Don't go near this Meedhupparu Beach Bungalow.

The Maldives are wonderful but this island is to be avoided at all costs.

If you are planning a trip to the Maldives, don't go to the Meedhapparu Beach. If you have booked here, change it! My husband and I have visited the Maldives before and know what to expect from a resort, only last time we went to a three star resort and this one is supposed to be four.

Here's why we don't recommend this island:

Two of our party of four became seriously ill. The doctor said it was due to the raw sewage floating in the sea, we also saw this for ourselves.

The sea defences, whilst necessary, do not have to be constructed of sharp rocks covered with broken, rusty fence wire. This would cause a nasty injury in the so-called barefoot paradise.

There were giant cockroaches in our rooms. The island provided us with a noxious spray that only killed them when sprayed very generously.

The staff on the island clearly only care if you are a guest in the 5* water villas.

The fine dining restaurant serves food that is inedible and of a lower standard than that served in the main canteen.

The island does not have a house reef and the coral is all dead. There are some fish but snorkelling is made difficult by the fact that you have to jump from a jetty and then swim back to shore, a distance of about 150m in most places.

We got changed to Vilamendhoo after a week because Meedhupparu was so horrible. Vilamendhoo was a breath of fresh air.

About the Resort:
Guest mix is typical, mostly Germans and English though there is a growing number of Russians too. Staff in general is courteous and helpful, though the bar staff at the main restaurant can be a little slow. Go for the grill bar instead if you like a more romantic atmosphere. Did not notice many children, mainly couples.

There are water bungalows available but they are pricey. I was told they are quite posh, you get your own butler, plasma cable TV / DVD player, sound system and jacuzzi. This may suit some folks who cannot get away from the comforts of city life.

The spa seems to be popular too, though we have not tried it. We were too busy doing the things we cannot do back home like diving, snorkeling and lazing on the beach.

Cash is only relevant towards the end when you have to tip the staff. USD is still the preferred currency though the GBP and EURO is also acceptable.

About the food:
Go for all-inclusive, no buts about it. The main restaurant has different themes every day of the week (Italian, Maldivian, Chinese, grill), though the dishes still look suspiciously similar. Ive got no complaints over the food, it is decent and plentiful. I was worried about a lack of water due to previous reviews about the Maldives in general. No worries over this, water is plentiful.

If you are bored with the main restaurant food, there are other restaurants though you will have to pay. We tried the lobster dinner and fine dining. Both met expectations.

About the Dive Centre:
New operators are fantastic. They do offer PADI courses and the ratio of instructors to students is low, so you get adequate attention. Equipment is new. Divemasters are fine but you must tell them what you want or are uncomfortable about. Personally I like their style.

For the divers, there is loads to see though it is not for macro enthusiasts. Mostly manta rays, we encountered one just by the jetty on the way back from diving! They say that the diving centre will publish their website soon. Prices are similar to other Maldivian resorts with options like 6 day consecutive, no limit dives and a full day trip with 3 dives in another neighbouring Atoll.

An amazing place. The sea-plane transfer was an experience and the waiting time was less that an hour. Upon getting to the island you were greeted on the jetty, escorted to reception and given drinks and ice cold face cloths. You were then given your rooms and escorted to them. Rooms were clean and basic but when you open your terrace doors the view is breathtaking and we were on the side that is suffering with the erosion problem.
Dining room food selection was always excellent and even the fussiest eater would not starve. you are allocated your table for the duration of your holiday and our waiter was superb and was always smiling.
Bar area was again excellent, as were the staff. Cocktails were a bit dodgy, so I wouldn't bother but all the inclusive drinks were good anyway. All the mixers were branded, so that made a difference.
Beaches were superb but if you walk in the water, take water shoes because the coral gets washed up and I got a couple of nasty cuts.
Try Water Villas, pay and do as many nights that you can. An amazing experience, from having your own butler to the fine dining experience, breakfast in bed any time that you want, jacuzzi on the terrace, glass viewing panels, stunning bathroom, greeted with a decent bottle of champagne whilst our butler ran the jacuzzi for us. It was awesome.
Do the Adam and Eve massage package and have a blissful 2 1/2 hours of pampering with your partner and two lovely Balinese masseuses who really know their stuff, do the coconut spa massages rather than the others that are advertised because the experience is superior.
Finally, enjoy and come back so chilled out that you will soon be at the travel agents to book another Maldives island holiday!

I would absolutely recommend Meedhupparu resort in The Maldives. It was the best holiday I've had yet. It offered a relaxed, private and friendly atmosphere. The staff are the most friendly and courteous people I've ever met. If you're looking to get away from it all, go there!

It is hard to find another holiday that would match up to this one. I am dying to go back, and I'm already saving up to go back for my 21st!!

The good things about the Meedhupparu Beach Bungalows in the Maldives definitely outweigh the bad. I certainly would recommend it to anyone, and I would go back again, as I returned home very chilled and relaxed. There are some fantastic views of paradise!

The charter trip and the waiting for the sea plane was an inauspicious start, but the sea plane ride - those views! - and hopping onto the beach sooned cheered the day up. The weather was perfect, the sea an impossible aquamarine, the views terrific, the gardens well maintained, and the Meedhupparu Beach Bungalow staff very, very courteous.
The food was generally very good, but if you want better I recommend the fine dining at least once - worth every penny of the quite reasonable price. Even the wine was a decent Chablis (it came nearly as far as we did).
The accom' was also pretty first rate, though the outside bathroom thing was a little odd at first (and with no aircon you didn't want to spend long in there), but you got used to it.
The fact that we had our own pathway to the beach, which was largely empty, was the real clincher. Unforgettable and unquestionably the best destination for the holiday of its type. And this is from someone who doesn't dive.

Difficult to envisage how on earth I will ever holiday anywhere now.

Had a great time at Meedhupparu Beach Bungalow but it did rain for 4 of the 7 days.
All inclusive package is not up to the Carribbean standard.
All inclusive food is only in the main dining hall, all other bars the food has to be paid for.
If you want a cocktail you will hav to pay for it.
All water sports have to be paid for as well.
Take your own snorkelling gear it is cheaper than hiring it.

Meedhupparu is a Large island but just meant more of a good thing! About 1/2 hour walk round island. Stunning, almost deserted wide white powder beaches and natural house reefs around whole island. So many wonderful fish, turtles etc on house reef, didn't feel need to scuba (recommend hiring snorkel fins and masks for stay - high standard aprox $15 pppw). Interior of island included winding 'secret paths'(short cuts) which were magical when lit at night, as well as main walkways. All rooms and communal areas quality built - hardwood floors indoor and out kept feet sand free while eating/relaxing. Massive range of foods at breakfast, lunch and dinner catered for Italian, French, and English palettes as well as healthy Ayuverdic options and Maldivian delicacies. All inclusive spirits/mixers etc were well known brands. Definitely appreciated being only resort in Atoll - very exclusive feel to holiday. Almost Mozzy free. Fruit bats a hoot. Many of holiday makers repeat visitors to Maldives, said would definitely return to this island. Can't wait to go again ourselves, but 2 weeks a must next time!