has rewards booking available from the first day it's taking reservations.
If you've been hunting around for the right place to use a large haul of points and miles for a great vacation experience, this could be a trip to consider.
Rendering courtesy of Hilton.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.