SAii Lagoon Hotel Review & Tour - a Hilton Curio Collection in the Maldives
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- Hilton has had a presence in the Maldives for many years, and until now, their properties have been a pipe dream for most travelers. However, Hilton recently opened a new, far more approachable hotel in the Maldives just 20 minutes from Velana international airport and we were extremely excited to see what it was all about. What we learned was that we absolutely love Curio Collection and we reallllyy love this gem of a property. Part of the Crossroads Marina complex, made up of Hard Rock, SAii Lagoon and the public Marina, SAii offers guests a relaxing, yet exciting, dream vacation for much less than its sister properties.
In the review, we’ll tell you everything you need to know:
00:00 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Intro
00:34 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Location
02:08 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Lobby & Check in
03:58 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Rooms
06:26 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Service
07:46 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Dining
10:23 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Facilities
13:16 - SAii Lagoon Maldives Style
16:22- SAii Lagoon Maldives COVID-19 RATING
For the full written review, check it out here:
www.voyagerguru.com/hotel-rev...
SAii Lagoon and the Crossroads complex is located 20-minutes by fast speed ferry from Malé‘s main international airport, Velana. This makes getting to the hotel incredibly easy. If you’ve been to the Maldives before, you’re likely very familiar with the $500+ per person transfers and half day journeys to get to your hotel once you get off your international flight. While some people have called the proximity unpleasant, we would argue that it’s actually pretty amazing. SAii Lagoon, unlike Hard Rock Hotel faces away from Malé, so from anywhere on property, all you see is beautiful blue lagoon and the distant sandbars.
One note about getting to the hotel, the only way to get to the hotel, despite being just a short boating distance away, is via a $148 per person ferry ride ($74 for kids). While this is fairly steep for a quick ride, that’s really just part of the deal when you travel to the Maldives.
In general, we loved the unique features of all of the rooms and villas. The property worked with local artists to commission artwork for each of the rooms as well as the rest of the property. The design of all the rooms is quirky, fun and every room features a fantastic view, regardless of room type. Whether you’re booking a base level room or the highest end villa, you are guaranteed beautiful lagoon views and quick access to the lagoon.
The dining at SAii Lagoon was great, and the addition of being able to access Hard Rock and the Marina make it an incredible experience for guests, particularly if you are staying for longer. When looking at Hard Rock versus SAii, we preferred the outlets at SAii and loved their creative cuisines.
The property offers a number of meal plans and we were on the all-inclusive plan. The all-inclusive plan is definitely worth the cost if you like to enjoy cocktails throughout the day and eat three meals a day. Otherwise, half board and full board are also great options, particularly if you do not drink alcohol. The all-inclusive plan is extensive and allows you to access every restaurant. A few restaurants in the marina, like Ministry of Crab, provide a meal credit of $45 per person, while most of them allow you to choose 3 courses.
If you're looking for our Destination Guide on the Maldives, check it out here:
www.voyagerguru.com/destinati...
So check it out and let us know what you think in the comments below!
Have you been to the Maldives? What was your favorite hotel?
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Maren Engh & Max Jallifier
#luxuryhotelreview #luxurytravel #beautifulhotels
Thank you so much for this lovely feedback. We’re heading there next month and very much looking forward to it 🙏🏽
Hey! thanks so much for your comment- have an AMAZING trip!! We loved our stay there
Great review guys, thanks.
Thank you so much for your comment! appreciate it :) let us know if you need anything!
Hey you two, love this review (as always). I truly appreciate the honest you two provide, talking about the good and bad. Weird question, have you two thought of breaking your reviews that are 14-16 minutes into two part videos? I am just wondering if you would double your likes and have a longer retention time on the shorter videos which might help the algorithm to get your great content out to other potential subscribers. Again, great content as always.
Sorry for the late reply, we’re traveling on low internet! Thanks so much for your support and we appreciate you calling that out. We’ve been trying to condense the reviews as much as possible, but it’s difficult to fit in all the information we think potential guests might want to know. We haven’t considered splitting them into parts though…I guess my concern is that might work well for the algo, but maybe not for the actual people seeking that information? Thanks so much again, we really appreciate the advice!
I like this set up of being able to go over to another property instead of just being stuck on a small island
Hi Gilbert! We did too - it was so fun to go explore another hotel AND a marina. It makes you feel like there’s sooooo much more to do
Heyy! I really enjoy your channel and love you guys! Its been so helpful while dreaming and planning the vacation to Maledives! Something to ask if the activities on the Islands are included to the resorts or you have to pay extra for them? Such as snorkling or jets? I would really have been interested on prices included in the videos! But thanks for doing these videos and sharing your tips! Seems like you have quite a nice life 😍 ps. I think every massage you had was ”one of the best you’ve had”! Greedings from cold Finland! (Travel to Lapland if you haven’t)
Thank you so much!! and LOL so true about the massages haha!!
Regarding activities- pretty much every hotel has chargeable activities for anything with a motor. So things liket jet skis, parasailing, etc will cost usually for 20 minute time chunks. Things like scuba diving will always cost extra and same with excursions for snorkeling. *Most* hotels have free snorkeling gear (fins and goggles), which is great and sometimes offer complimentary house reef snorkel trips that leave from the beach. You typically have to pick it up at the water sports center and then you can keep them for the duration of your stay.
If you stay at a hotel on an all inclusive package or it's a super high end hotel, you can typically use their non-motorized activities like paddle boards and kayaks for free. Some hotels will charge for these activities for non-all-inclusive guests. I would highly recommend contacting the hotel for a price list on activities so you can see what it costs before committing.
We will definitely include pricing lists when possible, with the caveat that they can change! But great feedback!
Let us know any other questions you have :) - xx Maren
I think you guys are quickly becoming the pre-eminent hotel reviewers on youtube. This is especially useful for people who have yet to visit the Maldives. I posted this question on the blog as well: I booked an all inclusive w transfers included at Oblu Ailafushi, but I have read a few unfortunate reviews of the island and the beauty of its lagoon. I booked on Luxury Escapes and can still get a refund on Oblu but I am wondering if you guys think I should remain at Ailafushi or whether I should go with Saii or Hard Rock.
Hey there! Thank you so much- it means a lot to us ❤️❤️.
Regarding your question about ailafushi - from the reviews I’ve read (since we haven’t been), it sounds like the all inclusive at saii/hard rock is better from an inclusions standpoint and service standpoint. The all inclusive at saii and hard rock includes most of the restaurants in the marina and all the restaurants on property with great drink options so I think that’s a bit more upscale. I think ozen may also be lacking a bit in the style. So I would personally recommend saii or hard rock for the extensive options. The lagoon on the saii side (and hard rock over water facing saii) is STUNNING
@@VoyagerGuru Thank you! Will move from Oblu to Saii.
@@lobosolo2 enjoy!!
Hey guys, me and my husband just came from Heritance Aarah for our honeymoon and we told the management that we went there because of you. We just looove your channel, now another question: WHERE DOES MAX GOT THIS AMAZING NECKLACE ?
And Maren so gorgeous as always 😘
Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪
Hi there! Thank you so much for your amazing comment 😭😭 that’s so sweet. Thanks for sharing that with the hotel- that’s so nice of you :). Also lol! He actually got it as a gift from the hotel but they do sell it in a shop in the crossroads marina! Next time you go to the Maldives, worth the trip :). Thanks so much again!
Awesome video VG. Does the all inclusive includes some dining options at Hardrock and Marina as well?
Thank you so much for your comment! That's correct- you will have access to the hard rock outlets and the marina. In the marina, the restaurants will include an appetizer, entree and dessert as well as alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Ministry of Crab only gives you a small credit but the other restaurants do include the three course meal for free :)
Hi guys, is there a minimarket on the island? :) good video btw, thank you so much!!
Hey there! There are a couple shops in the marina - are you looking for something in particular? There are mostly just souvenir style shops
@@VoyagerGuru Hey, I was wondering, if there is a small Shop to buy some food and drinks.. that you don’t have to use the minibar so often… :)
Hi! How is the snorkeling or the coral reef there? Can you snorkel from the beach or do you have to take an excursion?
Hey Sam! There are some areas of snorkeling on property, but much of the hotel is on a sand bottom lagoon that’s just pristinely blue so not much coral around. By the main beach at SAii there is a big shelf and in the afternoons you can often snorkel with the dolphins so that’s pretty amazing and it’s just for the beach. We did a snorkeling excursion that was pretty close that had a lot more coral and sealife.
Thank you for this amazing video!! I have couple of questions:
to go to hard rock, can you get there by walking & is it for free?
Are the water activities in the hotel for free or do you have to pay?
finally, when you used the speedboat to reach the hotel, how much was that?
sorry for asking too much but the website doesnt provide all these details😭
Hi Razan! Thank you so much!! You can access any of the islands while you stay at crossroads, so you can explore hard rock saii lagoon and the marina at your leisure :). they have shuttles or you can walk. Bikes are impossible to find but you can also grab a bicycle.
The activities are a mix - if you have all inclusive you do have access to some more things for free like paddle boarding and snorkeling :). They also sell jet skis and other fun stuff.
The speedboat is around $140 per person and takes about 20 minutes from male! When you arrive in male, make sure you have told the hotel in advance so they can be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal - you’ll see them holding a sign! Don’t say sorry, we’re here to help!! Reach out any time :)
Did they charge for covid test and how much? I saw a few people mention it was roughly $100 per test. I wanted to get an idea before booking! thank you :) love this video
Hi there! thanks for your comment :). I believe the covid tests are around $120 per person and they do them the day before you depart :). If you are going back to the US, I would recommend bringing the Emed travel tests instead as you will save some money and also its super easy. I hope this helps!
Hi guys how are you? I want to ask you what resort can you recommend for us? Which one is the best? Thank you 😊
Hi Nodira! DM us on Instagram and we can help :) the answer really depends on your budget and what you’re looking for in terms of vacation priorities. With over 200 resorts here there’s the perfect hotel for everyone :)
Does the all inclusive mean that all your drinks and food are free?
Hi there! Thanks for your comment! Correct, all inclusive means that drinks and food are included. SAii does have some restrictions, though, such as 1 appetizer, 1 entree and 1 dessert for dinner. Some all inclusive resorts, like Ozen Life Maadhoo offer anything you want for free so the type of all inclusive really depends on the hotel. Happy to answer any additional questions!
I dont usually pay by card. I am very traditional type of person i prefer to pay by cash. Is Maldives just accepting us dollar only? Im planning to go on a vacation by first quarter of next year and most definitely im gonna bring cash with me..
Hi Vaughn! I believe they require a debit or credit card to hold any reservation, however, you can pay by cash on checkout. They accept USD but the Maldivian currency is also accepted :) I would call the hotel for specifics!
@@VoyagerGuru oh thank you so much for your response much appreciated. With regards to the reservation most definitely I'm going to use my card but with some other things like purchasing some souvenirs or eating outside definitely im going to pay cash.
Anytime!! Yes for sure US dollars or Maldivian currency is good for that. There are some ATMs at the airport - some banks have better rates for pulling out cash in country versus exchanging currency before your trip
Anytime!! Yes for sure US dollars or Maldivian currency is good for that. There are some ATMs at the airport - some banks have better rates for pulling out cash in country versus exchanging currency before your trip
messirve please
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Wow, nice great review! we have just added your video to our website in saii lagon Maldives resort. Kindly check it out
Thank you for your comment! Glad you like the review :)
Hello! Can one guest from hardrock hotel go into the island of saii lagoon hotel for free just to spend the day there? Thanks in advance!!
Hey there! Great question! You absolutely can! You can move freely between the resorts via a long bridge. You can go to any of the restaurants across both properties, including breakfast! There’s no restrictions to hotel guests between the two hotels. Hope this helps!! Ps - our favorite place ever was the pool at saii. Absolutely gorgeous and amazing food
@@VoyagerGuru Hi again! Thanks for your recomendación -and lovely video x
Thank you so much!! Glad to help :) have the best trip!!
Hi how much is lunch and dinner per person?