bhrubin

We are avid divers, and therefore are curious about the dive options and quality at these properties.

We're considering the Maldives in 2017, but are leaning towards the FS properties since we can do a 7 night live-aboard dive trip on their Explorer catamaran. As pricey as that will be, it still seems less pricey than either of these properties. So I'm curious as to the quality of diving there.

We can't just laze around the beach or pool like so many others. I need action and activity--preferably in or under the water!

Thanks for any input.

cathaana

We did the 3-night-trip on the Explorer and it was amazing. And really exhausting (3 dives a day plus an extra one when night diving plus activities/excursions is not a walk in the park ). We want to go back do the 4-night one some day.

The large German travel agencies (e.g. Dertour) sell the Explorer from Aug to Oct as 2for1 if you also book 3 nights in one of the FS hotels (so you pay around 5000 Euro total instead of per person for the 7 nights). Might be something of interest to you if you don't mind it being off season. We had amazing weather in September.

kakapinky

Hi Michael82,

Did you see any turltle during snorkeling in Velaa?

vuittonsofstyle

They have baby turtles in tanks and they have huge photos of turtles seemingly on every wall, faucet, etc.

I guess they have turtles in the water, too, as Velaa means 'turtle'.

Musken

Hi everybody,

I am not able to search, but I remember there was some recommendations for hotels in the Maldives not too long ago. We have been to the two FS resorts some years ago and though we liked them, I would love to try something else. We do not want to go to O&O. Would like: Nice, spacious villa (2 adults, 12 year old son). Privacy. Prefer beach villa instead of over-water-villa. Private pool is nice, but not a must. Great beach, preferably with off beach snorkeling, but again no must as we are happy to go out with a boat if there is a good reef nearby. Except for snorkeling, we would just like to relax, eat good food (great if there are more than just one restaurant for the variation), maybe a spa visit or two and that's it. What would you recommend?

Looked at Cheval Blanc Randheli, but with rates over USD 3.500 per night, that's out. Absolute maximum is USD 2.000 per night, but would prefer below USD 1.500 per night.

Huaven Fushi, is supposedly dated.

I do not like the style of the Taj Exotica.

Maalifushi by COMO and also Velaa Private island seems to be fully booked (!!!) for our dates already. Same goes for Cocoa Island by COMO

scented

Cheval Blanc, if you're price-insensitive. I hear good things.

zebranz

I liked the Taj Exotica. Not inexpensive but very peaceful.

http://www.tajhotels.com/luxury/exot.../overview.html

MikeFromTokyo

I think Soneva Fushi would fit the bill perfectly. It fits all of your requirements, and there are villas perfectly sized for a family of three that have pools.

The OP has stated a budget and specifically excluded Cheval Blanc.

Musken

Looks gorgeous! Thought I was pretty price-insensitive, but not to THAT extent. :-o

scented

For most people Taj is only a starting point of their Maldives trip. I do like it, but would I spend my entire stay there? No, due to the proximity to MLE.

Musken, so sorry-- completely missed your statement re Cheval Blanc.
Mike, you're right.

Musken

I do remember someone posted a review with pics. A new resort, I think. I know I liked the look of if. But the name is gone..

MikeFromTokyo

I vaguely remember photographs of a Jumeirah property, as well as Cocoa Island (COMO).

The_Daddy has posted useful reviews of Soneva Fushi, One and Only Reethi Rah, and Four Seasons Kuda Huraa, IIRC.

Although you said you are not interested in OO RR, they have beach villas with pools. Same designer as Cheval Blanc (Gathy).

Although perhaps not at the same level, Anantara Kihavah in the Baa Atoll is supposedly very family friendly and has good food from what I have heard. There are beach villas with pools available.

Taj Exotica of course has very nice beach villas with pools, but you have said it does not appeal.

zh

PH Malidives! We went there last August and had 2 units. One was for myself, my wife, and 12 yr old. Excellent! Going back next January, but this time just with my wife :-)

scented

I love PH Maldives for the house reef, but since Musken did FS already, this might be a hard landing.

The_Daddy

Soneva Fushi can certainly be an option if the OP enjoy the eco-lux positioning of the soneva group.
Villa are nice (and they have some interesting option for privacy with grown up kids), they come with private pool and the snorkeling is certainly good.
Food can be very confusing: they have the greatest breakfast ever tried, great buffet (and i use to dislike them), but some hit & miss a la carte experience in all the three restaurants.
All in all is a really nice experience, you really relax there, it is different from all other resorts I have been to...but someone might not feel comfortable.

the last time we were there they had some issue with some kind of insect that was realising some allergic poison in the air (especially close to the indian almond three) that caused strong skin reaction: my wife got it and it was not nice! FSLG was having the some issue maybe with minor impact...you want to check that out in case...