Wowie! As a family of four with two young kids (7 months and 2.5 years) I was very anxious about what to expect but I didn't need to be... our stay in paradise was perfect!
BOOKING Seamless. We booked direct via the website. Krishani in the reservations team was so helpful and answered all my questions. She gave me confidence that we would have everything we would need as a family during our stay.
TRANSFERS We caught the first speed boat of the morning (the speedboat terminal is literally right outside the airport but we caught it from the Male port after staying overnight there)! Seats were comfy and water and life jackets were provided and the journey was only 90 minutes! As soon as we reached the island we were met by the friendly Ecoboo team!
THE LOCATION Paradise. The island is just beautiful! White sandy beaches, crystal blue ocean, palm trees, coconuts and the resort is right on the beach! Everywhere you look is like a picture postcard. It's nice to explore the island and see Maldivian life. It is a small island so you can easily walk around it (we took our stroller) and there is a convenience store and some souvenir shops. Dollars are accepted. The island even has its own jungle. You can also snorkel right in front of the resort with an amazing reef right there (although bring your water shoes as it can get a bit rocky underfoot).
ACCOMODATION Fantastic! We stayed in a beautiful bamboo lodge right on the beachfront! It was perfect for us as a family of four with a double bed, a pull out bed and they also put a baby cot in the room for us! The AC worked perfectly but there is also a fan in the room. Housekeeping came twice a day and kept our room so nice and fresh! Another thing I loved about Ecoboo was their sustainable ethos... they really focus on being as sustainable as possible. We received lovely waterbottles with our names on when we arrived so we could refill them as often as we needed.
FOOD Delicious. I dont know how Yapa the Chef and the team did it but every single meal was so tasty! We enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner at Ecoboo. Tea, coffee, juice and water was also available 24/7. Every day the food was freshly prepared and different to the day before - there was always a mix of soup, salad, hot food and a live cooking station! Each morning the Chef came to see us to discuss what they could make for our toddler and baby that day. The mealtimes are at set times but they always made our children's meals at a time to suit our nap/bedtime routine.
EXCURSIONS A huge thank you to Luca our tour guide for taking us on the most amazing trips - the memories we made will stay with us forever – swimming with sharks, dolphin watching, fishing, shipwrecks, snorkelling, turtles, sting rays and all the colourful fish! Ecoboo provided us with snorkelling gear. The boat was spacious with a fully covered seating area (and an upstairs sundeck). There was space to bring our stroller onboard. Luca and the team did an amazing job building my toddlers confidence and at just 2.5 years old he was swimming with sharks! He was given a life vest and a floatation ring - to keep him safe. Experiencing all these things was magical but being able to do it safely and confidently with my toddler was incredible. I am so grateful.
STAFF Everything about Ecoboo is amazing but perhaps the most outstanding thing is the staff... they really went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we could wish for. They were friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and they made us feel really special. They were also all amazing with my children - my toddler especially was made to feel like a king for a week! From the housekeeping team, Roy the Deputy Manager, Krishani in reservations, Hugo the boss, Supoon and Rastika in the restaurant, Luca our tour guide and all the other members of the Ecoboo team I thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating the trip of a lifetime for me...
Read moreA Dreamy Island Escape with a Splash of Adventure! From the moment we arrived at EcoBoo, nestled on the enchanting Thinadhoo Island in the Vavu Atoll of the Maldives, we knew we were in for an unforgettable experience. Picture-perfect in its bamboo-clad charm, this eco-friendly haven had us enchanted right from the start.
Arrival: A Warm Eco-Friendly Embrace Upon our arrival, the hotel staff greeted us with warm smiles and a helpful attitude. Their dedication to service was evident, although prior communication lacked the personal touch we craved. Despite a minor hiccup, their eagerness to assist smoothed out any wrinkles, setting the stage for our tropical adventure.
The Island Vibe: Nature's Symphony Surrounded by lush greenery, our room, though lacking an unobstructed view, exuded comfort. The beds were heavenly, although the pillows left room for improvement. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant sound of waves crashing added to the island's soothing ambiance, making every moment in EcoBoo a peaceful retreat.
Exploring Marine Wonders: Snorkeling Delights EcoBoo’s beach opened up a gateway to marine wonders. Swimming and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, we discovered a vibrant world beneath the surface. Majestic sharks, graceful manta rays, and playful dolphins became our companions, turning every snorkeling session into a magical adventure.
Culinary Adventures: Tasty Treats and Considerate Service Dining at EcoBoo offered simple yet satisfying meals with a local touch. Typically, we had a choice between chicken or fish, accompanied by rice, salad, fruits and desserts. While the menu lacked the diversity of a high-end resort, the food was good, though not exceptional. The staff’s consideration for our 8-month-old baby was heartwarming, adding a touch of personal care to our dining experiences.
Island Excursions: A Different Day, A New Adventure Each day, the hotel organized intriguing excursions that piqued our interest. Although we didn’t partake, the variety and creativity in their offerings were evident. Exploring neighboring islands and indulging in activities on their safari boat added an extra layer of excitement to our stay.
Departure: A Farewell with a Promise to Return As we bid farewell to EcoBoo, we reflected on the adventures, the laughter, and the sense of serenity this unique island retreat had provided. The journey back to Male, though facilitated by a third-party service, was comfortable, allowing us to savor the last moments of our dreamy escape.
In summary, EcoBoo is a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts seeking a blend of adventure and tranquility. With a few tweaks in communication and minor amenities, this charming eco-haven promises a paradise worth revisiting. So, if you're looking for an eco-friendly escape where marine marvels meet island serenity, EcoBoo awaits with open arms, ready to weave your dreams...
Read moreWe spent a wonderful week in Ecoboo and we were 100% satisfied and happy to choose this accommodation! Regarding the hotel, it has such a good vibe and athmosphere thanks to the furnitures and houses made of bamboo and thanks to the friendliness of the crew. You feel like home here! The house reef is great, there are so many fishes just a few meters away from the shore. The programs are fantastic, it is absolutely worth to choose the “experience package”! Swimming with nurse sharks, looking for dolphins and turtles, snorkeling in different places, visiting a sand bank (amazing place in the middle of the ocean), spending time on the Ecoboo yacht where it is also possible to consume alcohol drinks (alcohol is not available on the local island), watching the stars from the top of the boat after sunset, visiting a desert island. (Fishing would have been a nice program as well but the weather didn’t let us to do so.) We travelled with two 4-year-old kids and we appreciate very much that the Ecoboo team always helped us in the water when there was need for it: they came along us with a life belt for example. Furthermore, there is a person in the team, the great Mohamed Shabeen (@m.shabeen88) who makes amazing videos of the guests under the water while snorkeling! Then in the afternoon he sits at the “office” (on the beach) and he shares these videos so you can post them if you want! (This service is absolutely free, in other places they would charge you for this.) Thank you, Mohamed Shabeen, Christian and all the team for the great experiences! It is worth checking the Instagram page of Ecoboo Maldives! There are two cleanings every day and they always clean the common areas as well, so usually guests can go everywhere without shoes, to the bar, to the restaurant, to the beach you don’t need your slippers. It is such a good and free feeling! The quantity and quality of food is also good but it could have been more various. For the food I would say 10/8, for everything else 10/10. Wi-fi connection is strong! Overall: perfect stay, unforgettable...
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