Maldives?

My future wife and I will be in India in September, so we've decided that it makes for a good opportunity to have a honeymoon in the Maldives. I've been trying to figure out where to stay, as an SPG member I looked at the W and in pictures looks great but the reviews are a bit of a turn-off. We're looking for a bungalow on the water but especially a place that has great food; smaller, private resorts are also preferred(no kids a plus). Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/male/villingiliresort/rooms

 

DAMN! Was playing around, thought the beach villa looked nice. Thought $1,500 for a week was a steal, then found out that's per night... Yikes...

 

Thanks, I'd be interested in hearing any feedback on the places if possible.

 

Beach bungalows are much nicer than water bungalows IMO. Four Seasons Kuda Huraa was very nice though not top tier, but I haven't been since the tsunami wiped it out. They had a nice little two-person catamaran you could take out and play with. Also, the Four Seasons' dive boat, the Explorer, is great even if you only snorkel.

http://www.fourseasons.com/maldiveskh/

Looks like they didn't rebuild the water bungalows; just as well, if you ask me. They look great in theory but in practice just don't work.

 

Recently an Aussie Fchatter went there with his Wife for a holiday.

They stayed in Baros.

Here is his thread and post in the Aussie section.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320750&page=2

 

Me and my wife to be are thinking of going to Maldives in December / jan for our honeymoon too. There are hundreds of islands to chosse from.
Go to a travel agent they will help you out

 

Thanks for all the replies! I've contacted a travel agent specializing in the Maldives but I also wanted to get input from others before making a decision, my wife to be really wants to be in a water bungalow so that's non negotiable.

 

Sounds like your Wife has expensive taste!

Good luck and enjoy.

 

Hahaha, yeah she does!
Thanks, I'm really excited it should be a very memorable experience.

 

Good to hear buddy!! Take care now.

 

What's your budget and what exactly are you top priorities in terms of facilities/location and activities?


Park Hyatt, the luxury brand of the Hyatt company (Four Seasons/Ritz-Carlton level) just got a management contract to a property in Maldives.

http://maldives.hadahaa.park.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/

 

Why are you going to the Maldives?

Sounds like a stupid question right? Nope. It is not.



If you are going to mostly sit on a beach, one set of Islands will be a better choice.


If you are going to Scuba Dive, other Islands would be better depending on what critters you hope to see. Sharks are a given on EVERY dive, inhabit EVERY lagoon, but other critters on diver's "Bucket-Lists" are much more picky.


If you want to wind surf or other surface sports (to include skin dive/snorkel), still other islands may be better suited for your trip.


If you are a weak or non-swimmer, yet another set of islands might be a better bet.



Yes they are all islands, most smaller than a city block, but they each offer very different opportunities.

Some have everything a 5-Star in any city anywhere has, some do not even have FRESH Water other than bottled to drink (only salt H20 out of the tap ) and no commo other than short wave, and others have everything in between.


ENJOY !!!!

 

I'd like to go one day as well, as a get away from a vacation in India, but that might be next year or the following.

One blog I read often has some reviews and lots of pictures. Might give you a better view of what to expect.

Maldives: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/01/days-9-10-welcome-to-maldives.html
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/01/days-11-13-maldivian-water-games-night.html
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/01/day-with-maldives-whale-shark-research.html

Denis Island (while not in the Maldives, looks gorgeous!): http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/01/week-in-seychelles-on-denis-island.html

But if I were in that part of the world, I'd also want to drop into Mauritius. That's a place on my bucket list.