Hotel Dengan Sarapan pagi di Laamu Atoll, Maldives

I booked this holiday through Voyage Prive who specialise in (they say) luxury holidays. I was amazed that we could afford to go to the Maldives as it always seemed out of our budget, so when we got the all inclusive price with flights and transfers £4000 for just over 2 weeks for 2, in the advertised LUXURY resort I was amazed. Of course we all should know the old saying ‘You get what you pay for’ but sometimes in life you get a bargain!!!!! Well LUXURY this resort is NOT. But BEAUTIFUL it is. I think writing reviews is a responsible thing to do to let other travellers know what to expect and good tips to make a great holiday. So here goes with the ‘balls*** sandwich review’ POSITIVES (base of sandwich) The Island is beautiful (mostly) The sea is incredible There are snorkelling opportunities right from the beach where you can see blue tipped coral and loads of fish You can walk out knee/ ankle high for miles and see stingray and reef sharks The sunbeds are comfy The bedrooms are huge and the beds are comfy (pillows not so much) NEGATIVES (filling of sandwich) There are clearly money issues with the owner and articles about the island saying it’s up for sale as the owner is in massive debt. The staff are lovely but they do look exhausted and if it’s true that they are having their passports removed from them then that is an international trafficking issue that must be addressed immediately The food is repetitive but gosh it is tasty The drinks are touch and go (as in they had no tonic water) and the alcohol is low range quality but that is the case with most AI resorts. The beach towels are self collected from reception, they are hit and miss on quality but it means you don’t need to bring one The laundry is not great and the bedding appears off white and can be a bit stained. The music in the main bar is repetitive (you’ve got to love Michael Bolton) OVERVIEW (top of sandwich) If you are expecting high end service/food/accommodation/activities/entertainment DO NOT BOOK TO COME HERE. If you want to experience the wonder of staying on an island in the Indian Ocean and having reef sharks and different fishes swimming around your feet in warm sea water, that you can walk out for miles in (wearing your essential beach shoes) If you want to enjoy a place where you don’t have to dress up at all, where there’s no expectation to talk to everyone or anyone. If you’re not a fussy eater and laugh at the fact that there is no butter, for a day or two … then this is the place for you. I had a bit of a huff on day 2, about the resort but once my busy/ hectic self relaxed I saw the beauty around me and all else paled into insignificance. Met some smashing people and witnessed some not so smashing behaviours from some (subbed wars) Will I go back ….. blooming right I will. TOP TIPS TO TAKE Beach shoes Snorkel and mask High factor (good quality) suntan lotion Mosquito repellent Mosquito bite cream (Fentisil is amazing for this) Snacks (we took

I booked this holiday through Voyage Prive who specialise in (they say) luxury holidays. I was amazed that we could afford to go to the Maldives as it always seemed out of our budget, so when we got the all inclusive price with flights and transfers £4000 for just over 2 weeks for 2, in the advertised LUXURY resort I was amazed. Of course we all should know the old saying ‘You get what you pay for’ but sometimes in life you get a bargain!!!!! Well LUXURY this resort is NOT. But BEAUTIFUL it is. I think writing reviews is a responsible thing to do to let other travellers know what to expect and good tips to make a great holiday. So here goes with the ‘balls*** sandwich review’ POSITIVES (base of sandwich) The Island is beautiful (mostly) The sea is incredible There are snorkelling opportunities right from the beach where you can see blue tipped coral and loads of fish You can walk out knee/ ankle high for miles and see stingray and reef sharks The sunbeds are comfy The bedrooms are huge and the beds are comfy (pillows not so much) NEGATIVES (filling of sandwich) There are clearly money issues with the owner and articles about the island saying it’s up for sale as the owner is in massive debt. The staff are lovely but they do look exhausted and if it’s true that they are having their passports removed from them then that is an international trafficking issue that must be addressed immediately The food is repetitive but gosh it is tasty The drinks are touch and go (as in they had no tonic water) and the alcohol is low range quality but that is the case with most AI resorts. The beach towels are self collected from reception, they are hit and miss on quality but it means you don’t need to bring one The laundry is not great and the bedding appears off white and can be a bit stained. The music in the main bar is repetitive (you’ve got to love Michael Bolton) OVERVIEW (top of sandwich) If you are expecting high end service/food/accommodation/activities/entertainment DO NOT BOOK TO COME HERE. If you want to experience the wonder of staying on an island in the Indian Ocean and having reef sharks and different fishes swimming around your feet in warm sea water, that you can walk out for miles in (wearing your essential beach shoes) If you want to enjoy a place where you don’t have to dress up at all, where there’s no expectation to talk to everyone or anyone. If you’re not a fussy eater and laugh at the fact that there is no butter, for a day or two … then this is the place for you. I had a bit of a huff on day 2, about the resort but once my busy/ hectic self relaxed I saw the beauty around me and all else paled into insignificance. Met some smashing people and witnessed some not so smashing behaviours from some (subbed wars) Will I go back ….. blooming right I will. TOP TIPS TO TAKE Beach shoes Snorkel and mask High factor (good quality) suntan lotion Mosquito repellent Mosquito bite cream (Fentisil is amazing for this) Snacks (we took