How to choose a Maldives hotel...
Discussion
BIGDAI said:
sidicks said:
we are planning a trip to NZ for June '17.
Bear in mind that the 2017 Lions rugby tour of NZ runs right through June & into July (unless that's why you are going) prices will be through the roof with 40,000+ supporters descending!
Puggit said:
BIGDAI said:
sidicks said:
we are planning a trip to NZ for June '17.
Bear in mind that the 2017 Lions rugby tour of NZ runs right through June & into July (unless that's why you are going) prices will be through the roof with 40,000+ supporters descending!
sidicks said:
Puggit said:
BIGDAI said:
sidicks said:
we are planning a trip to NZ for June '17.
Bear in mind that the 2017 Lions rugby tour of NZ runs right through June & into July (unless that's why you are going) prices will be through the roof with 40,000+ supporters descending!
We had a water villa at Vilamendhoo (sp?) 5 years ago - chose on the basis of one of the best house reefs for the budget.
...and it was a decent reef - napoleon trigger fish in residence, some black-tips, couple of morays, plus smaller stuff and on one occasion a transiting turtle just off the drop. Plus boat trips to swim with Manta and with a Whale Shark, both including separate snorkeling. Coral had definitely bleached though, sadly.
We did Full Board not AI (we're not big drinkers), and we found the food disappointing...but we're foodies, so probably fussier than some. It wasn't bad food by any stretch, it was just that it was mainly buffet (there was an Asian a-la-carte at the top of the island), and the variety of seafood seemed really small given we were in the middle of the bloody ocean! Only the 2 restaurants though.
Otherwise it was a really nice place, just felt a little artificial as I suspect they all do.
...and it was a decent reef - napoleon trigger fish in residence, some black-tips, couple of morays, plus smaller stuff and on one occasion a transiting turtle just off the drop. Plus boat trips to swim with Manta and with a Whale Shark, both including separate snorkeling. Coral had definitely bleached though, sadly.
We did Full Board not AI (we're not big drinkers), and we found the food disappointing...but we're foodies, so probably fussier than some. It wasn't bad food by any stretch, it was just that it was mainly buffet (there was an Asian a-la-carte at the top of the island), and the variety of seafood seemed really small given we were in the middle of the bloody ocean! Only the 2 restaurants though.
Otherwise it was a really nice place, just felt a little artificial as I suspect they all do.
havoc said:
the variety of seafood seemed really small given we were in the middle of the bloody ocean!
Not sure about the Maldives, but some places specifically have limited seafood to discourage the locals fishing in the locale and decimating the fish population.I was in Lembeh recently and the only fish we had was freshwater, specifically for this reason.
M.
I was in the same situation when picking an Island for our honeymoon last year.
We ended up going to Kuredu and it was PERFECT, stayed in a Jacuzzi Beach Villa, they also own a few other Islands including Villemandoo (sp)
Nice and quiet, crystal waters with plenty of marine life/turtles etc swimming about.
45mins on Sea Plane from Male aswell.
If you want anymore info just fire me a message mate.
We ended up going to Kuredu and it was PERFECT, stayed in a Jacuzzi Beach Villa, they also own a few other Islands including Villemandoo (sp)
Nice and quiet, crystal waters with plenty of marine life/turtles etc swimming about.
45mins on Sea Plane from Male aswell.
If you want anymore info just fire me a message mate.
Edited by TheHighlander on Wednesday 11th May 14:26
havoc said:
We had a water villa at Vilamendhoo (sp?) 5 years ago - chose on the basis of one of the best house reefs for the budget.
...and it was a decent reef - napoleon trigger fish in residence, some black-tips, couple of morays, plus smaller stuff and on one occasion a transiting turtle just off the drop. Plus boat trips to swim with Manta and with a Whale Shark, both including separate snorkeling. Coral had definitely bleached though, sadly.
We did Full Board not AI (we're not big drinkers), and we found the food disappointing...but we're foodies, so probably fussier than some. It wasn't bad food by any stretch, it was just that it was mainly buffet (there was an Asian a-la-carte at the top of the island), and the variety of seafood seemed really small given we were in the middle of the bloody ocean! Only the 2 restaurants though.
Otherwise it was a really nice place, just felt a little artificial as I suspect they all do.
We did AI in Vilamendoo also, about 3 years ago, as mentioned great house reef, sea plane transfer, not to big etc. We stayed in a beach villa which was great, although the water villa's had a seperate restaurant beside the infinity pool....and it was a decent reef - napoleon trigger fish in residence, some black-tips, couple of morays, plus smaller stuff and on one occasion a transiting turtle just off the drop. Plus boat trips to swim with Manta and with a Whale Shark, both including separate snorkeling. Coral had definitely bleached though, sadly.
We did Full Board not AI (we're not big drinkers), and we found the food disappointing...but we're foodies, so probably fussier than some. It wasn't bad food by any stretch, it was just that it was mainly buffet (there was an Asian a-la-carte at the top of the island), and the variety of seafood seemed really small given we were in the middle of the bloody ocean! Only the 2 restaurants though.
Otherwise it was a really nice place, just felt a little artificial as I suspect they all do.
But the best bit by far was the 3 day trip on the Islands square rigged yacht. Like most of the Islands they book 105% occupancy so when everyone turns up they offer this trip for free but you have to leave your room and are allocated another on return.
During the trip, only 4 couples on board, we swam with whale sharks, turtles, dolphins and manta rays. It's not luxury but made the whole trip very special.
oldnbold said:
We did AI in Vilamendoo also, about 3 years ago, as mentioned great house reef, sea plane transfer, not to big etc. We stayed in a beach villa which was great, although the water villa's had a seperate restaurant beside the infinity pool.
But the best bit by far was the 3 day trip on the Islands square rigged yacht. Like most of the Islands they book 105% occupancy so when everyone turns up they offer this trip for free but you have to leave your room and are allocated another on return.
During the trip, only 4 couples on board, we swam with whale sharks, turtles, dolphins and manta rays. It's not luxury but made the whole trip very special.
Had the same story at Veligandu. Called to reception:But the best bit by far was the 3 day trip on the Islands square rigged yacht. Like most of the Islands they book 105% occupancy so when everyone turns up they offer this trip for free but you have to leave your room and are allocated another on return.
During the trip, only 4 couples on board, we swam with whale sharks, turtles, dolphins and manta rays. It's not luxury but made the whole trip very special.
"we have a problem, we're full"
'That's not our problem'
"Would you like one night away free on our wooden yacht followed by an upgrade to a deluxe water-bungalow"
'Make it a west facing dwb and you have a deal'
"Done"
Fantastic time, 3 couples and 7 staff, even had aircon bedroom! As you say, we saw dolphins and manta rays and even caught a barracuda deep sea fishing (it broke the line though and swam off!).
Night snorkling too, over an open-sea reef <shudder>
TheHighlander said:
I was in the same situation when picking an Island for our honeymoon last year.
We ended up going to Kuredu and it was PERFECT, stayed in a Jacuzzi Beach Villa, they also own a few other Islands including Villemandoo (sp)
Nice and quiet, crystal waters with plenty of marine life/turtles etc swimming about.
45mins on Sea Plane from Male aswell.
If you want anymore info just fire me a message mate.
Much appreciated, thanks.We ended up going to Kuredu and it was PERFECT, stayed in a Jacuzzi Beach Villa, they also own a few other Islands including Villemandoo (sp)
Nice and quiet, crystal waters with plenty of marine life/turtles etc swimming about.
45mins on Sea Plane from Male aswell.
If you want anymore info just fire me a message mate.
Edited by TheHighlander on Wednesday 11th May 14:26
I would second the recommendation by TheHighlander of the Kuredu resort. We went there for our honeymoon in 2012 and had a really great time. We stayed in one of the Sandu Water Villas. Perfect place for a relaxing holiday. We booked through a place called "Away Holidays" following a recommendation and got a cracking deal.
Been to Veligandu for the last 2 years in Feb. Wonderful place.Great buffet and good snorkeling. Many repeaters . Don't know where to go next year as spoilt at Veligandu. Maybe again! Never seems busy even when full.Don't go to party all evening,although there is something going on every night.A band,films, and the inevitable crab racing!! Really good staff and the manager is on the ball.Over water villa a must.
otolith said:
insurance_jon said:
Look up angelfish travel
Av they are Maldives specilist
^^ this - call them, tell them what you are looking for and what your budget is, and they'll sort you out.Av they are Maldives specilist
We went to Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu for our honeymoon and booked through Jim at Maldives Direct - we had a long list of possible islands and he was brilliant in narrowing down our choice. He dealt with everything and made sure we got the prime beach huts / water villas.
Dhuni Kolhu had a seaplane flight, good house reef, 3-4 restaurants on top of the main buffet and was nice and compact.
Happy memories!
Dhuni Kolhu had a seaplane flight, good house reef, 3-4 restaurants on top of the main buffet and was nice and compact.
Happy memories!
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