This is a second trip to this resort, the first having been 15 years ago when it was only one island.
This trip for a 40th Wedding Anniversary, was booked at the beginning of the year via British Airways.
Prior to holiday, we couldn’t get onto the resort app to see what we could arrange to do on our anniversary. Initially we thought it was just too early. Eight days before we were due to fly my husband phoned the resort to see what could be done – only to be told that we were not booked in until December! The resort couldn’t change dates as booked via BA. Several calls to both BA (quite difficult to get through to correct team) and to the Resort did get this resolved, but not before a few very stressed days.
We were met at the airport by resort team member, but lots of hanging around for others before boat transfer could commence. Transferred to the island on an older style boat – very bumpy and not very comfortable after 10.5 hours in the air. (The return to the airport was much better in new, more comfortable speed boat).
On arrival in resort we were greeted by our lovely Island Host Mayumi. Final documentation and proof our anniversary given, we were quickly escorted to our room. We had checked in to the island before leaving UK, so very straight forward.
Room was lovely, clean and as described and as seen in resort pictures. All areas well maintained and serviced daily. Bed was large and comfortable. The extra space afforded by being a suite was lovely. Air conditioning units and ceiling fans in both areas, as well as ceiling fan on outside patio area. Good bathroom – didn’t take long to get used to the outside facilities. A loo with the view of the flying fruit bats is quite a thing!
TV in both indoor areas – to be honest barely used. Mini bar with wine, beer, cold coffee and soft drinks is replenished daily. Tea and coffee making facilities, also replenished daily.
Lovely large outdoor area with seating, sun loungers and pool and looking out to sea. Pool was a good size and well maintained.
Food and drink – Main island buffet has good selection of food and drink, which should cater for most tastes. We used this restaurant the most. Staff on the whole were attentive and friendly. Thank you to Deepak, Sanjaya, Babul, Rajesh and Hamadhan amongst many others who served us in the buffet restaurant.
Booked meals at the Siyam Orchid, Nameste, Island Pizza (for lunch and dinner), Crust and Flame and our favourite evening meal at The Culinarium on Romance Island which was a lovely experience for a belated anniversary meal.
We had a floating breakfast on day of our anniversary – a nice experience, but cheese does not survive the heat, even early in the morning!
We had a couples massage on our anniversary, something we had done on previous trip, which was as lovely on this trip as the first.
We did go out kayaking for an hour and undertook the sunset cruise. We did go over to Dream Island and use the pool over there – nice area with a pool bar. We had some enjoyable, but very hot walks over to the other islands. The wandering chickens and turkeys on Romance Island was quite a surprise.
Overall, a lovely holiday, with some interesting elements. Considering we had advised it was a special anniversary, there were a few hiccups. Our room attendant was decorating our room, but believed from the information he had that it was my birthday. Once convinced it was an anniversary not a birthday, he set about decorating our bed, only to get my first name wrong. Later in the day, a birthday note and cake appeared – my correct name, but still wrong event. We’d booked for Siyam Orchid for evening meal – no special table etc, which anyone else in resort celebrating a special occasion did get. My husband and myself just laughed about everything as just one of those things, though would have been nice to have had those things to make the day more special. However, a few days later we were at a cocktail party meeting some of the management team and mentioned what had happened, not as a complaint, just simply explaining what had happened when asked about our stay. He was not happy about all that had happened the day of our anniversary and set about making our evening at The Culinarium restaurant special. We returned to our room to find our bed decorated with ‘Happy Anniversary’ with correct names and a small gift for each of us. Lovely, thank you.
Overall, we had a fantastic, relaxing holiday, but there are a few things to mention -
Our room was very central, which meant loud disco/ music until midnight which we heard in our room. Whilst seeing the live music was great (II Sense rock band are worth seeing), the disco music seemed to empty out the bar and made it hard to chat even outside on the decking. Ibiza this resort is not, and maybe shouldn’t try to go that way (even many of the fruit bats leave the island in the evening to escape the noise of loud music).
There can be combustion fumes – possibly from generators or the motor boats in the lagoon, not sure which. Sometimes more obvious than others.
Mosquito / insect bites were a real problem. Even my husband who usually gets bitten less was regularly affected.
The new pool bar on Dream Island near Crust and Flame is dark and no way to clearly see the steps and ledges in that pool – stubbed toes at the very least, but fear someone will do more damage to themselves. We were fortunately warned before we got in the pool.
Snorkelling in the lagoon was a bit of a let down after our first experience here – the marine life seems much depleted since our first visit. It may be natural & environmental process, but may be due to the changes brought about in developing the other islands and the boats and motor sport activities in the lagoon. Hard to tell, but such a shame after our previous experiences there, which was one of our drivers in deciding to return. The house reef was a bit rough for my liking, but I understand is pretty good for snorkelling and my husband did enjoy going out there. We did do some snorkelling on the Dream Island side lagoon and saw a bit more marine life. I understand there might be plans for further development of the resort and wonder how that might impact.
There are so many little areas in the buffet restaurant that all look the same, that if you take a wrong turn out of one of the doors it is very easy to lose where your table is – so once hot food is considerably cooler by the time you get to eat it, especially as cold plates! Buffet could really do with some sort of zoning to make it easier to find way back – even if it is only subtle décor change.
Overall though, the staff are lovely and helpful, food is good and it’s nice to have a bit of space to wander over to the other islands. Our room and pool were lovely. So would be go back? The answer is a very definite ‘yes’, funds permitting of course.
