Meeru Island Resort Reviews

We booked through key2holidays on the internet but flew with First Choice, with the 33 inch seats - it did make a difference and no complaints with the flight other than there were 7 seats across, arranged 2,3,2 and we only got a window seat as we got to Gatwick far too early - all the others had been booked before hand. The only trouble with not booking with a big holiday company was that there was no welcome meeting for us. A man met us a Male airport, gave us his business card, said 'call me if you need help' and unbeknown to us we were virtually on our own thereafter. We just latched onto the First Choice travellers though and all was fine.

We booked a water bungalow in the adult-only Meeru Village. When we got there our accomodation was double booked and the first night we had to stay in a standard room, which was OK but basic - they gave us a voucher for the Asian Wok restaurant, a discount off a massage and obviously some money back. They offered for us to go to Bandos instead for 2/3 nights as an alternative but we were very tired when we arrived and could not be bothered to get back on the speedboat for 40 mins. The speedboat was OK by the way - not exactly luxury by any means but quite a big boat and adequate.

We loved the water bungalow. We could not understand why the Jacuzzi Water Villas were more expensive. We felt we had the best of both worlds - the front stilts were in the shallow water and the back was on the beach. In the jacuzzi water villas you had to walk down quite a long board walk to get to the beach and the water at the end of your ladder was quite deep - one lady had to move from a JWV as the current is quite strong in that area and not being a strong swimmer, she didnt feel comfortable. Also, the boardwalk was extremely hot on your feet - you do need shoes if you are staying here. Apparently, the bedroom is bigger in the water bungalow too. The water bungalows are detached and the JWVs are terraced.

Regarding the current near the JWVs, I am quite a strong swimmer and did have a mini panic attack here one day. One man had to be rescued. Please note, however, that there are a row of white buoys joined by rope that would prevent you from being washed our to sea (noone told us - we just happened to see it on a sign, in small writing). I would like to say though that the rest of the lagoon is maximum waist deep, very safe and like a bath - another reason why we couldnt understand why you would want to pay extra for a jacuzzi!

The water bungalow had remote control air con, hi fi, TV, tea/coffee/kettle, 4 poster bed, cleaned twice a day, towels for bath and beach, 2 sun terraces (one in the shade), comfy wooden sun beds and were in a quiet area. Please note too that they have now built a new restaurant down that end, so it was only a 5 minute or less walk to dinner. Dont be alarmed by the open air bathroom. All the sanitaryware is actually under cover, it is only the end of the bathroom which is open-air and the walls are all concrete. there were virtually no bugs and only a couple of hermit crabs in the bathroom!

I got 4 mozzy bites and saw no flies and hardly any insects.

We went all inclusive. The restaurant is open 7.00-9.30, 12.30-2 and 7.9.30 and we didnt have to share a table with anyone, noone had to share in our restaurant. The food buffet style and fabulous. They also had a 'live' station each mealtime - where you could have eggs, pancakes and pasta cooked for you. Also, in the afternoon you could go for tea and cakes - 2 huge slabs each if you can fit it in! I drink bacardi and whatever they gave me was a very good fake.

I reckon they have sorted out any problems with service (see the reviews in 2003 and 2004) as we had no problems whatsoever. We did learn a couple of Maldavian words though, which went down a treat.

The bar in Meeru Village had lovely, big, wide, wooden chairs, with soft cushions where you could look out to sea, or up at the stars. At the other end of the village, where you got the standard rooms and land villas the seats had no cushions, which did hurt your backside after a couple of hours. Also in that area it was more noisy and that is where all the entertainment went on - not that the entertainment was hugely noisy. The entertainment was pretty low-key and we thought pretty rubbish - we didnt mind as we were so chilled - dont go to Meeru Island for entertainment!

Hi-light of the holiday was when I saw an octupus! I saw it just when it was getting dark about 6.30pm, by the coral in front of the Meeru Village restaurant. We snorkelled every day except one. The fish were fantastic but I was disappointed with the coral as most of it was dead and therefore not very colourful. We saw moray eels, rays, baby sharks and other weird and wonderful creatures. The other reviews didnt mention that the sharks were only less than a metre long and I presume relatively harmless - but I dont know that for definite. We took snorkels but hired fins for about $3 a day each.

My only word of warning is that if you stay in the standard rooms or land villas there is a sewage pipe on that side of the island and the water was murky and frothy at the edge, one day out of the seven we were there. I would have been gutted if I had been on that part of the island. It smelt too.

The weather was mainly sunny and rained all day one day - not being sunbathers we didnt mind. I have had skin cancer and would still highly recommend this holiday. I did get burnt after 10 mins though wearing factor 30! Most of the time I wore a factor 50 rash vest, especially when snorkelling. You can buy them in surf shops.

Take a torch - we only used this on the first night when we got a bit lost. There were 2 very brief power cuts one night though. We also took lilos to float on the lagoon but you could buy them there.

We absolutely cannot wait to again.

Further to my earlier review, I have now remembered that the JWVs werent in fact terraced, they were kinda link detached (I think).

So I hope I didnt put you off!

Hi all

well we have now settled back to ";cold life"; as we arrived back on the 28th Dec........

Here is our report.

First Choice Star Premium Upgrade:
The flight out was brilliant with a champagne and fruit warm up to the flight...followed by amazing service throughout...........we really enjoyed it and got our monies worth..........the flight home though was totally diferent.......not a good experience at all and not worth the extra monies payed for the upgrade........for some reason that was never explained by the flight staff. all of the things as in Champagne for lift off........menus......wine red and white and proper glasses had not been packed on board............the staff where slow with the service and really at times couldn't be bothered, loads of peeps had to walk up to the front to ask for drinks and there was a sence that they where there still partying on Paradise Island from where they had just been for the last 6 days.........extemely disapointing.

Meeru Island:

Arriving at Meeru from the boat and walking down the jetty to the Main Reception didn't cause us to go WOW at all........Sun Island won hands down on that one as it was truly superb and magical to look at.........we where hit by the smell of sewarage and seeing a huge black pipe belching water all over the beach... this we later learned was because they where dredging sand up from the lagoon so as to build up the beach for the xmas / newyears festivities ... it just wasn't an inspiring first site to see.

But then we went through to be taken to Meeru Village very quickly and where greeted at the Village reception by staff dressed in traditional Maldivian sarong dress.........and taken to our room......661 right next door to the Utheru Bar and Maalan Resteraunt........and then we went WOW...........we loved our JLV on sight it was in an ideal position on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach with the most beautiful turquoise seas........we loved our private walled garden with raised bed area and Jacuzzi...... and in the heat of the day we felt more like Adam and Eve as we pranced around naked in the shaded garden all afternoon...........it really was great and threw a whole diferent dimention onto the holiday that we have never experienced before...... Whaheej our room boy was exceptional and every night we where greeted with diferent sheet bed designs and flowers and flying fish made out of palm leaves.......he allways had a smile and allways the room was clean and well looked after.

The Uthura Bar and Maalan Resteraunt:

Being next door to both of these incredibly architectural, well thought out interior designed bar and resteraunt areas was great.........we where looked after in the bar by Chandru behind the bar who mixed our drinks and where served by Habib, Dole and Yovan.........who all went out of their way to make our stay extra special..... the service was seccond to none and we where allways greeted with a smile or joke and a drink the instant that we walked onto iether the incredible decked area outside which had very comfortable setees and chairs which had cream seat covers and turquoise cushions ........or the cool elegant inside of the Uthura Bar.......couldn't fault a thing about iether the service or the location and the sunsets from the decked Uthura bar outside area where truly breathtaking especially whilst sipping a good GandT at the same time. Although this bar is set with quiet music as its back ground we made many freinds and sat evening after evening chatting away with loads of peeps who became our freinds...a HUGE HI to Emma and Paul amongst many and Vicky, Andrew and family.

The Maalan Resteraunt didn't let us down once.......the setting was beautiful and you could choose to eat in or outside with a sea view........the food was incredible could not find fault on any level with any of it.........the chef apparantly is English and he does and incredible job.....10 out of 10.........we where served by the lovely smiling ALI who was a absolutely brilliant he allways had a smile or a joke to tell and we where once again looked after to the highest degree. It was a joy to go in there for our meals.

The bathrooms for the Maalan and Uthura bar have to be mentioned because they where out of this world.......with their sparkling Blue Glass basins perched onto a Teak counter and handrolled blue face cloths rolled and stored in a ship like container for us to use as as towels to dry your hands on... this place was more 5* than 4* and as with every where else was impecably clean ans well looked after.

Xmas Gala:

Well we where not disapointed at all.........the entire place was decked out with roman colums all lit up with lights and snow men with a huge Father Christmas with Reindeer.. we also had an enormous Christmas Tree all lit up .. as was all of the trees and bushes ajacant to the bar and resteraunt........we where offerred an amazing choice of foods. far to many to mention and puds to die for........well done to Meeru Chef.. it was outstanding and unbeleavable.........a band played quiet music for us as we dined... it couldn't have been bettered in any respect and everyone we spoke to was suitably impressed........we later went down for the first time of our stay to the Dhoni Bar who had a brilliant live band on and danced the night away as all who saw me will testify........brilliant - brilliant - brilliant.

For Xmas Day 12 of us sat outside in front of the lagoon together and had a really brilliant festive Christmas meal from the buffet.......once again thankyou to all of the waiters Ali. Sammy and others who I didn't know who helped us to set and organise that one for us.

Asian Wok:

Whilst on Meeru we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversarry.......and we decided on the Asian Wok for out venue.........we chose right as the food was to die for and there are not many places where one can eat the best Chinese food that they have ever had whilst the other one ate across the table the best Indian food that they had wever tasted... but that is exactly what we did........

All day long every one made this day special for us with warm hugs and greetings from all of the bar staff and Ali our Waiter......Yovan went the extra mile and organised not only 1 flower table for our meal at the Asian Wok but 2....... 1 outside on the beach and 1 inside......so that we could choose when we got there wich one we wanted.............he even placed a table cloth and flowers on our table at the Uthuru Bar as we watched the sunset...........brings a tear as I think about the thoughtfullness and kindness of the staff at Meeru......warmest thanks to all if you ever get a chance to read on here you really made our holiday very special.

Jacuzzi Water Villas:

We where offerred for the last 2 nights a FREE upgrade to the Jacuzzi Water Villas........which we grabbed with both hands and ran for.......they are very special rooms and the fishes at night are incredible as they feed in the light that shines down into the water from the villa........all kinds of large fishes including a couple of 3-4 foot sharks and a monster who we named Harry a good 5-6 foot nurse shark who was an incredible hunter to watch to 4ft rays.........
having the Jacuzzi Water Villa just put the cherry on top of an allready iced cake as far as we where concerned and we loved every minute of it including watching the stars at the end of the evening whilst lounging in the jacuzzi.

The Spa:

I had 2 treatments at the Spa... the Mud Wrap and the Alovera Wrap......both where incredible experiences and well worth the 60 dollars per hour long procedure.......from the moment you walk in and are given the iced pepermint towel to wipe away any stress and cool you down to the lemon grass cool drink . you are given a truly wonderfully relaxing experience.....the views out over the lagoon and the glass bottomed treatment rooms are incredible and to finish off with the ginger tea ( I now know why you all rave about it ) was just for me a heavanly time and completely de-stressed me.

Diving:

Edd found the Dive Centre Ocean Pro team very professional, organised and very freindly. he enjoyed 3 dives and loved seeing up close 3 very large Nurse sharks......turtles...rays......moray eels and all of the rest........
He did though find the currents extremely strong ... much stronger than Sun Island ........

Holiday Over all:

Well although Meeru Island didn't WOW us imeadiately........it certainly wrapped it's charm all about us and we experienced the most relaxing, enjoyable holiday that we have ever had........we have come back with our batteries completely re-charged and chilled out......which is what we went out for....The Village for us ( I can't coment on the Dhoni bar etc as we spent all of out time in the Village) was exceptional, in apearance, acomodation, food and standards. The Staff at The Village added a huge part to our overall enjoyment of our stay and where incredible........

Marks out of 10 for this holiday.......has to be a worthy 100

sorry for the waffle

a very happy

traveller

Only two disappointments with this Island, it is not as picturesque as I thought it would be and the beach and sea has some very sharp dead coral (so make sure you bring some jelly sandals).

The food is excellent, we were very suprised at the quality and variety available every day.
We also visited the two restaurants, one is a boat which serves european style food and the other is a Chinese/Thai Restaurant, personally we did not rate these and would give them a miss if we go again.
We stayed in a water villa which means we ate at the Maalan Buffet Restaurant, so I cannot comment on the other Buffet Restaurant.
The island is rather large but has good facilities as a result.
It was quite windy on our side of the island which we personally preferred as it can be very humid, and we felt made it made it more pleasant.
We thought for the money this island is excellent value.
We did not go all inclusive as we felt you would have to drink a substantial amount of alcohol every day to get your money's worth with this option.

We arrived Boxing Day 2005 and stayed for 2 weeks, the New Years Eve celebrations were very good and dinner was served on the beach under the stars.
The staff on the whole are very, very friendly and helpful, everyone says hello etc.
Our accommodation was fabulous and to a high standard and have no faults with it at all. Mosquitos were no problem when we were there, we did have quite a few ants in the room though, but the roomboy soon sorted them out for us.
We brought lots of snacks with us because we thought the food would be not to our standard but as I said previously we were very pleasantly suprised. In fact we ended up giving our snacks from home to the fish and crabs and crows!! and they were very grateful too!!
Meeru is extremely popular with the English I would definitely recommend Meeru, apart from the sharp coral.
I would go again, in fact thinking of booking for early next year.

Here is our report.

First Choice Star Premium Upgrade:
The flight out was brilliant with a champagne and fruit warm up to the flight...followed by amazing service throughout...........we really enjoyed it and got our monies worth..........the flight home though was totally diferent.......not a good experience at all and not worth the extra monies payed for the upgrade........for some reason that was never explained by the flight staff. all of the things as in Champagne for lift off........menus......wine red and white and proper glasses had not been packed on board............the staff where slow with the service and really at times couldn't be bothered, loads of peeps had to walk up to the front to ask for drinks and there was a sence that they where there still partying on Paradise Island from where they had just been for the last 6 days.........extemely disapointing.

Meeru Island:

Arriving at Meeru from the boat and walking down the jetty to the Main Reception didn't cause us to go WOW at all........Sun Island won hands down on that one as it was truly superb and magical to look at.........we where hit by the smell of sewarage and seeing a huge black pipe belching water all over the beach... this we later learned was because they where dredging sand up from the lagoon so as to build up the beach for the xmas / newyears festivities ... it just wasn't an inspiring first site to see.

But then we went through to be taken to Meeru Village very quickly and where greeted at the Village reception by staff dressed in traditional Maldivian sarong dress.........and taken to our room......661 right next door to the Utheru Bar and Maalan Resteraunt........and then we went WOW...........we loved our JLV on sight it was in an ideal position on a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach with the most beautiful turquoise seas........we loved our private walled garden with raised bed area and Jacuzzi...... and in the heat of the day we felt more like Adam and Eve as we pranced around naked in the shaded garden all afternoon...........it really was great and threw a whole diferent dimention onto the holiday that we have never experienced before...... Whaheej our room boy was exceptional and every night we where greeted with diferent sheet bed designs and flowers and flying fish made out of palm leaves.......he allways had a smile and allways the room was clean and well looked after.

The Uthura Bar and Maalan Resteraunt:

Being next door to both of these incredibly architectural, well thought out interior designed bar and resteraunt areas was great.........we where looked after in the bar by Chandru behind the bar who mixed our drinks and where served by Habib, Dole and Yovan.........who all went out of their way to make our stay extra special..... the service was seccond to none and we where allways greeted with a smile or joke and a drink the instant that we walked onto iether the incredible decked area outside which had very comfortable setees and chairs which had cream seat covers and turquoise cushions ........or the cool elegant inside of the Uthura Bar.......couldn't fault a thing about iether the service or the location and the sunsets from the decked Uthura bar outside area where truly breathtaking especially whilst sipping a good GandT at the same time. Although this bar is set with quiet music as its back ground we made many freinds and sat evening after evening chatting away with loads of peeps who became our freinds...a HUGE HI to Emma and Paul amongst many and Vicky, Andrew and family.

The Maalan Resteraunt didn't let us down once.......the setting was beautiful and you could choose to eat in or outside with a sea view........the food was incredible could not find fault on any level with any of it.........the chef apparantly is English and he does and incredible job.....10 out of 10.........we where served by the lovely smiling ALI who was a absolutely brilliant he allways had a smile or a joke to tell and we where once again looked after to the highest degree. It was a joy to go in there for our meals.

The bathrooms for the Maalan and Uthura bar have to be mentioned because they where out of this world.......with their sparkling Blue Glass basins perched onto a Teak counter and handrolled blue face cloths rolled and stored in a ship like container for us to use as as towels to dry your hands on... this place was more 5* than 4* and as with every where else was impecably clean ans well looked after.

AI:

Having been AI on Sun Island we knew what to expect of Maldivian AI.....it is not as comprehensive as going to Europe or the Carrabean.....we chose though to go AI once again and found it to be extremely good on Meeru and it bettered Sun Island in that.......you could ask for bottles of water at the bar or resteraunt whenever you visited and where given them free to use anywhere no count on the amount that you asked for ever......we where also allowed to take drinks from the bar back to our room...hence we never used our mini bar once..
The House red wine is lovely and branded mixers are used with spirit drinks...the beers are Tiger beers...there was so much food that we found ourselves having to miss out one of the meals a day as there was just so much food and both of us are good eaters.....although cocktails wheren't included in the AI they where only $6 each so that they where not bank busting if you fancied one or two. and the iced coffees are to die for...add a touch of rum and even nicer so I am told, these also are included on AI.

Xmas Gala:

Well we where not disapointed at all.........the entire place was decked out with roman colums all lit up with lights and snow men with a huge Father Christmas with Reindeer.. we also had an enormous Christmas Tree all lit up .. as was all of the trees and bushes ajacant to the bar and resteraunt........we where offerred an amazing choice of foods. far to many to mention and puds to die for........well done to Meeru Chef.. it was outstanding and unbeleavable.........a band played quiet music for us as we dined... it couldn't have been bettered in any respect and everyone we spoke to was suitably impressed........we later went down for the first time of our stay to the Dhoni Bar who had a brilliant live band on and danced the night away as all who saw me will testify........brilliant - brilliant - brilliant.

For Xmas Day 12 of us sat outside in front of the lagoon together and had a really brilliant festive Christmas meal from the buffet.......once again thankyou to all of the waiters Ali. Sammy and others who I didn't know who helped us to set and organise that one for us.

Asian Wok:

Whilst on Meeru we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversarry.......and we decided on the Asian Wok for out venue.........we chose right as the food was to die for and there are not many places where one can eat the best Chinese food that they have ever had whilst the other one ate across the table the best Indian food that they had wever tasted... but that is exactly what we did........

All day long every one made this day special for us with warm hugs and greetings from all of the bar staff and Ali our Waiter......Yovan went the extra mile and organised not only 1 flower table for our meal at the Asian Wok but 2....... 1 outside on the beach and 1 inside......so that we could choose when we got there wich one we wanted.............he even placed a table cloth and flowers on our table at the Uthuru Bar as we watched the sunset...........brings a tear as I think about the thoughtfullness and kindness of the staff at Meeru......warmest thanks to all if you ever get a chance to read on here you really made our holiday very special.

Jacuzzi Water Villas:

We where offerred for the last 2 nights a FREE upgrade to the Jacuzzi Water Villas........which we grabbed with both hands and ran for.......they are very special rooms and the fishes at night are incredible as they feed in the light that shines down into the water from the villa........all kinds of large fishes including a couple of 3-4 foot sharks and a monster who we named Harry a good 5-6 foot nurse shark who was an incredible hunter to watch to 4ft rays.........
having the Jacuzzi Water Villa just put the cherry on top of an allready iced cake as far as we where concerned and we loved every minute of it including watching the stars at the end of the evening whilst lounging in the jacuzzi.

The Spa:

I had 2 treatments at the Spa... the Mud Wrap and the Alovera Wrap......both where incredible experiences and well worth the 60 dollars per hour long procedure.......from the moment you walk in and are given the iced pepermint towel to wipe away any stress and cool you down to the lemon grass cool drink . you are given a truly wonderfully relaxing experience.....the views out over the lagoon and the glass bottomed treatment rooms are incredible and to finish off with the ginger tea ( I now know why you all rave about it ) was just for me a heavanly time and completely de-stressed me.

Diving:

Edd found the Dive Centre Ocean Pro team very professional, organised and very freindly. he enjoyed 3 dives and loved seeing up close 3 very large Nurse sharks......turtles...rays......moray eels and all of the rest........
He did though find the currents extremely strong ... much stronger than Sun Island ........

Holiday Over all:

Well although Meeru Island didn't WOW us imeadiately........it certainly wrapped it's charm all about us and we experienced the most relaxing, enjoyable holiday that we have ever had........we have come back with our batteries completely re-charged and chilled out......which is what we went out for....The Village for us ( I can't coment on the Dhoni bar etc as we spent all of out time in the Village) was exceptional, in apearance, acomodation, food and standards. The Staff at The Village added a huge part to our overall enjoyment of our stay and where incredible........

Marks out of 10 for this holiday.......has to be a worthy 100

sorry for the waffle

a very happy

maggie

This is a beautiful Island and is just about everything everyone else has written. However, there are some negatives and I think to go out thinking perfection is a mistake.

I have reduced mobility and this Island doesn't really cater for people with reduced mobility. There is a buggy which goes from one end of the Island to the other. The rep did inform reception that I 'needed' the buggy, but because they had seen me walking, the 3 star end were not very helpful at all. I had to sit and wait for an hour on a return from a boat trip, for a scheduled run.

The other thing I didn't like was the All Inclusive' option. We were told we had to upgrade to all inc to upgrade to the 4* end. To take advantage of the drinks you have to be at the bar. You are allowed to take away 4 small bottles of water a day and that is it. If you want to stay at your bungalow or room you can run up a very high bill. There is a shop, but it is equally expensive. At $2 for a small bottle of water or coke and $4 for a small can of beer............... As the Island is the resort, it is the equivalent of being trapped in a very expensive hotel.

Yet again, I probably felt this more as our room was about 100yards from the bar area. I do not have the option of wandering back and forth and I didnt want to be sitting in the bar all day.

We went for 2 weeks and I think even if I was fit, that one would have been enough. It was an even split between people who wanted one or two weeks.

Most of the staff are lovely and will do their utmost to please. The surroundings are beautiful and the food good. The snorkelling is fabulous and I wanted to take the Heron home with me.

We flew back with First Choice and I hate to say it because I want it kept secret, but the flight was fabulous. They have a newly refurbished plane with 33"; leg room in economy. They also have individual entertainment systems plus lots more. Their seats are bigger than most scheduled airlines and they fly direct. They are a bit dearer, but if you take into consideration the cost of an upgrade - oh and the seats are wider too.

If you have already booked I am sure you will love it. I am a South Mombasa fan and although it was better in some aspects it was worse in others. At twice the price of Mombasa I will stick with Kenya, however I would go again if I got a very cheap late. I would not upgrade to All Inclusive as I had to pay for all my own drinks anyway.

Whatever, I am sure you will have a great holiday.