Dhawa Ihuru — Hotel in Malé Atoll

Hints and tips. We are just about halfway through our holiday and we grow to love this island more each day. The pick up from the airport was the best we've ever had. Normally we go by sea plane to the various islands but this time is was a 30 minute speedboat straight from the airport. No waiting around for other guests, we were escorted to the boat and given cold towels and drinks. The benefit of a speedboat transfer is you don't have to stay in Male if you land after 3pm (I don't think seaplanes operate after this time so an overnighter in male is required) We requested a villa on the west (sunset side) in advance but to be honest all of the villas are lovely and there are benefits to being on both sides of the island. All have direct access to the sea. The villas are lovely. Some might say they are looking a little tired but to be honest they are of a good standard. I've been sleeping here much better than I'm sleeping at home so the bed is obviously comfortable. The food is of good quality. there is a lot of choice at the buffet breakfast and it's a buffet for lunch. The usual with a wide range of excellent salad choice, one soup each day, and about 7 hot dishes plus rice, pasta and veg and a BBQ station. Food is piping hot and very tasty. For dinner it's a buffet for some nights and a la carte for others. Both are good. A la carte is a starter, a soup, a main course and a dessert. Drinks are all inclusive, which isn't unusual, but what is unusual is that is labelled spirits. Would love a more extensive cocktail menu but the ones we had were delicious. Snorkelling - all the gear, including life jackets, is free to hire. The reef is the best we have seen. The plus points for us are very little current which is great for nervous snorkellers on the drop off. You can snorkel around the whole island in an hour but although the current is mild sometimes you do feel its slow to get from one marker to another 😂 the coral is actually alive!! And there are plenty of fish. There are turtles but we haven't seen any so far. Same for the manta rays. For those that are nervous then the lagoon ( the sandy bit before you get to the reef) holds plenty of interest if you want to be in waist deep water. There are outcrops of coral and so we saw moray eel, octopus although they are shy and will shrink into the crevices as you pass, lots of fish. There are also reef sharks, which are obviously no risk to snorkelers, but are a decent size. I think the largest is about 6 feet. Very awesome. Today we took a trip to the sister island (Banyan tree) which was nice but bear in mind the sunbeds are part of the villas so best to head to the pool by the sea and nets like you get on catamarans. Best to go at 10.05 and come back at 12.30 in time for lunch. No stingray feeding there now though. The couple massage is $195 each but was the best massage we have ever had So all in all. Very nice. The people are lovely and friendly and I'd recommend a visit especially if snorkelling is...

We booked this resort for 7 nights because we want to go to small island resort instead of big resort and not far from Male!only 25 minutes by speedboat, and after the best experience ever we decided to extend for another 8 nights!It is the most beautiful island,beach with white sand !with the friendliest staff, gorgeous food and pure paradise!you will get the feeling like you are on private island with the best service as you can imagine!the sea was bliss and the wildlife we saw was breath-taking!the best snokerling and diving as well !!every night was different types of cuisines,one day was a la carta and another day buffer!if you are staying at this resort you are allowed to visit sister island Banyan tree for day !it’s also beautiful ,also they organised sunset cruise with canapés and champagne!is very beautiful to take photos!very romantic!we already been twice and we are already booked for another evening as well! We even treated ourselves to a wonderful few massage at the spa. Therapist at the spa are brilliant! Rooms are very very clean and very comfortable ,outdoor shower,with huge private garden at the front of beautiful sea ,we had a beautiful view with big palm tree at the front!I will attach the photos so you can see !mini bar was included in all inclusive Plan(a lots of choices,wine,gin,vodka,whisky,soft drinks,nuts,crisps,chocolate)breakfast it’s to die for!!🥰🥰a lots of choices,fresh fruits,fresh juices made !!really nice !! What really made it were the staff!first very very warm welcome from our host SLYAD,he was very friendly and helpful !well done SLYAD!!!customer service 10/10and special thanks to Liusha she was serving us in the restaurant ,she was always talking to us,she is the really star and diamond of this resort!the best customer service 10/10 ,nobody could do enough for you, they referenced you by name and made the whole holiday the most wonderful experience!also big thanks to all cheefs, bar staff ,Rohit,Afraah,Ziad (they did the best cocktails,best mojito,they also do with tatinnger champagne,,best shisha which we tried as well (a lots of flavours)special thanks of course to the Manager Abdulla Simaad!he was always chatting with us ,making sure everything was perfect!also very helpful with everything which we asked him !very kind and very professional!!lovely person!️️of course all staff which we didn’t mention their names was working very very hard I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone considering to go!!the best atmosphere,feel like home !!well done !!you won’t be disappointed!!believe me !!!I am very recommended this resort from my heart !we are still in resort until Sunday! We don’t want to leave this paradise ! We will be back with other friends for sure !! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to send...

We were lucky to be able to escape for a weekend to Angsana Ihuru recently. Following a speedboat briefing, the opportunity to sanitize hands and our thirst quenched with a glass bottle of water, we were whisked away from the airport for a short speedboat ride of just under 30 minutes to the resort where the members of the guest relations team met us at the jetty.

A small resort of only 45 beach villas, it is unpretentious and offered a quiet, relaxed no news, no shoes atmosphere, with sand throughout the public areas including the bar and buffet restaurant.

The villas have been recently refurbished and were large, airy and very comfortable. All the usual amenities including mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, laundry service, bathrobes, TV, Free WiFi. Each villa is surrounded by natural vegetation and has it's own private garden area equipped with day bed, table and chairs and parasol, swing seat (undhoali) and sun loungers, before opening out onto the beach. Our villa also boasted an open air bathroom with a Jacuzzi, outdoor shower and two basins.

Whilst we were there to relax and take advantage of the spa, (highly recommended) it's the perfect island for snorkelers, with access to the house reef at five points around the island. The coral reef itself like most within North/South Male atoll has seen better days, but was full of marine-life including black tips and a nurse shark at the time we snorkeled! It is also possible to snorkel all the way round the island taking care with currents and the arrival jetty area. Divers have access to over 20 dive sites in North Male Atoll, as well as a wreck dive just off the house reef. There is also a water sports center for those wanting to be more active!

All meals are served at Riveli buffet restaurant, where you can choose to sit on the decking, overlooking the beach or within the restaurant itself. Given that the resort was not overly busy at the time of our visit there was still a wide selection for all meals, which included a freshly squeezed juice and eggs station for breakfast and a live grill for lunch and dinner. On the Friday evening that we were there we enjoyed a 4 course ala-carte menu served to a very high standard.

Velaavani Bar is open throughout the day for drinks and snacks but unfortunately it is not sunset side, so if you wish to enjoy sunset and do not have a room on the west side of the island then you will need to make yourself comfortable on the beach or for a change of scenery take the complimentary daily afternoon shuttle to their sister property Banyan Tree.

For anyone looking for a beach, diving or snorkeling focused holiday, on a welcoming, quiet and relaxed island within a speedboat distance of Male then Ihuru fits the...