South Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo

The island is lovely. Beautiful beach bungalows set on the waters edge. The accommodation is standard, but spacious and clean. This was our third trip to the island in a 12 month period. We were given a fantastic room at Vilamendhoo in the Maldives, with a beautiful beach area. The Reception staff were very helpful upon arrival.

We were allocated a Room Boy who could not speak very good English. This made communication difficult, especially when it came to ordering drinks for the mini bar. However, in saying this, the room boy kept the room spotless and we had no complaints.

On a general note, most Superior/Deluxe bungalows are set in a lovely location close to the waters edge. You have a little beach space all to yourself, or you may have to share with no more than two other holiday makers. This is nice, especially if you like your privacy. Don't book a standard room. You will be extremely disappointed. They are disgusting, and the gardens they are set in are not pleasant.

We met some very nice local workers including a Waiter from the Main Bar who chatted to us every night. He made our stay most welcoming. Also, the man from the Restaurant was a very pleasant chap, who couldn't do enough for us. We chatted with a very friendly diver who was very interesting and informative. The only problem we found was with a couple of the Waiters from the Sunset Bar, one of the two bars in the resort. On our first night we waited 40 minutes to be served. After we ordered drinks, three other couples were served before us, despite arriving after us. We sat in darkness at the beach table whilst the other couples tables were lit with a candle. We were most annoyed this night, and we left very disappointed. I can only imagine that some of the workers are not keen to serve female holiday makers, and prefer to wait on men. The service at the Sunset bar improved after this night. This factor alone is enough to make me think twice about booking up for Vilamendhoo in the future.

We were informed a Senior Waiter about a new trip to a sandbank, which involved being taken by boat, and being served lunch and drinks by a Waiter of your choice. The trip was not advertised, but when we enquired about it, our booking was taken and confirmed. We were very excited about this trip, but we were advised on the morning of the trip that it had been cancelled. No reason was given for this. The Guest Relations Officer was most unpleasant about giving a reason for the cancellation.

There is entertainment on 3 nights. A live band play twice a week and they are worth seeing, and they are extremely good. A twosome playing guitar sing on another night. There is also a crab race for anyone interested in this kind of entertainment. Other than that, you may meet another couple in one of the bars on the island.

The food is very good - Buffet style, there is plenty of fish and curry on offer. I didn't meet anyone who did not enjoy the food.

I was told that the Island is now trying to cater for younger people. This means that it is coming down market. I wouldn't recommend this island unless you are a couple who like to retire to your bed early at night, or someone who likes to read a book on your porch at night.

Our last day was spoiled by the attitude of the Guest Relations Officer. After settling our bill the previous evening, he approached us in front of people on the day of our departure, demanding that we still had a bill to settle. He refused to tell us what is was for, and he frog marched us to Reception. We were then given an invoice for our room bar for an item which we had used earlier in the week, and that Reception had forgotten to include the night we were settling the bill. The balance of the invoice was around 3.50 dollars. For this sum, my friend and I were made to feel like criminals. We were most displeased and told this Guest Relations Officer that we would not return to the island because of the treatment. He laughed in our faces and mumbled something in Divihi.

We arrived in Vilamendhoo on the 30th of October. The weather was not good. There were many rain storms that lasted all day. If you intend to visit the island, it would be a good idea to leave it until January or February.

I don't intend to return to Vilamendhoo, as the new management have made changes to staffing that were a big disappointment. I think that our third visit will definitely be the last.

On the whole, Vilamendhoo is a lovely little island in the Maldives, set in a beautiful location.

It is a holiday for people who can make their own entertainment, but dining in the one restaurant is a joy, as the food is truly wonderful. The Germans take up a lot of the waiters time (I hear they are big tippers), but other than that, you can spend a good couple of hours enjoying good food and fine wine. There is arranged entertainment on a couple of evenings, but on the whole, the most satisfying thing about this island is being able to stroll from your beach bungalow, located on the waters edge, and enjoy a glass of wine on your lounger, whilst watching the sun set over the beautiful waters.

If you like to feel totally free and don't mind being alone, then this is the holiday for you.