The Pig Pig 618 promotion is about to start (actually, it has already started, with early purchases available daily recently).
Due to scheduling and the limitation of posting only one WeChat public account content per day, some last-minute, sudden good deals will be shared on our secondary account, 【Happy Travel Guide】.
If you haven’t followed our secondary account yet, hurry and do so!
Additionally, the discount coupons for 618 have started to come online one after another. Today there’s a coupon from Senbo.
Senbo 9.9元 discount against a 220元 coupon pack (calendar full 21-20, full 1200-50, package full 1500-50, full 3000-100).
To purchase, use the Taobao code: 29￥ CZ0002 RWqLWuqFOlF￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.gXelBgV/.
Coupons do not need to be returned, so everyone can stock up with confidence. Even if the coupons are used, but the final package is not redeemed, it will still be refunded.
Alright, back to the issue at hand. Today we focus on the Maldives, which I’m sharing with everyone early for grabs.
When promoting the Maldives, we adhere to several principles:
1) We do not promote artificial islands that have been open for less than 5 years. There’s a high likelihood that the vegetation isn’t fully established yet, and the snorkeling around those islands can be a complete mess;
2) We must have visited the location ourselves, or after promoting, we must visit it ourselves as soon as possible. For specifics, you can refer to our previous promotions like Park Hyatt, Ayada, Velavaru, Westin, Kuramathi Island, Radisson, Jawakara. I feel uneasy promoting travel products that cost thousands of dollars if we haven’t even gone to check them out ourselves.
3) Must have a price advantage. We don’t promote the Maldives very often, but we receive many offers. 99% of these offers aren’t worth recommending and just waste everyone’s time.
We previously went to scout Velavaru.
Today’s focus is the Radisson Blu Resort Maldives.
Today is May 16, Thursday. The Pig Pig 618 promotion starts this Saturday, May 18, so today is considered an early purchase day. The reason for early release is so that everyone can secure bookings for the summer and National Day holidays.
Also, using Huabei (a credit service) is for stocking up on large travel products.
Everyone can feel completely reassured that the price for 618 will definitely not be broken; we have also compared prices on foreign sites in detail and haven’t found better prices. We also welcome everyone to do casual price comparisons.
Now, let’s showcase the product.
Radisson Blu Resort Maldives: 4 nights Overwater Villa with Pool – Lagoon View + SAI breakfast, lunch, and dinner, + round trip internal flight/water flight, 11,999 yuan/person.
Valid until October 31, 2024, with no price increase for all dates before August 31. A supplement of 400 yuan/person in September and a supplement of 1600 yuan/person in October. Available for National Day!
The maximum occupancy is 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Redemption must be completed by September 30.
If you want to stay in a better room (actually the same room type, just a different orientation), you can choose this:
Radisson Blu Resort Maldives: 4 nights Overwater Villa with Pool – Sunrise View + HB breakfast and dinner + round trip internal flight/water flight, 11,999 yuan/person.
Validity, price increase, and occupancy are the same. The difference is that this package is not fully inclusive, only includes breakfast and dinner. However, the room orientation is better.
Why one is SAI and the other is HB?
Lagoon View water villas may have some rooms with barriers blocking the view, or the view may not be particularly good. Since the allocation of rooms is random, customers who mind this can choose the Sunrise View water villa package.
The two room types are completely identical, but in terms of the view from the room, the Sunrise View is definitely a bit better.
I’ll share a very extreme case—look at the picture—some water villas may block some views. The reason this is an extreme case is that such viewpoints are generally not arranged (among so many water villas, having a bad view is very rare).
There are quite a few complimentary items:
During the stay, enjoy one complimentary floating breakfast for two; each room can benefit from a free dolphin cruise (subject to prior reservation, dependent on weather conditions and available slots);
Free rental of snorkeling gear, free non-motorized water activities (excluding catamaran), group yoga classes, fitness classes, kids club, multifunctional sports field (free tennis rackets & tennis), a 24-hour gym, and up to 4 pieces of laundry per villa get dry-cleaned for free;
During the stay, adults and children aged 6 and above can enjoy a complimentary snorkeling course once (children must be accompanied by at least one parent/guardian; free snorkeling courses – three times a week, each for 20 minutes, subject to weather and availability);
Honeymoon benefits can be requested (valid marriage certificate required within 12 months, results and specifics subject to hotel confirmation);
Family benefits: each room can accommodate up to 2 children under 16 for free (using the children’s menu); if children under 16 use the adult à la carte menu, they can enjoy a 50% discount;
Family activity: plant a coconut tree.
The hotel does not recommend accommodation for children under 12 in overwater accommodations (this is generally consistent across the Maldives due to safety concerns). If needed, parents/guardians will be required to sign a waiver during check-in.
In addition, readers of our “Happy Travel” will receive VIP stay benefits (reference content, minor adjustments may apply, specifics depend on the hotel):
3 varieties of macarons
Chocolate-covered strawberries or cotton candy
Handcrafted premium chocolate
Welcome fruit basket
A bottle of champagne, sparkling wine, or other selected alcoholic beverages (specific requests can be made to the butler due to differing guest needs)
Coconut water
I don’t have a picture of this VIP benefit, so I’ll share a photo from our visit last time that shows our benefits (which may differ slightly from this current VIP offer).
To purchase, use the Taobao code: 77￥ MF1643 at6pWu8qIT6￥ https://m.tb.cn/h.gXtlVJJ/.
It is on sale now, and you can use Huabei for stocking; it’s from a domestic store, so no need for repayment if not redeemed.
Huabei is meant to be used for stocking large travel items like this.
We have authority on this—Radisson was promoted by us right when it opened, and we also specifically went to the island to experience it, writing a report.
The only heart-shaped island in the Maldives; initially overlooked, but now it’s highly sought after.
Radisson is located on Huruelhi Island in the South Ari Atoll of the Maldives.
This atoll is home to whale sharks, dolphins, sea turtles year-round, and seasonal manta rays, with a variety of underwater sightings, all being “big catches.”
You can see the picture; there are plenty of nearby diving spots.
Radisson is a “double island,” and I put quotes around “double” because one of the islands is quite small (lower left).
Radisson is not an artificial island, but the small one (Hanhaarafushi) is built artificially, so the vegetation on that small island is still not very dense.
Of course, this picture was taken during our visit last year, and it has surely improved since then.
Identifying artificial islands is actually quite easy; artificial islands are all accessible by speedboat, while water flights and internal flights do not have artificial islands.
As for the beach, Radisson has good beaches, with the entire island surrounded by a ring of white sand as fine as flour. According to Maldivian standards, a high sand ratio—360° of the island is surrounded by beaches.
Radisson also features abundant underwater coral for snorkeling. Additionally, it’s close to the western edge of the Maldives, with evident underwater fractures, making it possible to see “big catches” while deep diving.
The only consideration here is that winds and waves can be strong, which may impact your snorkeling experience. Additionally, due to the high winds, the areas available for snorkeling at Radisson are relatively limited.
Radisson also has other highlights: six-star island status, the only heart-shaped water villas, massive water villas, friendly towards Chinese guests, and even a Chinese chef offering Chinese cuisine.
Radisson has high recognition in the Chinese market, and it has its reasons.
Another note is that we’re offering SAI (Semi All Inclusive), meaning three meals a day plus limited alcoholic beverage service during meal times. If you wish to indulge in unlimited drinking, there might be some small restrictions.
Additionally, non-motorized water projects are completely free of charge.
At this point, it must be mentioned that Radisson has a wide selection of restaurants included in SAI.
Breakfast is served in the main restaurant, Raha.
This restaurant is floating above the sea, with dining accompanied by sea views, operating in a semi-buffet mode. The central area features an open kitchen where the chefs cook on-site; the chef from Xi’an runs this restaurant.
Breakfast is available from 7 AM to 11 AM.
Radisson’s breakfast is quite friendly to Chinese tastes, as you can see from the picture of noodles and deep-fried dough sticks.
For lunch, there are three restaurants to choose from: the main restaurant Raha, or Eats & Beats, and Crusoe’s for three-course dinners.
Raha enjoys the chef from Xi’an, who can stir-fry dishes on-site. As far as I know, Radisson is the only place in the Maldives where you can have a chef stir-fry Chinese dishes right in front of you.
The wok aroma is very satisfying.
Eats & Beats is a poolside restaurant and bar.
Crusoe’s, located on the small island of Radisson, is a bar and restaurant with fantastic scenery.
For dinner, you can choose from four restaurants: the main restaurant Raha buffet, Eats & Beats for a three-course dinner. These two restaurants are entirely free (only in rare cases might there be some expensive dishes that require payment).
Alifaan Mediterranean restaurant and Kabuki Japanese seafood restaurant offer a quota of $65 per person; anything beyond that will need to be paid by guests themselves.
The package also includes a dolphin cruise. The chances of seeing dolphins while at sea are exceptionally high. The last time we visited, we encountered numerous dolphins.
It’s quite normal to see dolphins in the Maldives; basically every island can offer this experience.
Radisson’s highlights are the abundant marine life nearby, including whale sharks, sea turtles, and seasonal manta rays. We spotted a baby shark underwater while dining at the restaurant.
Moreover, the package includes a water flight to the island.
We still recommend water flights in the Maldives, as the scenery is simply breathtaking. Only when you take a water flight can you truly appreciate the pearls of islands in the Maldives.
However, it’s important to mention that if the flight timing isn’t proper (you can only fly to the island after 3 PM, and water flights aren’t available all day), or if the weather conditions are unique (water flights are heavily influenced by weather), an internal flight might be arranged.
Chances of poor weather are low; just pay attention to your island arrival time.
Let’s talk about the rooms at Radisson, which are truly very suitable for Chinese aesthetic preferences.
These villas are quite spacious, with the smallest ones at 220 sqm, and each villa comes with a super large private pool. The smallest rooms can accommodate 3-4 people (one main bedroom, one sofa bed or sleeper chair, accommodating 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children).
Let’s look at the water villas, and the pool is particularly impressive. It’s hard to find villas of the same price that are larger or newer than Radisson’s.
The pool villas at Radisson truly live up to the term “pool villas.” Many other Maldivian pool villas might more accurately be described as “soaking pool villas.”
The ceilings are also very high, with the upper level being approximately 6 meters (just an estimate), and the internal space is well-utilized.
Plus, the rooms opened in 2020, meaning the hardware is quite new.
The maximum occupancy for the rooms is 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children; a 220 sqm room will surely be able to accommodate this.
The bathrooms also offer good ocean views.
Furthermore, Radisson has more water villas than beach villas, so this package includes four nights entirely in water villas.
Radisson’s child policy is also favorable.
