Fair warning - TLDR;
We picked Furaveri Island Resort & Spa for our first-ever trip to the Maldives. And we had an absolute blast. Here is our (through me) unbiased review of our 10-night stay at the property.
1. Getting there.
This was quickly done. However, as soon as we exited the airport, we expected to see our names on a placard but couldn't find anyone doing so. A quick enquiry and another resort rep took us to the Furaveri counter at the airport, where we found our man. He wasn't expecting us to get out of the airport so quickly. Once connected, Ahmed managed everything - our bags were weighed and sorted to be brought to the island via Trans Maldivian Airlines (tma), the biggest seaplane operator in the region. He had us board a waiting bus to take us to the seaplane terminal, where we had access to the lounge while we waited for our flight. It didn't take too long for us to be on our way to Furaveri. In all, this was a two-hour affair since landing in Male.
Tip: Access to the Neeri lounge at the seaplane terminal is free. However, any snacks or drinks at the lounge must be paid for.
2. The resort.
It took 40 mins by seaplane from Male. Once we got there, we were greeted warmly by the staff. A quick tour of the island by Anan - our assigned concierge/front office contact who took care of reservations and requests - before we were dropped off at our first place of stay. The water villa.
The island itself is pretty sizeable. Walking everywhere, while possible, may not be for everyone. A few shuttle buggies run around the island, often stopping to pick people up - all you do is hail one down or wait at any of the designated buggy stops. We happened to go off-season (staff start to take leave off-season so they can all be back when the season begins) and at a time when a couple of buggy drivers had quit. But we found that Milan and Ramesh were always on the go and worked relentlessly with a smile. Our son was particularly enamoured by the buggies and became Milan's unofficial navigator at every available chance.
The resort's main restaurant, Jaafaiy, is where one would generally come to have breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other two restaurants in the property are accessible but not included in your deal unless by exception or through a bespoke deal.
The resort is well-maintained. There are plenty of staff that work hard to make sure the property is pristine. The water is clear, and the reef is rich, but the sand by the beach was a mixed bag for us - it was coarse and felt like crushed corals. It was nonetheless an enjoyable experience to walk on the beach.
The pool is clean and quite huge. While there is no swim-up bar on site, the Udhares bar is a shout away from the pool - an ideal location to grab a drink and lounge by the pool if one wishes to. The pool didn't have any visible depth markers. While we had no issues, it is advisable to test your comfort before committing to jumping in. A security staff member is always around the pool, but there are no visible lifeguards, and the pool is substantially big - exercise extra caution if you go with young children.
The Wellness Village is exquisite, and the lush green foliage surrounds the property. With the greens come the creatures, so be prepared to see loads of fruit bats, geckos/lizards, crows that wait to scavenge for food at vacated meal tables, and tons of mosquitoes that will remind you that you are on a tropical island.
While there is a clinic, we didn't see the doctor. But when we needed one (non-urgent), he had conveniently 'just left' on an emergency. It isn't impossible to consult via pics and messages through the front office staff and get prescription medicines flown into the island from Male.
Tips:
i. We are not heavy alcohol drinkers but went with the all-inclusive package. Our math suggested it would give us much freedom to drink what we fancied (mocktails and juice included) and take the pressure away from dining decisions.
ii. You get one visit to Raiyvilla (Asian-fusion restaurant) for every five nights' stay. We made that count.
iii. Take a lot of mosquito repellent cream/lotion. An insect spray is provided at each villa, but that won't help when you have to step out. Irrespective, please be prepared to get bitten. Take antihistamines to ease allergies or bites.
iv. Pack a rash vest or two for when in water.
v. Don't expect your concierge staff to be an assistant. They have a day job, and managing arriving/departing guests and WhatsApp messages can be overwhelming. Everyone is kind - ask respectfully (preferably with a smile), and any staff will try and help.
3. The restaurants
F&B has to be a standout feature at Furaveri. Every staff at every restaurant and bar is incredibly kind and works very hard to please patrons. Each day has a meal theme to avoid repetition, but as vegetarians, we noticed our options had considerably dropped. The staff took in requests for specific dishes and were very kind to constantly check if we had enough to eat or liked what we were eating.
Pribin and Ibrahim, responsible for F&B across the island, would check on us every meal. That's thrice a day. Having noticed our son was a fussy eater, they would suggest a few dishes to be specifically prepared for him. We often ate where Aravinth and Prathap served - and we were cared for very well. They were switched on and would have our beverages and drinks ready even as we just walked into Jaafaiy.
It would be rude not to mention other friendly names here. So, apart from Aravinth and Prathap, please ask for Bala, Monir, Saippey, Shappe, Ruvel, Jumantte, and Navee if you see them there. Sravani and Manu did an excellent job of hosting guests as they made their way into the restaurant.
Iqbal at Farumathi restaurant's Amigos bar is fabulous. He dishes excellent cocktails as you settle in to watch the beautiful sunset across the unblemished landscape.
Sadham and Rajesh at Raiyvilla are spot-on with their service. The food choices in Raiyvilla are minimal for vegetarians in an all-inclusive package. But whatever was available was very delicious.
Krishna, Gokul and Sangeeta at the Udhares Bar were great to chat with and prompt in fulfilling orders.
Wilson and Monika at the in-villa dining were splendid. Wilson is a legend and tremendously courteous and caring in his service.
Kishan and Shiran at the live counter stations, Chaturaangi whipping up salads and sandwiches, Ganesh and Kapil in the kitchen - and all the kitchen staff were incredibly kind. They always had a smile on them when we would walk up.
Tips:
i. We opted for an all-inclusive package solely because we didn't want to restrict ourselves or the kids each time we signed for the bill. The AI package may or may not work for you. It certainly did for us; I recommend it if you are conflicted about that decision.
ii. Mosquitoes swarm the tables at night. It's not evident, but you tend to walk away with a few bites when you finish dinner. Please pack in repellent cream/lotion and apply a generous amount on your legs/feet.
iii. Ask for and try coconut ice cream. We loved it.
iv. The food at Raiyvilla and the ambience at Amigos are worth the price you might pay (if you do). Don't miss either.
v. If you arrive late or leave early, the F&B team can arrange a snack outside the main restaurant hours. So please don't hesitate to ask.
vi. The bread and some bread-based desserts are very strongly egg-based. If you are a vegetarian, this is something to consider. If dosas or stuffed parathas are something you fancy, they can also be arranged.
4. The Rooms:
We stayed in the Ocean Villa Horizon for three nights and the remaining seven days in a Beach Pool Villa. Each villa at the property is different. The kids thoroughly enjoyed both villas. The housekeeping team was thoughtful enough to add an extra bed to accommodate our family of four.
The water villa horizon has a jacuzzi but no pool. The storage space for your bags isn't much compared to the water villa infinity or the pool villas over water. However, the rooms are comfortable.
The Beach Pool villas were splendid. Access to the beach and the rest of the resort was appreciable. The shuttle buggy also helps reduce the distance between various places on the island, so a room anywhere shouldn't be challenging.
All rooms are provided with an insect spray and a pin converter. However, if you are from Australia, take your own, as the ones provided are not compatible with the electric pins from down under.
Tips:
i. If you are wondering if a Water Pool villa may or may not be worth it, don't hesitate to book one with a pool. Having said that, if you are looking for a quieter space and a great spot over water (but a pool isn't necessary), then the best villas are from 303 to 308 - they are closer to the beach and yet with enough distance to enjoy snorkelling and drifting towards shore.
ii. The best Beach Pool villas are 501 to 508 - mainly due to their proximity to the main restaurant and equidistance to the reception/jetty. Having said that, if you can book a Dhoni Pool villa, do so, but request 405-410, as the music from the Udhares bar can be intrusive to some.
iii. The island is lush and green. There is more vegetation than civilisation on this property. As a result, there are lots of mosquitoes and geckos. Do take ample spray/cream/lotion and antihistamines.
iv. The island is also teeming with fruit bats and crows. Pools and pool beds are victims of their bodily release of waste. :D
v. There are a few roaches here and there too. Remember that you are in a region with a sub-tropical climate. Insects and reptiles should not come as a surprise to you.
5. Facilities:
The wellness village is excellent. Ashuni, Shela and the entire team were very hospitable. The facilities are clean and well-maintained. All (or nearly all) sessions come with a 30-minute hydrotherapy. The gym is well equipped too. The tennis court is lit with floodlights to allow for a hit in the evening if you miss a game during the day.
The Dive Club is fantastic. Shetty was fabulous in helping with a mother-daughter diving experience.
The Water Sports Club is right by the bar and a wonderful place to explore snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, and all other water sports. A special mention to Sunny, who made sure we saw turtles when Snorkelling and caught magnificent Dolphins views when hopping across the speedboat. We tried reef snorkelling as well as windsurfing lessons. If you can fit Kayaking in, don't miss the opportunity. The water was a little choppy when we visited, but it was still worth the effort.
Rabia at the Kids Club is one of the best we have met. Patient with kids and creative to her bones, she kept our kids engaged and always had a positive and kind outlook. If you are considering going with kids, don't miss the opportunity for your kids to give the kids' club activities a fair go. It'll also give you some time while keeping them engaged.
Tips:
i. The services in the Spa can feel a little upmarket, but they are worth the price if you consider the holiday experience.
ii. Ensure you ask and confirm any freebies from the Water Sports club beforehand. The reef snorkelling is good, but turtle snorkelling is better.
iii. If you are a diver with PADI certification, you can get a good discount on the rooms - something to consider.
All in all, Furaveri is a fantastic place to visit. It is very family-friendly, and everyone is courteous. Yes, it has a few spots to do better, but the positives outweigh it. Considering the price and the location, it is 100% value for money.
