It was our first time in Maldives. We had so many choices we literally didn’t know where to begin! Our travel agent helped us narrow it down to the Island of Love. The anniversary package at OBLU Select Lobilgi stood out from at least 20 hotels we were looking at. OBLU Select Lobigili checked off the following items we were looking for: adults only resort, all inclusive, butler service, cost, under ocean meal, activities and excursions.
We were warmly greeted by Hady at the OBLU Select resorts counter. She arranged our boat transfer and once on the boat we didn’t have to worry about transporting our luggage until our vacation was over.
After a short 15 minute ride we were welcomed at the jetty by the saxophonist and welcome team. Each couple was gifted a single stemmed rose. We were escorted to the Swing Bar where we were welcomed by the manager on duty Diyva and introduced to our fantastic Island hostess Sara. Sara explained how the check in process was reception-less meaning that you’ll download the OBLU SELECT Lobigili app to check in and all the info about the resort and your itinerary is available at your finger tips.
We tried to check in at the Swing Bar but I was having slow wifi connection so we delayed it till we got settled in our villa. We thought it was normal on the island and that it couldn’t be fixed but we found out too late (like on our last day) that they could have asked the IT department to help with our signal. Don’t hesitate to mention any problems you might be experiencing and your Island hostess will do her best to solve your problem.
We were given a quick tour in a pink buggy. The island is small enough to get around so there were no need for bicycles or buggies on a regular basis. You could request one but you’ll have to wait for availability for one of 3 guest buggies that are in use, they have 1 for emergency back up. On another day, we also spotted the vintage styled Purple buggy of the new General Manager Christopher Baker and said a quick hello.
Hammocks, and lounge chairs are found all over the property. The man made beach is fine white sand with littered with coral on the shore. We recommend you bring wet shoes especially if you’re entering the water from the beach.
During our 5D4N stay we were able to experience all 3 categories of villas offered at Lobigili.
First two nights we stayed at our Water Villa 216. Next two nights we stayed at Water Pool Villa 321. And on our last day, we extended our late check out and we stayed in the Beach Pool Villa 102 till we checked out.
We liked the Water Pool Villa the best.
In the Water Villa categories, there was a glass floor partition in the bedroom which was lit at night. There was a hammock over the ocean in the open air bathroom that we tried to stargaze but the roof obstructed our view. It was an even more spectacular view on the deck.
We found out that the hanging lights near the tub were decorative after we couldn’t find the switch. We were told it was a safety issue. However, these lights work in the Beach Pool Villa.
All villas came with his/hers flip flops, a beach bag and his/hers straw hat that you could take home. The quality was good and I loved the pink/purple colour scheme. The flip flops didn’t feel really comfy on the inner side where the strap is attached but we toughed it out.
There’s a pillow menu and we found that the Cassia seed and Chrysanthemum pillows were perfect for us.
I would have loved to see aloe vera and coconut oil as part of the amenities. We came prepared with a tub of aloe vera but not oil for our sunburn.
The Water Pool Villa has better snorkelling. Hubby was able to spot a shark while in the water and out! However getting up the ladder for Water Villas required some upper body strength. The Water Villa had the best view of the sunrise and sunset. The Beach Pool Villa was the least best for snorkelling and privacy. The advantage was that you can walk out on the beach from your villa. In the Beach Pool Villa where there was the hammock over the ocean is replaced by greenery.
We did get some rain showers at least once a day but they cleared up. We did have some overcast clouds but they also cleared up as well.
Most meals were at Ylang Ylang restaurant. There were four seating areas for guests: inside with fans, covered outside, outside beach and the air conditioned Library.
Breakfast and lunch were buffet style. Dinner is a la carte except for Mondays it’s Chef’s buffet, which we missed.
There was an Indian cuisine section led by Head Chef Aamir aka Chef Bollywood. He’s the one with a great perfect smile! The flavours were so authentic and there were a lot of variety of dishes offered each meal. There was a good balance of some spicy but mostly not spicy dishes. I would have preferred a little more spicy but I understand that not everyone can take spicy. Chef Aamir recommended the off menu cheese and garlic naan. It was to die for and so addictive!
There was an Asian/Western cuisine section you could order a la carte and they would serve it after it’s prepared. The taste for most dishes were good.
Breakfast options were limited but better since it was more consistent and not as salty as lunch and dinner options. Some of the dishes were hit and miss. Quite a few of the dishes were too salty for our preference. The flavours of the dishes was more than enough for taste that they didn’t need to add more salt. Presentation was very good.
There was the cold room section. This is where they had the cereals, yoghurts and salads, sushi and desserts.
There was the breads section. You name it they had it.
There was two small carts, they would have oats or congee for breakfast and soup or sides like nachos, satay or mini sloppy joes for lunch and dinner.
There was a cut fresh fruit and fresh juice corner for breakfast. They offered starfruit, orange, watermelon, cantaloupe, passion fruit. The bananas were on request. There was whole fruit choices such as pears, nectarines and plums that the staff would cut up for you. We noticed that there was no mango, pineapple or papaya.
There were so many drinks you could choose from the menu. The hot drinks such as coffee or tea were good and strong. But the iced coffee were a little too heavy handed with milk and ice which made the coffee taste diluted. We noticed there was no fresh coconut. Wine and spirit options were plenty however quality could be better for price point.
Overall the food was fantastic at Ylang Ylang. The staff were warm and friendly. Many servers would come by to chat with us at every meal to ask how our day went in addition to what else we’d like to drink and how the food was.
Thanks to Sumeda who chased after the crows coming to join breakfast every morning. They must recognize him since they would fly away before he got near them.
Special mention for F&B manager Mousumi and Team Ylang Ylang for hosting a surprise special beach wedding anniversary dinner for us. We were truly touched by the card signed by Team Ylang Ylang.
We ordered from the normal dinner a la carte menu by mixing and matching from the four different menus: Italian, Mediterranean, Indian and Thai. When we returned to our villa, the bed was decorated with flower petals and swan towels, the bath was filled with bubbles and rose petals and we had a cake to celebrate!
There’s only one cubicle for the toilet at Ylang Ylang. That was a bit of inconvenience when two out of three times several guests were waiting to use the toilet. I think the sitting out area could have been better used as another stall.
We enjoyed the Gaadiya 17 food truck on the beach. The steak tasted good but a too little salty. It was cooked perfectly medium as requested. The prawns were delicious. The sides that came with dinner tasted good. Portions just enough but you could always ask for more. They ran out of the creme brûlée but the pancake tasted good. We tried and didn’t like the two signature cocktails. Just wasn’t our cup of tea.
Special thanks to Mousumi who arranged us to have take out for lunch just before our spa treatment since we were running late.
We had a 45 minute spa session at Elena with Ching and Dulan. While we check in, we were served with cold towel and tamarind drink. The atmosphere was so relaxed and tranquil. We were given tips by Ching how to prevent and treat our sunburns. Hubby even fell asleep! After the spa we were served apple chips and choice of water or tea.
The resort offered many activities and excursions during our stay. Sara would send us the daily schedule in addition to the booked activities and excursions.
You can borrow the snorkelling mask and flippers at the water sports center for your stay, return them one day before check out. If you need a tighter lifejacket then that’s provided in your villa, you can borrow one for the day. The water sports center also offers complimentary non-motorized activities such as kayak and SUP. The paid activities/excursions are quite expensive.
We joined the Culinary adventures cooking class that’s held every Tuesday and Friday from 15:30 -16:30 with Chef Aamir and team. We even took home the homemade spices to make the dish and he gave us the recipe.
We went on the house reef snorkelling guided tour, usually in the morning. The boat takes you out about 15 minutes and the guides supervise the group. I was able to see a sea turtle and giant sea urchin as well as many fishes.
We went on the sunset fishing trip. The trip takes you out about 15 minutes. One lucky guest was able to hook a trigger fish soon after dropping anchor!
We watched the Maldivian cultural show at the sister resort OBLU Xperience Ailafushi that is connected but we took a short 2 minute boat ride over since it was a large group of guests. It was a bit of a mad house when we got there. The resort is huge compared to Lobigili. It felt like we were thrown into chaos. We would have preferred a section where our resort guests could have had reserved seating. At least it was a short activity and we were relieved to get back to our side.
We had happy hour at The Swing Bar. Maldivian snacks were presented in a bento box. We weren’t informed what we were eating until we tried it. Would have been nice to have like a card like when you get a box of chocolates of what you’re going to bite in. The drinks made by Soyam were good and strong. She had a good memory of hubby’s taste preference and she was creative when we asked her for several rounds of shots.
We also joined “Be a bartender” activity. Soyam was patient and a great teacher suggesting how to make your own drink.
Sara gave us a tour of the under ocean restaurant during the day. We were surprised by her enthusiasm and knowledge of the marine life. We found out that she also studied marine biology!
The restaurant feeling is very different from the night.
We dined at the under ocean restaurant Only Blu for dinner. We were given a quick introduction how it was made in Sri Lanka and brought over and sunken but floating from the ocean floor just in case of geological tremors. It seats a capacity of 46 persons. During the night the restaurant is lit to attract the fishes. We were able to see sharks and a sting ray in addition to the fishes. You’re given a card to identify the fishes.
It was quite cool down there. Our food got cold fast. Good thing Sara mentioned to bring a cover up. Service was average. Food was average. Plates came out hot but got cold fast from the ac. Unfortunately there were two couples from sister resort Ailafushi that were intoxicated and made our experience not as enjoyable. They cleared out the restaurant quickly. We didn’t stay long either.
We arranged for late check out since our flight was super late night. We didn’t want to wander around the resort for 8 hours. Sara and her manager Divya helped us make a special arrangement for the Beach Pool Villa with Lobi plan until our boat transfer. We were given our check out letter the night before and filled in an internal survey on a tablet. I had to start over a few times since I scrolled too fast and it would refresh.
On our departure, Sara and duty manager Alex came to see us off. They bid us “See you soon” at the jetty. At Malé we were greeted at the jetty by a staff, she escorted us were the gate was and told us where could wait till 20:30 to be allowed to check in then she kind of took off. I saw that other resorts escorted their guests right up to the check in counter. Our send off was quite anti-climatic.
Overall OBLU Select Lobigili was a great experience for our first time in Maldives. It was cozy and comfy. The food and drinks were tasty. The presentation was nice.
The villas were clean. Lots of towels. Bed was comfy. The staff were amazing. You could feel that everyone was happy to work there and they also mentioned it to us and how women conscience the company is. I really loved how the company and managers that I met like Diyva, Alex and Mousumi also takes care of their staff then the staff can take care of their guests better. I like how there’s a multinational diversity of staff. We met staff from Maldives, Vietnam, Philippines, India, Russia and Nepal. The staff gave you space. Activities and excursions took place on time.
Sara was truly a fantastic Island hostess. She really took care of us during our stay. We felt like we were her only guests. You didn’t feel rushed although Sara had a way to let you know she was on the go.Her response time for requests were good and always a followup even when we didn't ask. Especially with the special arrangement for late check out and the cake mishap. The resort had quite a few VIPs but Sara emphasized that all her guests were her VIPs.
Thank you Island of Love! It was perfect for our wedding anniversary!
We’d definitely recommend this place!
