Kuramathi - advice for first time visitors to Maldives

We are planning to visit the Maldives in Feb 2010 and like the look of Kuramathi, would anyone recommend it for first time visitors?

We really want somewhere quiet and with good snorkelling as we are not divers.From reading the Forums the Village resort looks best, could someone clarify where each grade of room is located on the island? Many thanks.

Kuramathi - advice for first time visitors to Maldives

hooray we%26#39;re off in april/may to kuramathi so will update when we%26#39;re back, meanwhile i think the blue lagoon is on the sandbank tip(far end)thats the most expensive bit, cottage is in the middle bit less expensive i think(no AI there though) and village is at the reception end, we chose it because of the great reviews and the fact the AI package is so good compared to other islands- cocktails def a big plus for us!!! also it has good snorkling close to the island no boat trip req for the house reef and its pretty reasonable price wise. We%26#39;re staying in the deluxe villas at village and sooooo looking forward to it. it has its own web page so have a look at that for the room types and island map

Kuramathi - advice for first time visitors to Maldives

Hi Phil1959

We have been to Kuramathi Village twice and I would say it is a good island for 1st time visitors. Different tour operators have different standards and names for the rooms. Both times we went with Kuoni 1st time a standard room(was ok wooden built with grass roof and indoor bathroom) second time we stayed in the Coconut Village bit of Kuramathi Village which was a much nicer room, open air bathroom (private not to worry) again wooden built with grass roof but more upmarket with a modern four poster bed and on better bit of beach. Kuramathi is a big island and we prefer smaller islands but you can always find your own quite spot and that includes the evenings.

The reef is fantastic and close to shore, we loved the restaurant which has sea views the only fault with the village bit is no sunbeds or pool if that is important to you. The staff were great, food good, lovely views from bar and restaurant, AI is good and there are other places to eat out at which are not too expensive and we did this once a week. Love the place and would go back.

Regards Turquiose23

Thanks for both of your replies, we%26#39;ve now realised that it%26#39;s cheaper to go with Kuoni on Emirates rather than 1st choice. Could anyone recommend a specific room number which is quiet and has good beach/access for snorkeling? We%26#39;re thinking of the deluxe bungalows in the Village, Phil

Firstly, great choice on Kuramathi. Excellent place.

Not quite sure how Village gets the highest ranking on Kuramathi - Blue Lagoon has a far higher % of 5 star reviews.

We stayed on the island (in Blue Lagoon) and sampled all 3 resorts. The Blue Lagoon far better rooms, is far more intimate, is nearer the fantastic sand bank, has a great jetty and is 4 or 5 star. It had the %26#39;small island feel%26#39; in its own right.

The Cottage was very nice also, and we quite often used the bar or swimming pool during the day.

I personally found the Village a bit too busy for my liking. It felt like a Caribbean holiday in the Indian Ocean (by no means an insult), and lacked intimacy. There seemed to be more to do though (by way of day time activities). It%26#39;s rightly a 3 star.

Albeit it a very very nice one. Just not %26#39;typical Maldives%26#39; (IMO)

So, for me, you have to decide what you want. If you%26#39;re after that picture-book idea of paradise then for me it%26#39;s Lagoon without a shadow of a doubt. If you want more going on on your doorstep, for the expense of some of that day-dream world, then Village would be fine. (well, in fact, amazing). Whilst I was there a couple of couples moved from Village as it wasn%26#39;t what they wanted or expected.

Personally, if money%26#39;s not an object, I%26#39;d stay at Blue Lagoon knowing you%26#39;ve got the rest of the island to visit anyway.

(BTW I don%26#39;t know the price difference)

Checked - it%26#39;s not much different in price. May be £100pp over 2 weeks.

Surprised Cottage is the cheapest.

Think cottage is half board where others are all inclusive? are you comparing like with like?

Fair question!! Just checked, and it was all for the B%26amp;B price, however on Kuoni the Cottage was a tiny bit more than the Village.

Blue Lagoon is coming out about 20% more expensive for AI in ';standard rooms';, however to get fair like for like I%26#39;d compare Bungalows, in which case it%26#39;s roughly the same price. (Which is still surprising).

well. the blue lagoon end is quieter, more secluded, but also further away from the ';action'; so you pay your miney and tajke your choice. I just puty a video imade of the seadplane transfer on youtube too. take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iv4y1n5JqI

True, but we walked or got a bus to %26#39;the action%26#39; very easily, it wasn%26#39;t a problem.

absolutely. and also you can walk or take the buss to the traquility. the sand bar at sunrise is fab