Not what was expected.
On arrival at Male it was unclear where to go and we had to ask around for which desk to speak to for our boat to the island. Information before arrival would have helped as there was no hotel representative to meet us. Not what was expected.
When the boat came, instead of a speed boat we boarded a boat that was obviously used for ferrying staff etc to and from the island. Not what was expected.
On arrival we were met by friendly staff member who loaded our bags onto a trailer and we walked the 200 meters or so to the hotel. We were informed that the island was less than a kilometre long and 220 meters wide. It did not feel like a resort island as we passed through the narrow rows between the houses where the islanders lived. Not what was expected.
The hotel itself is very basic and small. You pass through the front glass doors into reception and straight out onto a patio area then the beach. The tables and chairs on the patio are worn and old and the beach beds are just laid out haphazardly on the beach which was littered with plastic washed up. (We had to request the hotel to clean the beach which they did).
Our room was basic but clean but faced the back of the hotel and overlooked a construction yard. The bathroom was basic with a shower that only gave salty water and did not drain away very well.
Our sheets were stained and were changed on our request and on our first night my wife had a cockroach crawl over her neck and I was bitten by ants on my arms and legs. The room was sprayed and we did not see any further cockroaches. The AC was very efficient, fridge did not work and one of the wall sockets did not worrk. We had to request the hotel to clean our room.Not what was expected.
Facilities on the island are limited and you cannot get any alcohol on the island. There is a boat moored off the island which you can get a speedboat to and drink on there.($7 for a small can of Heineken).Breakfast buffet consisted of some local salads, 2 cereals, toast, cold beans and a choice of cooked eggs and an over cooked sausage.We had one more meal there which was ok but not special.
There is not much of a choice for alternative dining on the island (one outdoor cafe where I had the worst hamburger in my life) or another small hotel restaurant where the food was reasonable but limited choice. Surprisingly for an island there was very little fresh fish available and no fresh prawns. Not what was expected.
The staff generally were very nice and friendly but the property itself needs an overhaul. It reminds me of a backpackers hotel where expectations are realistic. Maybe we were expecting too much but with a little expenditure it could be improved.(pave the patio area and get nice tables and chairs, improve entrance with planters, improve tea/coffee station,etc)
On the plus side the sea and sun were lovely and we were content to just chill out for our stay.
