Originally Posted by saaveraward

This is what a $27++ "salad" looked like, until it was taken off the bill. Embarrassing.


https://ibb.co/jN8Sk5

Originally Posted by awayfromLA

I understand now that must be on every Chinese tourist's bucket list visiting there because we were the only non-Chinese at the restaurant during our meal. As a result, our $600 meal was far from the exquisite, romantic and classy experience I had expected and paid for. The staff were great, the meal was just OK, but the simple fact that several diners displayed very odd behavior was hard to get over. Let me give examples: at some point we stopped paying attention to the fish swimming around us and noting another table's guest's loud eating sound that actually competed with the music. Even our disapproving stares at the gentleman creating most of those noises did not seem to convey anything out of the ordinary to him. Those noises soon extended to a fight between him and his companion in Chinese and to my disappointment did not end the eating noises. Then there were at least two other ladies who apparently to protect themselves from light reflection from the water surface above wore on their heads what did not belong on a head, with one actually wearing her dinner napkin draped over her head throughout the meal. Two other ladies were prepared for this need for "protection" by wearing hats that literally looked like an old French Legionnaires' hat, except much larger. My wife whose romantic notions about our meal there must have been shattered was a terrific trooper by never complaining about any of this, but her sad gazes at the table told me how what she thought. As for food, this was just OK. Frankly we preferred our breakfast.

Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak

Speaking of preferring breakfast, dining at Ithaa and 'pretty bad' all rolled into one, check out the latest review on TA. Here's the juicy bit



I tell you, Rangali is never ever going to get to, let alone above, 95% on TA (they're currently on 93% and have been on this or 92% for the last 4 or 5 years) and improve their rating from 4 1/2 to 5 stars, just because every few months someone comes along and posts something like this and rates the resort 2 or 3 out of 5.

Originally Posted by ducksaucei3

These reviews are alarming to me given that I've seen a few of them. For my July trip, I'm leaning more towards cocktails (just to experience it) now and spending the money elsewhere, such as on a romantic dinner with better food and ambiance.

Originally Posted by charlinator

If that review is even half true, then it's worrying. Money doesn't buy class, but it's always nice to hope.

Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak

Believe every bit. I live here and experience this kind of uncouth and barbaric behaviour every day. In every restaurant you go to there's one or more that don't eat with their mouth shut. Very sad indeed and what's worse is that it's nigh on impossible to avoid now at Ithaa.

Originally Posted by ducksaucei3

These reviews are alarming to me given that I've seen a few of them. For my July trip, I'm leaning more towards cocktails (just to experience it) now and spending the money elsewhere, such as on a romantic dinner with better food and ambiance.

Originally Posted by saaveraward

I found the guests to be largely unfriendly and standoffish. You could be walking on a path and the person coming at you won't even smile or nod, and you're the only 2 people within 200 meters.

I didn't have a single word with another guest until my third day. It felt very unusual and isolating for someone who tucks in to a bar anywhere in the world and can hold a conversation.

Originally Posted by saaveraward

I found the guests to be largely unfriendly and standoffish. You could be walking on a path and the person coming at you won't even smile or nod, and you're the only 2 people within 200 meters.

Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak

Believe every bit. I live here and experience this kind of uncouth and barbaric behaviour every day. In every restaurant you go to there's one or more that don't eat with their mouth shut. Very sad indeed and what's worse is that it's nigh on impossible to avoid now at Ithaa.

Originally Posted by alanslegal

That is sad when people don't even say hello/good morning/etc when walking past someone else - esp on a deserted island.

Originally Posted by alanslegal

It is unlikely I will be dining at Ithaa on my visit as I could not justify the cost unfortunately. Whilst I have dined at many of the top restaurants around the world (Michelin, San Pelligrino awarded etc) for some reason spending $1,000 isn't on my list of places to enjoy myself. Besides, I have dined in an aquarium like restaurant at The Atlantis Bahamas, and walked through the aquarium at The Dubai Mall, surely that is a similar type experience?

Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak

Unlikely. You're already at/near the lowest of the rates (which are mentioned in the wiki). You can check out my 'Guidelines For Paid Upgrades' post linked in my sig just below this text for one or two tips which might help.

Originally Posted by MaldivesFreak

^ How many nights is the upgrade to SWV for?