Just back from another wonderful trip to Riu Maldives. I am now classing this as my 2nd home. From the minute you arrive at Male, the Riu staff make everything so simple. I have done several reviews on the Hotel previously and everything is still as good. If you want a more thorough review of the actual Hotel, you can search for my previous reviews.
Again though, it is the staff that make this place, as far as we are concerned. It was great to catch up with numerous members of staff that we have got to know over the last few years, once we arrived at the Hotel. A big thank you to Shafaz, Dhanuka and Amila and the reception team for looking after us. Check-in was a breeze and we were soon in our room, changed and back out to catch some sun.
It was so pleasing to turn the corner at the pool bar and be greeted by Supun, Dasun, Aminda, Singhe and then Jessica, followed by Niko and Fernando the next day. Also got to mention Sanju who was still over working at the Palace, but we managed to get to see him a couple of times and just a shame that we never got to say good-bye this time. Also a mention for Nandana who looked after us very well as usual. He is such a gentleman.
Then we get to Philippe looking after the restaurant staff and is always happy to stop for a chat. He has a wonderful team in the restaurants, who look after the guests very well. It is just such a pity that certain guests do not show the same level of politeness to them. Why some guests think it is acceptable to just bark orders to staff, with no 'Please' or 'Thank You' is very annoying and downright rude. Manners cost nothing. Again, it was good to see the very attentive Thaney in the restaurants, who did a great job, when Philippe left for his vacation. Thaney even stopped by the buffet restaurant after getting off the boat, when he was returning to Riu after his vacation, to come and see us and say hello, which was a very nice thing to do and just made us feel that welcome. Then of course, there is the wonderful smelling Abu. As soon as you walk into the restaurant, you can tell if Abu is working, as you always can smell him first. Him and Thaney are a pair of comedians and work well together. Again, both always have time to mingle with the guests, despite their busy workload. Also nice to see Sandun again (at Palace) as we know him well from our previous visits and also Edi from the kitchen over there as well. He remembered us from last summer and again was only too happy to have a chat.
Sanjay and Aimee on the Entertainment/Activities Team did a wonderful job and we had a laugh with them. They put a great deal of effort in with the guests and always smiling.
If I have missed anybody, then I am really sorry, but our 'friends' seem to grow visit upon visit. It will be sad to visit again in the future and not see Dhanuka & Sandun again though. Best wishes to Dhanuka in his new adventure in the New Year and thanks for all you have done for us in the last few years and I hope that Sandun gets some quality time with his family when he returns home.
We had already booked again for end of next June to return and last week, we also booked for end of October.
The only small issue we had this time, was the amount of coral and small stones/rocks that washed up on the beach over the 10-days we stayed this time. It increased as the days passed by. It became increasingly sore on the soles of the feet, to actually get down and into the sea. It could do with something or someone with a fine rake to drag these items away from the beach..........and for the record, I am available if required.
Once again, if any management from Riu are looking at these reviews, then please, please, please give your staff a big pat on the back for the wonderful job that they do here. They are the best staff we have ever encountered anywhere in the world we have ever been.
We look forward to seeing you all again soon (not soon enough).
