Meedhupparu Island Resort, Maldives

Advantages: Stunning beauty, tranquility, dive sites
Disadvantages: Italians on an ice-cream company conference. Err...that's about it.

...deal online to the four-star Meedhupparu Island Resort for the first two weeks in January 2001. The price was around £800 each for full board, which seemed a real bargain. However, we struggled to find the resort in any of the mainstream brochures (including our carrier - JMC) as it only opened in June 2000, so I guess we took a small gamble. The resort is now carried by major operators including First Choice and Thomson, and a similar fourteen night ...
...before departure. LOCATION Meedhupparu is located in the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India. The Maldives comprise 19 "atolls", or groups of islands, and Meedhupparu is the only resort in the RAA atoll; this lies to the northwest of Male, the capital, and location of the international airport. It is 130km from Male to the resort, making it one of the most outlying. CLIMATE Unsurprisingly, Meedhupparu has a tropical ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful, clean & excellent staff
Disadvantages: A little rowdy around the main bar in the evening

...about any noise. As Meedhupparu came into view the pilot did a sweep of the island so we could take it all in, and although I'd seen many pictures (I did my research!) it still took our breath away. We were met on the pier and taken to the main reception, where we were given a fruit cocktail and a cold towel. We were then taken to our room and it was exactly what we hoped for. We were on the south side of the island, which is on the opposite side ...
...The food on Meedhupparu is of a very good standard. Breakfast offers omelettes, cereals, fry-up, curry, toast, pancakes, waffles, fruit, and pretty much anything else you can think of! Lunch also has plenty of choice but I did find it got a little monotonous after a while, that's not to say that it wasn't good, it just didn't change enough in my opinion. There was always a good choice of very delicious curry, soup, salad and pasta. Dinner worked ... Read review

Advantages: pristine beaches palm trees and nothing to do
Disadvantages: long trip and nothing to do if your easily bored

My wife and I stayed here for one week at the beginning of October. we enjoyed every second of our stay. there is some erosion on the south side of the island (where we stayed) but this never intruded on our stay it's a little ugly looking but once completed will be fine (at the rate they where working it's most likely finished). Whilst there we only heard of one complaint and that was related to being bored (do not go here if your looking for an ...
...the staff where all friendly and it was clean. they use US dollars so everything was super cheap (don't take cash you won't need it) everything is put on your bill at the end, have a good look at your bill on payment as several people had issue's with being double charged which seemed to be sorted out on the spot. ... Read review

Advantages: Beautiful part of the world
Disadvantages: Wrong island - big time!

Don't go near this island. Its a 24/7 building site with concrete mixers going all night to produce concrete bags which are then dumped in the sea as a barrier to protect the island. I know its got to be done, but not while we are on holiday. The standard of hygiene is appalling - glasses at the bars are washed in cold tap water by hand; the pool has no filter so body scum floats on the surface, cooked food is left out for hours etc etc. Whilst ... Read review

Advantages: Relaxing, good diving,
Disadvantages: None!!

I worked in the Maldives for 3 fantastic years, visiting many of the islands, so if you are not sure which one to pick, or want some info on island facilities, feel free to contact me, I will be happy to help. Its an amazing destination - one that you will never forget! Whether you want to relax outside your villa, indulge yourself in a spa treatment, visit local uninhabited islands or dive, its all available. Food is very good, lots to choose from, ... Read review