Maldives - advice please on booking/general suggestions

[amir_j]

Booking a trip to the Malives in early June and a few queries
1) Flying from Manchester so First Choice and Thompsons are main carriers- do you know any other brokers/agents who may be cheaper than booking direct?
2) Any tips on which island (honeymoon so nice and relaxed is the aim)
3) I understand end of May means start of the Monsoon season, is it ok to risk it? (don't mind one or two rained out days but not all the time!!)
4) Rough budget for a decent resort/accomodation (don't need 5 star luxury!)? Had a quick look at First Choice site and seems to be £3-5k ish for a beach front hut

Any other general tips/suggestions would be very welcome

Edited by amir_j on Monday 19th April 18:26

[satans worm]

We went to the Huvafen Fushi for our honeymoon, with no regrets at all,
http://www.huvafenfushimaldives.co.uk/

[amir_j]

Looks very lovely indeed!
Who did you book with?

[JQ]

We went to www.komandoo.com. Very very nice with excellent service. We'd definately go back it wasn't for the 2 rugrats we have now in tow.

[insurance_jon]

seconded for komandoo

[amir_j]

Who did you guys book with?

[insurance_jon]

Www.dreamticket.com they gave excellent service and save me 1500 over other places

[Puggit]

Don't worry too much about about the Monsoon season. I went out one July and had one wash out day and the rest was wall to wall sunshine.

Visited another time in the 'dry' season during December and had some rain every day - but again lots of sun.

[R1_JON]

Currently in Velassaru booked via Kuoni, probably the best resort I've ever been to and I've been to some nice places. Think we might end up being here a week longer than expected!

[R1_JON]

Currently in Velassaru booked via Kuoni, probably the best resort I've ever been to and I've been to some nice places. Think we might end up being here a week longer than expected!

[driverrob]

We went in August. Nearly constant 28C, heavy rain for about an hour most afternoons; just right for a pot of tea at the bar.
Not a lot of sunshine and clear blue skies but searingly hot when there was.

[Zod]

Off to Reethi Rah in September for the third year in a row (with two small children). Booked last week.

Flying BA this year for the first time, so no three hour layover in Dubai in the middle of the night (a nightmare last year with a baby and a three year old).

Only suggestion is not to take any alcohol with you. Made that mistake years ago. They x-ray your bags on landing and confiscate it. You get a certificate and can pick it up to take home with you. Justified by Islamic law, but the real reason is revenue-maximisation - so that you have to buy all alcohol on your resort island.

Edited by Zod on Tuesday 20th April 09:54

[amir_j]

Puggit: told other half its her decision so I dont get blamed

Jon: glad your enjoying it, will check out kuoni.

Rob: did you still enjoy it without sun and blue skies?

[amir_j]

Zod said:

Off to Reethi Rah in September for the thrid year in a row (with two small children). Booked last week.

So guessing you have not had major weather issues? Also who did you book with?

Edited by amir_j on Tuesday 20th April 09:53

[Zod]

amir_j said:

Zod said:

Off to Reethi Rah in September for the thrid year in a row (with two small children). Booked last week.

So guessing you have not had major weather issues? Also who did you book with?

Edited by amir_j on Tuesday 20th April 09:53

booked with Amex. One day of rain in six weeks spent in the Maldives over three visits.

[cs02rm0]

We went to Komandoo with Kuoni (booked via samsmithtravel who were superb). It was brilliant, apart from flying cattle class, even on Emirates.

[driverrob]

amir_j said:

Rob: did you still enjoy it without sun and blue skies?

Yes, very laid-back. Still got sun tans. Didn't have to worry about getting sunburned while swimming or snorkelling. It meant we could read while outside and not have to keep hunting a bit of shade. Lots of scuba divers on our island who weren't bothered either.
A bit boring for us. The highlight of the week was spending 3 hours watching the supply boat arrive and unload! Unless I was stressed out and desperate for total relaxation I wouldn't go again.

[amir_j]

Just an update as spent the last 8 hours researching which was a pain, narrowed it to Lilly Beach (relatively reasonable price, AI is supposed to be good, far enough to sea plane transfer and a close to beach house reef (novice swimmer so reasurring).

But then came across the multi city/twin city possibilities so fired off lots of emails to all the agents quoted on here and more to to see how much would be for 3-4 days Singapore and rest in Maldives which should contrast well.

[Dav_s]

Spent a fortnight at Island Hideaway the June before last - hot, lots of sunshine, and just one rain shower.
Booked through Best@Travel.

[amir_j]

One I'd missed, just looked it up and the reviews on TA are very good. How did you find the snorkelling and did you feel 2 weeks was too much in the one place?