Maldives Hotels

[thedeadseawasonlysick]

I have a trip to the Maldives next month. Does anyone have recent experience of a good hotel, not too far from the airport. Don't mind a little island hopping, but I don't think that the owner will spring for a seaplane ride! Although hope springs eternal.

[Vagrant]

The misses and I stayed at The Full Moon Hotel and resort about 6 months ago. 20 min boat ride from the airport. Would recomend it to anyone. Good service, nice small island with good beaches. Not cheap, but worth the money, I thought.

V

[NuName]

Stayed on Male first night, DON'T DO IT. The island where the airport is situated does have a hotel but there is nothing else. We spoke with the handling agent and they rang around and found us a good deal on a nearby island that included the boat transfer, fantastic and not expensive.:ok:

[Citation500]

Stayed in Full Moon 1 month ago. Nice ressort. However I would rather try the "Kurumba"
They are both close to the airport.

If the boss wants something really nice he should go to "The One&Only Reethi Rah" VERY NICE.

Ca. 50 minutes by boat.

Beware its rainy season already, so pack a few books ;-)

Have fun

[arotucazz]

angaga island....

[international hog driver]

Full Moon, Kurumba, Bandos would be my pick.

All close enough if the boss has a change of mind and wants to split asap.

Choices..... The Burger and Spa at Kurumba (there is only so much fish curry one can eat)
The Bar at Bandos (if you have a sticker for the bar door they really like you)
Full Moon has everything but is/was geared for the All inclusive market when i was last there.

Have fun.

[Aspects]

Me and the misses stayed at the meedhuperu island resort last July. 45min seaplane flight from male. Fantastic views over all the different islands along the way. By far the best holiday we've ever had.

[BlueSky777]

Hi,

our crew last time stayed at Hudurhan Fushi, a island approximately 30 min. with a speed far way from Malle, where the airport is located. It is a lovely island and there are crews from diffeent airlines. Can highly recommend that, especially the Ocean Villas:}.


Greetings

[JB007]

Just done Bandos! :ok:
Excellent...

20 mins from airport

[globallocal]

Just had a week at Club Faru. (the old club med). 10 mins from airport. $100-$150 for transfer out of hrs. ie before 6 am.
$230 all inclusive. yes beer, wine and spirits. food was good. rooms basic but big, but you don't spend your time in the rooms. A few airline crews stay there.
Also stayed at Full moon, a little more expensive and you have to pay for everything.
a friend stays at Kurumba(sic), says its good but expensive.

[dc9-32]

I've stayed at Vilu Reef, Meeru Island, Lohifushi, Velaveru, Vilamendoo - all excellent and either reachable via Dhoni boat or sea plane. Meeru is a little more commercialised than what it used to be but all are fantastic value. Try Touchdown to see if they have any staff bargains on offer.

Lohifushi below....

http://www.visit-here.co.uk/communities/004/006/157/593/images/4517442597.jpg

[Gulfstreamaviator]

20 mins from airport by boat.

airport closed for lunch.....

the resort is OK, the food was not good, p2 had very bad food poisoning.

they were not happy with early check in and late check out.

very romantic dinner on beach with hostess, so not all bad.


the resort is recomended by handlers, and they covered the basic bill.

tries to get the extras bill u itemised, not possible.

there was a G reg G550, with nice paint job. G-EGNS, or similar.

glf

[GAMABIRD]

Reethi Rah absolutely fantastic,600 staff to 200 guests so the service is exceptional.1hr 15 boat transfer.
Have a look at the website its part of the one & only.
If you want to stay close to the airport Karumba is 15min away& a lot cheaper.

[GUSTO]

Just arrived from Maldives . We stayed at the Laguna Beach , Very nice hotel only 20 minutes by boat from the airport. We payed $250 per night .

[SM82]

G-EGNS is currently in MLE

[dc9-32]

Is G-EGNS managed by Ocean Sky ??

[Doodlebug]

Hi DeadSea

Paradise Island: Close to Male, so that's good if the pax are not famous for a set schedule. Rooms ok, service good, food very good, especially the italian joint down at the pier. The island is big and busy enough to help battle Maldives-boredom. Mid-range pricing.

Bandos: Similar to Paradise Island. Also a 'Crew-island'.

Dhonveli: A festering flea-pit. Crew found dirty beds in two of the rooms on checking in. Sand in the beds! Dirty, disorganised. The island is ugly, part concrete, part rubbish, all Russian low-end tourism. It's close to Male, which is why you may be tempted. Big mistake.

Olhuveli Beach: Now here's a jewel! 45 minutes by boat from the airport, small and exclusive, 2 great restaurants. Beautiful island, good service, well-run watersports-centre, really good rooms. More expensive than Bandos, obviously, but still ok, price-wise.

Some additional info:

Male gets really busy. Get in early with Handling, or you may have difficulty getting parking. The bigger the kit you're driving, the bigger these difficulties become. You may have to drop pax and position down to Gan, about 30 minutes south, on the southernmost atoll. Do not be tempted to stay in the 'Equator Village' there. It is a former military barracks and a complete toilet. Rather pax back to Male with the local Turboprop-job.

In a pinch you may have to bunk down in the airport hotel on the airport-island itself. This place is not flashy in any way, but it is clean and is well-run. Do not stay in Male City! Downtown Riyadh is better!

When you're there, pick up one of the resort guide-books. A good investment!

Try, via your shiny new resort guide-book, to contact the resorts directly. If you can negotiate well you'll save a packet by avoiding the agents!

Good luck! :)

Bug

[monkey_wrench]

Stayed at the Ansana resort - about 30 minutes by speedboat from Male Christmas before last. Excellent food, good service, reasonably priced, and is not overrun with people (they have about 30 beach villas overlooking the sea). Island only takes 15 minutes to walk around...