I'll start with the flight, since we flew from Kyiv and there are no charter flights at this time of the year, we were offered a flight program of regular flights through Dubai. Kyiv - Dubai - Male. Initially, we planned our vacation in such a way that we would arrive at the hotel at the time of check-in (14.00) or earlier. But for reasons unknown to us, our flight was rescheduled and we ended up at almost 12 o'clock (from 11 pm to 9 am) at the Dubai airport, FlyDubai Airlines. Therefore, I advise everyone to choose another air carrier, as there are more loyal and comfortable flight options.
Thus, after 2 flights and waiting, we finally got to the resort. We were met with chilled drinks, after filling out the necessary documents, we were taken to the villa.
Weather:
I must say right away that upon arrival it was very hot and high humidity, which is especially felt on the first or second day. Also about the weather, I would like to note the windiness and sunset at 6 pm. dawn is also around 6 am. That is, daylight is a little shorter than it was at home at this time of the year.
Villa:
We were at Sunset Ocean Pool Villa 802, Premium All Inclusive. The villa is very spacious and in good condition, a pool with cool, fresh water, which is very appropriate after the ocean. In the evening, the pool is illuminated. We only managed to watch the sunset a couple of times from our villa, so this is not a mandatory option.
In our villa with our meals, a mini bar was also available, which was regularly replenished with drinks, including alcohol and snacks (chips and pistachios). Additionally, you could order a bottle of champagne or wine at the reception, it's all included.
Nutrition:
Our food package included breakfast - lunch-dinner + snacks (pizza, burgers and ice cream) at the bar.
Snacks need to be ordered and waited, nothing is ready. Drinks were available ALL for every taste, alcoholic (cocktails, wine, beer) and non-alcoholic (soda, juices, coffee). There are freshly squeezed juices, but it depends on the availability of fruit. As for the food in general, it is 9 out of 10. Some of the dishes were a bit spicy, but there is always an alternative.
Beach/Reef:
The reef is not bad, but if you go to the other side of the island, on the side where the villa is located, it is shallow and 90% dead coral, although there are still small fish, but this is clearly not the picture you expect to see.
Service and staff:
The reception staff are very helpful, the restaurant staff is polite and the dishes are cleaned almost instantly. 10 of 10.
Entertainment and excursions:
Our tour package included a free sunset cruise with dolphins, this is a boat trip on a fairly large boat from 5-7 pm. The cost for other tourists was about $45 per person.
30 min.
there are free with an instructor for windsurfing and snorkeling.
For additional there are bananas and jet skis for a fee, as well as other excursions, but this is all at the exit from the island. We were fishing (Big game fishing) for dinner and lunch, our catch was prepared for us.
Conclusion, the rest was a success and in general everything was pleasant.
Restaurants are in different parts of the island, and electric cars are often not charged or there is no one to carry them - and it’s far on foot.
If you don't care about the service - you can go. There is really, almost nothing, the main food is Indo-Asian. even fish are scarce - they bring salmon from the north.
fruits are unripe. Juices - packaged.