HELP!!!-Need to pick the right hotel

Old May 8th, 2011, 08:12 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
HELP!!!-Need to pick the right hotel

We are going to go with my mom to the Maldives after visiting Sri Lanka. She is 73 and in amazing shape and wants to snorkel in the Maldives as it one of her travel destination dreams therefore I want to make the best choice as we live in the United States and will most likely not be going back. Her priority is a great house reef for easy snorkeling access. We have checked out Mirihi but they said they have a minimum of one week stay. We are looking at probably 4 nights maximum and would probably rather take a boat but could take the sea plane if we have to. The other place that seems to recommended a lot is a hotel with a wonderful reef but the majority of the visitors are German. As we obviously don't speak German I don't know if that would be a social, fun environment if we were the only Americans. We also looked at Angsana Ihuru which looked nice but the style seems a little too contemporary and I read some issues regarding the erosion and the sandbags. Since we are a couple and will be with my mom we don't want a place for honeymooners only and we definitively don't want a place for kids and families. I work with children so on vacation would like a little break. We will be traveling in March which should a good time of year. With great snorkeling as well as a relaxed casual atmosphere as the top priority and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. I really want to fulfill my mom's bucket list dream. What is funny is that for me, I would rather go the India to see the tigers but since we are going to do so close to Maldives I really want to do this for her.
lhgreenacres is offline  
Old May 8th, 2011, 09:00 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With that little time, I would definitely recommend an island with a boat transfer rather than a seaplane transfer. Seaplanes will eat into your time as (a) they don't go as reguarly and so you often have a little bit of sitting around waiting for your flight, and (b) coming back to Male they leave a big buffer of time to guard against weather delays making you tight for your flight.

The islands that I have been to that have a heavy German clientele all have plenty of English spoken even among the guests. Don't let that stop you.

A big filter will be your budget. Some of the nicest resorts can be super pricey. For example, given your requirements, Cocoa Island and Baros would seem to be strong fits.

Bruce
www.maldivescomplete.com
MaldivesComplete is offline  
Old May 8th, 2011, 10:57 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bruce- Are budget is approximately $1,000 per night for the three of us. Do you recommend Angsana Ihuru as I know that is a speedboat trip as well.
lhgreenacres is offline  
Old May 8th, 2011, 11:00 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Typo- Our budget approximately $1000 for the three of us sharing a room, at least half board.
lhgreenacres is offline  
Old May 8th, 2011, 10:49 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't have personal experience with Angsana Ihuru.

$1000 per night should give you pretty good choice. One thing to watch out for is many resorts don't have the facilities to accommodate 3 adults in one room. They often require the third adult to take a second room. On top of that, the third person has to pay a 'single supplement' which is extra money to account for the fact that the room is not being fully utilitised. Your best deal will be a resort that will accommodate 3 adults in a room.

Bruce
www.maldivescomplete.com
MaldivesComplete is offline  
Old May 9th, 2011, 02:04 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.otel.com/hotels/maldives.htm

Paradiseislandresort.net from $250/nt

great beach snorkel PADI operation at great value above

good personal experience for me at

super discounts usually get some cash back.

Happy Hunting,
qwovadis is offline  
Old May 9th, 2011, 02:06 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This five star resort called Paradise Island has the local name Lankanfinolhu. Paradise Island, opened in 1994 is located in North Male' Atoll, which is 9.6km from ...

www.paradiseislandmaldives.net
qwovadis is offline  
Old May 9th, 2011, 02:09 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
http://www.booking.com/hotel/mv/para...rt-spa.en.html

Best site to check hotels for current reviews some discounts

though personally usually get BEST deals on Otel.com

up to 75% off sometimes...
qwovadis is offline  
Old May 9th, 2011, 05:38 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I can recommend Taj Exotica - I don't snorkel but the surrounding waters were teeming with fish. This was in 2007. Can't recommend Taj Vivanta which I stayed last year. Haven't stayed in Ihuru but have stayed across at Banyan Tree - BT villas would be too small for 3. Other resorts which I can recommend would require a plane ride.
Cilla_Tey is offline  
Old May 10th, 2011, 01:51 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Both Taj Exotica and Paradise Island have very weak house reefs and snorkeling on offer.

Bruce
www.maldivescomplete.com
MaldivesComplete is offline  
Old May 13th, 2011, 07:05 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bruce- What do you think about the Coco Palm Hotels?
lhgreenacres is offline  
Old May 15th, 2011, 02:15 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been to CP Dhuni Kolhu and loved it. What really stood out was the food. Some of the best I have had in the Maldives. The reef is good, but the amount of sealife in it and in the lagoon was also exceptional. I've not been to Bodu Hithi.

Bruce
www.maldivescomplete.com
MaldivesComplete is offline  
Old May 15th, 2011, 07:01 PM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bruce- Unfortuntely for me food is the least important part of a trip. I am a super picky and very plain eater. Where would you pick if snorkeling is the most important thing, even if the resort is not as a nice or if we have to go by seaplane.
lhgreenacres is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sylviejenkins
Travel Tips & Trip Ideas
25
May 16th, 2019 10:07 AM
k6m3w
Caribbean Islands
17
Aug 4th, 2015 09:21 PM
saturk
United States
26
Apr 12th, 2007 07:53 AM
scoutjewel
United States
11
Nov 11th, 2006 02:30 PM
geezer123
Caribbean Islands
20
Dec 20th, 2005 11:04 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -