5 Stars Hotels in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives

Opportunities for improvement: Rooms 1. consider using small bottles of water that can fit into the bar fridge. Cold water after a hot day is a game changer! Melange 1. Surf and turf: the big prawns and lobster meat were frozen and were not really attractive. After grilling, the meat turned out to be partially soggy, which is a turn off. 2. Suggestion: for the grill, cook to order instead of preparing the food and leaving it under a heater lamp. I.e. lamb cutlets, pork chops, grilled sea bass etc. Freshly grilled food taste better and maintains the high quality. Grilled food left under a heater lamp becomes either soggy or too tough. 3. Same suggestion for breakfast waffles: make to order rather than leave it on the plates ready to go. Examples of great service: 1. Mariana helped prepare a ice bucket of champagne for us even though the honeymoon comment was not originally registered by trip.com and pullman. She was very helpful and remembers what clients say. Top marks and greatly appreciated! 2. All buggy drivers greet upon pick up and some even went out of their way to reverse so we can video manta rays in shallow waters off our villa. Truly deserving of the great service tag! 3. All waiters serving at all restaurants always asks whether we want water to start off. It feels like an SOP but we love it! Consistent and service with a smile! Was truly a great experience and would love to come back again!

1. Hygiene status: There are bugs in the wooden closet of the water bungalow; how many blood (?) Traces (?) Are found on the bedding from the opening of the quilt ... 2, buffet meals in general. I didn't order $ 3 / bottle of glass bottled water at the cafeteria, but found it on the bill when I left the island. 3. When checking out, there was a Korean male employee, because we questioned that there was an extra $ 3 on the bill. This person called a supervisor (a dark-skinned, middle-aged fat uncle) to discuss it. Then, the deposit returned by their hands was mixed with a 100-dollar 90-year version of a small-dollar fake dollar. I found out after I returned to China. 4. Ignoring the above, the scenery on the island is still great! This scenery alone is worth the return trip!

I came to this hotel for the second time, I really like it, stay away from the hustle and bustle. The decor of the hotel is natural and casual, but very private. In the evening, the dinner on this beach is just below the wooden shelf. The service staff will wrap you around with a gauze and place a table chair underneath. Eat once is 485 dollars. Watch the stars in the field. Need to tell the hotel in advance, otherwise you may be ”robbed.” Every time the hotel staff came to the pier to wave goodbye, it was very moving, and the speedboat was far away and still beckoning. Hotel staff training is really good.

The Resort is located in the south [ Gaafu Alifu Atoll] and is reachable with a Domestic Flight [60 min] and boat transfer [25 min] or with Seaplane [90 min]. Really unique are the two Islands the Main Island and Ocean Villa's - both are connected with a boot which runs almost every minute [we have waited never longer as 3-4 minutes ] - the Main Island is an natural one and looks so picturesque and vegetated with amazing Palm trees. We booked an Ocean Villa witch was impressive we have had an amazing view from the bed above the Ocean. And by the way bed- this is an super king-size one and is massive huge i have never seen before a bed like this. Apart from that the Villa has an hight standard in all belongings and our Room Boy ”Mohamed” cleaned it every Day accurate. Both Restaurants has a great choice of food even if you stay long as we did [14 Days], all dishes we tried were well arranged and delicious moreover all our extra wishes were full fit or exceeded. Also the Cellar Selection is huge and you'll for sure find an appealing one- like we did every evening and during lunch [on this Point thank you to the F&B Team] which served our white wine bottles always ”super cold” as we wished. During our stay we had three times a week an theme special Night [Italian, Maldivian and Asia] at the Fire Pit [third Restaurant- build up like a food market] one point here - we would recommend to offer Pasta these we have really missed. The gym is even equipped for regular sports enthusiasts like us [even thought we skiped some days ;)]. The Spa Center: particularly the Balinese Massages we want to mention although you have to pay 3,7USD per Minute [its an common price for Resort like these in the Maldives] they belongs to the best we have ever had. That was the reason that we have enjoyed four of them during our stay. To mention it in a nutshell the Staff on the Island are exceptionally [and we have already visit some ]. Nevertheless we want to highlight to persons here especially. Tania our Butler: She is already very professional for her age, she was always available even when we were no longer on the island and had minor challenges with our flight, she was there for us. Even with our very late extension, she set the right priorities and kept calm to manage everything in the best possible way for us. Tania respect and well done! Abdu our Waiter in Thari: He is as a young Maldivian guy, but he has already the ability to quickly anticipate what the guest want and put all his effort into it. Also the eye for details is on a hight level he prepared the sunken Dinner Tables which were amazing arranged. All in all although we yearly always choice another Island - could it be that we will come back ;) Thanks and of course a big recommendation.

Opportunities for improvement: Rooms 1. consider using small bottles of water that can fit into the bar fridge. Cold water after a hot day is a game changer! Melange 1. Surf and turf: the big prawns and lobster meat were frozen and were not really attractive. After grilling, the meat turned out to be partially soggy, which is a turn off. 2. Suggestion: for the grill, cook to order instead of preparing the food and leaving it under a heater lamp. I.e. lamb cutlets, pork chops, grilled sea bass etc. Freshly grilled food taste better and maintains the high quality. Grilled food left under a heater lamp becomes either soggy or too tough. 3. Same suggestion for breakfast waffles: make to order rather than leave it on the plates ready to go. Examples of great service: 1. Mariana helped prepare a ice bucket of champagne for us even though the honeymoon comment was not originally registered by trip.com and pullman. She was very helpful and remembers what clients say. Top marks and greatly appreciated! 2. All buggy drivers greet upon pick up and some even went out of their way to reverse so we can video manta rays in shallow waters off our villa. Truly deserving of the great service tag! 3. All waiters serving at all restaurants always asks whether we want water to start off. It feels like an SOP but we love it! Consistent and service with a smile! Was truly a great experience and would love to come back again!

1. Hygiene status: There are bugs in the wooden closet of the water bungalow; how many blood (?) Traces (?) Are found on the bedding from the opening of the quilt ... 2, buffet meals in general. I didn't order $ 3 / bottle of glass bottled water at the cafeteria, but found it on the bill when I left the island. 3. When checking out, there was a Korean male employee, because we questioned that there was an extra $ 3 on the bill. This person called a supervisor (a dark-skinned, middle-aged fat uncle) to discuss it. Then, the deposit returned by their hands was mixed with a 100-dollar 90-year version of a small-dollar fake dollar. I found out after I returned to China. 4. Ignoring the above, the scenery on the island is still great! This scenery alone is worth the return trip!

I came to this hotel for the second time, I really like it, stay away from the hustle and bustle. The decor of the hotel is natural and casual, but very private. In the evening, the dinner on this beach is just below the wooden shelf. The service staff will wrap you around with a gauze and place a table chair underneath. Eat once is 485 dollars. Watch the stars in the field. Need to tell the hotel in advance, otherwise you may be ”robbed.” Every time the hotel staff came to the pier to wave goodbye, it was very moving, and the speedboat was far away and still beckoning. Hotel staff training is really good.