다이아몬드 아투루가 -

To give this review an accurate account, I would like to point out that my wife and I have been travelling to the Maldives for 29 Years and made 24 visits to 13 different islands, so we have some idea of what to expect. Regarding Athuruga this visit was our seventh, but with a 20 yr gap between our last visit and this one. Yes things change over 20 years and people change too. But Athuruga was always our happy island and that for our last trip to the Maldives was the reason we chose it. So let’s do the review…..we arrived at the airport and no one from Athuruga was visible, we eventually asked someone if they could contact the island representative which they did and five minutes later someone appeared. Seaplane luggage sorted we were transported to a lounge in the new sea plane terminal, I can’t remember the name I think it was something like Nooni, it was the worst lounge I have ever been in, in the Maldives, not clean and everything had to be bought. Our seaplane flight was relatively quick and we were at Athuruga within 35 minutes. We were taken to our room a junior suite number 41, it was in a position on the beach where we have stayed before but the room had been updated to a suite. We will start with the issues…and our views The room was a bit tired and not really very functional with very few drawers but two wardrobes and not many coat hangers. The flooring was a bit messy and looked unfinished and some of the skirting boards didn’t quite fit correctly leaving holes onto the walls. The loungers on the beach were quite dangerous with the corrosion on them pictures below Our first room boy as not very good, he didn’t clean the room very well and he didn’t change the bedding when he was supposed to after three days but apparently he claimed it was our fault for not asking him to, but the reception staff had stated bedding would be changed every three days. I went to reception and pointed out the bedding hadn’t been changed, they agreed it should have been and made a phone call, we heard nothing then until the next morning when we had a new room boy, no apologies or anything but at least the bedding had been changed. Our major complaint was with regards to the dining room the display of food for breakfast was appalling not very much at all. You could order an omelette with beans and bacon but the omelette was cold because the chef cooked the omelette then put it on a cold plate whilst he warmed the beans up in a frying pan and warmed the pre cooked bacon on the grill, by the time the beans were warm and the bacon the omelette was cold and pretty soon it was all cold. This also applies to lunch and to evening meals everything was cold or at best like warm, the food on display on the boat centre didn’t appear to have heating under them and didn’t always go with one another and very few choices. This was a shame as the cooking stations made very tasty food but it was always cold or luke warm, in 10 days I only had one meal that was warm. Let’s

25 years after our honeymoon we decided to return to Athuruga. This is just an amazing experience to visit this beautiful island, you get a transfer from Male Airport via seaplane where you get views from above of islands dotted about in the Indian Ocean on your way to the South Ari Attol where Athuruga is located. From the minute you step onto this island you’ll realise you are in paradise!! You are treated exceptionally by all the friendly staff from the moment you step off your seaplane where you are met by your welcome team ( we were met by Gabrielle who was fantastic with us throughout our whole stay) right through to management, chefs, waiters, bar staff, water sports team and entertainment staff ( Jadda has the most amazing singing voice). The accommodation we had was a beach bungalow with private outside shower, personal sunloungers to use on beach or at the waters edge if you wish? The room is immaculate and maintained twice daily, mini bar is replenished daily also with water, soft drinks and beer. We stayed in a water bungalow on our last 2 days where we had our own steps into the blue crystal water only a couple of metres away from the beautiful Coral Reef where you can snorkel with clown fish (Nemo) needle fish, angel fish among many others, black tipped sharks, eagle rays and turtles. The quality of the water bungalow experience is very high and you can enjoy breakfast delivered and set up at your own table on your private decking. The water sports range from paddle boarding, canoeing, catamaran sailing, wind surfing, guided snorkelling round the island reef and scuba diving centre, all run by knowledgable/friendly instructors. The food is very varied with a different theme every night ranging from Italian, Chinese, BBQ, Mexican to Local Maldivian nights. The quality of food whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner is to a very high standard and is delicious and cooked by extremely talented/friendly chefs. Our waiter (now friend!) Mohammed served us for the duration of our stay and was extremely professional and friendly and it was a pleasure to get to know him and chat about our respective families/lifes with each other. Make sure to get up early at least 1 morning to see the sunrise and watch the eagle rays and sharks play at the waters edge feet away from you… it’s breathtaking! Sunsets are just as good! You can make your holiday as relaxing or busy as you want with excursions available to fisherman’s island (free of charge) which is a local Maldivian island you travel to by Dhoni boat where you can purchase some hand crafted gifts to take home! You can also take trips to spot dolphins, manta rays and sharks and even snorkel with them if you wish and you will find these are at a reasonable cost. We must give a special mention to the following people who all made our return experience one we will treasure…. Personal waiter: Mohammed Entertainment/Welcoming: Gabrielle and Jadda Bar: Sabba Scuba Diving Centre: Philip and Jessic