Summer Island Village, Maldives

...of an all inclusive island, Summer Island Village.
It maybe a long review, but maybe helpful to those who are contemplating staying on this island, if not try to imagine you are there.

**FLIGHT**
Our direct flight was 10.5 hours from Manchester with Monarch this time. (But that’s another review). We stayed in June/July 2007 for 14 nights.

**ARRIVAL**
We arrived at Male airport; it is amazing to ...
...ARRIVAL**
As we approached Summer Island Village, it looked beautiful, tall swaying palms, a long jetty stretching from the reef to the white sand beaches with thatched sun shades.
We tired up at the Jetty where we were greeted with a friendly handshake and a warm greeting of ‘Welcome to Summer Island’. Our cases were carried for us to the reception. Down the jetty and a slow walk through the middle of the island to the reception via ... more

**BACKGROUND**
If you have read some of my other reviews, you will be aware that I have a bit of a passion for the Maldives. This is my review of an all inclusive island, Summer Island Village.
It maybe a long review, but maybe helpful to those who are contemplating staying on this island, if not try to imagine you are there.

**FLIGHT**
Our direct flight was 10.5 hours from Manchester with Monarch this time. (But that’s another review). We stayed in June/July 2007 for 14 nights.

**ARRIVAL**
We arrived at Male airport; it is amazing to see this airport from the air. It just looks like a landing strip/runway in the middle of the sea. The first time I went the runway was not big enough to take jumbo jets. However this has now expended with the land reclaim project over the years.

**PASSPORT CONTROL**
We were the only flight to arrive, so it was very swift through passport control, your passport was scanned into their system, visa checked and stamped and away we went to collect our luggage from the carousal, there are only 2 small carousels so you can understand how small the airport is.

Our cases are scanned then onto the trolley and out the door to be met by the Maldivian cosmos Representative. He took our names and cases. We sit in the café area having a cool coke. After 15 mins, we were taken to the speed boat.

** THE BOAT TRANSFER**
Our cases are loaded onto the boat for us and a helping hand off the jetty into the boat. There were only ourselves and another couple for the transfer, so we had the whole of the speed boat. We were given a bottle of water and cool towels.
The breeze from the boat was very cooling and refreshing in the heat and humidity of the day.
The transfer to the island was very smooth and took about 1 hour 20 mins. The weather was sunny but slightly overcast but still bright. We passed many beautiful islands on the way, some we had stayed on previously, some we knew we could NEVER afford to stay on.
You can also arrange a sea plane transfer with the island before hand. The price is about $180 return per person,

** ARRIVAL**
As we approached Summer Island Village, it looked beautiful, tall swaying palms, a long jetty stretching from the reef to the white sand beaches with thatched sun shades.
We tired up at the Jetty where we were greeted with a friendly handshake and a warm greeting of ‘Welcome to Summer Island’. Our cases were carried for us to the reception. Down the jetty and a slow walk through the middle of the island to the reception via a sand path which was lined with tropical plants and scented flowers.

** THE RECEPTION**
A large area with tables, comfy chairs and a television. A large reception desk with loads of info about trips departure times etc. A Sand floor as was everywhere on the island with the exception of your room.
There was the cashier’s office and a Jewellery shop in the reception area.
We were shown a seat and given a cool fruit juice and another cool towel, by this time we were really feeling the heat and humidity. Our registration cards were previously filled in at the café at the airport, so there was no waiting in the reception. We were straight off to our room. Again our cases were carried for us.

** OUR ROOM**
We were number 16; the porter opened the door and we were handed the key, our cases followed seconds later. We tipped the normal $2 per case. We had 3 including the diving equipment.
The room was only a few feet from the beach; well actually it was on the beach!
There were trees, palms and bushes outside the room giving some shade from the sun. Also there was a small thatched hut (roof only open sides) just in front of the room. Each room had 2 sun loungers with your room number on them, so there were no pinching sun beds here. This is a good idea.
We could see the beach and sea from the room window, it looked idyllic.

The room was a good size with a very large double bed and a single bed. Both with white cotton sheets a firm mattress and good pillows.
A Dressing table and stool in front of a large mirror. There was a curtained wardrobe with hangers in which had enough room to hang all our clothes. (Ok well all mine at least) There was a bedside table with lamp and controls for the lights and ceiling fan.
Two cushioned wicker chairs and a glass top table by the window.

There was a large wooden table where we put our cases, we used our cases as our drawers… strange but there were no drawers in the room?

This was a detached room with a tiled veranda, two chairs and a table. A foot sink with tap to wash the sand off your feet and a towelling mat to dry the water off before going into your room.

The room was basic but very clean. What more could you want? Oh yes I nearly forgot the most important thing for me… Air conditioning…you really need this especially the first few days before acclimatising. The unit was very effective.

** THE BATH ROOM**
This was at the back; as you enter the room there was large area, half tiled half sand with a large pot plant. Over this was a rail for drying clothes etc. which was under the open corner section of the roof. (I wish I could look at the stars while sitting on the toilet at home)
The sink was in a tiled surround with a massive mirror on the wall. Only cold water in the tap, but this was not really cold as we know it, ok for washing hands. We used bottled water for our teeth brushing. There were shower caps and soap supplied.
The toilet was same as in the UK with a good flush- we all like a good flush don’t we?
The shower was curtained off, with an electric shower, so the water was always hot, but a bit slow and trickily. What a great feeling standing in the shower looking up at the blue sky and palm trees. (Herbal essence-eat your heart out!!)
You are provided with 2 bath towels but no hand or face cloths. Like most other islands. Also they did not provide beach towels – most islands provide these as to lighten the load on your baggage. We did check before we went if this was the case, so took our own with us.

Water bungalows- 16 in total situated at the end of the island. Everyone in a bungalow had a reserved part of the beach with thatched shade. The waves did sounds noisy under the rooms and not sure if I would have slept well at night. They had the same facilities as the standard rooms but fridge and telephone and slightly better furniture. There is also a glass panel in the floor which can be lit at night for fish watching.
They had a small decked area looking out onto the reef.

Sundeck rooms- There were only 2 of these adjoining each other, with a large decking area in front of them, which went out to the lagoon slightly. These would suit a large family.

** THE ISLAND**
This is an all inclusive Island for all the guests. The island is small only 500mtrs x 120mtrs. I do feel that the smaller island gives a more of a ‘personal’ feeling. There are about 90 standard rooms on the island and 16 water bungalows at the end of the island. The white sand beaches stretch around the island with sea wall by the water bungalows.
The house reef is 20 metres off the beach and not accessible to the inexperienced snorkels. However 3 free snorkelling boat trips a day take you to different reefs.
There are plenty of fish around the jetty and sea walls and in shallow water.
The lagoon was vast and free of coral so provided a good swimming area.
The vegetation was abundant, tall palms and tropical plants were everywhere, beautiful scented bright coloured flowers hang down from the trees. The Gardeners were very friendly and liked to talk about there plants and animals.
The areas in front of the rooms, where the leaves fell were swept every other day. Same for the beach, it was cleared of any dead coral, rocks washed up on the tides.
The public areas were keep clean and tidy, although some areas we thought looked a bit ‘messy’ especially by the water bungalows. Towards the end of our stay these areas were cleared up.

** WILDLIFE**
In the centre of the island are a variety of tiny finches, free to fly in and out of the enclosures.
There was a rabbit enclosure, all these rabbits seem to do was eat and eat. (Rabbit was never on the menu)
There were green and red parrots which flew free in the trees and can down to feed in the mornings.
There were 2 freshwater ponds with fish and turtles, one in reception and the other in the restaurant. There was a tiny waterfall in the garden where the birds can to drink.. There were several Herons, you will see them fish spotting on the jetty or beach, and they often try their luck in the ponds, but are quickly shoed away.
Geckos are seen running up the trees fast as lightening. Sometimes there are tiny ones on the walls in your room. Leave them there they won’t harm you or come anywhere near you and they eat the mossies.
Large Sting Rays are seen day and night by the jetty. They also feed these at certain times.

** FACILITIES**
Water sports centre- This has every kind of water sport, catamaran, windsurfing, ring rides, banana boat rides, canoes and Water skiing.

The Library- small room full of books- mainly German but some English. I donated a book which I had read while I was there.

Gift Shop – Souvenirs of all kinds, Post cards, Airbeds, sandals, sarongs, printed T shirts, lighters, cigarettes, shampoo, sun lotions, insect repellent, crisps, chocolate, cameras. There are even bucket and spades for the little ones. This list is endless.

Coffee shop- This serves Coffee, Tea, biscuits and sandwiches between 4-6pm
You can also order food here but this is not included in the all inclusive. We did not eat here as the food in the main restaurant was more than ample.

Bar – This was large with tables and chairs inside and plastic chairs and tables outside on the beach. Many went for a sunset drink just to sit and watch the sun go down. Sun sets were stunning.
Some drinks were included in all in, but many were not – this was disappointing as other all in islands we have stayed on most brands were included. We are not big drinkers so this did not bother us at all.

Restaurant -There was only one main restaurant where everyone eat for meals with the exception of dinners on the beach and water bungalow guests could have breakfast in their rooms (lazy devils)
Sand floor and open sides with ceiling fans which keep you cool.
Each Table sat 4 people, which means you sometimes have to share with another couple. However June is not very busy and we had our own table for the 2 weeks of our stay.
You keep the same table and waiter. Our waiter Mohamed was great. He was only 19 but had excellent English and very polite and jolly, we always had a little sing song from him. He even became our Maldivian language teacher.

Linen table cloths and napkins with vase of flowers and some paper flowers made by our waiter.
As soon as you arrived for a meal you were asked what drinks you would like. The waiter service was excellent.

**MEALS**
All meals were buffet style. Some examples:-
Breakfast served from 7.30-9am
Cereals
Fruit juices
Toast, Jam, Honey, butter
A variety of Croissants
Fresh fruit
Sausages (Chicken) very tasty
Boiled eggs
Scrambled eggs
Omelettes and fried eggs made to order
Hash browns
Backed beans
French toast
Pancakes
Tea and coffee

Lunch served from 12.30-2pm evening meal served 7.30-9pm
Soup, bread rolls, butter
Various salads with many sauces
Spaghetti
Rice dishes
Fish – the tuna was fantastic.
Beef dishes
Chicken dishes
Lamb casseroles
Lasagne
Pizza
Chips
Boiled and sauté potatoes
Many vegetables cooked just right
Curries
BBQ night –was a favourite

Desserts-
Gateaux’s of every description
Bread and butter pudding
Apple and pineapple crumbles
Fruit salads
Cream cakes
Rice puddings
Every kind of Moose
Chocolate cake
Custard tarts
Too many to list here, but they were all delicious.

Steak special dinners ($15)
Special Lobster dinners ($30) or dinner on the beach could be arranged. Being divers we prefer to see Lobsters in the sea rather than on a plate.

All the food was very tasty, well cooked and hot. We complimented the chefs on many occasions.

** ENTERTAINMENT**
This is very low key. Most entertainment did not start till 9.30-10pm.
Dartboards
Table tennis
Badminton
DJ
Some bands
A Magic Show?

** EXCURSIONS**
To the capital – Male
Male is the smallest capital in the world with the highest population.
You can visit the mosque; shops, fruit and the very interesting fish Markets. Meet the local people and watch the hustle and bustle of the harbour. Or book a Whale submarine trip.

Full day excursion- you will visit a habited island, BBQ lunch on the beach on an uninhabited island, then a visit to another resort island ‘Eyridu’.

Night fishing- Line and hook fishing from the boat- good fun for everyone. Any edible fish are cooked the following night with your dinner. We saw many a big fish caught.

Snorkelling trips- there were 3 a day; you just put your name on the list and then went to the jetty at the allocated time. Different reefs were visited. Buoyancy jackets are provided if required.

** THE SERENA SPA**
There is an extensive list of treatments. They sound good enough to eat with cucumber, papaya, orange, coffee body scrubs and body wraps.
Head, shoulder and full body massages.
Leg and foot massages
Full ladies and men’s facials
Body polishes
Eye brow threading
Mahendi Decorations

They start from $20 up to 3-4 day packages for the really serious spa people.
The building is situated on the beach over looking the lagoon, soft music played and the smell of the oils drifted around the room with the sea breeze coming in from the windows.
I had a 60 min Ladies pampering facial; the lady cleansed, exfoliated, massaged in cooling balms, painted on a face mask and moisturised me. This was followed by a lovely relaxing massage to my face neck and shoulders. It was totalling relaxing and well worth the $55. My skin felt silky soft and rejuvenated.

** DIVERLAND DIVE CENTRE**
On the first day of arrival, you take your diving log book to the dive centre, the log book is checked and a medical questionnaire is filled in. Everyone, however experienced they are has to do the ‘checkout’ dive the following morning.
Basically you do a few skills and then a dive on the house reef. If you have over 25-30 dives and the instructor is happy with your diving, then you are allowed to dive in buddy pairs without an instructor or guide. This is not a hard and fast rule. If the instructor thinks you are not experienced enough, he will ask you to do a few more dives with an instructor.

Unfortunately I was not able to dive this time, due to some medication I am taking at the moment. But my Partner Paul did and budded up with some other single divers.
He was very impressed with the manmade house reef system they had created consisting of old chairs, furniture, barrels etc all tried together with messing. And suck just off the jetty. This had corals and an active fish life on it. Well done Summer Island Village for reef rejuvenation.

All the staff at Diverland was very friendly and experienced with an all important attitude to safety. Thomas and Mario had excellent English and very professional and friendly.

Paul dived every day and also night dives, some of the video he took was fantastic, oh I wished I had been there with him. He was very impressed with all the dives he did.
So that’s thumbs up for diving sites around the island atoll area.

**SUMMARY**
We have been lucky enough to have visited many Maldivian Islands over the years. I think a star rating of 2-3* is a correct rating, but the food was excellent deserved a 4* at least.

There was a need for refurbishment on this island, but sometimes a refurbishment means the price goes out of the budget most people can afford. So maybe best leave it as it is. It is a dessert island after all.

That fact that you can totally relax and unwind here is wonderful. We wore no shoes for 2 weeks, no mobile phone, just a quick call home to our daughter. Who now at 21 does not want to come away with us anymore. We just checked the time now and then when we thought it was meal time. You can relax on the beach and no one bothers you, you could be there all day with no disturbances just listening to the waves lapping on the shore, palm tree leaves rustling in the breeze and birds chirping.

The Maldives is paradise itself, no more searching, we have found it! 

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