One Main Problem For One Half

 The main problem is the wall which runs close to almost all the rooms on one side of the island. Furthermore, it is a rough looking wall that is broken in places, letting pools of still water form. The island runs from west to east and it is the south side that has the problem. The other side, the north side, has a great beach with no wall at all. On this side is the main pool and bar and the waterbungalows.

The rooms on the south side do face out to the sun all day, whereas guests on the north side will be turning their loungers to face into the island to catch the sun some of the time. Having said that, the rooms are built in an arc set back some good way from the beach, so there is plenty of space to catch the rays. On the other hand, only the rooms at the ends of the arcs are near to the beach, the others are set behind some pretty scrubby vegetation.

Beach Villas And Water Villas

The Beach Villas are clean and tidy and unfussy. The decor is bright and cheerful and everything you need is there. The bathroom has two basins and an inside and outside shower. The key thing to plan ahead and request is the location.

The Water Villas, on the other hand, are all superb. They are in a different class and that’s because they actually used to belong to another resort. The attempt to run two different resorts on the same island, however, has been abandoned and yet the dividing wall has not yet been taken down and guests are obstructed from going all the way around the island on the beach.

Not only are these thatched rooms beautiful inside but they are also right on the reef edge. Just a few steps and a few strokes take you to the drop-off and some good quality snorkeling. The corals are growing well and there are lots and lots of fish, from butterfly fish to reef sharks.

Snorkeling Nearby

The reef stays easily accessible from the beach all the way down this side of the island (another good reason to get a room on this side). And the beach is fine and lovely underfoot. You can look out across the lagoon here and enjoy the sun, sand and sea that is as good as on any resort in the country. The loungers, however, are the white plastic ones without a mattress so its difficult to lie in them for too long.

Almost everyone is on all-inclusive and it is definitely the way to go. Half the guests are from the UK and the other half is made up equally of Russians, Italians, Germans and guests from the Far East. The main bar is large, fun and very well served by the waiters and barmen. The occasional live entertainment is decent and the evenings can go on late (despite the seats needing more cushioning).

Two Restaurants: One Big, One Small

The restaurant is an equally large space yet tables are close and guests are often but not always asked to share a table with other guests. The themed buffets are plentiful, look good and taste fine. The waiters are genuinely helpful and friendly. There is a specialty restaurant close by the main restaurant and this is a pleasant, small venue for a more private, romantic dinner.

There are other special food nights and all sorts of excursions but these tend not to happen much during the low season months. In the high season, the resort is much more active in every area, whereas it is more a matter of quiet days around the pool and on the beach during the low season. The one constant good night, everyone agrees, is the beach party.

What Makes A Memorable Holiday

The management is not much in evidence but the staff on the ground, from the reception to housekeeping to waiters and bar staff are genuinely friendly and happy to help. These guys and the friends you make here, in the bar, around the pool, on the beach and at the beach party make up a memorable holiday at a very reasonable price for the Maldives.

Review updated October 31 2011