We stayed at Embudu Village for two weeks to take in my birthday on 22nd December, Christmas and New Year. We chose this resort as on previous visits, this was our fourth visit to the Maldives, after long flights from Manchester via Dubai a domestic flight or a seaplane that can be held up by bad weather did not appeal. The speedboat transfer was speedy and efficient, check in carried out quickly, and we were shown to our accommodation, Beach Bungalow No 31, with our suitcases being transported in a wheelbarrow.
We had a great, and very relaxing holiday and were well looked after. Things we particularly liked:
Short transfer from airport, friendly and helpful staff, service was exemplary. Great bar, with a sun deck for sundowners. We liked having a dedicated dining table and waiter, whose name unfortunately we do not have, we did ask his name but didn’t really catch it. Food was great, and they certainly pulled the stops out for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
It is a pretty island with lots of trees and wild life.
Despite reports of hard beds, and it did feel hard, it was extremely comfortable and we slept like logs. The shower was great and aircon worked a treat.
Things we were not so keen on:
The wifi was pretty poor, though better in bar area. We thought there were some maintenance issues with furniture looking a bit knocked about, thin towels and our safe didn’t work reliably. There were no dedicated sunbeds with the bungalow so we were putting towels out at 6.30am. We were surprised on an All Inclusive holiday to be charged a daily rate for snorkel equipment, which has never happened before. It meant that on reflection we handed it back after two days and didn’t even enquire about trips out as they wouldn’t be included too. Tbh we are reaching the age when activities are less important. I was very surprised to hear the dive guy saying that on the ‘Stingray City’ trip they feed the fish, which is illegal, as are vapes which were much in evidence.
Where we were staying it was disappointing to see so many prominent sandbags, there was a masonry wall and steps which had presumably not been added to other than the sandbags. Walking around the other end of the island (eastern) were perfect Maldivian beaches, bungalows 64-81 I think, maybe worth asking for in the future. The resort was established in 1979 so one of the older ones, we think a bit more maintenance would be a good thing, though there was such a pleasant laid back atmosphere. It is a very small island, approx 350 x 150 yds, no pool, but we didn’t need one. I wasn’t too sure of the bungalows being joined in groups of four but it didn’t impact us at all. It has a lot going for it which for anyone checking budgets is worth going for.
