Hotel Conrad di Rangalifinolhu

Context: My extended family. Wife & I, our 2 sons and my eldest’s family, including 2 toddler Granddaughters, 7 of us. 4 of us had been here ~15 years ago. Stayed in a 3 Bed Villa (128/129) on “the main island” for 6 nights. Summary: is there a better luxury Maldivian Resort? I doubt it. Highlights: + Lovely Villa: well positioned for the beach, 2 pools. Eldest and his little family could have privacy when needed. Some niggling issues but these were always rapidly resolved thru our Butler. Ideal dimensions & layout for us. Buggy service to restaurants, spa, Ocean Centre, Kids Club was ideal. + Conrad’s outstanding people: All good, or better. Highlighting a few who stick in my mind one week after departing: + Fasy (soon referred to as Uncle Fasy by my Grandaughters) our butler: A lovely human being. “Always there” for all of us. Buggy rides, advice, help in resolving villa niggles. An outstanding ambassador for Conrad. +Najiba, a Moroccan lady server in Atoll. Consistently kind to my family, particularly to my Grandaughters at breakfast. And she allowed me to practice my appalling French. +Filipa, a young Portuguese lady who managed our private boat trip: Rays & Dolphins & some snorkeling. The kind of young woman, who you’d like your unmarried adult son to be attached to (but realistically know won’t happen). By the end of the trip, my granddaughters were calling her Auntie Filipa – she was adept at leading a boat tour for 3 generations, including an old, mediocre swimmer/snorkeler (me). Filipa put the safety of my family above all else – postponing our trip for calmer weather and constantly watching over all of us when it eventually took place. And the lady, for sure, is a talented swimmer. + Executive Chef. I believe he’s American (?). I like my fish: At Sunset Grill he cooked a stunning black cod: lovely ingredient beautifully cooked, World class IMO. Sunset Grill’s centrally located kitchen is managedcalmness: no shouting, every chef seems to know where he fits in, totally focused on culinary excellence for their guests. + All Conrad staff involved in the pre-arrival preparations of our holiday: answering questions, taking restaurant bookings, arranging private boat trip, seaplane flights etc. Clear, informative, communicative, guest-focused staff. + The lovely Indonesian Baby-Sitters at the Kids Club. So caring, so kind – women who clearly love interacting with and caring for toddlers. + GM Thomas has assembled an outstanding group of diverse, skilled, customer-focused people to run the resort. And he’s so approachable – thank you Thomas. + The food. We particularly enjoyed Ufaa (excellent Chinese), Sunset Grill and Atoll for Breakfast (an excellent spread). Quality, Quality, Quality. Tips: + If you want to eat at KoKo Grill, Ufaa or Sunset Grill …then book ahead, that is….way ahead of your arrival. Rangali Bar & Atoll don’t need advance bookings IMO. + Take a Private Boat Trip. Ask for Filipa to lead, she will ta