Holiday Island

Flew from Manchester with First Choice, upgraded to Premier Class. Upgrade was worthwhile, with larger than standard seats and much more legroom. There was a good choice of entertainment. Drinks are included in the upgrade price, with a choice of three meals. Thankfully, we chose to pay for the sea-plane transfer, which is always a fantastic experience, There was no way after an eleven hour flight we were doing three hours on the alternative boat transfer. You land at Holiday Island at the end of a long jetty. First impressions are of a pretty Island. Reception is a bit dated and sterile, but the staff are very friendly and helpful. Our room was spacious, even with the three beds in it. The room was cleaned twice a day. The bathroom was large and modern and very clean with an indoor bath and shower. This leads to an outside area with another shower and a washing line. Bathroom had a hairdryer (of the hose variety). In the room was a television with satilite coverage (including the UK Premier League Football), a fridge (beware the minibar is expensive). There are two doors into the room, one to the interior of the Island and the other that opens to a patio with chairs and the beach. Beach towels are provided and changed every three days. On the beach there are two wooden sunbeds with your room number on them. If there are more than two of you in the room, then you are provided with an additional plastic sunbed. The beach is long and wide, very clean on the non-jetty side, which is the side we were on. The most negative point about this island is the view of the next local island . They are currently building a small domestic airport on this next island, but please note that there is no buliding noise, dust or interuption to your holiday. This is just a little ugly, but did not detract from our holiday. The lagoon on this side of the island is best for small children and anyone who has any fear of the water as it generally only goes to about three feet deep. You will need to be a bit careful of the broken coral in the water, but we went barefoot the whole of the time, and had no problems. Check out the turtle conservation project at the top of the island. There is a tank of turtles that will be released in March/April. Its by the power generator where they moore the boats. Snorkelling is OK, not the best we have encoutered in the Maldives as this Island has no house reef. There are trips each day for snorkelling costing $5 or $25 for a further a field trip. Can't comment on the dive school as we did not use it. There is a water sports centre, with windsurfing, jet skis, canoes and watersking. These sports were available but rarely used. There is an internet cafe (dial up no wi-fi), tabletennis, badminton, volleyball, tennis, gym, sauna and steam room. There is also a snooker room, and if you are lucky the General Manager will come and have a game with you. There is a small library, but no books in English (until we left a couple at the end of our holiday). In the restaurant you are allocated the same table and waiter for the duration of your stay. The food is buffet style. We found the food to be of a good standard, with pleanty of choice. We are very suprised to read a previous review about there only being curry and fish. This is not correct. There are salad starters, two pastas cooked freshly, and a choice of chicken beef and fish for your main meal, as well as curries. On some days there is also lamb. This applies to both lunch and dinner. There is a variety of fresh fruit and deserts at both sittings. Breakfast provides cereal, fruit juice, bread, cakes, fruit as well as a variety of hot meals. There is a chef who will cook you an omellette or fry you some eggs. We found the waiters to be very friendly and helpful. The main bar is on the beach and has an outside decked area. The interior is large and comfortable. There is evening entertainment, including disco, karaoke, crab racing, local band and a traditional evening. There is something going on every evening. Every day there is a free boat that runs every three hours to Sun Island, which is next door, and is worth at least one trip. Sun Island is large and has different facilities. The staff were on Holiday Island were friendly, courteous, always smiling and helpful, and every request was dealt with. In summary the positives are the staff, the food and the cleanliness. We have been to a few Maldivian Islands, and we were not disapointed with Holiday Island.

What a lovely place, we just lay on the beach all day, defo go AI or it might cost you a lot from what we seen. Booking to go back next year. Staff cant do enough for you. Food was lovely, no bad tum Dont listen to people that moan about this island its out of this world.

As a couple we had a fantastic relaxing time. From the management to the ladies sweeping the leaves from outside of the rooms, nothing was a problem. The rooms are comfortable with plenty of space. The food was plentiful & with a good choice (If you are looking for western choice, stay home). We went for relaxation & found it here. Snorkelling was great, beach fantastic. Sea plane transfer was a great experiance. The only fault with the holiday was the flight with Monarch, on long haul they should consider the passengers comfort more with better leg room (Cabin staff where ok).

bo oked through airtours -never again . we were told we had a sea plane transfer,when we arrived we were put on a big river boat cruiser 50ft long to get to resort 70 miles away -3 hours journey in rough seas we were both sea sick.after 10 hours flight you with monarch-worst hol airline especially with stewardess called lynn-old battle axe -looks that could kill. rooms wer spacious and comfortable but dated. cleaned twice a day. food is very avarage,always fish and curries, never saw any western food as described in brochure-if you got a fussy eater with you dont go here-buffet style you get 10 choices for main course rice rice fish fish fish currie currie currie and not alot else. our waiter was called ahmed ali he was very nice. took tea bags to make tea in your room -no facilites to make tea or coffee. not much evening entertainment unless you like crab racing and karaoke. resort was clean . cost 400 pounds to come home week early-booked sea plane which magic the highlight. just not for us-if it was a choice carribean or maldives= carribean 100 out of 100 - carribean has more choice and better entertainment -we love cuba. if you go make sure you get sea plane and factor 30+ the sun is very strong. good luck.

We have just returned from a fortnight on Holiday Island and it was all we could ever have dreamed for. Before leaving we had read several reports of variable opinions from other travellers who had visited this resort, and to say the least we were a little unsure as to what to exspect. From the moment were landed at the small wooden raft the dream experience started, a speed boat picked my wife and me up and whisked us of to the end of a three hundred yard jetty, leaving every one else to awaite the arrival of the ferry to Sun Island. Having been on the go for 18 hours and in temperatures over 30 Deg for the final 3 hours, we were to say the least a bir weary. On arrival at reception we were emmeadialty greeted and welcomed by a smiling member of staff offering us a cool towel and another with a welcoming cocktail. Formalities completed we were lead through the garded area down to the end of the island to our beach villa, Fantasitic, beutiful room, airconditioned with seperate bathroom and outside shower, out the back a weave through the bushes and we were on the beach 20 metres from the back door. (sadley now only 15 meters as a high tide washed the rst away) If good food and peace and quiet are what you are looking for well look no further because this place offers everything. The beach bar and water sports centre at one end of the island are manned by the most delightful individuals who effortlesly made you feel welcome and would do anything to make your stay more comfortable. At the other end of the island was the fully qualified diving school and again the staff, all of whom spoke at least three langauges, were mor than happy to put together any type of programme to suit your needs and abilities. In the centre was the main bar where you were pampered to the limit by the staff who just wanted to ensure that you got exaclty what you wanted. While we were there we celibrated our anniversery and I asked Mohammed (Those who have visited this Island will know the proffesionalism this good man brings to all he deals with) if we could eat on the beach that evening, no problem (his stock answer to any question) and we ate like Kings and Queens for four hours in a blissful setting. Is it possible to get the room decorated for when we get back? Again Mohammed's reply no problem, so when my wife opend the door the beds were beutifully decorated. Unfortunatley the only disapointment was that we had to disturb all the desin to get into bed. We met lots of people from all over Europe and everyone got on very well together, and all of the same opinion that this was just a fantasic place and would come back again.

Totally ignore the comments about it being Holiday Island hell... i've never read such rubbish.. I suggest the person who wrote this does a reality check! Now read the facts........... 1st off - The accomodation - Not 80's - clean tidy,comfortable. A detatched bungalow secluded on the beach with a tiled patio area overlooking the beach with greenery in front, if you want 5 star book 5 star, this was 3 star and worthy of this rating. The island - Beautiful, peacefull, totally maldivian, swaying palm trees, white sand, turquise waters - heaven on earth. Wildlife - Harmless fruit bats, lovely little bats that fly around in the trees, minding their own business in the early eve, they are more scared of people and don't bother you in the slightist. Probably native to the islands. Black crows - again mind their own business, probably wish they were colourful and pretty like parrots so they could be more appealing to the guests, unfortunately, not their fault they are not. The staff - so friendly and polite, couldn't do enough, always smiling and helpful, very proffessional (it's their job) but also ensuring that you have everything you need. Our waiter always remembered our drinks, so when he saw us comming to our table, he had them ready on the table! bless him. We actually used to look forward to seeing him and our enjoyed our little chats. (always treat your waiter how you would like to be treated and you will get the best from them). Insects - We have been to the Maldives 3 times now, and have never ever been bitten by mossi's. The 1st time we went we took loads of mossi repellent, but have never used it. The islands get sprayed and this is one place in the world that we have been and never been bothered by mossi's. As for the ants...... well yes, we saw some but unlike what was written they do not devour you!! The outdoor shower - Bliss, this is one of my favorite plus points to the Maldives, I love showering on the outside, under the moon. (we have also stayed in a water bungalow, with an inside bath, but I missed the outside shower so much, I wouldn't stay in a water bungalow again because of this reason)!! The food - my husband and I used to rush down to the resturant every day to eat that lovely food, its buffet style and if you don't want that there are chefs cooking other special fresh dishes of the day, like fresh fish on the bbq or a chef cooking various pasta dishes. I can't think of any more negative comments that were written for me to correct but please ignore all of the negative things that were written. I just don't understand comments like that, why?? Anyone who is going to the Maldives, remember you are very lucky in deed to be going, not everyone will be able to say they have been to the Maldives in their lifetime. Its one of the most beautiful places on earth and deserves us to be respectful about the islands,the people and their way of life. They don't have the pampered lifestyles of what we have, but I truely belieive they are happier.

SIGH, SIGH SIGH...... Some people....... why don't they just stay in there own back yards instead of going on holiday and complaining! Holiday Island in the Maldives was a wonderful experience. I have never read such poor, thoughless comments from some of these people, it makes me sick. Any islands in the Maldives (I have been 3 times now) are stunning and these complainers dont know they have been born.

We have spent one week on holiday island and felt very comfortable. The Staff all over is very friendly and helpful. The Bungalows are not build in Maldiven Style, however they look nice with spacious sleeping room and also big bath room, only a few steps from the beach, hidden in the green. They got cleaned twice a day. Since the island is quiet long, guests to spread easely during the day and it makes you feel like being almost alone. The beach is very pretty, especially on the nothern / nort-western part of the island. Sometimes you might find some corals on the beach which might disturb, but since the island is nearby Reefs this is difficult to avoid. Food was excellent. It is not a luxury resort, but if you look for a quiet place to relax and enjoy yourself without too much activities this resport can certainlly be recommended.

We had a wounderful vacation with my spouse on the Holiday Island at South Ari Atoll Maldives. The only mistake by us was to go for only 1 week - must not go for less than 2 weeks (or more if you have time) Great location The island is just the right size (700 m x 140 m), and sorrounded by bright white sand and the chrystal clear sandy bottomed lagoon. The size of the island is large enough that one does not feel like a castaway, but can nicely walke around the island beaches 2x a day. As my dream holiday is to be able to swim/bath in the sea all day and not feeling cold - Holiday Island has been the perfect island. The lagoon is large, the house reef is app. 700 m away - this makes it e "swimming island" - which means snorkiling is not good and for diving you need to take the boat offered by the hotel. I am not a snorkeller or diver - therefore didn't miss sharks and co., which you would find near the beach on other islands where the reef is . Convenient rooms All the rooms are in separate bungalows, each of them are beachfront. You have nice terrace and practically your own part of the garden, which is swept everyday. You have your own sunbeds and chairs (all from wood - nothing plastic) Nothing extra in the furniture, but the rooms are spacious. The bathroom is fitted comfortably (incl bidet) - but the best thing is the outsied shower in your own patio. Never used the bath tub - much enjoyed taking shower in the free air Cleaning is twice a day Very friendly service The hotel staff is very attentive If you need anything, the roomBOY is there in 5 minutes. Everyone speaks quite OK English bcs. children learn all subjects in English from the age 6. I saw in some reviews about unpleasant encounter with mosquitos - at the Holiday Island the hotel management is fighting very efficiently with mosquitos and other bugs (spraying the whole island twice a week). We never had to use the repellent we took with us. Nice food The food was nice but nothing special - anyhow, you need to eat much less in that hot climate The only negative is that the All Incluse package is much less "incluse" than in many other vacation spots (like Carribean) - the coctails are not included, and they would cost 20 USD each. On the whole, it is worth taking the All Inclusive package, otherwise all the drinks are very expensive (USD 4 for a 0.33 Coke) Go there if you want to relax - The choice of excursions is relatively limited du to the geography of the islands. - You can visit the neighbouring residential island - but you can go there on a once a week organized trip. (Residential and hotel islands are strictly separated) - The hotel is operating a free shuttle service to the sister island Sun. This is much larger with more amenities (e.g. Golf course) - however would need to use a bicycle if you don't want to walk several kilometers just between your room and the restaurant. - as Holiday Island is some 110 km from Male, the capital of Maldives, the hotel does not offer a day excursion to Male. Next time I try to organize my trip so that I can see Male - the densiest place in the World I would go back to Holiday Island anytime and would reommend it to my best friends.

We travelled to Holiday Island at the end of April / beginning of May this year on a direct flight from Heathrow to Male. At Male airport terminal you need to find your onwards transport from the Resort desk (shared with others - so ask). We had a seaplane arranged as part of the deal and at a 40 min trip as opposed to 2.5 hours in a speedboat it is definitely the way to go, following a long plane trip. (In Male you are closer to Australia than London). The seaplane terminal is the other side of the airport - but not far - and involves an air conditioned minibus ride across the main runway, dodging the landing jets ( OK, there are traffic lights!) The transfer takes about 40 minutes all in and you get a great view over lots of the islands on the way and the sea really is as blue as it looks in the photos. (The air is also as hot so sit near the two fans at the front). After a stop off at another island on the way out, we landed for the second time, at Holiday island - or rather.....didn't. Landfall was a 20 foot square raft of planks attached to a set of oil drums , surrounded by car tyres, about half a mile offshore, to which the plane tied up and disgorged its cargo and us. We were then offloaded to a Dhoni ( overgrown 30 ft fishing boat converted as a passenger ferry), which took us to the end of the long pier and a stroll down to the reception area. Accommodation was in individual bungalows dotted along the beach amongst the coconut palms, with aircon and outdoor showers. The bungalows actually look better in real life than on the web pictures. You eat in the main restaurant that has a good selection of chicken and fish dishes plus pastas and salads which for mass catering was actually pretty good and sufficiently varied over a week. Drinks are expensive, but that's the same all over the islands so drink, enjoy, pay and forget it seems the best policy. You cannot bring in any drink to the Maldives to try and get around the cost and they xray the bags to check, as you arrive. So other than smuggling there's no shortcut. I'm not sure which parts of the anatomy they remove from smugglers! Holiday Island is very quiet and peaceful - ideal for lying in/ out of the sun , reading a book, floating in the warm blue lagoon or diving / snorkelling. But there's not much else there. We took the Dhoni over to Sun Island several days and used the Italian restaurant for snorkelling on their reef, and drying off with coffees / drinks etc and also used their shops, bars and Spa for a change of scenery. The trip over is about ten minutes and it's nice to be on a boat - especially as this is a 3 hourly free service back and forth. We also went on a two and a half hour walkabout on Mamigili Island - next island in the other direction - much larger and residential. Found the trip to be 2 hours 29 minutes too long, but you can make up your own mind! The positives Very hot, but with a breeze that helps a bit Very relaxing and peaceful If you start off with a smile and a couple of dollars tip the staff are excellent and helpful for the duration. Good food, given that it's buffet service The free transport to Sun Island and back The Italian restaurant and dive platform at Sun Island Watching the stingrays at night from the end of the pier Sundowners in the Bar The journey in is a bit of an adventure in itself Downsides - VERY quiet - Little to do or see - only about 700 yards by 150 max - Very hot - Mozzies and sand-flies if you're on the wrong end of the island - ( the week we were there) - Trip to see the Old Mosque on Mamigili - unless your idea of a historic building is breeze blocks and corrugated iron windows. Do's - Factor 30 - you're v. close to the Equator - Beach shoes - the beach has been extended and contains a lot of sharp coral in the sand - 4 kinds of mozzie spray - we only took 3 kinds (inc lemonoil and Deet) and none worked - (No I don't know what the fourth one should have been) - Some dollars for tips when you arrive. - A DVD player and all those films from the Sunday papers or the boxed set of 24 if there's any chance that you might need evening entertainment more stimulating than Crab racing.. But...overall, a pleasant experience