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VILLIVARU - Guest Comments

Villivaru is a smaller, quieter version of it's sister island "Biyadhoo". Like Biyadhoo it has many fine palms, a good beach and a great location (as well as facilities) for diving. It is also "Child Friendly". Villivaru may not represent the true Maldivian concept of thatched roof bungalows, white fine sands with hideaways - still a good place to spend sometime - but not again and again.

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Although there is lush vegetation through out the island, as with Biyadoo most of it is out of bounds for guests. They are restricted to either side of a path that goes around the outside only. On the other hand, all the rooms are set back to ten to fifteen metres from the beach and in between is a an area of sand under the shade of tall palms. Hammocks are well placed around the island.

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Because of this large area of shade, and because of the friendliness of the staff, parents and children feel comfortable here. (There are, though, no specific child facilities such as baby sitting). In general the staffs and guests tend to be a older than average and the atmosphere is calmer.

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Two extra beds will fit into the rooms for children and the management are happy to put them in. There are 60 rooms in 6 blocks of 10, with no difference between them. They are not particularly stylish inside or out, but the furniture is decent and the facilities are good. As well as a/c and hot and cold water plus a minibar, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facility and an electric mosquito repellent. Unlike Biyadhoo, all the rooms are on the ground floor so one steps straight out onto the sand.

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Every room has a good, sandy area (not a beach) outside. The only area where the sands are not good is where the reception, restaurant and bar have sensibly been built. This area is the focus for the social evenings which go on quiet late - making the mornings slow starters, as well. Everyone is on Full board. Breakfast and lunch are buffet, dinner is set. But for each dinner there is a choice of starter, and a main dish of meat, fish or chicken. There are also a number of specialty buffets. The chef, like the owners and managers, is Indian, and all the food is very tasty.

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The reef, varied in shape and topography, is accessible at several points around the island. With Biyadhoo's reef also available for guests, snorkeling is popular and rewarding. Diving, too, is very popular, but it is not quiet such a central aspect of this resort as it is in Biyadhoo. Nonetheless, the center is equally modern, spacious and well laid out.