Maldives
Oct 25, 2017, 10:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
Maldives
This is our first time to Maldives. Our flight landing at 10:10pm at MLE airport . We must stay over night in Male . I am open up for suggestion where to book a hotel stay in Male . If you know a good clean hotel, please share.
Currently, I am considered booking a 1 night stay at Octave Hotel .
The Octave hotel website said they have a complimentary pick up service, but I do not know if it is reliable. My travel companion has mobility issue and I want to learn as much as information before our trip in case no one show up to meet us at the airport.
Can someone please advise the following:
a) The best way to get to Octave hotel.
d) Which ferry to take from airport to Male city
c) Any taxi from ferry ( Male) to Octave hotel. Does taxi runs late at night. is it safe to take a taxi at this time of night . What is the fee and any surcharge for taking a taxi at night
d) is there any phone booth at airport to contact hotel.
e) How to go back from hotel to airport.
g) Do I need to exchange US dollar at airport. Not sure which currency to use in Maldives. Can I pay a taxi drive/ hotel fee in US dollars
i) Do I need to buy a simcard when landing at MLE airport.
Please advise and thank you
Currently, I am considered booking a 1 night stay at Octave Hotel .
The Octave hotel website said they have a complimentary pick up service, but I do not know if it is reliable. My travel companion has mobility issue and I want to learn as much as information before our trip in case no one show up to meet us at the airport.
Can someone please advise the following:
a) The best way to get to Octave hotel.
d) Which ferry to take from airport to Male city
c) Any taxi from ferry ( Male) to Octave hotel. Does taxi runs late at night. is it safe to take a taxi at this time of night . What is the fee and any surcharge for taking a taxi at night
d) is there any phone booth at airport to contact hotel.
e) How to go back from hotel to airport.
g) Do I need to exchange US dollar at airport. Not sure which currency to use in Maldives. Can I pay a taxi drive/ hotel fee in US dollars
i) Do I need to buy a simcard when landing at MLE airport.
Please advise and thank you
Nov 6, 2017, 8:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,198
a) The best way to get to Octave hotel.
You'd have to take the ferry to reach this hotel as its in Male. The airport is on an adjoining island.
d) Which ferry to take from airport to Male city
You shouldn't have a problem finding these as soon as your out of the airport
c) Any taxi from ferry ( Male) to Octave hotel. Does taxi runs late at night. is it safe to take a taxi at this time of night . What is the fee and any surcharge for taking a taxi at night
Not sure about this, as i've walked around on Male for the most part
d) is there any phone booth at airport to contact hotel.
I vaguely remember seeing one once you've cleared customs. In case you can't find it and need to make a call, head to the resort booth where your main booking is and am sure they'd help you out. Most of the major resorts have representation at the airport in the form of small booths, where's there's a rep.
e) How to go back from hotel to airport.
In the same way, ferry from Male back to the airport and this time i'm guessing you'd need to make your way to the sea plane terminal which is right next to the main airport terminal
g) Do I need to exchange US dollar at airport. Not sure which currency to use in Maldives. Can I pay a taxi drive/ hotel fee in US dollars
Yes you can exchange money at the airport itself. Exit customs & on the left you'll see an ATM and money changer.
i) Do I need to buy a simcard when landing at MLE airport.
Not sure about this.
Extra bits of info:
You could also consider staying at one of the hotels on Hulhumale. This is basically the island where the airport is and so it would save you the ferry ride. Prices are bound to be the same as what your paying for Octave. Let me know if you need some suggestions on some hotel options for hulhumale. Lot of people do this as a stop over/ transit stay when landing in late or if they have an early departure the following morning..
You'd have to take the ferry to reach this hotel as its in Male. The airport is on an adjoining island.
d) Which ferry to take from airport to Male city
You shouldn't have a problem finding these as soon as your out of the airport
c) Any taxi from ferry ( Male) to Octave hotel. Does taxi runs late at night. is it safe to take a taxi at this time of night . What is the fee and any surcharge for taking a taxi at night
Not sure about this, as i've walked around on Male for the most part
d) is there any phone booth at airport to contact hotel.
I vaguely remember seeing one once you've cleared customs. In case you can't find it and need to make a call, head to the resort booth where your main booking is and am sure they'd help you out. Most of the major resorts have representation at the airport in the form of small booths, where's there's a rep.
e) How to go back from hotel to airport.
In the same way, ferry from Male back to the airport and this time i'm guessing you'd need to make your way to the sea plane terminal which is right next to the main airport terminal
g) Do I need to exchange US dollar at airport. Not sure which currency to use in Maldives. Can I pay a taxi drive/ hotel fee in US dollars
Yes you can exchange money at the airport itself. Exit customs & on the left you'll see an ATM and money changer.
i) Do I need to buy a simcard when landing at MLE airport.
Not sure about this.
Extra bits of info:
You could also consider staying at one of the hotels on Hulhumale. This is basically the island where the airport is and so it would save you the ferry ride. Prices are bound to be the same as what your paying for Octave. Let me know if you need some suggestions on some hotel options for hulhumale. Lot of people do this as a stop over/ transit stay when landing in late or if they have an early departure the following morning..
Nov 6, 2017, 11:17 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
Extra bits of info:
You could also consider staying at one of the hotels on Hulhumale. This is basically the island where the airport is and so it would save you the ferry ride. Prices are bound to be the same as what your paying for Octave. Let me know if you need some suggestions on some hotel options for hulhumale. Lot of people do this as a stop over/ transit stay when landing in late or if they have an early departure the following morning.
You could also consider staying at one of the hotels on Hulhumale. This is basically the island where the airport is and so it would save you the ferry ride. Prices are bound to be the same as what your paying for Octave. Let me know if you need some suggestions on some hotel options for hulhumale. Lot of people do this as a stop over/ transit stay when landing in late or if they have an early departure the following morning.
Stayed at The Pine Lodge, which is a perfectly fine hotel for a short overnight albeit in a poor neighborhood. quarryking might have better suggestions
Nov 7, 2017, 10:57 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
@ quarryking & gpia
Thanks for reply my thread. I already make a reservation at Octave hotel .
Please give me suggestion of hotel you know in Hulhumale island. In case Octave does not show up to meet us at airport on the day of my arrival, at least I have another option of choosing where to stay overnight
I requested a pick up and drop of service with Octave. I am not sure how it turn out yet, until I get to Maldives. I plan to send an email to remind them a couples days before my departure so that they will remember to meet us at MLE airport.
Do you know how late the ferry running from airport to Male island. Where do I buy ferry ticket ( airport to Male island) and how much it costs. Can I pay with US dollars bill for ferry fee.
Thanks for reply my thread. I already make a reservation at Octave hotel .
Please give me suggestion of hotel you know in Hulhumale island. In case Octave does not show up to meet us at airport on the day of my arrival, at least I have another option of choosing where to stay overnight
I requested a pick up and drop of service with Octave. I am not sure how it turn out yet, until I get to Maldives. I plan to send an email to remind them a couples days before my departure so that they will remember to meet us at MLE airport.
Do you know how late the ferry running from airport to Male island. Where do I buy ferry ticket ( airport to Male island) and how much it costs. Can I pay with US dollars bill for ferry fee.
Nov 13, 2017, 6:59 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 517
It's $1 before midnight and $2 each way after. Dollars are accepted everywhere, even the more remote islands, and exchange rates are decent. Except for the fact that Maldivian banknotes are beautiful, absolutely no need to get Rufiyaa.
Nov 13, 2017, 9:25 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 72
I stayed at Octave once. Was supposed to be picked up and helped all the way from the airport. Escort wasn't at airport when I arrived (flight was on time). Airport help desk called and he arrived about 30 minutes later.
I arrived at about noon. Hotel is a decent distance from Ferry, but traffic was light. Left about 8pm, and traffic was a nightmare. Taxi's don't come to side street where hotel is. But a bellboy walked me to the main street and hailed a taxi for me.
Now that I've done it once, I realize there isn't much to it. Buy a ticket on the pier, then take next ferry to Male. Ferry handlers help with heavy bags such as dive gear. Taxi's are then waiting by the pier. Not difficult, not unsafe.
That said, Male isn't a tourist destination. Octave doesn't have food but they advised me of a few nearby places. Had an awesome pizza at one place about a 5 minute walk away.
I arrived at about noon. Hotel is a decent distance from Ferry, but traffic was light. Left about 8pm, and traffic was a nightmare. Taxi's don't come to side street where hotel is. But a bellboy walked me to the main street and hailed a taxi for me.
Now that I've done it once, I realize there isn't much to it. Buy a ticket on the pier, then take next ferry to Male. Ferry handlers help with heavy bags such as dive gear. Taxi's are then waiting by the pier. Not difficult, not unsafe.
That said, Male isn't a tourist destination. Octave doesn't have food but they advised me of a few nearby places. Had an awesome pizza at one place about a 5 minute walk away.
Nov 13, 2017, 9:33 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 517
I jumped onto a flight to the Maldives this time last year with no plans or accommodation (long story...) and it was the easiest place to travel spontaneously. Unlike some other places in the region, never felt unsafe as a not-particularly-strong solo female.
By the way, do try and get some hedhikaa on Male'. Exceptionally cheap and tasty street snacks, which I'm now craving...
Nov 15, 2017, 1:14 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
@ ukdave0 / SwissBritMiss,
Thanks for clarification . How I wish my flight landed during the day time.
I will seek airport help desk if I do not see Octave Hotel agent shows up. This is our first time to Maldives, maybe when we come back to visit Maldives again, it will be easier as you said.
By the way, if I get to the ferry station where taxi is available. Does taxi driver know where to take to Octave hotel if we show the taxi driver the hotel address. And do you know how much is a taxi fare from ferry dock to hotel.
Will try the snack food as you suggested if we have time.
Thanks for clarification . How I wish my flight landed during the day time.
I will seek airport help desk if I do not see Octave Hotel agent shows up. This is our first time to Maldives, maybe when we come back to visit Maldives again, it will be easier as you said.
By the way, if I get to the ferry station where taxi is available. Does taxi driver know where to take to Octave hotel if we show the taxi driver the hotel address. And do you know how much is a taxi fare from ferry dock to hotel.
Will try the snack food as you suggested if we have time.
Nov 15, 2017, 7:59 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,187
The taxi fare won't be more than 4 USD. They also charge for the number of luggage you put in the back. I don;t know how much you are paying for Octave but Mookia is about less than 5 minutes walk from the Male ferry jetty.
You do not need a taxi to go to Mookai. Yes it is very safe in Male to take a taxi any time of the day or night. Night charges are slightly higher after midnight. Once you get out of the customs, just slightly to the left is the Information Counter for the airport. They should be able to help too if the hotel rep is not there. Many a times the hotels in Male do not have their airport reps at the airport. The bigger hotels in Male do so but the smaller ones do not.
vnfilm1, why do you need to stay just one night in Male? Where are you going after that? That may solve your stay in Male too? Depending on your final destination, if you are staying in a resort then they will help you at the airport. If you are going to an inhabited island, then it is a different story.
You do not need a taxi to go to Mookai. Yes it is very safe in Male to take a taxi any time of the day or night. Night charges are slightly higher after midnight. Once you get out of the customs, just slightly to the left is the Information Counter for the airport. They should be able to help too if the hotel rep is not there. Many a times the hotels in Male do not have their airport reps at the airport. The bigger hotels in Male do so but the smaller ones do not.
vnfilm1, why do you need to stay just one night in Male? Where are you going after that? That may solve your stay in Male too? Depending on your final destination, if you are staying in a resort then they will help you at the airport. If you are going to an inhabited island, then it is a different story.