kuramathi tourist island - kuramathi village review

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Picture courtesy of Jon Thorne.

Average Ratings

Accommodation	8.3/10
Customer Service	8.9/10
Resort	8.9/10
Food	8.7/10
Location	9.1/10
Value for Money	9.1/10
Overall rating	8.3/10

91% Recommended21 out of 23 Reviews

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Review of Kuramathi Tourist Island - Kuramathi Village Maldives

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By Lambrias on 19th Sep 2005

Lambrias's Ratings

Date of stay	May 2005
Board Basis	All inclusive
Accommodation	7/10
Customer Service	2/10
Food	7/10
Resort	2/10
Value for money	5/10
Overall value	2/10
Lambrias's recommendation

Good Points

Food, Quality of Accomodation, Cleanliness.

Bad Points

All Inclusive is not what it means, can only be used in selective places, not all over. E.g you have to pay to both use the pool and drinks at pool, no sunbeds, no tv, accomodation not on beach but set back, you need a taxi to navigate island, no kettles, not an attractive island nor an intimate one.

General Comments

Imagine booking a dream holiday to Kuramathi Village, looking so forward to going, then two days before leaving getting a call from your travel agent to be told the restaurant you were due to eat in had just been knocked down and that you were to eat in the coffee shop instead.

Imagine arriving at the airport and then having a 30 odd hour delay before leaving.

Imagine arriving at the island, paying to upgrade to a better part of the island, only to be told by everyone else sitting next to you that they had been upgraded for free.

Then imagine strolling down to the beach the first day in supposed paradise, finding the island does not provide anywhere to sunbathe on no beach beds, on a supposed beach holiday.

Imagine spending days inside due to the monsoon between May to August.

Imagine wanting to while away the hours and do a bit of fishiing only to be told it will cost you $1500 as you have to have a man and a boat.

You dont have to imagine. If this is you idea of a perfect holiday, simply go to Kuramathi.



PS- Imagine trying to simply be honest and writing some of these points in the Kuramathi guest book, only to find KURAMATHI BIG BROTHER removes them.

23 Comments on Review by Lambrias for Kuramathi Tourist Island - Kuramathi Village Maldives

1. Gaster on 9th Jul 2006

   Are you sure we are talking about the same place? Hilton do have an island in the Maldives. Perhaps that would suit you better.

2. Helsbells on 12th Feb 2007

   I am travelling to Kuramathi Village in mid March, and I decided to take a look at the reviews the Review Centre had to offer. I wonder if this person actually researched where they were going? It really does sound like one of the Costas would have been better suited. Booze it up by the bar using your "all you can drink", sorry all inclusive package while laying your towel out on a sun lounger every night to reserve it for the next morning. Have you never experienced the pleasure of laying on the sand? Fancy having to walk 15 minutes in paradise to get your dinner... Needless to say I found this review pointless and frankly, sour. I will be back to provide feedback good or bad, but hopefully always constructive, after our stay!! I can't wait.

3. Lambrias on 15th Feb 2007

   When people write negative reviews it is often for good reason. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people connected with the resorts that do not wish you to know the full truth.
   
   I have been to the Maldives 3 times in 3 years, and Kuramathi was far and away the worst resort of the 3.
   
   But, then again, it was far and away the cheapest. You pay your money, you get what you pay for.
   
   My advice is pay a little more. The extra £200 will be worth it in every respect.

4. Gaster on 15th Feb 2007

   I am so envious of you Hellsbells. Have a great time, and please enter a review to add balance to the negative review.

5. Lambrias on 16th Feb 2007

   I would like to respond to some of the specific points made of my initial review about Kuramathi Village in the Maldives.
   
   We booked specifically to avoid the type of holiday found in the Spanish Costa's. We found the nearest strip of beach to our bungalow resided 6 noisy children with buckets and spades. We strolled to a bar to ask for a bottle of water, and we were told we would have to pay, despite the fact we were on all inclusive. We went to the pool, and we were again told we would have to pay. My partner was worried sick by the Seaplane transfer. Instead of taking you to a pier in a civilised way, you have to walk onto a kind of raft in the sea and be taken ashore by dhoni boat. Kuramathi in my mind was akin to searching your whole life for paradise, finding it, being forced to share it with so so many others, and whilst there never made to feel relaxed and able to appreciate it. Both other islands we went to we were made to feel special. We were not made to pay for every extra little thing, and we were able to appreciate the Maldives and all it has to offer. You will not find it at Kuramathi.

6. chrishardingham on 18th Feb 2007

   
   We have been to two islands in the Maldives and Kuramathi was 6* compared to the one that was supposed to be 5* and was more like 3*!
   The first island was Kuramathi and it was paradise. We were only in a standard beach bungalow and it was perfect, steps away from the ocean. The staff were fantastic, the all inclusive was great, with cocktails being absolutely wonderful, the reef just offshore was great.
   Whilst on the other island, Hukuraa, we were in water bungalows, which is the only reason I can think it had a higher star rating. It was also all inclusive but was not a patch on Kuramathi. Staff were lovely but the bar had fairy lights, which made it seem really tacky. You had to wait a long time for a drink, no one remembered you and the island seemed so crowded.
   Although Kuramathi is one of the bigger islands, we hardly saw anyone else. Why anyone complains about having to walk anywhere on it is beyond me! Also, the pool is only $15 a week, wow, is that so expensive you can't afford it? Hardly anyone uses it, so the upkeep has to come from somewhere!
   We have travelled all over the world, in Europe, Asia and America and the only holiday that always comes to me, as a perfect place to just chill out is Kuramathi.
   Chris, Swindon, UK

7. chesneytowers on 18th Feb 2007

   My husband and I spent ten days on Kuramathi island in 2002. The snorkelling was incredible and we spent hours strolling around the beautiful island. We have since had a daughter and have booked to go to Kuramathi again this April. I have no hesitation in taking my daughter and feel the negative comments made about Kuramathi are very personal to the individual. They certainly do not reflect the stay we had in 2002 and we are looking forward to returning in April 2007. Please do not be put off by one persons bad experience and if you are booked to go, we hope you enjoy as much as we did.
   
   Tip: If you get the chance, watch the sting ray feeding session.

8. DebbieandAl on 19th Feb 2007

   I could not disagree more with the comments by Lambrias. My husband and I travelled to Kuramathi in August 2005 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and frankly, since then nowhere else will do for us. Everything was perfect and exactly what we expected.
   
   We have now booked to return in May 2007, and I'm sure I will be posting an extremely positive review soon after.

9. Lambrias on 20th Feb 2007

   How anybody could say that Kuramathi is 6* left me utterly aghast! There are many resorts that have TV’s as standard, which on first thought seems a little pointless, until of course you face the reality that at times it can rain for over 24 hours, so when stuck in your room a TV comes in handy. Furthermore, the excursions are hopeless. You cannot go fishing without spending hundreds of $, and the shopping trip is akin to Blackpool tat in paradise.
   
   
   As for steps from the ocean, this is simply not true for most accommodation. On both other islands we could gaze at the sea from the comfort of our bed. For most bungalows at Kuramathi there is a path between you and the sea!!! How anyone can enjoy gazing at the moon with their loved one whilst watching beetroot coloured Brits waddling by simply amazes me.
   
   
   The staff were not fantastic for us anyway. We were told 2 days before flying out that our restaurant was to be knocked down and we would have to eat at the coffee shop. That is not what we had paid for.
   
   
   The all inclusive was NOT great, as it does not do what it says on the TIN. All inclusive means that if you want to enjoy it, of course you can, but only at one bar closest to your room. We were told by our travel agent that it could be used anywhere on the island.
   
   
   The reef just offshore is a BOAT RIDE AWAY!! Both other islands could get to the reef by wading out.
   
   
   On Kuramathi the island is so large it loses the intimacy of other resorts. It is for this very reason that no one remembered you, as it is simply too large a resort.
   
   
   Why anyone complains about having to walk anywhere on it is beyond me! And I agree. If you pay for all inclusive and are sat at a bar where the entertainment is that night, you have one of 2 choices (a) walk to another bar to use your all inclusive, or (b) PAY again for your drinks, as you cannot use you all inclusive there. The same is true if you are on the beach and want a drink; you either pay or walk half the island so you can get your drinks for free.
   
   
   Also, the pool is only $15 a week. Wow! Is that so expensive? That’s not the point, it is simply another example of what poor value you get from this resort, and how the ‘all-inclusive’ option is poor value.
   
   
   We have travelled to the Maldives 3 times now. You don’t need me to tell you. Kuramathi is easily the cheapest resort, but it is the cheapest for a reason.

10. Magyar65 on 28th Feb 2007

    My partner and I went to Kuramathi in Nov 2005, all I can say is that it was everything we dreamed it would be, its just fantastic. There is a saying that, you can't please all the people all the time but on this forum it looks like some people just can't give up making there thoughts known!
    All I can say to anyone thinking of booking Kuramathi is do it! It is a wonderful place. We have booked again for June, so that must say something. Kuramathi is just lovely, you will have a great holiday. Ignore those who say otherwise.
    C Carter.

11. Lambrias on 1st Mar 2007

    My partner and I went to Kuramathi in May 2005, all I can say is that it was quite simply the worst holiday experience we have ever had, it was just awful. There is a saying that, you cannot please all the people all the time but on this forum it looks like some people just cannot give up hyping up this resort!
    All I can say to anyone thinking of booking Kuramathi is beware! It is located in a wonderful place but is spoilt by a poor layout, a culture of having to pay for every little thing. Excursions are hopeless and we were told we could not cancel our holiday after booking it, even though two days prior to departure we were told we would not have a restaurant to eat in and would have to eat in the coffee shop instead. That was on top of spending the first two days at Gatwick, due to a faulty plane.
    
    We go to the Maldives every year but would not dream of going here again. Ignore those who say otherwise. Unfortunately, there are many people out there with their own agenda, that wish to hype up the resort. Perhaps my next posting will include detailed pictures and correspondence with our tour operator to substantiate what I have to say.
    C Carter.

12. Gaster on 2nd Mar 2007

    I feel it is time to respond to Lambrias’s comments.
    Kuramathi has 3 resorts and, unlike Lambrias, do not expect to be able to go to another resort or hotel and drink for free. You are informed on arrival exactly where all-inclusive applies. The swimming pool also belongs to the Blue Lagoon resort but they do allow visitors from other resorts to use the facility at a reasonable cost. Who wants to use a pool with all that beautiful ocean around anyway?
    As for 6 children with bucket and spades, get real!
    You and your partner should have researched the seaplane transfer properly. It states clearly that there is a transfer to Dhoni. What do you want them to do? Destroy more coal reef to build you a pontoon? As for being worried sick, just ask how many passengers have drowned on the transfer. Answer is none. It’s a great experience!
    Kuramathi is a wildlife sanctuary and it is clear that there is no fishing from the island. If you had your way, there would be no fish for the snorkellers and divers to enjoy.
    $1500 for a man and a boat? There is more than one man and this is for a fishing boat and crew for a day, try getting it in the UK as cheaply.
    As for the accommodation not being on the beach, just shows you know nothing about construction. If you put a building on sand it does not stay there long. The map of the island on the website shows the location of the huts. None of them are very far from the sea.
    You do not need a taxi to navigate an the island as it is not big enough to warrant it, Kuramathi is only 1km long by 400 meters wide. You can easily walk around the island in less than an hour. The taxi is there for those that do not want to walk.
    Why did you go to one of the largest tourist islands in the Maldives if you wanted to be alone?
    How you can insinuate that the 30 hour airport delay was Kuramathi’s fault I do not know, and of course the monsoon was their fault as well. Fancy not checking the seasons before booking a holiday. I bet you want to ski in August in the Alps because it is warmer then.
    Kuramathi is a 3 star island, not the cheapest but not 5 star either. Try looking at the star rating in the brochure or website before booking next time.

13. Lambrias on 2nd Mar 2007

    Whilst nobody would expect to be able to go to another island or hotel and drink for free, the person at Thomson at the time of booking told us our all-inclusive could be used all over the island.
    This was clearly not true.
    We were informed by out travel agent exactly where all-inclusive applied. This was different to what we were told on arrival, by which time it was too late.
    The swimming pool was an example where you have to pay extra.
    In any event, when we went to use it there were no free sunbeds, the only ones on the island, they had all been taken. The reason people use the pool is that it is the only place they can relax on a sunbed. There are no others on the island that I could see.
    
    I had no problem with the seaplane transfer, none at all.
    However, most other people that were not particularly agile, in their 70’s, or not athletic, it is a serious problem and in reality, a pontoon should be built. After all, I can only imagine how much coral must have been destroyed to build all the water bungalows. One pontoon will not destroy any more coral than the equivalent water bungalows.
    The point about people drowning leaves me aghast. That is not even the question.
    It is the sheer fear people have wobbling on a raft in the ocean with all their luggage. Perhaps a better question would be, how many pieces of luggage or the odd person have fallen in the sea. I bet a fair few.
    Kuramathi and the Maldives in general are a wildlife sanctuary, it is clear that there is no fishing from any island in the Maldives. However most islands offer trips for $20 or so and its great fun. You even pay to eat your catch, so nothing gets wasted.
    We are not talking professional fishermen here. If you wanted that you would go on a specialist fishing holiday, not the Maldives.
    The map of the island on the website shows the location of the huts. None of them are very far from the sea, agreed, it is simply that there is a path between you and the sea. Most other islands have the path behind the bungalow so as to give the holidaymakers a little privacy so you can relax outside your hut with your own bit of beach.
    
    The whole point of a taxi demonstrates to most people that this is an island unlike most others in the Maldives. The fact they need one, says all you need to know about this island. The taxi is not there for those that do not want to walk, it is there for the movement of luggage. You can't expect a person to walk with luggage in such heat for 40 minutes, whatever size tip you expect to give them.
    People just assume you will get privacy on a desert island, not find the Spanish Costa with 6 kids with bucket and spades, when they get there.
    As for the 30 hour airport delay and the torrential rain being Kuramathi’s fault, that is not what I said, I said the holiday was the worst holiday experience I had in my life. The delay and the Staff at Kuramathi’s reaction to this delay, contributed to it being the worst holiday experience of my life. Even the room didn’t have TVs to keep you occupied when it rained.
    Kuramathi is a 3 star island, easily the cheapest on our tour operators website.
    My advice is to avoid Universal owned resorts at all costs. This is what we now do as we love the real Maldives.

14. Helsbells on 2nd Mar 2007

    Thanks Gaster you said everything I thought and more. Research is the key. I was well aware of the Seaplane transfers but as small plans make me nervous I have opted for the boat transfer. I am aware the all inclusive package is only available in the resort you have booked into and not the one down the road? Would this happen anywhere else? I am also well aware that the Maldives is a reserve and fishing is restricted to the licensed boats, which incidentally provide a service to make a profit, isn't this true of anywhere else. I am also aware that I have to pay £15 to use the swimming pool per week. Not a common fee in a resort I admit but the information is available everywhere to advise this. You had a choice here, as for myself, seeing as I will be on an island I think I might try the sea first. I can't wait! I am also aware that my accomodation does not have a TV, again info readily available to advise this. I understand that it may rain when we are there. I would hope that my husband and I will fill that time without the need of a television, even if it rained for a week. Fortunately I enjoy his company. I realise that not everyone will think Kuramathi island is the resort for them, which is great and I really do respect that. Please do not put blame on something/someone when most of the negative comments that have been made is the result of poor research or something well beyond the control of the resort. The information about this resort is available in abundance. They have a guest book on their website where other guests past, present and future will happily give advise, answer questions and even share some of their photos, so you can get an idea of the resort. Just lastly when you say, the staff not making you feel special, I will have to reserve judgement. I will however make every effort to ensure we give them respect to hopefully earn theirs. I fly out to Kuramathi in 15 days and cannot wait!

15. chrishardingham on 3rd Mar 2007

    Well said Gaster!
    We loved Kuramathi and are back there for two weeks from the end of March. Cannot wait!

16. Lambrias on 6th Mar 2007

    I have to admit being spoiled on the two other resorts in the Maldives that I went to. The fact that Kuramathi fell so short of my expectations prompted me to comment initially.
    I actually believe that pretty much all my discontent with the resort were in respect of factors within the control of the resort Management, and the tour operator.
    1. Sunbeds, can be bought for the cost of a cocktail at blue lagoon bar, the resort staff think they are not necessary, I think they are essential.
    2. Telling people that the holiday they had booked months before would be significantly changed 2 days before flying out is within the control of the resort staff. You give people no option 2 days before the flight if they are told at the last minute that the restaurant is to be knocked down.
    3. The excursions are specifically within the control of the resort’s management. Both other islands made profit on the 10 or so couples paying $20 a go for the Dhoni Fishing in the evening run by local Maldive fishermen. Kuramathi management consider licensing to a charter boat at $1500 a time is preferable. I and most of our friends there were incredibly disappointed by this excessive cost for a few hours fishing.
    4. The layout was within the control of those building the resort. They have missed the point completely. You sit on your veranda at coconut village and are faced with not only 10 or so other verandas but a path. Not only is there no privacy, it seems to have been specifically designed to make matters worse. The Water Bungalows are basically replacement beach bungalows as they cling to the side of the island, and after so much building work they forgot to build a pathway for the seaplane.
    5. All inclusive is not what it says on the tin. We specifically asked our travel agent if it could be used all over the island as we had on both other islands we had been to. We were told it could be, but it could not, so we were misinformed.
    6. TV’s, these days can be bought for the cost of a couple of cocktails at blue lagoon bar, the resort staff think they are not necessary, and maybe they are not to most people, but it can rain for days on end and any seasoned traveler will know how boring it can be when it rains so much.

17. neida on 28th Mar 2007

    I am visiting the island (staying at the Kuramathi village) in September this year, and I have been trying to get a feel for what people think. As yours is the only negative comment, I've taken a while to understand what exactly the problems were.
    
    Island facilities need to be upgraded periodically and there's little the resort can do to avoid this. I would say that being told only two days in advance is an issue you should take up with your travel agent. I certainly am not expecting the resort to get in touch with me beforehand - that's what the travel agent gets paid for. Seeing as they also lied to you about what all inclusive was (I have been told quite honestly from what I can tell) I'd say you should not use them again. I don't see either of these issues as a slur against the resort.
    
    The flight delay is an issue with the airline, and as for the weather; well, I'm sure it probably rained on the other islands in the Maldives at the same time. I haven't been to Kuramathi yet, but I doubt if this is a phenomenon restricted just to this island.
    
    I am guessing that the reason why you didn't find the island intimate and make friends is probably because you sat in your room bored and complaining about the lack of TV. For other people that will do that, these are valid comments, but I would personally spend such time in the bar or such other social environment, which will hopefully avoid both these issues.
    
    So, I think your complaints about the island boil down to:
    
    - a lack of sunbeds
    - there being a path between some of the rooms and the sea
    - children are allowed on the island
    - there is the option to travel up to a 15 minute walk away from your room if you so choose
    
    I will reserve giving my review until I've been there, but having got down to this, none of the above points really put me off.
    
    To save time in future it would be useful if you could limit comments to points about the resort itself, and not issues that should really be placed against travel agents/airlines/God. There are other forums on the web where those comments would be more appropriate.

18. Lambrias on 28th Mar 2007

    Point "Island facilities need to be upgraded periodically and there is little the resort can do to avoid this. I would say that being told only two days in advance is an issue you should take up with your travel agent.”
    
    My Answer: My recollection at the time was that the resort had only just told Kuoni by the resort, so the resort was at fault.
    
    Point: "I certainly am not expecting the resort to get in touch with me beforehand, that is what the travel agent gets paid for.”
    
    My Answer: This is what they did as apparently they had only just been told by the resort.
    
    Point: “Seeing as they also lied to you about what all inclusive was, I have been told quite honestly from what I can tell, I would say you should not use them again.”
    
    My Answer: I suggest you log on to the Kuramthi website or in fact do any other research to find out what all inclusive contains. You will be unable to find out. Furthermore having been to other islands in the Maldives where all-inclusive is used all over the island it was an expectation of mine.
    
    Point: “I don't see either of these issues as a slur against the resort.”
    
    My Answer: I am only telling the truth of what I found. You seem to take the truth of my points personally, almost akin to how an employee or agent of the resort would react. This is my impartial opinion not a dig at the resort.
    
    Point: ”The flight delay is an issue with the airline, and as for the weather; well, I'm sure it probably rained on the other islands in the Maldives at the same time. I haven't been to Kuramathi yet but I doubt if this is a phenomenon restricted just to this island.”
    
    My Answer: If you experience a two day delay to your dream holiday, you expect a little understanding from the staff at the resort when you finally arrive. The staff at Kuramathi forced us to pay to upgrade, when others were upgraded for free. As for the weather, most other resorts provide facilities to do things when it rains. Kuramathi was poor in this respect.
    
    Point: “I am guessing that the reason why you didn't find the island intimate and make friends is probably because you sat in your room bored and complaining about the lack of TV. For other people that will do that, these are valid comments but I would personally spend such time in the bar or such other social environment, which will hopefully avoid both these issues.”
    
    
    My answer: We didn’t complain once when we were there, though looking back we should have done. The trouble with spending time in the bar is that you rarely find people you have met in the day. This is like every other Maldive resort we have been to, as there is generally only one centre of entertaining. Furthermore, if you want to be a part of the entertaining that night you will often find your all-inclusive not valid.
    
    Points: So, I think your complaints about the island boil down to:
    
    Point: “a lack of sunbeds“
    My answer: Agreed
    
    Point: “there being a path between some of the rooms and the sea“
    My answer: No, being unable to relax on your veranda with a drink and the sea, as instead of this you have to share your table with hundreds of guests meandering by.
    
    Point: “children are allowed on the island“
    My answer: No, it is not a complaint, merely an observation necessary to set people on what to expect.
    
    Point: “there is the option to travel up to a 15 minute walk away from your room if you so choose”
    My answer: No, it is not an option. You either go without water or you walk. So be prepared to walk!
    
    Point: “I will reserve giving my review until I've been there but having got down to this, none of the above points really put me off.”
    
    My answer: If you book on to the Kuoni website today you will find this resort advertised for £599. It is this price despite the fact that a flight to Male is normally £500 or so. It is ridiculously cheap for a reason. All I try to tell people is to spend a little extra and go to a proper Maldive resort, rather than one that has so many drawbacks such as this one.
    
    Point: “To save time in future it would be useful if you could limit comments to points about the resort itself and not issues that should really be placed against travel agents/airlines/God. There are other forums on the web where those comments would be more appropriate.”
    
    My answer: As you can see each point you have made has been dissected and it is clear to any sensible person reading this that the problems are virtually all of the resort’s making. As for being told what to do and what not to do, as far as I am concerned I will persist in making my opinions known, if only to help others to make the correct decisions and avoid such a resort.
    
    In my opinion, you only really know how bad this resort is after you have been to other Maldive resorts. Only then do you have a basis for comparison.

19. neida on 29th Mar 2007

    I am not taking your points personally, I am just trying to get a genuine impression of the island which I have found hard to do because I think some of your comments are mixed up with issues that I really can't see are related to the resort.
    
    I have been to the Maldives before and we are visiting two islands this year. One of the reasons why we have chosen Kuramathi is because we want to experience a slightly larger island before going back to a smaller one for the second week. I think this will be a different experience, hence wanting to research it a bit more. For example, as this will be the only island I've been to with more than one resort, I doubted that all inclusive would apply throughout. Your suggestion to research what all inclusive includes wasn't necessary as this comment was on my travel agents' landing page for the resort:
    
    "All Inclusive:
    All meals: daily breakfast, lunch, dinner taken in the main table d’hôte restaurant at Kuramathi Village only. Drinks: house wine, spirits, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, selected cocktails, served in the main bar by the glass (excluding champagne/sparkling wine).
    Watersports Watersports: (subject to availability) include snorkelling, windsurfing.
    Other Excursions: including sunset cruise and shopping excursion to a local island. All taxes."
    
    Out of interest, I have just checked Kuoni's website, which is almost word for word the same: http://www.kuoni.co.uk/holiday/Africa_and_Indian_Ocean/Maldives/Kuramathi_Village/facilities.html - maybe this is a new addition to the site since you experienced your problem?
    
    From people's comments, the above statement seems to be correct but if not, I'd really appreciate you letting me know.
    
    As for Kuoni's excuse that they only just found out, you can't be the only person that they send there and I thought they were supposed to have a rep who visits the island? Seriously, if the resort demolished the restaurant overnight, without any prior warning and all of Kuoni's guests, up to that day, had full use of the restaurant, then that is a problem. If that is what you genuinely believed happened, then I would agree this is a cause for concern and would be interested in finding out more.
    
    Your point about upgrading has concerned me. I know that hotels all over the world provide free upgrades for various reasons, for example, lack of availability of the type of room that was booked, which I have received a few times myself. However, you seem to be saying that the resort forced you to pay for an upgrade against your will. Is this the case i.e. if you did not pay you would have nowhere to stay? I certainly don't want that to happen to me. However, if you upgraded out of choice, then I don't think you can complain if you then find out that others got upgraded for free, after the fact. That isn't me condemning your opinion, that is me expressing my opinion about what I think is a valid or invalid complaint, something which we may well disagree on.
    
    I'm not going to comment on every point, as you are certainly entitled to your opinion. My previous comment was more expressing how useful and relevant I think some of your opinions were and again, we may well disagree on that.
    
    The one last point from your latest comment that concerned me though, was that you were forced to walk 15 minutes in order to get some water. The island is just over 1 km long and as other people have commented, you can walk the length of the island in 15 to 20 minutes. Are you saying that the only fresh water is available at the other end of the island to the rooms in the village? If I decide to wander the island, then I am happy to walk back for a drink, or bring some water with me, but I am hoping that water is available at the local bar, as the all inclusive description says.
    
    If you could answer the above queries that would be great. Like I have said above, I am not trying to criticize your opinions, just trying to get down to the points that really affect the resort. From observation, I think some of your more recent posts in particular seem very defensive, which is possibly why the underlying points are not getting across. Certainly if the concerns I have queried above are genuine then they are something that people should know. However, I haven't seen those points made yet, in your previous posts, which may be why people have generally been disagreeing with you.
    
    Thanks for your help!

20. Lambrias on 30th Mar 2007

    Point: "All Inclusive: All meals: daily breakfast, lunch, dinner taken in the main table d’hôte restaurant at Kuramathi Village only. Drinks: house wine, spirits, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, selected cocktails, served in the main bar by the glass (excluding champagne/sparkling wine). Water sports: (subject to availability) include snorkeling, windsurfing. Other Excursions: including sunset cruise and shopping excursion to a local island. All taxes."
    
    My Answer: All I can say is that I cannot recall the specific reference to Village when we booked 2 years ago now.
    
    Point: “As for Kuoni's excuse that they only just found out, you can't be the only person that they send there and I thought they were supposed to have a rep who visits the island? Seriously, if the resort demolished the restaurant overnight, without any prior warning and all of Kuoni's guests, up to that day, had full use of the restaurant, then that is a problem.”
    
    My Answer: I was told by Kuoni on the Thursday or Friday before flying out on the Sunday, by way of a telephone call to my mobile phone, whilst at work at around 11am. At this stage, both myself and my partner had arranged holiday days from work and could not rearrange. I called ABTA to complain and they made reference to my call and agreed this was sufficient variation to demand a refund. Kuoni would not give me a full refund, only a choice of switching to another doubly expensive resort. As it was half term week there was no other availability. As we had set our hearts on going and as we could not rearrange time off, we decided to go but Kuoni were stubborn and said we had to eat in the coffee shop, not the restaurant, so I paid to upgrade to Coconut Village.
    When I got there, there had been so many complaints that many others were upgraded to the Water Villas for free. I was livid, as I had paid to upgrade to something inferior and all those that complained more than me got a free upgrade to a Cottage.
    
    Point: The one last point from your latest comment that concerned me though, was that you were forced to walk 15 minutes, in order to get some water. The island is just over 1 km long and as other people have commented, you can walk the length of the island in 15 to 20 minutes. Are you saying that the only fresh water is available at the other end of the island to the rooms in the village? If I decide to wander the island, then I am happy to walk back for a drink or bring some water with me but I am hoping that water is available at the local bar, as the all inclusive description says.
    
    My Answer: It takes at least 30 minutes to walk from one end of the island to the other. Your all inclusive cannot be used. You have to pay, as you are in another resort. The other choice is to walk back and avoid paying the $5 or whatever it is for the water.

21. the netster on 18th Jun 2007

    We have been to Kuramathi Village five times now, the first time being in 2001 and it has always had an explanation of any restrictions that apply to the all inclusive deal on the Kuoni website and in the booking/confirmation advice.
    Your comments/opinions are absolutely ridiculous! The motto of Kuramathi, also in the brochure and website is 'no news no shoes', wouldn't that tell you there is no TV? We have already booked our next holiday to Kuramathi. I'm sure Kuramathi will get by without you returning there, as many other people so obviously love to do, go elsewhere!

22. Lambrias on 20th Jun 2007

    We have been to the Maldives three times now and Kurmathi was far and beyond the worst resort of the three we visited.
    
    Look on any website or go to any travel agent and you will find that Kuramathi is easily the cheapest resort in the Maldives.
    
    Forget what other people post on this site, they appear to have their own agenda, Kuramthi is the cheapest for a reason. It is easily the worst resort of the three I have visited.
    
    My advice has always been for visitors to spend just a little more as it is more than worth it.
    
    Unfortunately, there are too many people here with their own agenda, which has nothing to do with being impartial or in being analytical about the points I've raise.

23. philcd on 30th Dec 2007

    Hello All
    
    I've been looking at several sites for info on The Maldives, including reviews. All the comments here have been most helpful in helping me choose my resort to visit. You could do worse than have a look at www.the-complete-maldives-holiday-guide.com They don't do holidays, but they do have information in abundance that I've found helpful.
    Regards all and Happy New Year
    Phil

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