Is the Park Hyatt Maldives meal plan worth it? When does booking a dining plan makes sense and save money? Keep reading to find out.
Steve, a reader and one of my travel buddies, emailed asking:
I just booked 4 nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives for next February….Did you do the half board plan?
Is the Park Hyatt Maldives Meal Plan Worth it?
The Park Hyatt Maldives offers three meal plans: all inclusive, full board, and half board. Infants under up to 23 months eat free.
The all inclusive plan includes all meals and premium alcohol, free mini bar, BBQ night, and a private beach dinner. Adults pay $210 per night, kids aged 2 to 11 pay $105 per night.
Adults on the full board plan get breakfast, lunch, dinner, a 50% discount on Chef’s specials, and a $75 credit at the Island Grill for $180 per night, $90 for kids.
The half board plan includes dinner, half off Chef’s specials, and a $75 credit at the Island Grill. Adults pay $130 a night, $65 for kids.
You can book any meal plan, even if using points for your stay.
Globalist
Meals can be expensive at luxury hotels, especially ones isolated on their own island.
But if you have Globalist status with World of Hyatt like Steve does, is the half board plan worth it?
No.
Here’s why…
Because the Park Hyatt Maldives is a remote island, instead of getting up early you can sleep in.
As a Globalist, you get free breakfast daily which includes the buffet and 2 items from the menu.
Breakfast turns into brunch.
That should carry you over until early evening. During Happy Hour you get a free drink and canapes per person.
You only need to buy dinner, maybe lunch if you get hungry.
The half board plan only includes dinner.
Dinner entrees are $32 to $45. If you get the most expensive appetizer and entree, it’s only $73. Which is $57 less per day than the half board plan.
If you’re a Globalist, the dining plans aren’t worth it. You’ll pay more money and won’t get any real benefit.
What if You Don’t Have Elite Status with Hyatt
If you don’t have elite status with Hyatt, purchasing a meal plan could be worth it. Depending on how much you eat and drink.
The all inclusive plan is a great value if you will eat three meals a day and drink top shelf alcohol.
If you won’t drink daily, you should get the full board plan.
Planning on sleeping in? Breakfast not your thing? The half board plan could be worth it.
Before you decide on a meal plan, review the menus. It might be cheaper to go a la carte.
How to Save Your Wallet and Waist
Pro-tip: Order off the children’s menu
Portions are decent sized and the prices are significantly cheaper.
You can order the most expensive starter and main from the kid’s menu for $37. That’s a $93 savings over the half board plan.
Because you won’t be doing a lot of walking and burning calories, you won’t be too hungry.
Ordering from the children’s menu means big savings for your wallet and waist.
Conclusion
The Park Hyatt Maldives meal plans could be a great option for some people.
But for some, you’ll save more money going a la carte. Especially if you have Globalist status.
As a Globalist, you get free breakfast each day. The expansive buffet plus 2 items from the menu can keep you full until Happy Hour.
Our favorite trick to save money on food is to order off the children’s menu.
Not only do you save money but you get a reasonably sized portion.
But there are other ways to save money on food. Stay tuned for our next post on how to save money on food at the Park Hyatt Maldives.
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Ryan Biddulph
Thursday 19th of April 2018
LOL on the kid's menu guys! Because that is exactly how I'd do it! I consume the Boxcar Hobo diet anyway, cold beans out of can, and whatever the earth grows, here in New Zealand. Pay a little, eat a little, remain healthy and energized. Binge when you leave the island and return to civilization if need be.
Ryan