Maldives

[Lakitu]

Have any of you been to the Maldives? Did you enjoy it? Why?

Thanks

[EmEd1984]

we went for our honeymoon, and loved every second :) it rained for 10 of the 14 days but it didn't matter - its just beautiful. we stayed on the sun island resort, which was a 5* all inclusive and it was worth every single penny (�3,000). the food was lovely and its so relaxed and peaceful, and my husband (who usually can't wait to get back to his own bed after 3 days) didn't want to leave. the sealife is amazing and its one of the best places in the world for deep sea diving, and our resort offered a spa and massages which was heaven. you can transfer from Male to your resort by dhoni or sea plane, and the sea plane is an experience in itself!

its just paradise - i can't wait to go back.

one thing i will say is though, pay the extra to fly with someone like emirates!!

[Lakitu]

What time of year did you go? If it was raining that meant not much sun bathing, what did you do with your time (other than the obvious honeymoon activity LOL)

[EmEd1984]

we went on 30th august, all the staff said we were unlucky as the season usually ends much earlier. the best time to go is our winter.

the rain was lovely and warm (and actually very romantic) so it didn't stop much...other than sunbathing obviously!! sun island is one of the bigger resorts, so there was plenty to do:

http://www.sunislandmaldives.com/

i swear, this website does not do it justice!!

[EmEd1984]

oops, sorry! when i say season i mean the raining season!!

[Lakitu]

It doesn't look like I'd be stuck for anything to do if sunbathing was out of the question, that resort looks fantastic.

In the FAQ's, someone said they went during the rain season and it rained only once per day, the sun was out the rest of the time, is this accurate?

[EmEd1984]

it varies like any weather i suppose - you'll never get any guarantees. it rained pretty much all day for those 10 when we were there, i think we got 30 mins of sun on one of those!! like i say though, it was lovely :)

are you just going for a holiday or would it be honeymoon? i'd say perhaps 95% of the people there were newlyweds! if you let the bar, restaurant and reception staff know, they set up a private table all decoated with petals and candles on your birthday and the same to your bed - they really go all out to make you feel special :)

[Lakitu]

No, it's not a honeymoon.

OK, I'll give it some consideration, many thanks, you've been very helpful x

[EmEd1984]

sorry if you've already heard of this website, but it's brilliant - these are other peoples reviews on sun island

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g298 324-d503680-Reviews-Sun_Island_Resort-South_Ar i_Atoll.html#REVIEWS

if you go, make sure you befriend 'prince' naseem and isher from the main bar. it was nearly 3 years ago and i still remember them! when you go all inclusive, you sign for everything just for the stock records. one night we were signing for the drinks, and there were a load of things we definitely hadn't been drinking. naseem just whispered "erm...can you just sign for it please...?" whilst he blinked his eyes independently from each other and stumbled off!! great memories :)

[flip_flop]

Have been twice, both times in January, the first time to Thudufushi, an Italian run all inclusive where everything was included from beer and food to all wines, champagnes, spirits, fags, mini-bar, treatments, and diving.

This island was tiny, you could walk around the whole island in about 10 minutes. No, really!

The second time was to Ari Beach, a much larger island, in which we stayed in the water bungalows. This was also all-inclusive, but much much stricter - food, beer and wine was included but everything else was extra including (and I could never quite understand why) the beer in the mini-bar.

I have to say though, I went solely for the Scuba diving (am an avid diver), and were it not for the diving I think I would've been bored stupid as I'm not a sunbather.

The Maldivian Air Taxis were excellent - it took 1/2 an hour in the air taxi, but would otherwise take about 4 - 5 hours in a dhoni.

[the-gas-man]

what an idyllic place the sea is so warm its like taking a bath the sealife is just amazing.the more you spend on the holiday the better it will be.if transfer time by speedboat is over an hour pay extra for the"fantasy island" seaplane.if you spend over �1500 each all inc on any island it will be awesome whichever you pick.go on tripadvisor.com to check them all out.