Hotel that should be 5 stars but deserves 1 maximum. Without a doubt the island is beautiful, and the reception is very modern and elegant, but the pavilions are very old, and do not overlook the sea but a lagoon, the fabrics of the sofas are old and the beds are single joined together. The bathroom on the other hand is very nice. But the real problem with this hotel is the service, they never answer the phone, they don't know how to serve in the restaurant, you ask for a pineapple juice and they bring you lemon. The workers are very young and inexperienced. But the most absurd thing is that although the hotel is adjacent to the islands and is also called qualia great barier reef, the distance is about 2 hours by boat (and only huge yachts can go, since it is open sea). Qualia doesn't have a service that takes you to the Great Barrier Reef, so you have to pay around $5000 for a helicopter tour (which is always full by the way) or you can go with a company called explore. They sent us to this company saying it was a three-floor boat, coming from Italy we thought it was a beautiful boat (a yacht with beautiful people, such as customers of qualia). Instead we found ourselves on a ferry with very strong seas, and lots of people from low coast hotels, all drunk, and vulgar , screaming and falling over on themselves. Also the boat ( ferry was filthy ) . We got off halfway through the ride also because it was super rough and it was raining but the company didn't stop. A traumatic experience. Everything is fully booked on the island, often we didn't even find the sunbeds with umbrellas in the pool of our hotel. Furthermore, the hotel does not give you a reference person but they change it continuously, so the customer has to explain everything again (we had Veronica and after knowing our problems she disappeared and was never found again, since she was not interested in helping us). Like many luxury resorts in the Maldives there should be a person who follows you throughout your stay. The island is very beautiful, but the people of the low cost hotels (there are at least 3) ruin all the exclusivity of the island, and in fact you find yourself having to go to the coral reef with absurd people. Qualia provides you with a buggy to move around the island this was one of the things I liked the most, since at least we had the freedom to move. Another incredible thing is that the spa never has space so customers find themselves unable to do anything, neither spa nor snorkelling trips, everything is super booked, even some restaurants are booked up until May. In short, a real nightmare, I absolutely do NOT recommend this hotel. With this price you can go to a luxury resort in the Maldives served and revered. Especially if you are European don’t go you will have a terrible time !!! NOT RECOMMENDED
PS. If you are like me interested in visiting the Great Barrier Reef go to port Douglas...
Read moreMy family are frequent luxury travellers (Marriott Titanium members), and our first stay at qualia confirmed a serious island-wide issue: prices are world-class, but the service is deeply inconsistent and often subpar. The overall value proposition is very poor, inflated by what feels like a "Hamo Tax." The failure was systemic across the high-end dining venues: • Pebble Beach ($235pp Tasting Menu): The food was nice, but for the price, it simply doesn't compete with global luxury standards. Service was disorganized; we ordered a $168 bottle of wine, and it didn't arrive until after the first course, requiring staff to retrieve it from the upstairs restaurant's cellar. • Bommie Restaurant: Our dinner was unacceptable. We endured a 1 hour and 10 minute wait for the first course of the mandatory tasting menu, followed by another hour for the second. • General Service Failure: Most dining staff lacked necessary experience and adequate English proficiency, leading to frequent frustration. Basic attention was non-existent: water glasses were consistently left empty, requiring us to chase staff for refills. Drink service across Qualia was noticeably slow for the price point. The most disappointing element was the rude attitude at Qualia. When my family (guests at Yacht Club Villas) joined us for paid cocktails, a staff member greeted them with a hostile attitude, immediately demanding a reservation and stating, "This is exclusive for Qualia guests." This aggressive, unwelcoming approach completely ruined the afternoon. A single positive exception was Spa qualia, where the service was impeccable and truly world-class, proving high standards are achievable. Conclusion: Beautiful island and facilities, but the service culture is deeply flawed and does not warrant the exorbitant cost. Until service dramatically improves, prospective guests should be aware they are paying a world-class premium for an inconsistent and often...
Read morePrepare to be enchanted by an extraordinary resort that truly excels at every detail, promising an experience that is nothing short of exceptional! The moment you step off the plane, you will see the Qualia desk/sign immediately to the left. From there, you will be gently whisked away in a cozy minivan, leading you on a beautiful scenic journey to the resort. As you approach the majestic Qualia (Jurassic Park) gate, a sense of excitement and anticipation overcomes you, hinting at the luxurious adventure that awaits. Upon arrival, you are greeted with a sparkling welcome drink: a glass of bubbly Champagne that perfectly complements the breathtaking ocean view. Every moment spent in this haven feels wonderfully exclusive, as if you’ve entered a world uniquely crafted just for you. Despite encountering a few interesting visitors who were demanding of the staff, the staff exuded grace and professionalism that truly highlighted their dedication to providing sublime service. Once we arrived in the room, our luggage was already awaiting us with another bottle of bubbles! Notable accolades go to the remarkable team, listed alphabetically who masterfully remembered the finer details that made your stay feel so extraordinary: Aurora, Ben, Holly, and Marco. Beyond them, Rogina and Mint transformed your room into a serene sanctuary each evening, adding delightful touches during your turn-down service. And a heartfelt thank you to Adam, who thoughtfully provided me with a demanding torch that illuminated my evening walk looking for wildlife. His dance moves are on point, if you get a chance to witness them :) While a Cockatoo during breakfast would have added an extra sprinkle of magic, the daily events, thrilling excursions, and comprehensive weather updates certainly kept the enchantment alive. Our heart is already set on returning for an extended stay, and it’s easy to see why! This is truly a tropical paradise! We can not wait to...
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