Service: The hotel's reservations department was terrible. They didn't respond to messages on the platform for two weeks, emails weren't always answered, and phone calls weren't always answered. We arrived in Male a day early with our two-year-old child and informed them of our flight information a month in advance. They said they would notify us of the island's speedboat time a few days in advance. Finally, after arriving in Male, we called in the afternoon, only to be told the speedboat was scheduled for the following afternoon! The earlier flights were already booked, and they refused to accommodate, even ignoring our child's nap. Ctrip eventually intervened and rescheduled the boat for 10:00 AM, which still had space. When leaving the island, our 12:45 PM flight was rescheduled for a 7:00 AM speedboat, ignoring our two-year-old's sleep. Furthermore, the passenger terminal is closed three hours before departure, meaning we would have had to wait outside the airport for over an hour for the 7:00 AM boat. We ultimately rescheduled the boat for 10:00 AM (we'll be responsible for any losses if we miss the flight, as the 10:00 AM boat still leaves plenty of time for all formalities). The front desk provided incomplete and untimely information. When I inquired about the seaplane departure from the island, I was told it cost $150 per person and the time would only be known one day in advance. When I finally went back the day before to inquire about the time, I was told I had to book three days in advance. Without a reservation, I didn't have a departure time and couldn't book again. The minibar in the room took three days to be restocked. I called to get a bar of soap, and after informing the housekeeping staff myself, it took two days (even after I tipped them in advance). The restaurant and bar staff were generally nice.
Cleanliness: My child had an allergy in the room for a few days, and the bed sheets were changed on the fourth day to alleviate the problem. Housekeeping is only cleaned daily, so sand easily accumulates in the room.
Environment: The island is a lagoon surrounded by a breakwater. For those with limited swimming skills, the currents and waves are low, making it relatively safe. For those who want to snorkel, swimming out through the several gaps in the breakwater is also very convenient. The downside, however, is that it can affect photography. The beach is nice, with plenty of greenery and shade.
The 75-minute speedboat ride to the island is quite manageable, but a seaplane is available for an additional $150.
The various boat trips on the island are reasonably priced, costing just a few dozen dollars, which is perfectly acceptable. Large fish can only be spotted by sharks, and turtles are rare, but still visible.
There are almost no child-friendly facilities. When we first arrived, there were a few outdoor slides and playhouses, but they were removed after a few days of play. Overall, the island is not very child-friendly.
The restaurant, similar to other islands, primarily serves South Asian and European cuisine. Meal times are more aligned with South Asian and European time zones, though East Asian tourists are rare. Meals are served at 7:00 AM, 12:30 PM, and 7:30 PM. Combined with the time difference, young children may find themselves starving when hungry and sleepy when meals arrive. This is something parents should consider in advance. The first time we took our children to the Maldives, they suffered greatly. This time, we decided to spend a few days in Sri Lanka to adjust to the time difference, which was much better after arriving on the island.
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