The hotel is beautiful, new, and very clean, but there are some things that affected the overall experience.
1. Slow service: We often had to wait a long time during breakfast for plates to be cleared. For example, a table next to us was empty for about 25 minutes before anyone noticed and cleared it. When we ordered an omelet, we waited around 20 minutes, the same with drinks. Also, as soon as our plates were cleared, new cutlery was not automatically provided, and we had to ask for it. This experience repeated multiple times during our stay.
2. Excursion communication: We booked a dolphin trip, but due to bad weather, we expected someone to contact us if it was canceled. No one reached out, and about 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting, we had to message the staff on WhatsApp to ask if the trip was happening. They confirmed it was canceled, but I would have expected a proactive staff member to inform us.
3. Buggy service: Buggy rides can only be booked in the app on the hour or half-hour. Sometimes the buggy arrived 10 minutes earlier than we were ready, or later. When we asked the staff to wait, they kindly did, but the timing could be more precise.
4. Villa and sea view: We booked a water villa. You could see Male city from the villa, which is understandable since the city is so close, but I expected the villas to be oriented in a way that minimizes the city view. The sea was beautiful and clear, as expected in the Maldives, but there was very little marine life around the water villas. This is understandable given the high number of boats passing nearby.
Food:
Food and drinks were generally excellent, and we had some of the best pizza we’ve ever eaten. Breakfast was very good, with delicious pancakes, though service was slow. For a longer stay, the food selection would likely become repetitive. As a European guest, I found the options limited, and by the third day, I wasn’t sure what to eat for dinner and ended up having the same types of dishes repeatedly. Dinner was good, but I missed a larger selection of Italian and international dishes. Pizza is not served at dinner, nor are options like club sandwiches or burgers. À la carte restaurant reservations are required, though a buffet is available with a limited selection.
Staff:
The staff was always friendly and tried to help. They were very nice, but in the restaurants, it felt like they were not fully trained for a hotel of this level, which contributed to the slow service and some confusion with orders. Outside of the restaurants, the staff were generally fine and helpful.
Overall, I would rate the stay as positive. The villas, food, drinks, and staff were all good, but the long waiting times for food and drinks, the limited food options, and the restaurant service affected the experience. For a hotel of this standard and price, this level of service should not happen.
Nevertheless, we enjoyed a relaxing stay in the beautiful turquoise waters!
