We stayed at Paradise Island, Lankanfinolhu, phone 960-664-0011. Its about 30 mins from the airport but well worth it. Ask for crew discount when you book, we got 20%.
As EAM mentioned in an earlier post a lot of airlines stayed on Kurumba. Unfortunately they kicked all the airlines of the island and we are now going to Paradise Island. Several crews staying on Paradise Island at the moment. (First Choice, Monarch and Eurofly)
If you can choose than i would go for Kurumba as it is a bit more upmarket. You get more honeymoon couples on Kurumba and during the day and evening its fairly quiet. Paradise Island attracts the normal travelling public (not only couples on honeymoon) and is a bit more lively during the day and evening.
I,ve just had a week layover in MLE.Depends what you want .My company stay at the Hulhule airport hotel.Good rooms,free good wifi for crew,excellent reasonably priced food (very high hygiene standards..no issues unlike the cheaper resorts) $4 for a large beer less crew discount,excellent pool and sunbathing area.There is no beach though lots of trips available to resorts.Hotel provides a free regular boat service to the capital Male all day and evening where there are lots of really cheap and good restaurants but dry no alcohol allowed (typically thai $7 per head for a feast).Unless your a beach freak this is a better option than the cheap resorts where crews get sent.A week on a small island starts to strain your sanity there are more options at this hotel.Some resorts are superb and very expensive the cheaper ones can be pretty grim and rather holiday campish (may be all inclusive though if dodgy buffets are your scene).
Citation I lived in Male for about a year and half flying the twin otters on floats. If your looking for a week of the same thing then like the guys before you said, find a resort island to goto. I would highly recommend Kuredu in the North. IT would require a sea plane transfer so a bit more cost would be involved, not sure your price range. It is not a super fancy resort but more a young crowd from the UK and Europe. By far the most fun I had my whole time there. I really looked forward to overnights there.
The Hulhule Hotel right at the airport offers some good times. Nice pool with outside bar. Inside bar and nice restaurant. Good rooms. If you are there for a week you are bound to see a lot of skirts. This is the main hang out away from home for all the expats working in the Maldives. Pilots are no exception with around 60 drivers between the two comapnies your bound to run into some of the guys who are for the most part friendly. I often had one to many drinks with pilots from other companies so that connection is there if your into hanging out with people of like minded attitudes. In fact I just got hired at a newer airline in Asia form meeting some guys I had beer with on a couple occasions. Plus you might even get invited to a party in Male with the expats. With so many pilots working in the Maldives, there are parties everynight!!
Male is not all that exciting but there a few nice hidden gems for restaurants and like said before well priced for the budget minded individual.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask. I did not like living in Male the city but working in the Maldives as a barefoot pilot was and still is the best job I have ever had and I miss that job dearly!
I, with gards, spent a great deal of time in country and experienced most of the resort on crew lay overs FOC. Your asked q's regarding restaruants in Male', and localised resorts to the Airport. Start with barefootpilots.com. It is a site designed for pilots wanting to go to the country to fly. Sort of a heads up of what to expect before you go.
Between the nearly 40 twin otters any resort is close and within reach. If you are into surfing then the eastern north Male atoll is your best bet. Depending on your budget of course, there is the Club Med chains and a 5+ star Soneva Gilli, all boat rides from exelent surf beaches. Some resorts are nationality orientated, ie Italian, Moofushi, Athuruga and Nika in the Air Atoll, French, and English. Google maldive resorts, but I would offer advice on the higher end. Regarding localised ones. If you are to go in the rough monsoon, then thinking of a boat ride is suicidal. The seas are rough, but for a non sea legged person, absolutely horific, and daylight is recommended.
PM for more info.
Its a beautiful place. Bring no liquer, porn or items contrary to ISLAM. You get those in country.
Male', Maldives Restaurants & Cafe's most restaurants are open 10am-1am, Friday 6pm-1am.
City Snacks 332-6193 City Garden 334-1887 EZ takeaway Food Bank* Sosun Magu 332-3665, Fareedhee Magu 332-5147 Galanga 334-3724 Kings Corner* 332-2824 Olive Garden* Pizza Delivery Menu 331-2231 Lighthouse 331-0900 Mugali* 331-3118 Thai Wok* 331-0007 Twin Peaks 332-7830 Royal Garden* 332-0288 Salsa Royal 333-5008 Salsa Cafe' 331-0319 Scoop 332-2422 Seagulls* 332-3332 South Garden 332-9490 Symophony, multiple locations inc. Vilingilli 332-6277, 10am-1am, Friday 6pm-1am.
When you get off the dhoni in Male', there is a big sign with all you need to know on it. Take note. Get a cab, which are cheap and have no meter, and tell him your destination, ie restaruants above, fish markets, local markets, surf beach, mosque(s)? All shops and restaurants close for prayer call.
Most of the restaurants or coffee shops are on the main water front drive, Marine Drive. Just walk around. The shopping's pretty good. Similar to duty free at the airport. Souvineers are at times exy. Find a Maldivian Air Taxi expat(Twin Otter Driver), ie pilot in green shorts and no shoes, (there's hundreds of em.) and ask all you need.
Also, it is with in the interest of your entire crew, flight attendents too, on a lengthy layover to befriend the MAT pilots at the FUNPUB and pool bar at the airport hotel. The resorts accept day guests and if you know the right people, then things happen, cheap. PM me if you need more details of that.
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