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For the Maldives experts!

1403

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 June 2011 - 14:05

Can I please have recommendations. We are very close to booking 7 nights at Velassaru but before we commit I want to know if there are better/nicer resorts. We want something absolutely stunning!

Has anyone stayed at Velassaru?

Thanks!

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333

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 20:46

So, can anyone recommend any cheaper resorts in the Maldives which are great for young families (DH, DD 7.5 mo and me)? Apologies for hijacking your thread Shellly. The Irufushi is pretty great value, child friendly. Check them out - you won't be dissapointed. Sure it's not on the same level if luxury compared to Soneva etc. but it's great value for a beautiful island.

1414

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 17:34

So, can anyone recommend any cheaper resorts in the Maldives which are great for young families (DH, DD 7.5 mo and me)? Apologies for hijacking your thread Shellly. Absolutely Do NOT go to Kurumba the most awful place, service, food ect I could write pages and there's noooo way it should be rated a 5 star property!!!

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 16:40

Bandos - 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport and very child friendly.

105

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 16:30

So, can anyone recommend any cheaper resorts in the Maldives which are great for young families (DH, DD 7.5 mo and me)? Apologies for hijacking your thread Shellly.

204

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 June 2011 - 15:55

Lily Beach brings so many wonderful memories for me, we went there on honeymoon, what a fabulous time we had. We could not have asked for anything better. The staff, the food, the facilities, I could rave about it forever. Have a wonderful time. :)

1440

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 20:17

Shellly, I will make it harder. Lily Beach Spa and Resort, South Ari Atoll. Heaven on earth and includes absolutely everything from top shelf wines, beer, spirits, food, snacks, robes, fishing trips, massages, the works! You wont spend a cent while you are there and its just the most amazing place :) I am so glad I read your review, we have booked to go to Lily Beach this year. I can't wait !! :)

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 19:00

We've been to Bandos twice & we love it. Sure it's not ultra luxury, but it's perfect for families, the rooms are spotlessly clean & the food is good. The Jacuzzi Beach Villas are lovely. We've also been to Sun Island which is big & okay (food is fantastic) & Meedhupparu which is [i'>dire [/i'>unless you stay in the private water villas which are outstanding, but cost a fortune! The Maldives are utterly magical & we can't wait to head out there again before the end of the year, only problem is, like yourself, deciding where to go next! :cool:

730

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 15:56

Another lover of Soneva. But it probably would be my first choice with a baby in tow. As a family, I really loved Bandos. Not as luxury as I would have liked but it was fantastic and incredibly accommodating for little ones. And a very short speed boat away from Male. Which is great with little ones and reassuring should you (touch wood) need any medical attention.

318

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 13:39

Shellly, I will make it harder. Lily Beach Spa and Resort, South Ari Atoll. Heaven on earth and includes absolutely everything from top shelf wines, beer, spirits, food, snacks, robes, fishing trips, massages, the works! You wont spend a cent while you are there and its just the most amazing place :)

1403

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 13:37

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your recommendations although now the decision is way too hard! :D

230

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 09:16

If you can afford the only 6 star hotel :http://huvafenfushi.peraquum.com/ OR their sister (?) island, Dhoni Mighili (where all the superstars stay, both resorts have their fair share...) - http://www.dhoni-island.com. FYI, Sonevagili is soooo quiet but is 20 mins by boat from Male. Whatever you opt for, request a private boat transfer that will meet you off your flight otherwise you might be waiting a few hours for the other flights to land (and longer if they are delayed). Just dont do Kuredu under any circumstances ........ We have stayed at a few mentioned here (except Soneva which is next on the list!) Reethi Rah is wonderful and the service is fantastic and in my opinion just as beautiful - if less verdant - than some of the other islands. I would say these have the best villas. Dhoni Mighili which is now Dhoni Island and under new management is wonderfully private and yes you will be alone if you rent the whole island and the food is out of this world as you decide what you want at any time, but the rooms are bad and beds extremely uncomfortable. Shangri la rooms also not great - well decorated but very close together on the side with the nice beaches. The more secluded villas on the other side of the island have no beach. Hope this helps in your ultimate decision and enjoy yourself - you can't, in my opinion, really go wrong with any resort in the maldives regardless of high or low budget the islands are magical!

officechick9778

128

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 08:56

We stayed at Kuramathi island, big island, about 15 mins on a seaplane from the airport. We had a great time there, the island had 6 resturants on it. Very relaxing. Was there in April

198

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 02:29

As per my user name: Soneva Gili is my first choice! Loved,loved,loved it. Heading back to the Maldives in 2012 and we are having trouble deciding between heading back to our favourite,Soneva Gili,or trying the new Six Senses resort; Laamu( which I believe was due to open around April this year) Sitting here in Oz,on a lazy Sunday morning flicking through my new Maldives travel brochure( as you do!)

1403

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 June 2011 - 23:24

Thanks ladies! ;) Will definitely check these places out. Babylons, only in my dreams could we afford a 6 star hotel...LOL ;)

328

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 11 June 2011 - 21:06

If you can afford the only 6 star hotel :http://huvafenfushi.peraquum.com/ OR their sister (?) island, Dhoni Mighili (where all the superstars stay, both resorts have their fair share...) - http://www.dhoni-island.com. FYI, Sonevagili is soooo quiet but is 20 mins by boat from Male. Whatever you opt for, request a private boat transfer that will meet you off your flight otherwise you might be waiting a few hours for the other flights to land (and longer if they are delayed). Just dont do Kuredu under any circumstances ........

1414

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 June 2011 - 18:47

soneva fushi, althou it was a while ago that we went, loved it there, you get a man friday (Butler) and ours was great even took us snokerling around the best bits of the island. Got bikes to ride around, much fun after being to the bar :) lots of moving bushes on the way back to the room. lol The food was great and loved the bar, always will remember the chocolate monkeys yumm! Otherwise really liked the Only and Only Reethi rah for the rooms and beach area you get, they are like bungalows and not small ones, lots of space, also great food, they would make you any smoothie you liked for brekkie :) also a large island, so loads of places to explore. I would rcmd either. I fancy the Shangi La too they look fab, if only I had the time now to go ................. have a fab time its heaven

1811

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 11 June 2011 - 17:57

We stayed at both Soneva Gilli and Soneva Fushi. Both are fabulous;wonderful food, spa etc. Take a look http://www.sixsenses.com/Soneva-Gili/ http://www.sixsenses.com/soneva-fushi/index.php The Soneva/Evason group is very environmentally responsible and do things like refilling ceramic water bottles instead of giving you plastic bottles etc The decor and fittings are very natural so there's lots of local wood and textiles which may not be to everyone's taste.

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