Bandos Island Reviews

NOt much that hasn't already been said. It is a magical location and the staff are really friendly and helpful. We went half board but I would consider BB because we are light eaters and could have managed on the smaller meals. That said, the variety and quality of the food was really good. We tried a couple of the other restaurants. The Maldivian style tuna was the cheapest item on the menu and would have fed an army. The waiter had to explain to me how to eat it. Very yummy.

To get the most out of the holiday, you have to be into snorkelling/diving because that's were it really excels. There is a new, huge swimming pool with bar.

We had a junior suite but would probably go for a standard room next time. They seem to be on a more accessible beach, especially for kids.

We went on a short trip to Male' you have a guide, they don't seem to encourage you to do you own thing. The souvenir shops are a bit of a rip-off, the Bandos shop is as cheap unles you are a super-haggler.

Drinks are a bit pricey. I drank Tiger beer at $3.50 and my wife knocked back cocktails at $OMG. You just have to accept that you are on holiday. There is a Happy Hour at the Sundowners Bar 5:30 - 6:30 watch the sunset. Then over to the Sand Bar for their Happy our 6 - 7. Then dinner. They serve non-stop popcorns at the Sand Bar. Also, if you are going straight to dinner, you can get your drinks at the Happy Hour and take them with you. Saves 25%.

We finished off the holiday with a Sunset Cruise, which was really a dolphin hunt. Saw more dolphins than you could shake several sticks at and the let me drive the boat home. A great end to a smashing holiday.

Bandos really does cater well for kids of all ages. The different nationalities did seem to mix well.

Monarch seats are cramped and on the way out, we had window seat but now window. Row 9 - avoid it if possible. My wife is disabled and we asked for assistance. At Male' they did too much for us - jumping the queues, which was embarrassing but nobody minded. If we had waited for the wheelchair at Manchester, we would probably still be there, so we had a very long walk though the airport. Speaks volumes!!!

BANDOS Island is the paradise you imagine. We went for 1 week, and had sun every day (with a lovely cooling breeze on the beach). The place was quiet (only about 1/3 full I reckon) and the staff superb. If you are a couple, even with young families, this place is highly recommended. See www bandos com for their own island website

the direct flight was about 9.5 hrs on the way to Male from London, and 11.5 hrs on the way back (bloody headwinds). I fly every month to various places, and it was a long flight in economy, but I must say that overall the Monarch flight was good. This flight is used by Cosmos and Kuoni. NB There is also a First Choice direct flight (used by Hayes and Jarvis too) and this was delayed by about 20 hours. You choose!!

on arrival in Male, we were the only couple travelling to Bandos (possibly because the other flight was delayed). The staff were courteous and the 15min speedboat transfer was a pleasure. We were met off the boat and immediately given a free welcome drink.

the Island isn't huge - about 500m in diameter, so a casual 20 min walk all round, but it doesn't feel claustrophobic at all

the standard rooms are lovely. The bathroom looked new, the aircon was effective, and the TV had football on live(Crystal Palace of course)!

No need to take beach towels - they are provided (and replaced each day)

Insects were non-existent. Not sure if it was the time of year, the island, or what, but only saw about 2 flies all week and had no bites at all (whereas normally I'm their main target)

Snorkelling is superb, and you see about as much as diving e.g. you get to see octopus, loads of colourful fish, barracuda and even small sharks (not a threat, but it did make me jump)

Food in the buffet style restaurant was of excellent quality and a large variety. We went half-board, but ate in tried other restaurants on 3 days (they give you a 10% discount so you don't waste your money)

ALL of the island staff were genuinely friendly. I'm a cynical Londoner, but could not fault any of them

Once you are over there, everything is priced in US Dollars. You only really need to take about US$50 in cash (for a few extra tips), and once on the island everything is charged to your room, and settled by credit card etc at the end. Easy and avoids you carrying cash.

The cheapest package I saw was £620 BandB for a week in Feb/March, although we ended up going half-board
Local prices - Beers US$3.5, Bottle of Wine US$20-40, Bottle of Water US$2, Champagne US$100 (we only had one with lobster!!). Snorkelling equipment US$6 per day. 10% service charge is added to everything.

Clothes - During the day, it's just beachwear, so some shorts, a pair of beach shoes and a few T-shirts for breakfast are fine. In the evening you only need a little bit more e.g. some posher shirts to wear with your shorts. There is no point in bringing smart shoes (but try telling your lady that)

There's free internet access on the island

The even entertainment wasn't quite the same as London e.g. crab racing. But that's not why you go here!

We went Parasailing . Quite expensive at US$55 for about 25mins, although good to say you've done it. The non-local (German I believe) boat owner was the only person we saw who was not overly friendly, but he's NOT one of the staff

My other half thought the night fishing was very good. This could be because she caught 3 large fish, and I just managed to haul in a small goldfish. It starts at sunset, and you only fish for about 45mins with a reel of wire and a hook (not rods etc). You then head off to a nearby uninhabited island where the catch is cooked along with loads of other food. It is an excellent trip.

The Maldives are superb, and Bandos is an excellent part of it.

This is the most impressive place you will ever see and I have seen them all....

We traveled monarch we were delayed for 4 hours going and two on the way back. We could not get upgrade to premier on the way there but did on the way back it cost us £450 to upgrade on the way back and it was the best money spent as the normal economy reminded me of the old vc10 flights I took as a kid to Africa in the 70's with one tv for all to watch suspended from the ceiling of the plane. Seats quite tight also. Premium gave you what all other operators are giving away as standard with lcd seat top tv's and wider seats.

This was the second time we visited Bandos and it was a pure pleasure as we chose to have a jacoozi beach villa which are better positioned for everything, more luxurious and very very attractive.

We ate, drank and had a great time but it was cheaper than we thought ( three course meal, drinks and amazing surroundings for only about £40 a time for all 3 of us ).

Forget the other holiday destinations in the world - I have seen them and they do not come near this tropical island in the middle of the indian ocean which takes 25 mins to walk round.