Dreaming of the Maldives? These new and updated points resorts are waiting for you
We all have our dream list of places to visit, right? I've been lucky enough over the years to check a bunch of those destinations off my list including Japan, Bora Bora and Kenya.
One place that's still on the to-do list is the Maldives, an absolutely breathtaking collection of islands in the Indian Ocean, a world away from my Brooklyn apartment.
For years, my family and I have been plotting when we'll visit, what resorts we want to book and what airlines we'll fly for maximum comfort. It's overwhelming, in the best and worst ways, because there are so many choices to make. Plus, for the time and money we'll spend, we want to make sure the trip is as perfect as it can be.
And thanks to my role as a senior hotels reporter at TPG, I continuously find more reasons to finally make that Maldives trip happen — in the near future, at least.
Nowadays, there are even more places to stay in the Maldives using hotel points, especially for Hyatt and Hilton loyalists. A brand new Maldives Hyatt resort will open fully in August, for example, and Hilton recently gave a multimillion-dollar makeover to one of its most classic island properties in addition to opening a brand new resort in the area. So, if you want to avoid paying potentially sky-high cash rates, now might be the time to lean into booking a trip with World of Hyatt or Hilton Honors points.
Related: The best ways to get to the Maldives on points and miles
Whatever your travel style, there's something for you and yours in the Maldives. Here are just a few reasons to trade in some points and visit the Maldives right now.
Hyatt's new Alila
World of Hyatt is known for being one of the best programs when it comes to redeeming points for stays, and now the brand has a new option in the Maldives where you can take advantage of those favorable rates: the Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.
Earlier this year, I reported that Alila Kothaifaru Maldives was ready for a soft open and was accepting reservations starting in April for rates as low as $350 a night. Unfortunately, that time has passed. But just because rates are now at their normal levels doesn't mean you should pass up this exciting new property.
Just a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé, where the main international airport is located, this resort is set on a private island and comprises 44 beach villas and 36 overwater villas; all accommodations come with a private pool and sun deck, a bathtub, indoor and outdoor showers and a 24-hour personal host.
There are a handful of restaurants and bars to choose from while at the resort. Seasalt is an all-day beachfront restaurant that serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. Umami, a Japanese restaurant with a teppanyaki grill, and its sister establishment Yakitori Bar, which serves Asian-inspired cocktails, are the perfect places for nighttime dining. There's also the Pibati Café for grab-and-go options as well as The Shack, which hosts private picnics, sunset barbecues and candlelit dinners.
In true resort fashion, this Alila has a spa with four double treatment suites, a 24-hour fitness center and a beachfront infinity pool.
How to book: Right now, cash rates hover around $660 during the wet season (mid-May to November) and $900 or more during the dry season (January through March). However, the move here is to book with points, considering Hyatt's favorable redemptions. Award nights cost between 25,000 and 35,000 points at this Category 7 World of Hyatt property.
An all-new Hilton
Hilton's flagship brand just opened a stunning new property in the Maldives that has us counting our Hilton Honors points: the Hilton Maldives Amangiri Resort & Spa, the fourth Hilton property in the nation.
Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the international airport in Malé, travelers don't have to worry about connecting via seaplane to get there. Plus, they don't have to worry about going hungry, as the property boasts six bars and restaurants (venues include a "cocktail lab" where mixologists handcraft bespoke drinks, a beachside snack bar, a Champagne and gin bar — my kinda place! — and a romantic upscale restaurant serving sustainable seafood).
When the food coma hits, guests can relax in one of 109 beach and overwater villas, all of which have a pool and bathtub with ocean views. Is there any better way to use points than for a bungalow over the crystal clear waters of paradise? Probably not. If there is, it might just be for a hydrating body wrap or facial at the luxe but laidback Amangiri Spa.
How to book: Right now, you can snag a Hilton Honors member cash rate of $793 for a one-bedroom overwater villa, but those rates jump up to well over $1,000 a night during the busy season in January. Award nights start at 110,000 points.
The Conrad's new look
A little more than 25 years after the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island changed the resort game in the Maldives, the iconic property got a stunning refresh — and I personally cannot wait to see the changes. Earlier this year Hilton shared photos of the renovation, including new interiors of the overwater villas in the adults-only portion of the island. Other changes to the resort include a refresh of the all-day buffet alongside the Rangali Bar and the open-air restaurant, Vilu; a new teen's club and an updated kid's club; a new gym and dive center; and a totally refreshed overwater spa.
And don't worry, the most iconic portions of the resort are still very much there: The Muraka, the world's first underwater villa and Ithaa, the underwater restaurant.
How to book: Award nights at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island start at 120,000 points for a beach villa but cost easily more than 400,000 points for an overwater villa, which is a premium room reward. For cash rates, you can snag a beach villa during the low seasons for $779 per night. However, when things get busy during the dry season, you're looking at more than $1,600 a night — but at least that rate gets you an overwater villa.
.
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.