Maayafushi Beach Bungalow, North Ari Atoll

GO! It's well worth it! We had a fantastic time in the Maldives! We took our 10 year old, she was so well looked after it made our holiday everything was so clean and fresh, the food was great. "Big Bellys" is the order of the day. Nothing was to much trouble, the staff left you alone. It was great!

Our stay at Maayafushi in the Maldives was amazing; the perfect honeymoon. We stayed in a beach bungalow, which was comfortable and really clean. It was cleaned every day, and we had our sheet turned down and folded into nice patterns every night. The palm tree in the bathroom was interesting, though watch out for those ants at night! There weren't any mosquitoes whatsoever, but I did get a couple of ant bites - but after that we were on to them!

The bungalow was 10 feet from the sea, which was so clear! The room comes with 2 sun loungers, which we were able to drag to other areas of the island if we wanted. Our stretch of beach was used by us and 4 other couples, so there was loads of room, and it often felt like our own private paradise.

All the staff were really friendly, polite and helpful, especially the bar waiter, and the man in the coffee shop (would help you out if you were losing at a game of cards!) and our waiter. At meal times we sat at a table with 3 other British couples, which we found to be great, as we were with really nice people (hi all). Personally, we thought the food was brilliant - there was lots of choice: curry, pasta, risotto, soup, all as buffet starters, and then meat and fish and vegetables followed by buffet desserts (profiteroles were the best). There was also a barbecue night, Italian night and Maldivian night once a week (we saved ourselves for this all day as the curries and samosas etc were lovely). Breakfast is fruit, pastries, sandwiches, sausages, toast and omelette's made to order in front of you.

We found the entertainment to be great. Admittedly, we didn't go on any trips, but the watersports centre had lots of good activities for you to use. There are regular snorkeling trips, night-fishing trips, and a trip to a local fisherman island - women need clothes that will cover shoulders to below knees for this. Nightly there was Luca on electric guitar and singing - really entertaining, after the first week you get over the mispronunciation of all the English words! The shows/activities in the evening were still entertaining, as it gave us something to have a laugh about if nothing else! Look out for 'The Hoff' as head of the animation team, who looks a lot like a certain Baywatch star.

Advice: Don't need travel adapters. Make sure you have enough cash for tips (bags being carried, cleaner etc), everything else you can put on your room - watch out in the shop as there is a service charge on everything. The massages are great! If you're going to snorkel (which is great as the water is so clear and you can see lots of pretty fishes), I'd take your own rather than hire - $45 for 12 days. Don't be lazy like us and take drinks out of the mini-bar and pay, as you're only ever a 30 second walk away from the bar/coffee shop where it's free! Make sure you see the staff playing their nightly volleyball game (around 6pm behind coffee shop) - it will blow you away, and if you feel game enough, play them at the weekly staff v. guests match. Drinks after midnight you have to pay for. You don't need long trousers etc as it says in many brochures. We didn't wear shoes for 2 weeks, as it's quite informal (though make sure you don't go into bar/restaurant in just your swimwear).

After the best 2 weeks, we would definitely return to Maayafushi.

You have to see the Maayafushi Beach Bungalow in the Maldives. The photo's don't do it justice. You do not need any travel plugs as they are in the room. There were no mosquitoes. I would definitely go back, but not with Monarch Airlines.

All in all the island was like being in Paradise. The Maayafushi beach bunglows were clean (cleaned twice a day) and you walk straight out of your room onto the beach. You don't need to take much cash as everything on the island that is not included goes on your room and you pay at the end. All you need cash for is tips and spening money at the airport! Hairdriers are supplied in each room and you do not need to pack any towels at all. All the staff are really friendly and do not try to force trips or anything on you. The entertainment seems to be on everyone's bad points list and although it is not really very good it is not as bad as it is made out to be and anyway there is always something else to do rather than sit through it i.e. take some drinks back to your room and sit on the terrace

We had a great holiday at the Maayafushi Beach Bungalow in the Maldives. We are going back in 2007, as soon as we can book for 3 weeks.

Maayafushi Beach Bungalow:

An amazing resort, perfect for R 'n' R. sea life is excellent, both on house reef for snorkelling and diving. Staff are very attentive yet not in your face, service is incredible.