I’ve written a few reviews already, and read many other peoples, always leaving comments and feedba...
I’ve written a few reviews already, and read many other peoples, always leaving comments and feedback.
Please feel free to read mine, and add me to your circle of friends, and I’ll add you to mine.
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Member since:31.08.2004
Reviews:16
Members who trust:5
Having returned from Lily Beach Resort in the Maldives only 7 days ago, I had to write a review.
My wife and I traveled to the Maldives for our honeymoon, a 10 and a half hour flight on Monarch airlines, from Gatwick (London). A long flight, in which we didn't get much sleep, and we felt ready to collapse, until suddenly out of the window, we saw an island of sand, with shallow waters around it, and corals. It was probably only 10 meters across. Then another, and another. After the appearance of the first, more and more small island appeared, some with trees. Welcome to paradise!
After landing on a specially constructed island runway, nest to the capital island of Male', we took a boat plane for a 20 minute trip to our island, called lily beach. 500m long, 100m wide, approx 50 apartments.
Dense with trees, and choice of apartments either tucked back in the shade of the trees, or over hanging the waters edge. There is a main restaurant and bar at one end of the island, and another bar, with swimming pool at the other end.
All drinks are inclusive, including all alcoholic drinks, and a choice of two different cocktails per day. All 3 meals per day are inclusive, as are any snacks you need in-between meals!. You are served by your own waiter, who is with you at meal times all the way through the holiday (All staff work 365 consecutive days, before having 30 days off).
Food was spectacular, with a huge choice, with a lot of Indian, and Asian influence, but always a European option. Friday night is Maldives night, with staff dressing in traditional dress, and traditional food being served (again with a European option for those who don't like to experiment).
Also in the all-inclusive, is your snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel and fins), so that you have no excuses for not taking in the large number of coral reefs, and 100's of different fish, from clown fish (Nemo), to whale sharks.
We took $100 spending money, and came back with $40. Everything is inclusive, they won't let you pay for anything!. You can even borrow books and CD's from a huge collection at reception.
Beaches are soft coral sand, which is cleaned and raked twice a day to make sure it is clean and tidy. You place your beach towels where you wish in the morning, and then in the evening a member of staff returns them to your room for you.
A room boy (cleaner), sweeps and cleans the room in the morning, again at lunch, and yet again in the evening. Each time, he re-displays the bed, with an arrangement of flowers, and sheet folding!
The apartments themselves are spacious, with air-conditioning, a cd/radio and seating.
Of course I only stayed at one of the many resorts in the maldives, but from speaking to other people at the airport, and on the flight home, everywhere sounds about the same. Most resorts are all inclusive, and all resorts are small, personal, and well kept.
In our view, it was the best holiday we could have hoped for, and wish to return again. Amazingly helpful and polite staff, clean apartments and beaches, we really can't come up with anything on the downside, other than a long flight (which can't be helped), and the cost. £3500 for two people for two weeks is a lot of money, and not a holiday for every year of your life, but it was worth every penny.
* Update 29/12/2004 Due to the unfortunate events of 26/12/2004, with the Tsunami and waves hitting the islands, I fear that much of the Maldives has been destroyed. The main island, which is only 4 feet above sea level was hit by 6 foot waves, and the small resort islands are only a maximum of 3 feet above sea level, which means that they will have been hit heavily by waves and swells. Communications to the islands are down, and many tourits are stranded on the resort islands.
My thought are with all those at the Maldives, including my good friend, Joseph Christopher, who works at the main bar on Lily Beech Island, who was due to fly back home to his family in India in January.
Pictures of General: Maldives
View from the Boat Plane
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