The Maldives

Boxstergirl

We are hoping to go to the Maldives in November and would welcome any advice about which island to visit and maybe the best/cheapest companies to go with and anything at all that will help us.

:beer:

Anisceline

Hi there

I don't know if you already booked but I was lucky enough to work out in the maldives between 2002-3 but went back last year to for the first time as a tourist. I went to Biyadhoo which is 3 star.

It depends on what you seek, I love the ocean so a great reef was important to me. It's a good size island, very friendly, basic but clean room, beach towels provided daily

I went to Biyadhoo with Kuoni for 2 weeks and had a fab time. I wrote a review on TripAdvisor back in May 2009. I would advise going all inclusive if you enjoy your booze though! And also that way you don't have to pay for your water.

Staff and guests are v.friendly and I've heard the diving is good. Meals are all buffet based, but you can have a romantic meal served on the beach too. I paid about £900 full board (no drinks) for 2 weeks but that was during the height of the recession when prices went down. No harm done in having a go at haggling and Kuoni give you a discount if you book online.

Other lovely islands are Baros, Medhufushi which are quieter and picuturesque

Top price places such as Soneva Fushi are stunning, but v.v.pricey. You can easily pay thousands and thousands..

Have a great time whatever you choose! x:)

Ms_Chocaholic

Hi
In order to get the best possible advice, we will need a bit more info, ie how quiet/busy you want the island to be, some islands have in excess of 250 rooms, others as few as 30

Also some idea of your budget would be helpful

dmg24

I travelled with Kuoni also, and stayed at Laguna on two occasions, although I paid a lot less (Kuoni has an offers page which is always worth checking).

jtr2803

Hi,

I haven't yet been to the Maldives but have done hours of research as I am hoping to go next year. It really all depends on your budget! I would also recommend AI as the cost of drinks can really rack up. Also are you going for whats beneath the waves or the beach?

Biyadhoo is looking most likely for us as I am a diver and want a really good reef, other 'budget' islands are Embudu and Club Faru.

Marks Travel (google them) are highly rated on the trip advisor forums and are an agent for Kuoni, last time I checked they had some great last minute Maldives offers on (including Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo which is a very popular island).

I would recommend looking on the TA forums for more specific advice

Moomin

5 years ago I went to Reethi Beach resort - you have to get a seaplane transfer out there. It's one of the northern islands.
It was so nice and relaxing that we decided to go last november. Unfortunately, Reethi Beach was fully booked up, so I ended up booking a package to Paradise Island - this is fairly close to the main island (about 15 min boat ride away) and I just found it too busy and too noisy. Boats coming in and out throughout the entire day. Total opposite to what we had experienced in Reethi Beach. The food was good, but lots of large Russian and Chinese parties - so lots of queuing and not all the guests are familiar with the concept of queuing. I would not go back to paradise island. Next time I go back. I will go to a top notch resort if I win the lottery or am happy to go back to Reethi beach.

sunshinetours

Yep Trip Advisor is the palce to head for advice on this IMO.

We went to Veligandu Island Resort a good few years ago for honeymoon. Amazing experience and nice house reeff staright off the beach. I know the whole island has now been redone and relaunched so probbaly not same as when we went but seems to get good reviews in general. Pretty small at only around 70 rooms on island.

Don't think you can go too far wrong to be honest as your surrounding are going to be pretty special wherever you are. It will also be very intense sun so be careful as you are very near equator. Enjoy!