Excellent House Reef - Great Service from the Staff
Disadvantages:
None
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
==Embudu Village - Maldives==
The Maldives are off the lower west tip of Indian in the middle of the Indian Ocean. They are made up of several beautiful Atolls. Each Atoll has many islands and coral reefs, which look stunning from the air. Embudu Village is in the South Male Atoll.
The Size of the Island is small only 280m x 240m
Flying time from the UK is average 10.5 hours. This time we flew with Thomsonfly (see my other review for details)
Transfer from the Airport is 45mins by slow boat or 20mins by fast speed boat.
This Island is rated 2*+, But is worthy of at least a 3*+ we booked this Island solely on recommendations and great reviews. So we were not sure what to expect. The basic price ( with no upgrades) for 2 weeks in an Island room on Full Board, flights and transfers was a bargain £800 each. You can upgrade to all inclusive for $26 (£13) per person per day when you get to the island.
Arrival It was late afternoon, as we sped into the lagoon and our first impression of the island was very lush. Our cases were carried for us as we were shown to the reception. We were greeted by a very polite Maldivian Lady. (Unusual on the Maldives resorts, as men are normally customer facing, this was a nice change, they should employee more ladies to serve customers) She gave us a Cool fruit juice drink and towel to refresh us. We filled out our registration cards and then the room key was brought to us. What great service already. Again our cases were carried to our room as we followed, trying to keep up with these very small man carrying 30Kgs cases on their shoulders!!!. We tipped $2 a case.
Type of rooms
Standard & single rooms There were some standard and single rooms, but we did not see these, so maybe these were on the inside of the island.
72 Superior rooms These were all beach rooms surrounding the island, all single storeys. They comprised of bedroom with double bed and room for an additional single bed. Dressing table, wardrobe and drawers. Air conditioning, Fridge, Fresh water flash. The bathroom was small but had all that you needed. A tiled terrace with a drying rack and white plastic table and chairs. A footbath with tap.
12 Water Villas We stayed in the water villa this time.
The villas are reached via the jetty and board walks to all rooms with small board walks every forth villa back to the island. All built out on top of the reef but close to the island.
Our Room They had dark wooden floors and dark wood ceiling, with white walls to contrast. An extra large double bed with side tables and table lamps. A large double wardrobe with drawers, dressing table with large mirror on the wall. A wooden table and chairs. Air conditioning Satellite TV Electronic safe Fridge Telephone Tea/coffee making facilities A flask containing Fresh water; filled daily Double glass sliding doors which led onto the decking area The decking area looked out onto the reef and islands in the distance. A table, 2 lounge chairs and a flat sun bed, and a drying rack, all stained dark wood to match the room. Privately screened on both sides. The main feature of the room was the glass panel in the floor, where you could look down onto the reef and fish; this was lit at night and looked great. We spent many hours lying on our tummy fish watching at night.
The Bath room This was large bright and airy. The sink was enclosed in a marble worktop with giant sized wall mirror. Shaver point Hair dryer Modern design flushing toilet was excellent. Jacuzzi bath with a very large shower head. Plenty of hot water. A glass panelled roof over the bath/shower that looked to the sky. The windows were wooden slatted so you could listen to the waves lapping the shore and feel the breeze blowing in through them as you lay in the bath relaxing - ohhh heaven. All the fitting were modern chrome. Bath mats and Towels were changed every other day.
We were very pleased with the room and the room boy's service was excellent.
The Restaurant This was large with half open sides looking out to the islands beautiful trees and flowers and allowed a nice breeze to waft through. Ceiling fans and tiled floor, with good lighting. All tables circled the buffet in the centre. Tables were various sizes, but you would have to share a table unless you were in a water villa. (Mainly due to most guests in the water villas were on honeymoon) We shared a table with my sister and her family for the first week, the waiter arranged it so we could all sit together which was nice. Every night there was a separate outdoor area where the chefs cooked additional foods to the buffet. You never knew what you were getting until you got out there, all of it was great food and freshly cooked.
Food I will list the foods as this is always a question I get asked about in detail. So hopefully it helps someone.
Breakfast Fruit juice Cereals Yogurt Cheese Cold meats Fresh fruits Various delicious Croissants Pancakes French toast Various types of freshly baked bread to Toast Jams, honey, syrups, Boiled eggs Scrambled eggs Sausage Baked beans Rice and Curry (yes.. I did have some curry for breakfast) Tea/coffee There was an egg chef every morning, who would do fried or omelette eggs for you. It was amazing as he could remember what every person had ordered previously.
Lunch and evening meals Various Soups Fresh baked rolls and breads Salad selection Various Vegetables Roast, chipped mashed potatoes Rice dishes Curries- vegetarian, chicken, beef, Beef casserole Spaghetti Lasagne Pasta dishes Various sauces to die for Pork dishes (which normally are rare in the Maldives) Various Chinese dishes, stir fries, noodles, chilli beef, Lemon chicken There are various theme nights. Grilled BBQ fish, chicken, beef, you name it they grilled it.
Desserts Mousse of various flavours- all delicious Gateaux of every kind imaginable Ginger cake and custard Upside down pineapple cake Trifles Fresh fruit cocktail Rice pudding Ice cream Chocolate cakes were outstanding Crème caramel Jelly Treacle sponge pudding There were far more than this but too many to remember.
The waiter Service was excellent; the tables had clean cloths and napkins every sitting.
Bar This was by the beach. but also shaded by tall palms. A semi circle shaped bar in the centre, with covered seating area with ceiling fans. There was a small dance floor with lighting, table football and table tennis. Plastic table and chairs and wooden double seated swings that hung from the palm trees were outside leading on the beach and boat Jetty. There was also a wooden terrace with chairs and tables the jutted out on stilts into the lagoon, this was ideal for watching the sunsets in the evening.
The prices were very reasonable as all drinks are imported. Average about $3 per short, soft drink and beer. (£1.60) Cocktails were from $4- $11 - I had a few of them.
Shop There was a small shop in the reception area, with the normal souvenirs, sandals, air beds, shampoos; sun creams postcards and stamps etc.
Jewellers This was a small shop selling Sri Lankan jewellery. Some of which was very nice, put displayed no prices. I did find that people were looking through the window but afraid to ask the prices. Which is understandable?
The Reception The desk was always staffed by smiling attentive staff. There was an array of information boards in all languages. Cashier for changing traveller cheques if required for spending money on the trips. An Internet room charged at $5 per 30mins. A post box A trips board detailed all excursions; simply put your name and room number on the list and it will then be added to your bill at the end of your stay.
Excursions
Male shopping$25 pp A Boat trip to the capital island, a small tour of the mosque, presidential gardens, the veg and fish markets. Then spend time some shopping and haggling. A must for first timers to the Maldives.
Island hopping$30 pp The first island is Maafushi a local island, tour of the school, mosque, football/sports ground. Local houses and shopping. It was nice to see the Maldivian children playing. We spent some time shopping and chatting to the locals, their English is very good as this is taught in school as their second language. We saw some new buildings that were being built after they were destroyed by the Tsunami. And also saw some damage it caused. The local Maldivian people are very grateful for the aid they received from everyone who gave so generously after the event. Back to the boat via a coconut stand, a refreshing drink for only $2. and a coconut to take back. To the Sand bank for snorkelling This was a vast expanse of sand in the middle of the sea, with light turquoise surrounding it. You had time to snorkel on the reef for a while. As we left the sandbank we visited a pod of dolphins they circled the boat as everyone 'wooed' with excitement.
The next Island was Biyadoo, this was another resort island. We had stayed on a sister island of Biyadoo, but never managed to visit it. This is a low budget island, but after walking around and spending some time on it. It was not for us, it was very dense with lots of mossies, and in need of refurbishment. That's the best of island hopping; you can visit islands before booking a holiday there.
Night fishing $15 pp The boat goes out at sunset, line and hook fishing (no rods); the boat crew bait your hook for you. Good fun for all. Then Back for dinner after a couple of hours.
Other excursions are available such as Sea plane excursion and BBQ island trip. All the information is displayed in the reception.
Water Sports Centre Catamaran, water skiing, wake boarding and kayaks.
Dive Centre Run by Diverland (the same company as on Summer Island which we visited in June) Always attention to detail, especially safety. You have a normal 'check out dive' the morning after arrival. Then you just turn up morning or afternoon for a dive. This was good as with previous dive centre you have to put your name down the day before. Then you feel obliged to dive even if you don't feel like diving the next day. My partner dived and was pleased with the service and dives. The staffs were very friendly and welcoming. You can hire all your dive gear or just mask and fins if you are just snorkelling. A deposit is payable. Nitrox is an extra €3 per tank fill. All the prices at this dive centre were in Euros- All the other islands are in Dollars- So beware these dives are expensive in comparison with other islands.
House Reef What can I say but FANTASTIC!!. The best house reef we have seen so far. It is only a few feet from the beach. Various cut outs marked by flag poles from the beach to the reef hangover. You can snorkel just one section of the reef or all around the island. Check which way the current is going then just glide over the reef, it feels like you are flying. There is a section of coral garden which has large table and fan corals, rare black corals, bright coloured clams and an abundant fish varieties - multi coloured Parrot fish, unicorn fish, Moorish idols, oriental sweet lips, trigger, powder blue surgeon, wrasse, lobsters, pipefish, porcupine fish, green/blue/ yellow/pink fairy damsels, humbug, emperor fish, triton trigger fish, enormous jack fish, puffer fish, Large morays and sting rays. This list goes on.
In the shallow lagoon by the water villas baby black tipped reef sharks patrolled up and down the shore chasing tiny fish, improving their technique ready for the deep sea!!. These can be seen day and night. This often took us some time to get to meals as we shark watched along the way.
Beaches Soft white beautiful sand about 2/3rds around the island. There are a couple of sand banks that jut out leaving a shallow warm lagoon perfect for children to play in. There was plenty of sun beds- the funny shaped kind that you sit on and they go right back. I did perfect the art of getting on and off them by the end of the holiday. Most folk used towels as the sand is so soft. There are not many shells on the beaches now, unlike many years ago when I first started coming to the Maldives. But you still see the hermit cards scurrying along trying to find a larger shell to live in.
Vegetation & wildlife The island is very lush with tall palms bursting with coconuts. The gardeners make an effort to remove the ripe ones, but sometimes you can still hear a rustle followed by a thud. Always check the palm tree before sitting under it!! Beautiful scented flowers abound the whole island, especially the white frangipani's scent can be smelt in the breeze. Every morning and throughout the day the gardeners work tirelessly bushing up the leaves that fall from the trees and shrubs. The island is keep beautifully clean and manicured, but still leaving the natural island feel. In the centre of the island is a bird section full of bright coloured budgies, parrots and finches. You see their keeper every morning at breakfast cleaning and feeding them. You can see hollowed out coconut shells for their nesting boxes. There are lizards and geckos, if you are quick enough to spot them before they run up the trees. The fruit bats are large with big black eyes and have orange chests, you can see these hanging from the trees and fly in and out at dusk. Beautiful bird song can be heard high in the trees during the day. At night crabs of all sizes can be seen on the beaches, so take a torch with you. In the early morning you will see them digging holes and burying themselves from the days sun.
Staff and service A special paragraph just for this as it was so excellent. The smiling, friendly, polite, helpfulness and kindness of all the staff with no exception was fantastic. Everyone especially the gardeners always said hello, even if they had seen you 5 times already that day. A wonderful feeling of belonging there was evident by everyone. They made you feel very special andwanted you to have the best holiday during your stay with them. Many of the staff I spoke to had worked on the Island for many years and were very happy there. Our waiter had worked there for 16 years and said when he retired he will stay on the island as it was his home and family. How many of us can say that about our jobs??
Summary This island is an excellent value Full board resort. Good basic accommodation with excellent water villas. Great tasting food. Excellent house reef with good beaches. First class service from all the staff. This is certainly on my list of islands that I would revisit- (So I have 2 on my list now)
