The 23 hours and 54 Minute Journey . . . door to door
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
GENERAL...........
My hubby and I take it in turns to pick a destination each year (we rarely go out and save hard for these luxuries!), last year was my choice - delightful Cuba, this year the hubby chose the Maldives, however I did get to choose the resort. After much agonising I picked Kuredu, mainly because it is one of the largest islands in the Maldives and I felt it would offer a wider choice of activities and nightlife, I didn't want to travel all that way and just laze on a beach all day - I can do that in Greece
After a knackering journey, we are greeted at Kuredu by banging drums - quite novel and a nice touch, but after 2 weeks of hearing the drums bang new arrivals in daily it can get a bit tedious!! . Check in was smooth, no complaints, then we were directed to our room. Wow, an hexagonal pine built villa with four poster bed and an outdoor bathroom!! .. very, very nice
THE BASICS.......
Kuredu offers a variety of accommodation options but. we decided to upgrade to a beach villa, which cost an extra £740 on top of the standard Beach Bungalow price. Money well spent ... after a walk round the Island on our second day we found that the bungalows and Sangu water villas are located on the windward side of the island, which is covered with dense coconut palms, and the ocean is considerably choppier which leaves the bungalows in the shade - quite literally, but if you are going to the Maldives to dive, or relax in a water villa with your loved one what more do you need? and wherever you stay you are still in paradise
FOOD.. There are 3 buffet restaurants, 1 exclusively for Sangu guests, 1 which accommodates residents of the beach bungalows and 1 for guests of the beach villas….
Breakfast consisted of the usual, cereals, yoghurt, breads, ham and cheese along with a variety of fruits, the bananas where particularly small and sweet!. In addition there where two cooking stations offering cooked to order eggs in every variety imaginable.
At lunch time a wide variety of salads, soups, breads, baked dishes usually based around fish or meat, and again the cooking stations, which always offered a pasta choice and a meat or fish dish made to order each day - the steak sandwiches were spectacular.
In the evening it was much of the same, however the chef often incorporated theme nights - Curries, Italian, Chinese etc. The hubby is so fussy but he didn't starve so that says it all really (and I gained 4lb in weight!!).
In addition to the all inclusive restaurants you can always treat yourself to one of the paying restaurants - François a 'traditional Italian' offering pizzas & steaks (yummy), the 'Beach Grill' delicious fish dishes and steaks (don't eat all day if you plan to visit) or the 'Far East' - traditional Thai - although I can't comment as it was closed for a refurb
DRINKING…
5 bars....
Atiki our favourite for chilling out, located next to reception on the beach, chilled out - and wicked barmen, Abi was a star although he was rubbish at backgammon (sorry Abi)
The Pool Bar - nice for a (payable 6 dollar each) cocktail, and chilling out before dinner
The Golf Bar (open until 10pm) good after a hard slog on the driving range (practice for the Texas Scramble), pretty quiet but excellent service.
Babuna - dark and dingy but good if you want a late one and some entertainment, evryone seems to gather here after a hard day in the Maldives.
Sangu - exclusive to Sangu guests, as I wasn't a Sangu guest I cannot comment.
In the all inclusive package all beers, wine, gin, rum, vodka, campari and brandy are all inclusive, cocktails and speciality coffees are not included!! although the Pool Bar offer special cocktails at 5 dollars a throw if you want a treat.
ACTIVITIES.......
The Spa
So what do I do with the knowledge that I may never have the opportunity to return to the Maldives again?Act like lady and undertake A Spa Treatment...
After browsing through the comprehensive and detailed guide I am tempted by the 'Coconut and Coffee Detoxifying Scrub' and after leaving hubby playing volleyball (5.30 on the dot everyday) I duly book myself into the spa for this treatment at 10.30 am the following morning - that is after spending 15 minutes wondering around the interior of the island trying to locate the spa - not too well signposted... I spot several other Brits also wondering around looking a bit lost (and agitated with each other considering they are on honeymoon and are planning to undertake a 'his & hers massage (with champagne') to celebrate!)
Next morning I find myself listening to soothing tinkly music sitting by a lovely little pool in which petals are floating and am greeted by my therapist who leads me to a small equally soothing room telling me to undress and put on a pair of 'panties' - and swiftly departs - oh my god I have never seen anything like it - a pair of black paper things designed for someone the size of Mrs Beckham, which I tug and tug until they rip - how nice.
The therapist returns to gently cleanse me with a lavender wash and then proceeds to rub me down with some concoction of coffee and coconut, after several minutes I am instructed to take a shower in the outdoor bathroom and dry off. The lovely Sri Lancian girl then instructs me to 'take off my panties' and 'drop them to the floor!!' before massaging me all over with a delicately scented cream.
Blimey this is supposed to be a relaxing experience, maybe i'm just not used to it, call me an ungrateful cow but next time i'd give this a miss and spend my money on a manicure!! still I can say I had a spa experience in the Maldives!! I scarper from the spa after gulping down my 'relaxing ginger tea' and join my hubby for a well deserved pint of Tiger, I know ladies shouldn't do pints but boy did I deserve it!!
Golf and...........
The Lesson I'd been made redundant a few weeks before our trip and was feeling a little dejected. So decided I'd make the effort and try something new. I'd been planning this in my mind since the morning..... TUESDAY - BEGINNERS GUIDE TO GOLF'. We have a leisurely breakfast - me trying to me good with yoghurt and fruit - the hubby has eggs and bacon. Afterwards we try and catch a sea turtle on camera to no avail and venture to the bar for a coffee or two. 5.30 approaches.... and I walk the ten minutes or so to the Kuredu golf Club ( the only golf course in the Maldives)
James (the rather hunky golf pro) takes about 30 of us over to the driving range... I know i'm crap at maths but i'm sure they got the measurements wrong... . Anyway we are taught how to hold a golf club correctly, it was a No 8 if I remember rightly, and how to hit a shot. Not so hard after all, and I get to talk to some other golf widows to boot.
The next day we sign up for the Texas scramble, you play as a pair, playing the best shot out of the 2- what a laugh!!, I'm a bit rubbish to be honest but who cares!. I DID WIN THE HUBBY AT GOLF LATER IN THE WEEK!!
Snorkelling......
We did two guided tours which were fantastic (attempted 4 but cancelled due to bad weather0, I have to admit I was a nervous wreck stepping onto the snorkel boat for the first time but the guides were brilliant and I saw marine life I will never see again.
Diving...
Kuredu has an excellent dive centre run by 'Pro Divers' they offer a wide range of PADI approved courses for beginners through to experienced with a wide range of dive sites on offer. Visit the dive centre for a chat in regard to your requirements, you will not be disappointed.
Shops...
The usual tourist tat (dare I say it) however there is a tailor on site if you require something special made to measure!
OVERALL
Plenty to do if you want too. Excellent dive centre (does not apply to me as I'm a scaredy cat!!) watersports, diving, gym. golf, spa. I cannot complain - I got my piece of paradise. If you like to shop don't do it, otherwise just chill and enjoy the delights and sights of Kuredu!!
Kuredu Island Resort Lhaviyani Atoll
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Sightseeing
Excellent
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