++ Chaaya Island Dhonveli ++

Hello Everyone,

Hope everyone is OK! I just want to say how useful www.tripadvisor.co.uk really is.

I am staying at the Chaaya Dhonveli in March 2010, Beach Bungalow, All Inclusive with First Choice/Thomson.

I would like to ask a few questions and would be most grateful for your views/answers.

1) I have heard that there is due to be building work on the island in Feb/March 2010, is this true? I have rang Thomson and they dont have any records of this (even though another traveller was told this and changed his holiday destination.

2) Does anyone have an e-mail address for the %26#39;actual%26#39; resort. I have already e-mailed the following with no luck:

%26#39;fom.dhonveli@chaayahotels.com.mv%26#39;

%26#39;ops@keells.com.mv%26#39;

%26#39;res.dhonveli@chaayahotels.com.mv%26#39;

%26#39;jkmr@dhivehinet.net.mv%26#39;

3) What are the beaches truely like and where are they best on the Island?

4) What are the best Beach Bungalows on the island, in relation to views, beach, less noise etc.

5) How much %26#39;tipping money%26#39; should I take in $ and when is the most appropriate time to tip, during the stay or at the end?

Many thanks for any answers/advice - it%26#39;s greatly appreciated.

++ Chaaya Island Dhonveli ++

re number 5)

we always tip during the stay - daily for waiters , every other day for roomboy , etc ...so that the people who really did the work get the tip and more selfishly , so that we can enjoy the little perks that come from being considered a good tipper.

we have waited before , only to find that a great roomboy had left for a family emergency and so he ended up with no tip at all and his replacement only had us for 2 days :(

++ Chaaya Island Dhonveli ++

Hiya Tooney

We were in Dhonvelli last September and due to go back again this May as we loved it so much

Not sure about building work although have read the review to which you refer myself so not sure

e-mail - try fom.dhonveli@chaayahotels.com.mv again i mailed this address and got a reply back the next day, i got the details from brown eyed girl, try her website dedicated specifically to the Chaaya resorts its great with lots of infor on Chaaya resorts chaayamaldives.co.uk you will need to become a member though

The beach on Dhonvelli is not the best but it is fine just a little rough underfoot, but the lagoon is lovely and shallow and you can swin easily and see the fish

We stayed in a water bungalow last time so not sure on the best bungalows althouhg from the forum i have read they are from 220 onwards ??

We tipped at the end of our stay - the pool boy $15, room boy $20, bar staff (4 who served us most of the time)$20 each, waiting staff (2 main servers) $20 each, and the bell boy who carried our bags $5 each oh and the girls in the spa who did our treatments $20 but it is up to you really some guests tipped more some less depending on service

Have a fab time :-)

Hi Bulkobabe,

Thanks for the info/advice - appreciated. Can%26#39;t wait. If your going back - you must have had a great time.

Do you know where the Lagoon is in relation to the beach bungalows 215 - 225?

Thank you

about a stones throw from the front door ..... Bliss

If the lagoon is on the beach bungalows %26#39;doorstep%26#39; do you think/find that it was busy with other people going to the lagoon etc?

Hiya

We didnt stop in the beach bungalows, but they looked private enough from what we saw when we were on the beach, so you should be fine

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