Just returned after a week staying here.
Arrival at airport we located our rep who directed us to another rep at the other end of the airport who directed us to wait outside near the boat dock, 30 minutes later the first rep arrived with a group of other guests, we then waited another 30 minutes for a boat.
Arrival at the resort, NO welcome just one staff member telling you to go and sit in a seating area near the launch, another staff member turned up with hot towels, we then was left sitting there for around 20 minutes before being offered a cold drink, this turned out to be a beer or Orange Cordial ( Not fresh juice ) just cheap cordial.
We then had to sit through a greet meeting telling you where you can eat or can not eat and the same goes for the bars, we were provided with incorrect info as we were told we could only drink at one bar.
Then came the signing of the terms, which also had incorrect things in them which we were required to sign, when pointing this out, it was OK they are aware they need changing, but they insist you sign.
Then on to the cart and taken to your room, luggage arrived 30 minutes later, there was only 3 families arrived so not sure why so long.
No one actually shown you round your room and explained how things worked like aircon TV, they did not even get out of the golf cart.
So a very poor arrival.
The Room
Our room was very clean with a comfy bed, good air conditioning, TV that worked when it wanted, it would freeze every night without fail.
The Bathroom had an opening so all the bugs could just get in and they did come in. wasps. mossi every night, some morning we had 5 wasps in there.
The bath rooms was large with a toilet shower and sink.
Outside the room was a seat that was more like a bed, I had to ask for a seat with a backrest and arms to be able to sit comfortable.
Our room was kept clean by a very nice man who did a great job.
The Site
The paths and gardens were kept clean by a group of ladies from the local islands near by and they did a good job.
The beach was a different picture, it was cleaned by a few men but they only cleaned the sea weed up, we found plastic bottles and other waste washed in but no body wanted to clean this stuff up, it was crazy, the Hotel has a no plastic rule but when it washed up on the beach they just left it.
The Bars.
Being a None drinker I asked for a fresh orange juice and was refused unless I pay more, I was told I could have cheap orange cordial, it says in the AI you can have Alcoholic and None alcoholic drinks, Fresh Orange must fall into None alcoholic ?
The next day in the restaurant a manager came up and said he was sorry I was told I could not have the Fresh Orange and I was allowed one each day If I would come back to the bar, NO thanks. The same rule was in the restaurant also NO fresh Orange just orange cordial. So you can drink all the alcohol you want but none drinkers can not even get a fresh Orange.
It felt like you were a second class guest.
The Beach
The island only has a beach on one side, not all round as it looks in the images, one side is rocky and rough sea. The beach side is nice apart from rubbish that washes up and then does not get cleaned up.
The Food.
All though some of the food was very nice it was repetitive, so the longer you stay the more boring it gets, there is a station where fresh things are made like fries, nan bread and some other stuff, you had to wait all the time, they would make one small nan bread that was cut into 4 pieces at a time, so if you wanted curry you had to wait for the nan first, the same went for anything made from this station, chicken raps would be made in small numbers so was gone instantly.
You are allocated your table on your first visit and that is where you sit every meal.
All the staff were very nice, our waiter was excellent every day even teaching me to speak the language and giving us advise on how to travel around the local islands cheap, as we will return but not to a resort but to the local islands to see the real Maldives.
The Staff
We found al the staff to be very friendly and welcoming, they all came across as being genuinely happy to see you.
Just the check in problem, being given incorrect info and the time it took was not good service.
Check out
On the day of check out a buggy came to collect our bags, but not us, it was not a buggy with seats, so we walked to the reception, checkout was quick and they gave us water bottles as a gift, and a bag that was breakfast, that contained an apple orange and pastries, a small carton of Apple juice ( No Orange ) we left it there.
We were told there was coffee at the table while we waited for the boat, there was no Milk/Creamers for the coffee, when I asked reception it was a simple we have none, they know you are leaving at 6am and can not get a coffee but do not care to have everything so you can make your own.
It was all the small things like this that make me say this is only 3 stars at the most, in fact I have been in better 3 star hotels.
It could be a gem but the small details are missing, the walk ways were very dark at night.
Room service was very expensive, they had a beach BQ but at a cost of $95 per person. excursion expensive and only lasted 1-2 hours £180 for a Dolphin boat ride that lasted 1.5 hrs.
I would not recommend this resort, the only thing it has going for it is the Staff, I would return to the Maldives but go to the local Islands now I have learned more about the area.
The sea around the island has not got much life, the coral is all dead, you had to snorkel far out to find any life, but be careful of any cables/pipes that have been laid on the sea bed.
