More Traveller Reviews of Summer Island Village
three little words to describe this location HEAVEN ON EARTH
from sherlockqq
I visited the island this yearfor the first time, I can honestly say it most certainly wont be my last its magical. Its for chilling out and renewing your batteries. It was everything id dreamed of peaceful beautiful breathtaking and vehicle free. The wonderful clean greeny/blue sea was exceptional. I unwound amongst the palm and coconut trees reading my books in peace and have an excellent tan but you need a high factor cream. I dont normally need a high factor but here you must protect yourself the sun is there 12 hours a day. The fish are unbelievable and I was honoured to be swimming with them in their own natural environment, some as large as 2 1/2 feet long wow . The sting rays are around 5 - 6 feet long and you can stroke them and feed them. The staff are brilliant and very welcoming. Shandana the bar man is like a breath of fresh air he made me laugh so much he should be on the entertaintment programme. This island is not for the posers who want to dress up and be wild its for the people who appreciate shear peace and tranquility and who appreciate the wonderful fish.
Rated a 3 star Island - Certainly a 5 star+ holiday
from jandac
I've been watching this review site for a while now after visiting Summer Island Village some years ago and I've noticed, there are not many locations listed on Tripadvisor with as many positive responses from travellers personal experiences on holiday - check it out for yourselves. By the way please forgive me, I might go on a bit here. To cut a long story short, we travelled, delayed and arrived at Holhule late afternoon. As a result we could not travel to the Island (it would be dark soon) and spent a night in a hotel on Male. I was fuming! However on entering the hotel, I was contacted immediatly by Navaratne Sugamar, the owner or manager or whatever of the Island. He spent 5 minutes apologising profusely. 7.00am, two guys turn up, snatch our cases and the next thing we're zooooming along the water in a double quick speedboat (flying fish n all). 40 minutes later, a guy is there waiting to welcome us at the end of the Jetty complete with glasses of Champagne. After a small introduction at the reception, we were then guided to our accommodation. I could not believe my eyes! It was stunning. Most if not all of the gaffs on this island are 10 - 15 metres from the sea water which incidentely is crystal clear blue sea water. The tropical sea life is unbelievable, Manta Rays, Moray eels, parrot fish, turtles, you name it they are all there, and it's all going on in shallow water so if you're not a confident swimmer it doesn't matter. Yes, as some poeple have commented, the rooms are no Hilton but if you want to go to a Hilton, you can get one in Blackpool for much cheaper. However, the rooms are very clean, very tidy and the semi outside shower units are well cool. The staff can not do enough for you. The food is very good, not the highlight of the holiday but still very good. The water bungalows are a waste of time but thats only my opinion. I prefer my own select piece of beach in a normal beach hut. The bar is a great place in the evening and never seems to be over busy. Because the island is so small, it's very easy to make friends with poeple and all of a sudden, it's one big happy family (an olympic athlete could run across this island in 12 seconds flat by the way). Previous comments include night fishing - a nice experience, I don't know if it's the same now but we caught our dinner for the following day. It strikes me that anyone in the entire world who can complain about the standard of service and the idillic surroundings provided by Summer Island Village should not be going there in the first place. Theres nothing luxourious about it, but it's heaven on earth I've dreamed of revisiting this island ever since the day we left, thats why we're going back on 11th June 2006. I'm confident I will not be dissappointed.
Just as good the 2nd time.
from RogerYorky
We returned to Summer Island in late February / early March 2006 and were not disappointed to have rebooked. This place is heaven on earth especially if you want appreciate a Robinson Crusoe type existence, ie totally relaxed, no shoes needed etc. However if you are expecting luxury accomodation then choose somehwre else and pay the extra - the choice is yours. The staff are generally very friendly and helpful, the food is plentiful and does vary. The snorkelling around the island is fantastic, additionally FREE snorkel trips can be taken to an offshore reef several times a day. Various excursions are reasonably priced.....the night fishing trip is a must. As for the guy who described this place as a dump, giving it a 1 star rating, must live on another planet. We were there several weeks after he/she stayed there in 2005. Did he not realise that one of the World's great natural disasters had recently happened just a few weeks before, hence rubbish at that particular time was being washed up on the beach having probably originated in Indonesia and being carried toward the Maldives by sea currents. This was cleared by the staff very early in the morning by the staff and taken away by boat to be burnt.. It was upsetting to see fridge doors, bedheads, childrens flip flops etc etc being washed up.....but unlike the 'Dump Guy' we considered ourselves lucky to be alive and taking a holiday in such a wonderful place. There was nothing the staff of Summer Island could have done to stop the debris which originated from a 'natural disaster' arriving on the island. To anyone considering taking a holiday to Summer Island, remember that we all have different hopes and expectations, read all the reviews and make up your own mind. Some people may exaggerate in their descriptions, on the other hand some people will NEVER be satisfied no matter where they go or how much they pay. My recommendation regarding the transfer is to take the boat one way and the seaplane transfer the other way. With regard to the water bungalows, my own personal opinion is that I would rather stay in the normal accomodation offered, but again the choice is yours.
pure relaxation
from littlemisssunnyshine
We visited Summer Island for 7 days in Nov 2005. The flight was delayed which seemed normal and the rough speed boat transfer in pitch black was a scary experience (hence almost all guests were booking seaplane transfers back to male!). The sea plane trasfer was amazing and well worth the extra - book on the hotels website. The rooms were a little disappointing and we had booked a water bungalow - although they are in paradise so it is amazing what you put up with! The water bungalow was worth the extra, as they come with their own stretch of beach for those staying in them, and the balcony gives a prime spot for the sunsets! We took cocktails back to the room to watch them(payable extra but sunset time is happy hour!) All rooms have their own allocated sun loungers so no worries there, and ours had our own shady hut thing too. Being in a water bungalow also gives you the option of room service for breakfast inclued in the price which the fishes really enjoy! The resort is very small and casual - guests rarely wear shoes. The snorkelling trips were amazing and go four times a day (although places get booked up fast). We saw rays, turtles, and a shark! You can also snorkel around the island. We took the fishing excursion which was really good fun and also paid extra to eat under the stars - a word of warning, we booked the meal on our last night and both of us got food poisoning which wasn't fun with a 10 hour flight home. The Maldives really was an amazing place, although we'd choose another resort if we were to do it again as it felt like a 2* resort in a 5* location
Great Place
from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Summer Island Village in late January 2006. We had booked directly with the resort and thus had got a small discount too! My husband and I really stayed on an AI basis (this is the only option available). The manager, Mr. Sugumar had arranged for a lovely sea facing room for us. The rooms are basic but have air-conditioning, hot water and open roof bathrooms and are cleaned everyday. The staff is polite and friendly. Food was an issue as we are vegetarians and there is not too much veg stuff on the regular menu but the chef there made it a point to make something vegetarian for us at every meal. All in all it’s a lovely place to relax.
Good value for money
from mroquette
I have just arrived from a 1-week vacation at Summer Island Village. I had a great time in a great island. Here are my comments: All inclusive: I think that this is the only option available for this island. Anyway this is a good option as you won't need to worry about money as soon as you arrive in the island. This option includes: breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, drinks from 9am-12pm (except cocktails), boat trips for snorkeling (4 times per day). Food: there is no shellfish in the buffet, but the food is ok. Deserts at dinner are superb. I also advise you to try the prawns in a "dinner under the stars" (you have to pay an extra US$15 per person, but it is great). Rooms: the rooms are quite simple, but more than enough. They have air-conditioning and hot water, and are cleaned every day. Service: The staff is really nice and friendly. Weather: I heard that the best months to visit the Maldives are February and March so hurry up. Anyway I went in January and I got 7 sunny days out of 7 (I only got a storm in the first night). Snorkeling: the snorkling at the island is quite nice. You can spot lots of moray eels, rays and so on. There are also daily boat trips (free of charge) to an excellent coral reef. Diving: I wanted to take the Open Water Diver course during my vacations. Unfortunately the diving centre did not let me do it as I was staying only one week. Anyway I did a shorter course at the resort and went on the boat and dived at Madivaru Corner. It was a great dive (shark, napoleon, scorpion,...) Other activities: they have lots of water sports available; there is table tennis and darts available at the bar, and beach volley and badminton facilities. Tours: I strongly advise you to do the "night fishing" (US$15 per person), and don't forget the "dinner under the stars" (US$15 per person). I really enjoyed my stay, especially the fact that you do not need to wear any shoes or flip-flops as soon as you arrive in the island.
Excellent
from jamela_hill
I came to this brilliant island in december 2005, it really was like paradise! The water is lovely, the fish are amazing, massive sting rays go to the end of the jetty for feeding. Snorkling is a must. The staff were so friendly and polite, and we will always remember Chandler the bar man, he is absolutley great. The food is really nice, try the prawns, and the soup is the best i've ever tasted! A few tips i would give are, alot of Germans visit the maldives, there are gift shops alot cheaper at the airport, buy a water camera before you arrive, definatley try Serena Spa at the island..And dont leave your trainers in the bar at the end of the night, they may not be there in the morning....
this is a must go place 4 adults
from A TripAdvisor Member
i am 14 and this was paradise on earth there is lots to do, the food is great, the service is the best ever, and the rooms are brill this is the best place for honeymoon couples
heaven on Earth
from Netty048
My Husband I booked a weeks all inclusive Holiday at Summer Island and we had a fantastic time. It is Paradise everything about it was heaven. Our bungalow was the best in the resort on the beach overhanging Palm Trees, blue Sky and few short steps into the lagoon. The lagoon is surrounded by a man made reef which you can walk to, the snorkling was fantastic. We went to the other side of the reef which was still only waist high fantastic I could snorkle without worrying about how deep the water was. So may different varieties of fish. The colours of the water were breathtaking and so warm it is amazing. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. It was nice just to relax. There is entertainment a couple of times a week, a disco and live band which are both very good. We made lots of friends. There is a reef which is a bit further out, there are 2 trips to the reef a day if you wish. You do not need any shoes just a pair of flip flops and another nice pair for the evening as everywhere is covered with sand, the restaurant,the bar and the reception. I am sure you will have a fantastic time their.
fantastic holiday
from doog_1998
We upgrated to a beach buncalow at a cheap rate. Although our first room was fine, the beach buncalow just added to the fantastic holiday. The service was excellent, even the very friendly indian security guard. The food was a lot lot better than i expected, fantastic variaty and quality of food. Should you want something special then ask your waiter, a little tip will get you far. The snorkaling was fantaastic , take the free daily boat trips to the reef and you will be amazed. We swam with turtails and saw dolphins ... better than you could imagine. All drinks except cocktails are incuded, i expected cheap nasty spirits and beer but this was not the case. Good beer and even scotch whisky :-) soft drinks are well know names (coke, sprite etc). All water is included so you wont go short. Take plenty of books, read swim and snorkle ..... take a visit to Male. Thats what this place is all about. The downsides .... well the long cramped trip from the uk. You really do arrive, take your shoes of and dont carry or worriy about money.
5 readers found this review helpful
eventually got to go to my dream destination in feb 10. I wanted an all inclusive water bungalow and this was the only island that had one that was in my price range. Flew with monarch opposed to emeriates but wished we had used the later. Wont fly with them again, staff... more