Lily Beach Reviews

Everything good written about Lily Beach has been written before but I just wanted to say that this was my first trip to the Maldives and my husband and I are going back again this June, but this time for two weeks.

I was really terrfiied of getting into a seaplane and we flew into a storm which was quite scary, but I was so suprised to learn how smooth the plane landed in the sea! (But make sure you wear ear plugs, it is very noisy when flying) On the way home, I really enjoyed the flight, filmed the journey and took loads of photos of the island and especially when we were landing in Male. (The photo albums at Male airport are $23 BTW where as other places they can be a lot more expensive)

Before we went to Lily Beach, people had said to us, ";You'll be bored in the Maldives, there's nothing much to do there"; but Gen and I found that our days were packed solid! A typical day would start at 8am to get ready for breakfast. Loads of different foods to choose from, (do try the chocolate bread if they are still making it!) After breakfast it would be back to the villa to splash on the suntan cream, then down to the turtle farm to see them being fed. After that, we would take a snorkle/swim in the sea and then take a paddle boat around the island. A nice shower in our garden bathroom, then it would be time for lunch. More snorkelling and a walk around the island. Read some of a book in the afternoon and then get ready for sunset before dinner. We would go to the end of the island, quite close to the turtle farm to watch the sun setting (with a glass of wine) and watch the staff play a very civilised game of football. They seem all to be wearing football shirts of the world so this might make a good present to take over for your Room Attendant. If we didn't watch the sun setting, then we would sit by the pool cafe and chat to ther people before making our way down to dinner. Afterwards we would head down to the bar and chat with the other holiday makers. It was just so lovely to sit by the gorgeous sea and chat the night away with a glass of rosé wine (You will probably notice that the rosé is much better than the white wine and lots of other guests are drinking this.) Then it's time for the fish to be fed. This is an amazing sight with the stingrays fighting and growling like dogs!

We found at about 11pm that we would be ready for bed after such a hard day on this island. If this kind of day doesn't appeal to you then, it's probably not the holiday to go on. I loved it here, I really enjoyed talking to the people that we met in particular, Craig and Amy from Essex and Al and Michelle from Manchester and we wished that we had exchanged email addresses with them. I loved the staff at Lily Beach, really down to earth people and they would do anything to help you. The Sri Lankan and Indian chef from Madras took a particular shine to my husband when he wore his Australian cricket shirt as they are really into cricket in a big way. However, some of the staff on reception were not as friendly, but they weren't rude either, just a bit indifferent. They would still help you out though.

Some days it poured with rain then it would be OK to go out again! The weather in June can be a bit changeable so do be prepared. My husband and I had a water villa and we loved watchng the storms from our bed. The lightening would light up the island across from Lily Beach and was very entertaining for us! We also loved all the creatures of Lily Beach, the fish, the turtles, hermit crabs (I loved filming them coming out of their shell!), the white crabs by the sea edge and the bigger crabs at night time running across the island. One night I went to say good night to the turtles and when I turned around, there were about 20 bigger crabs running towards me on the short pier. I screamed in fright (silly girl) and they all ran away, more frightened of me than I was of them! I also loved the gheckos and the fruit bats but never got a photo of the latter (I will next time) And for the turtles, well, you cant help but love them!!!

Lastly, I would just say for meal times, if you are vegetarian, then there is still plenty of choice as we are not red meat eaters and still found a wide range of food to choose from each meal time. If you see Snake God on the menu, don't worry it completely vegetrarian as Snake God is a vegetable, much to our suprise. And don't be afraid to take any of the beautifully presented fruits which are cut into flowers, they are not there just for display, the chefs would like you to eat them. The tiramisu is to die for. On Sundays down at the pool cafe, they do vegetable spring rolls and they are divine.

If you have booked your trip to Lily Beach, then I am sure you will love it there and who knows you may be one of the 40% of return customers. Hope you have a great time there like we did.

Flight from Glasgow to Dubai, Dubai to Male with Emirates, Fabulous service, comfort and level of in-flight entertainment for an economy flight. Transfer to Lily Beach 25 minutes by seaplane.

Lily Beach is only 550 mtrs by 100 mtrs and can be walked around in less than 10 mins. We stayed in a superior room which is virtually right down on the beach.

the accommodations is immaculate and is cleaned twice a day by your room boy. Towels are changed daily as are the bed sheets. the rooms are fuly airconditioned and have a half open air bathroom which takes a day or two to get used to. There is also a small fridge in room.

Beach towels are provided and can be changed as often as requested, towels are also provided at the pool area.

Each bungalow has its own sunbeds on the beach which are numbered to correspond with your room, however they can be moved to where ever you choose.

Accommodation is on an all inclusive basis and includes watersports,snorkling gear,one free trip, one free spa visit, daily selection of cocktails as well as all alchoholic drinks,bottled water, snacks etc.

The food is all buffet style and is wonderful, very varied choice for each meal, even the most fussy of eaters would be hard pushed not to find something that they like.Once allocated a table you sit at the same table and have the same waiter for the duration of your stay. the waiters were very attentive and always smiling - although they never seem to get a day off.

The island is very informal and is definately no news, no shoes as the restaurant and bar areas have sand floors. Entertanment is very low key, but then we didn't go there looking to be entertained.

If you are looking for a little part of paradise then go to Lily Beach.

Would we go back? in a minute!

We had the most wonderful holiday on Lily Beach. Having been to six other islands it really seemed to have the edge on the others. We felt at home as soon as we got there. So much so that we have booked for 2007!

The food was excellant. I even ate the curries, which I don't normally do when on holiday, even having seconds! The staff were superb, and work so hard. Nothing was too much trouble and they always had a smile for you.

Do try the night fishing. We went three times and had some good cathes (and lots of laughs), which they cooked for us the following night. The oily grouper was wonderful! Snorkelling was very good and you didn't need to go too far out to see an abundance of marine life. I even swam with the turtles one day. Also try a pedalo trip round the island where if you go just to the edge of the reef you get the most wonderful array of fish swimming below you and jumping out of the water.

In conclusion, a lovely well kept island which I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone.

having booked our holiday/honeymoon, with kippax travel west yorkshire. only two week before. lily beach in the maldives was true paridise. the staff were so friendly and the attention to detail was next to none.
any couple wanting total quality time together should try love on the sandbank this trip is by far the most romanitic experience any couple could wish for. we can not wait to return to this island.
julie and peter feb 2006

Transfer from Male to Lily Beach by seaplane, we had to pay excess bagage, this was winter cloths and Airport purchases so go careful. Good house reef, diving and accommodation. Lily Beach is tierd and well past it's sell by date, it's needs a good refubishment. Food very often cold, not much variety.

The cost of a holiday here is charged at 4* prices but we would rate it as no more than 2*. We were very disapointed and couldn't wait to leave. We will not book a holiday with this Operator again.