Island Hideaway or Baros? (Also going to Soneva Fushi)

Hello fellow travellers!

I%26#39;m in desparate need of advice about which island to visit in conjuction with our trip to Soneva Fushi/Gili in April. We%26#39;re spending 5 nights at Soneva Fushi and 2 nights at Soneva Gili and we%26#39;re looking to stay elsewhere for 7 nights prior to this. We%26#39;ve basically narrowed it down to 2 choices -Baros or Island Hideaway.

Baros: we%26#39;d be staying in a Baros villa for 7 nights on half board, including transfers and flights from London = 拢4k.

Island Hideaway: we%26#39;d be staying in a Jasmin Garden Villa for 7 nights on half board, including transfer and flights = 拢5k.

So which do we go for?

My main concern is the transfers. After a long flight from London, having to travel all the way to IH, which I hear is quite a way away, then back to Male a week later, only to fly back in the same direction to go to Soneva. This will probably waste an entire day each way, giving us less time to relax on each island. (Previous experience with sea planes hasn%26#39;t been good - there are always delays, or you have to wait for other guests to arrive internationally or from other resorts).

The aternative is to stay at Baros which is only 20 minutes away from Male. So we get more time on the island. Only problem here is that it is so small! I kinda wanted to try a smaller island for a change (having been to Soneva Fushi and O%26amp;O Reethi Rah before), but just concerned we%26#39;ll get bored, especially as there is no ';central hub'; as such (like a pool) and you%26#39;d be restricted to your villa and beach.

Has anyone been to IH and Soneva in the same trip and if so, how did you find the transfers?

Has anyone been to both IH and Baros and if so, which island is better? WOuld the transfers and the extra 拢1k be worth it for IH?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Tracy

Island Hideaway or Baros? (Also going to Soneva Fushi)

Hi Tracy

I%26#39;m surprised you are going back to Soneva Fushi as I thought you complained about it last time. I find you concern about no central hub (ie pool) at Baros a problem there%26#39;s no pool at Soneva or Gilli. There is one at IH but it%26#39;s hardly used. Gilli is a small island BTW and if you%26#39;ve been to the Maldives before you must know if you will be bored or not there%26#39;s very little difference in any of them in that respect.The thing is if you go to IH there is really no need to go for the Jasmine Villa the Raamba Retreats are super accomodation with plenty of room and privacy and IMO the best postions. Baros has too many WB for me but it%26#39;s OK.You realise you go on a scheduled internal flight to IH landing at Himandoo not by seaplane. I%26#39;m surprised about the service at Soneva what you normally get there and at all resorts is full cleaning in the morning and turn down service in the evening usually with flower arrangements on the bed. I%26#39;ve been to Soneva, Baros and IH There%26#39;s not much between IH and Soneva although I think IH is better value on accomodation. However I%26#39;m also not much for island hopping as it just wastes good relaxing time

Regards

Doug

Island Hideaway or Baros? (Also going to Soneva Fushi)

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the response. We%26#39;re only going back to Soneva because they%26#39;ve given us a free week on full board (split between Fushi and Gili). Otherwise we wouldn%26#39;t spend the money on it again. I think it%26#39;s too expensive, with better value elsewhere.

The couple in the villa next to us felt the same as us and left after 3 days when they%26#39;d booked 12, so we%26#39;re not the only ones to have had these feelings.

I think we may enjoy it next time as we won%26#39;t have to worry about the cost or value for money - it%26#39;s all free (except drinks, spa, excursions)!

Anyway, moving off the topic a bit! I haven%26#39;t tried a small island before (only been to Soneva and Reethi Rah) so don%26#39;t know if we will get bored. As for the central hub ie pool concern, Soneva at least had the champagne jetty with loungers to relax. And other things like tennis court, was large enough to take long walks, go for a cycle etc, so more to do than just hang around at your villa. So that%26#39;s my concern - that the only thing to do at Baros is hang out by your villa. But it does look lovely! Excuse my ignorance, but what does WB stand for?

In terms of the Jasmin Garden villa at IH - it was actually cheaper than the lower category villas, so I think they must have a special on with the tour operator. That%26#39;s why I think it%26#39;s such a great deal.

So it sounds as though you prefer IH over Baros. I think I do too. But I%26#39;d hate to waste all that time on transfers. If I knew I was going back at another date then I%26#39;d probably choose Baros and go to IH next time. But I think this will be our last trip to the Maldives (my husband prefers to try new countries). And IH may not have such a good deal on next time!

If you were in my position and going back to Soneva, would you combine it with Baros (because it%26#39;s easy to get too) or take the inconveniece of travelling and go to IH (for being a superior island and a good deal)?

Hi Tracy

WB -water bungalow. I think I would go for IH as it%26#39;s a great island and as I have said before one of the best swimming lagoons in he Maldives (sunrise side) good snorkelling (sunset side).Strangely enough we did even less than usual when we were there no trips or anything.We don%26#39;t do split holidays we did go to Soneva and IH within 3 months of each other. Baros has had a new restaurant since we were there. IH is our preference

Regards

Doug

Hi!

We went from Soneva Fushi (ww love this island) to IH in 2007. The transfer went smooth, and we didn%26#39;t wait for a long time at Male.

We prefer SF before IH. When we were there IH had big lack of service, not as good food as SF and a terrible sommeliere (this might have changed now).

PS: Gili have a pool (we were there last summer).

Hi Lommedalen,

Do you recall how often the flights to IH are scheduled? And how early do you need to check in? (How long does the process last between arriving at Male and taking off for IH?)

Does anyone know when management changed? The reason I ask is that there appears to be a lot of negative reviews in 2007 and then great reviews in 2008 and just wondering if it%26#39;s because they%26#39;ve had a complete overhaul or something.

Hi Tracy

We were in IH in Nov/Dec 2006 and it was fine then I think they lost some staff in 2007 which may have been the trouble which is always going to be a problem with so many new resorts opening it also makes it difficult to make recommendations unless you have very recent form to go on. The general manager Rochelle who did a great job at Soneva has been transferred to 6 Senses Zighy Bay (great resort if you%26#39;re looking for somewhere new)in Oman which may have been the problem there.

Regards

Doug

Doug

Back to Soneva quickly...I didn%26#39;t realise the transfers were so expensive (last time they were included with our package provided by the tour operator). Soneva has quoted $360pp plus 10%. Is there any way around this?

Tracy

Hi again!

There are several planes going towards IH during the day. We were supposed to have a flight at a certain point, but got another one so we didn%26#39;t have to wait.

The IH staff pick you up already when you arrive with your seaplane from SF at Male. Then they bring you to the domestic airport, take your luggage, check you in, and bring you to the IH lounge at the airport. Everything was really nice, and they made us feel special. You should not worry about the flight, Soneva and IH organize it in the best possible way.

Hi TRacy

Can%26#39;t ghelp you much on the transfer costs but you could try the other way round just get back to Male with SF/Gilli and see what IH will do the the transfers for from there

Regards

Doug