Szabina K
If you have read my other review, you can skip this first part, but I thought it might be worth repeating the opening:||So looking at some negative reviews, there are a few things to emphasise (for those travelers who seem to be are not from this planet...), therefore kindly bare in mind the following facts when you go to the Maldives in general - regardless of the resort you are staying at:||In general, I found the Maldivians helpful, friendly and giving, but since being a holiday destination, the country is heavily relying on revenue from tourists, whilst local islands (without tourists) struggle to survive. ||It goes without saying that the number one priority on the Maldives in general is to preserve natural beauty and eco-system, plus there are some limitations too, hence those who do Not feel that "mother nature" is their thing, perhaps it is best if they choose another destination to keep the Maldives safe from them... :)||Before (!) you commence your journey at your local airport to the Maldives, do NOT forget to fill in a quick traveler declaration form on the IMUGA portal (no-one will tell you this), as the Maldivian border security expects to see that before you arrive. When you get to the border control officer, he/she already should have your QR code from the system, if you did your part correctly. (You only need to show the QR code at check-ins before departure by the way.)||Do not forget to do the same before you leave your resort/travel back to your home country if you have not already done so, as the form has to be filled in for both directions, hence you will have two different QR codes.||Bare in mind that the free WiFi at Male airport does not work with the internet, and whilst we are at the topic, it does not really work on long haul flights either - not even on business class, nor if you pay for it - due to signal-issues and various international restrictions when you fly above certain countries.||It is probably worth mentioning a few words about arrival to Male airport:||It is a very, very, very busy and small airport... Therefore, once you got out of your plane, which could be somewhere between 10 and 40 minutes - depending on bus shuttle availability -, you will have to go through a security screening with your hand luggage. (FYI - there could be three (!) security screening upon departure, so make sure you will arrive at Male airport at least 3 hours before your international flight's departure.)||Then you have the passport control... That could be anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour in general. So then you can collect your luggage from the conveying belts...||They do intend to put multiple flights' luggages onto the same conveying belt at the same time, so getting your luggage, might be another 30-40 minutes if not more...||All resorts you are booked in with, would send a representative to the airport.||In my case, the seaplane transfer to the resort (another resort) was booked around 75 minutes after international arrival, however since I was still waiting for my luggage to show up, I had to miss that plane, so I asked permission from the airport security to let me find my representative and update them about the situation, so it would not all go amiss.||Luckily, I was able to get onto another seaplane an hour after getting out of Male airport.||Now my review about Dusit Thani Maldives Resort:||Imagine that you land in paradise and an army of people will give you a very welcoming meet and greet with a very refreshing welcome drink then you get your personal battler to look after you, transport you to your villa, hook you up with all the schedules and everything you need then you immerse into the breathtaking view and luxury-comfort of your 'palace'.||About the island: I believe it has all the facilities that you may require on a holiday: Gift shops (very expensive though); first aid with a doctor; the unbeatable and astonishing Deverana Spa, with those amazing Thai ladies providing various rejuvenating treatments and uplifting your already heavenly experience; a Kids club, an Outdoor cinema, a large infinity pool, a bar, three restaurants (some with limited opening times), a tennis court, a small gym and of course the Ocean Centre for all water sport activities. Of course you have the main reception too. ||There is also a little garden for the chefs to grow their own herbs, which is quite impressive and always guarantees a touch of freshness included to your meal.||Funny enough there is a 'hidden' pathway on the island that signposted with some exercises if you fancy getting into a little jungle, jump around and flex your muscles.||There are of course some programs that you can register to attend to - either the reception or your battler can help you with that. Naturally, every other activities you wish to sign up for, i.e. water sports, island hopping, etc. is a chargeable service.||Some of the most popular activities are the water aerobics, sunset cruise, etc.||The island divides to two main areas: in the very middle of the island, there is a residential area for all the staff (like a little village with everything they need) - tourists are not allowed to enter there. And the outskirt of the island all around is the tourist area with all the villas and other facilities mentioned above.||I was fortunate enough to rent a water villa with a private pool for the duration of my stay, which I very much enjoyed, and although I had the opportunity to upgrade for an Ocean villa, but after having a closer look, I decided it was nowhere near as satisfactory than the Water Villas for a number of reasons, so I have stepped away from it.||The food was lavishing, the occasional wine-dinner that the resort management arrange every now and again is outstanding and competes with a 'Michelin star quality' dining. ||I highly recommend a local island visit, guided by Mama, who is a lovely bloke (No, not misspelt, he is a male) and who would only be very happy to show you around Dhonfanu island and explain everything about local life.||I also very much enjoyed the Inflatable Ride water sport activity. Little warning: this activity is best be undertaken in your wet-suit or your swimming suit. :-) A little tip: do follow the jet-ski driver's lead and hold on tight at all times. ;-)||Few words about the eco-life around Dusit Thani Maldives Resort: the ocean water is lovely and fairly warm 24/7 - I would say around 28-29 Celsius degrees. If you are brave enough to swim in the early hours (around 6am) like I did, you may just end up with some rushes all over your skin from the millions of planktons being washed ashore. :-)||The habitant sharks around here are lemon and blacktip sharks mainly - so as I have been told, but correct me if I am wrong - although there are some baby ones lurking around the villas, but they are supposed to be harmless. Do Not touch them though! You will see some Manta rays too.||Since the island does not have stone-reef all around like some other resorts, the lagune is not so peaceful and you will hear some very loud splashes around your villa that might just wake you up at night, but it also makes you feel you are in paradise. :-)||All villas are provided with their very own (at least two) bicycles, that are numbered like your villa, which helps you getting around the island, should you wish to go for a ride at any given time.||Last, but not least I cannot praise enough the lovely ladies at Deverana Spa, which greatly contributed to the perfect relaxation I had whilst staying at the Maldives. I would highly recommend Nicky (apologies if misspelt her name), who has a wonderful technique for therapeutical massage.||A SPECIAL THANK YOU for Mr. Shammoon Ali Didi, who helped for this holiday to come true and oversaw the logistics from start to finish. I can only hope I did not give him too much of a headache. :-)||Although, this is a long-winded review, however words cannot really describe the perfection, tranquility and inner peace you must feel whilst you are at Dusit Thani Maldives Resort and the attention and care you receive from all the staff members.||My one and only disappointment was the disastrous vegetarian dumplings, that I somehow was unable to make the chefs understood how it is being made, but I sincerely hope Mr. Jean-Louis will see to it going forward. :-)||Thank you for everything and hope many guests will also enjoy and understand what this wonderful resort has got to offer.
