Slightly OT: Maldives - where to stay

After Mexico last year, I am considering the Maldives this time but have
some concerns on resort choice.

not having been to the maldives before (I knowing that a quite a few UKRS
members have), I would appreciate some suggestions.

1) I would be looking at a good 4* resort (been spoilt staying in some very
good 4*+ hotels over the last few years!), which a good choice of good food.
2) I would prefer "all inclusive" - however I am concerned that on some
resorts the inclusive option is very limited, and that guests staying AI are
limited on the times they can get drinks/which bars they can use/limited to
one restaurant (which effectivly means that AI guest get fewer facilities
then paying guests). Is there such things as an "all inclusive island" -
where all guests on the resort are AI?, or is this a common problem (in
which case I may consider somewhere other than the Maldives)
3) When is the best time of year to visit?

Can anyone suggest some resorts to consider?

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:31:38 +0000, Jason wrote:

> 1) I would be looking at a good 4* resort (been spoilt staying in some very
> good 4*+ hotels over the last few years!), which a good choice of good
food.

I mostly go to 3* hotels. I think Meedhupparu is 4*. It certainly has nice
food. The only difference in the Maldives between a 3* and a 4* tends to
be the food. You get waited on hand and foot at most of them. And they all
clean your room twice a day.

> 2) I would prefer "all inclusive" - however I am concerned that on some
> resorts the inclusive option is very limited, and that guests staying AI are
> limited on the times they can get drinks/which bars they can use/limited to
> one restaurant (which effectivly means that AI guest get fewer facilities
> then paying guests). Is there such things as an "all inclusive island" -

It is pretty common in the Maldives that there are restrictions on the
all-inclusive packages. It's not like some Caribbean resorts where you can
have anything they've got behind the bar. However, I wouldn't describe any
of them as *very* limited.

The two main restrictions tend to be:

1) Wine only available in the restaurant, not the bar.

2) Restricted cocktails.

Plus don't expect to get 14 year old malt on AI either. But then unlike
the AI Caribbean resorts, they do have that sort of thing if you want to
pay for it.

Only Meedhupparu had a time limit on the bar and that was that AI finished
at midnight. They stayed open until you wanted but you had to pay after
12. It was never an issue for me, especially as they go round at a couple
of minutes to and offer everyone another drink. The brochures all have the
times in them, but these are actually the times the bar is open.

I think Universal allow you some cocktails from the list or they did on
Fesdu but it was a while ago. It included most of usual ones.

Some islands, mainly the larger ones, do have another a la carte
restaurant, but they're normally horrendously expensive and really only
for a once a holiday special meal, such as lobster. They're not going to
be full on non-AI guests. In my experience, non-AI guests tend to
disappear after about 9pm. The price of drinks sees to that.

> 3) When is the best time of year to visit?

Mid December until the beginning of April.

> Can anyone suggest some resorts to consider?

Several trip reports on my website, though most aren't 4*.

Jason

--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Aussie diving reports including
Cape Tribulation, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Exmouth and the HMAS Swan

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2004.07.22.18.16.46.778425@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 10:31:38 +0000, Jason wrote:
>
> > 1) I would be looking at a good 4* resort (been spoilt staying in some
very
> > good 4*+ hotels over the last few years!), which a good choice of good
> food.
>
> I mostly go to 3* hotels. I think Meedhupparu is 4*. It certainly has nice
> food. The only difference in the Maldives between a 3* and a 4* tends to
> be the food. You get waited on hand and foot at most of them. And they all
> clean your room twice a day.

Nice well maintained grounds, and selection good varying food will do me ( I
worry that you end up in a "AI" restaurant which has the same two options
every night for two weeks, esp if other HB guests appear to get a better
standard than AI guests.

> It is pretty common in the Maldives that there are restrictions on the
> all-inclusive packages. It's not like some Caribbean resorts where you can
> have anything they've got behind the bar. However, I wouldn't describe any
> of them as *very* limited.
>
> The two main restrictions tend to be:
>
> 1) Wine only available in the restaurant, not the bar.
>
> 2) Restricted cocktails.

Wine is not a problem - would only drink with a meal anyway.

Out the of the resorts I have look at most do not include cocktails at all -
i.e Kuredu, Meedhupparu. This would be a major limitation against going to
the Maldives.

> Plus don't expect to get 14 year old malt on AI either. But then unlike
> the AI Caribbean resorts, they do have that sort of thing if you want to
> pay for it.

Local stuff (you know what I mean - I guess there is no local stuff produced
in an Islamic state) will do me, but I am not sure the other half can live
without a cocktail!

> I think Universal allow you some cocktails from the list or they did on
> Fesdu but it was a while ago. It included most of usual ones.

Fesdu is not listed on the Universal website - and despite a google cannot
find who owns fesdu.

In my experience, non-AI guests tend to disappear after about 9pm. The
price of drinks sees to that.

That is why a AI islands is more appealing to me - at least everyone is
there on the same board basis.

>
> > Plus don't expect to get 14 year old malt on AI either. But then unlike
> > the AI Caribbean resorts, they do have that sort of thing if you want to
> > pay for it.
>
> Local stuff (you know what I mean - I guess there is no local stuff
produced
> in an Islamic state) will do me, but I am not sure the other half can live
> without a cocktail!
>
> > I think Universal allow you some cocktails from the list or they did on
> > Fesdu but it was a while ago. It included most of usual ones.
>
> Fesdu is not listed on the Universal website - and despite a google cannot
> find who owns fesdu.
>
> In my experience, non-AI guests tend to disappear after about 9pm. The
> price of drinks sees to that.
>
> That is why a AI islands is more appealing to me - at least everyone is
> there on the same board basis.
>
I have been out there a few times the question I always ask is how much
drinking water is included in the AI package. buying water to stop
dehydration can come quite expensive.

David

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 16:23:18 +0000, Jason wrote:

> The more I research the maldives then more I come to the conclusion that
> "all inclusive" is an allien concept to the maldivians, and the idea is
> to charge as much as possible - and make as much money as they can.

God knows where you're doing your research.

> If you book AI, they will give you some sort of food and drink for your
> stay, but having a restriction on the AI package for the avaliability of
> drinking water is taking things a little bit too far. If you compare the
> AI package with the maldives with say, mexico or the carribean - the
> inclusiveness of the carribean package is without comparison.

I don't know where you've got this idea from the AI guests get different
food. The islands have a main restaurant. This is where everyone on every
package, be they HB, FB or AI eats. Some of the islands, and not all, have
a la carte restaurants where they serve special, and usually quite
expensive meals for which everyone has to pay extra. They do things like
romantic lobster dinners under the stars, that kind of thing. There are
plenty of places in the Caribbean that do the same.

I have never been anywhere where they restricted the water to AI guests,
or any other soft drink, beer or basic spirits. Some of them do restrict
cocktails, some don't. Of those I've been to, most cocktails were free on
Fesdu and Velidhu, Summer Island Village had a special cocktail every
night, and Meedhupparu and Ranveli charged for cocktails. So if you want a
fancier drink that a spirit and a single mixer, I'd look at these two
companies:

http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/
http://www.unisurf.com/

You can always ask them what's included by email.

So some of the drinks are more restricted than the Caribbean, but the
service is usually a an awful lot better. And there is nothing in the
Caribbean on the diving front that comes close.

Jason

--
See http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for UK diving reports including
trips to Plymouth, Weymouth, Falmouth, Exmouth and Scapa Flow

Hi folks,

I too was looking at the maldives for this year - but am still undecided.

> > The more I research the maldives then more I come to the conclusion that
> > "all inclusive" is an allien concept to the maldivians, and the idea is
> > to charge as much as possible - and make as much money as they can.

I have had this feeling as well from reading the reviews. It certainly isnt
all inclusive in the same way as the carribbean resorts, with most resorts
requiring you to sign for everything - and then you get a bill for the items
you have that are not included. I dont think you would find a carribean
resort that would not offer a cocktail as part of the AI package - yet they
are chargeable at most maldives resorts. A number of resorts will only let
you have drinks in a glass, and you cant even take a bottle of water back to
the room - all a little excessive I feel - after all you are not going to
take anything out of the hotel.

Charging extra for boat diving is also common - with at least one review
stating that there was someone standing next to the boat to make sure you
sign for the "extra" boat. Whilst it is standard practice, to charge the
full rate for a dive without a DM on the house reef also seems excessive
(i.e maybe $40 to dive on the housereef with your buddy using your own kit -
a very high charge just for air and lead)


> I don't know where you've got this idea from the AI guests get different
> food. The islands have a main restaurant. This is where everyone on every
> package, be they HB, FB or AI eats. Some of the islands, and not all, have
> a la carte restaurants where they serve special, and usually quite
> expensive meals for which everyone has to pay extra. They do things like
> romantic lobster dinners under the stars, that kind of thing. There are
> plenty of places in the Caribbean that do the same.

It is usual for al la carte not to be included - although in many carribean
resorts you do get at least one visit a week to the speciality restaurants
without charge that makes a nice change from buffet every night.

IIRC Kuredu has a restaurant that everyone can use, and another only for the
use of people in deluxe rooms - if the food is the same I do not know,


> I have never been anywhere where they restricted the water to AI guests,
> or any other soft drink, beer or basic spirits. Some of them do restrict
> cocktails, some don't. Of those I've been to, most cocktails were free on
> Fesdu and Velidhu, Summer Island Village had a special cocktail every
> night, and Meedhupparu and Ranveli charged for cocktails. So if you want a
> fancier drink that a spirit and a single mixer, I'd look at these two
> companies:
>
> http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/
> http://www.unisurf.com/

The kuredu website says that AI guests get a "50% discount on bottles of
water". Why would you want to buy a bottle if water is freely avaliable?

From the reviews I have read Fesdu is closing this year (hence it is no
longer on the Universal website) - it will reopen as a 5* resort.

> That's the take away price. I wouldn't expect to get a bottle of drink at
> a Caribbean resort and then take it out on a day trip for example. You can
> have as many glasses of water as you like. And you can always pour them
> back in the bottle somewhere out of sight.

Got that from the guestbook on the meeru.com website

"We went all inclusive but must admit we were a little dissapointed - for
those who have been AI before this is not the same. You are very restricted
and can only eat in the main restaurant which may not be to everyones taste.
You can only get water after 10am on the all inclusive or you have to pay
extra, it definately isnt worth the extra money that you pay!"

> I am going to Kuramathi Village, but not until next year. Got quite a good
> price on it from Kuoni with scheduled flights. I've not been before, so
> don't know what it's going to be like though. But it's a Universal resort,
> so I expect it to be very similar to Fesdu, but obviously I'm not
> recommending it until after I've been there.

temped to kuramanthi myself now - just looking at the kuoni website!

Would you recommend "universal" in general - obviously you have a better
idea of what to expect having been to other hotel. How was the food on
fesdu?


> They've got a resident shoal of hammerheads in that atoll, which is
> another attraction. It's a dawn dive though.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for the UK viz database and trip reports
> about Australia, the Caribbean, Spain, the Maldives, Bali and the UK
>

On Mon, 26 Jul 2004 18:36:44 +0000, Clive M wrote:

> Would you recommend "universal" in general - obviously you have a better
> idea of what to expect having been to other hotel. How was the food on

Universal were OK. They're one of the oldest operators in the Maldives, so
know what they're doing and their hotels are very Maldivian, unlike some
of the new, bigger ones.

The food was a bit basic back in 1996, but then everything was a bit basic
then, including the airport. When we went in 1995, there's was no hot
water and no AC.

If you must have cocktails, then Universal allow you to have them. If
they're not important to you, then I'd go to Meedhupparu. Nice food, all
other drinks included and everytime you get on the boat, your dive kit is
sitting there, washed, dried and ready for you.

Jason

--
See http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Caribbean trip reports
including Aruba, Cuba, Grand Bahama, Barbados, St Lucia and Mexico

In article <W7RMc.7742$OJ2.79480019@news-text.cableinet.net>, Jason
<jasespamremove12345@xmsg.com> writes

>> I have been out there a few times the question I always ask is how much
>> drinking water is included in the AI package. buying water to stop
>> dehydration can come quite expensive.
>
>The more I research the maldives then more I come to the conclusion that
>"all inclusive" is an allien concept to the maldivians, and the idea is to
>charge as much as possible - and make as much money as they can.
>
>If you book AI, they will give you some sort of food and drink for your
>stay, but having a restriction on the AI package for the avaliability of
>drinking water is taking things a little bit too far. If you compare the AI
>package with the maldives with say, mexico or the carribean - the
>inclusiveness of the carribean package is without comparison.

I recently went to Kuramathi on an all inclusive package. It's one of
the bigger islands and has 3 hotels, all owned by the same parent
company.

I didn't spend a penny, other than diving costs, a massage/spa treatment
and a single meal prepared and eaten on the beach.

The largest (and most local) bar on the island was free - and closed
when the last guest went to bed. There was a choice of several well
known brands of whisky, vodka, brandy, etc. available free on AI, and
there were a few additional brands that would incur a charge (clearly
marked on the bar tariff). Cocktails were also free, as was water (they
let you take as much as you liked, by the 2 litre bottle, out of the bar
and restaurant).

AI food was limited to one restaurant, however you were welcome to dine
in a couple of others if you wished to pay extra for it (you got a
credit for the meal not taken "free").

I think the resort was rated at 3*, however it is certainly a far higher
standard than what would be passed as 4* in the Mediterranean and is
almost on a par with a 4* hotel in the UK/USA. The room was situated on
the beach with only 5 metres of sand separating it from the sea.

It was certainly worth the 700 pounds I paid.
--
David Mahon