Medhufushi Island Resort — Hotel in Mulaku Atoll

Having returned 2 weeks ago from a blissful 10-night holiday with my wife and two adult children at Medufushi Island Resort I can say that I was ecstatic that we chose this resort. It’s not a high end 5 Star luxury resort but the staff and owner were certainly pleased to host my family and this shone through in the exceptional level of care and attention everyone provided.|We were aware that the resort is affected by sea grass deposits, however there is a team constantly clearing sea grass away so it doesn’t accumulate but does not spoil the beauty of the island. The rest of the island is also kept clear of debris and is always tidy. Some of the structures and furnishings are showing signs of wear but there is a refurbishment scheme to the Water Villas and pool area being carried out while we were there that did not detract from our holiday. Sensibly, this work is being carried out in the low season. There is investment going into the resort and we were appraised of further plans to enhance the facilities and visitor experience which I am sure will be delivered to a good standard. |Drawbacks are very few and are hugely outweighed by the positives. The island is beautiful and very few structures are visible on approach. The Vilu bar and jetty are prominent as is the pool and water villas but the rest of the island is screened by mature vegetation. The beach villas are not situated directly on the beach but behind well manicured vegetation to allow the villas to blend into the landscape. This gives the feeling of a more traditional Maldivian island which is respectful to the natural environment. Our accommodation comprised 2 water villas and the experience was beyond our expectations. Waking up each morning to look out over the sea was incomparable. Sunrises are definitely worth the early start to witness the majesty of the sun rising above the Indian Ocean. Sunset on the other side was equally beautiful.|The beaches are soft and sandy but there is some coral at shallow depths and I would recommend sand/sea shoes. The ocean is warm, crystal clear and the colour of the water into the distance is all shades of blue and turquoise and is absolutely captivating. Set against the blue sky, white sandy beach and swaying palm trees, it is a picture of paradise.|The water villas were very well appointed with a large comfortable bed, air conditioning, large shower and bath alongside a spacious dressing area. There is a fridge in the room stocked with soft drinks which were part of our all-inclusive deal and drinks were replenished daily. The doors to the private terrace can be opened fully and you have a double swing seat, a table and chairs as well as 2 loungers. Ali who prepared and maintained our rooms was very efficient and attentive. Our kettle was spotless and always filled and we had 2 large bottles of water daily for our use. Ali is very friendly and accommodating and I would look forward to seeing him during the day while he continued his work cheerfully. I was especially touched by the decoration he left on our bed on our final night. |Moving onto another highlight, the food was excellent. We looked forward to the buffet each mealtime knowing there would be lots of choice. Sharif looked after our table at every meal time and I cannot commend him highly enough. He went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed the variety of dishes and also arranged dishes specifically to showcase the chef’s skills and also introduce us to Maldivian food which was all delicious. Sharif is also very engaging and thoughtful and he made a huge impression on all of us. The naan bread is the best I have ever had, freshly made, thin and crispy plain or garlic with plenty of butter, it really is exceptional and good enough to eat on its own. The Chefs are very talented and in particular my friend Yasin who never let a sitting pass without a greeting and asking our plans for the day or how the day was going. Yasin made the most delicious omelettes and fried eggs and often had a queue of people waiting. As a family, we do miss the engagement we had with Sharif and Yasin.|Similarly, the Vilu bar hosts guests impeccably. Jay, Sujith, Shanu, Ajay and Sarita always served us with a warm welcome and smile. We did enjoy the evening entertainment and the karaoke threw up some real surprises and laughter. You had to be there to know what I am referring to but it was a memorable night. It was also heartening to see the interaction between guests of all nationalities which is a credit to the atmosphere and ambience created in the Vilu bar and resort generally. The pool area always has sufficient loungers and Nazmul worked very hard to ensure he could accommodate as many people as he could around the pool and beach area.|We have been back a fortnight now and the memories will take a long time to fade. We absolutely loved the resort and the people. My morning ritual of enjoying a cup of tea on the terrace of my water villa watching the sunrise and the kaleidoscope of colour across the ocean, listening to the waves gently lapping up against the underside of our water villa was the most calming and relaxing time I have experienced. We will go back to these times and relive our experiences until we hopefully return again in the future. Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the proprietor, Ali a charming and very eloquent host. It was a pleasure to meet him and his General Manager Hassan, I was most grateful for the time they took to speak to my children and share their first hand experience of an event at the resort. We would not have got this insight anywhere else.|Finally, a word of advice relating to purchasing souvenirs. We found the adjacent islands provided the best value when we went on an island hopping tour. Prices are much more reasonable and a fraction of the prices I paid at Male airport. Overall, this was a spectacular holiday which will live long in...

We arrived at about 1:30pm to be told that if we had lunch that day we could not have it on our last day. Nice welcome. || We went for lunch in the el cheapo cafetaria with sand on the floor, our waiter was good assigned to you when you arrive for the whole of the time you are there. Limited choice, no fish other than the grilled Tuna that was on offer every day we were there no other fish just grilled Tuna, for the whole of the seven days thank god I did not book longer The omelletes are nice but hadly takes a genius to cook, the chicken was generally overcooked and dry, luckily they normally had a sauce. I did try some of the curries nothing to write home about, ok but that is all you could say they were ok. The continental breakfast the cheeses were like plastic, chicken ham. Turkey bacon, chicken sausage and beans if you wanted to go down an English breakfast option, you will struggle with the rest of a full English.||||Drinks, we do not feel a need to drink alcohol at every opportunity with every meal so the soft drinks and tea and coffee are nice. Evening meal tried the white wine foul asked for an alternative told only one white, one red and one rose turned out to be not true. He brought the Rose alternative and announced it is french so it is good. Found quite the opposite to be true I drink quite a lot of wine and I am a member of a wine club I do not have a single bottle of anything French. the Rose was drinkable but that is all you could say for it. The all inclusive drinks passage is not good very limited cocktails about four or five to choose from, Mojito not even in this package.||. Spent most of the week on Gin and Tonic (you need them at this resort) and a South African Sav Blanc (yes more than one white and one Red) which was ok but once again nothing to write home about. They only have Diet Coke or Coke Zero, no diet lemonade or anything else diet that is it that is all not even slimline tonic, if you want diet you had better like Coke.||||The over water villa first day we arrived air con did not work. The water situation is weird you have to run the water for five to ten minutes to get the water warm/hot and generally the ten minutes. The pressure is poor. So the villa depending on which side you are on you will get either the sunset or sunrise and so it follows that you get sun for one half of the day and not the other. Which leaves you with a long walk to the pool. The other island across the way have thought about it with South facing villas so Sun all day. The air con once working to be fair they fixed it very quickly is above the door so there is a constant stream of cold air over your head and body during the night not good I do not like sleeping in a wind tunnel. The water outside if you want to swim you have to time it. Tide in strong current and not a relaxing swim, if you stop the strong current just takes you and quite quickly. Low tide hardly any current and hardly any depth a glorified paddle. I agree with another review starting to look tired fixtures and fittings but still ok nothing really to complain about there. ||||The entertainment. the first night we arrived was Karaoke night which consists of them leaving the guests work the computer and choose their records. This can be a disaster, however, our night the Russians took over and we enjoyed it made some Russian friends and Google translate worked over time that night. We danced to who knows what as it was mainly all Russian songs. The two DJ's they brought in were useless if you asked for any records you were ignored and they were specialsing in a music genre an one just scratched and overlaid bass and sound effects he was having a great time but one hour in he had vfirtually cleared the room, the younger one's were he first to leave. I think they had one of their staff do DJ one night and he took requests played what the guests wanted and a storming night was had. Film night consists of you going back to your room and picking a film from what we could see as nothing was happening in the entertainment room.||||The trips. We can recommend the feed the sharks boat trip. The dolphin trip is hit and miss either outstanding or poor, depends on how the dolphins feel that day. The island hopping luckily some german friends we had made told us it was shockingly bad. You go to two islands and three shops and that is it a total con job. Others we talked to who also went on it felt the same. Snorkelling is good but not free you have to hire stuff so $19 dollars why lie!! Now the really ridiculous, $110 US dollars for 10 minutes on a jet ski, I kid you not that is the price it gets cheaper the longer you are on but you are looking at in excess of $200 US dollars for this, but not worth it as you have to follow their guy so no zig zag nothing just a boring follow me. Told this by a guest who foolishly went on it. Kayaking is $80 US dollars, Scuba you are looking at $200 and more. Just overpriced everything.||||We had a meal in the a la carte restaurant which is chargeable but we enjoyed about $60 per person, three course. Now the laughable $200 per couple for a floating breakfast in the pool, romantic dinner on the beach starts at $95 per person and quite quickly increases depending on what you have to eat. Plus they charge you for the decorations another $15||||We were looking foward to our luxury Maldives resort what we got was cheap 3 to 4 star all inclusive at best served in a cafeteria. Average food, bad drinks package and hopeless...

The resort in itself is a budget friendly luxurious stay in Maldives. I was recently there with my wife in 1st week of April, for 4N/5D (2N beach villa & 2N water villa) & enjoyed each and every moment of our stay in this resort. Here is a detailed review;

Note - Carry sufficient amount of sunscreen lotion, otherwise be ready to experience sunburn. The water level rises above chest after 12 pm nearby water villas. No need to carry extra cash, as you can pay at the time of checkout using your credit card.

Transport from Male airport to resort (Mr Rexin is a nice person to connect)- Wait for speedboat/seaplane at Medhufushi lounge at airport (approx 10*12 room), where, you can keep your luggage outside the lounge. Avail free water bottles. Fill in basic personal data in a form & the room is allocated. Only 2 speedboats (1 at 11 am and other at 4/5 pm, based on the availability). So, plan your visit accordingly. The ride thru' speedboat is 2.5 hours and thru' seaplane 40 minutes. Ride is awesome (we both felt it), as it provides you with some beautiful natural views amidst the sea water. If you reach at around 1/2 pm, then you can plan 1 hour trip to Male city, which is a 10 minutes ride, using ferry from airport terminal (10 Rufiyas per person per trip).

After reaching the resort - You will be given the keys based on the room allocated to you. You will be welcomed with a welcome drink. The luggage will reach your villa, no need to worry about it.

Beach villas - A comfortable stay besides the seashore. The view is amazing. Though one cannot directly see the sea due to the large trees, the sea water is just 2 meters away from villa and these large trees enhance the view. 2 types - sunset & sunrise villas. My experience - pics come better in the surroundings of sunset villas. All basic necessities available (toiletries, bathrobes, multiple towels, mini fridge, 2 water bottles and coffee sachets, sea facing balcony, with swing-beachchairs-sofas) every villa has its own wifi.

Water villas - This is the best. 15 min. walk from main reception and common resto. 2 types - Sunrise & sunset villas - best water experience is in the sunrise villas. Has mini fridge with cold drink bottles, 1 safe, bathtub, large size bathroom, 2 water bottles, big wardrobes, bathrobes, multiple towels, sea facing balcony with swing-beachchairs-sofas, its own wifi. The last steps of stairs leading to sea are made of stone & are bit slippery. So, be careful while using them.

Resto (with dining hall)- Common among the beach villas & water villas. Provides all kind of veg (we being pure veg enjoyed dosas, naan, paneer butter masala, tomato rice, Mexican rice, matar pulao, mint curd, aaloo sag, mix veg, steamed rice, chana dal etc.) and non-veg food. The chef is Indian. timings for breakfast, lunch & dinner are strict, so, ensure you follow it.

Excursions - The best one to enjoy is Scuba diving (160$/pax) & Snorkeling. Snorkeling, only cost is kit's rent (17$ per person/day). The instructor helps non-swimmers to experience the corals & marine life. Carry your own GoPro set for clicking pictures. Island hopping, dolphin tour (44 $/pax) and shark tour also available. other water sports (banana ride - 30$/pax, wakeboard, funtoy etc.).

Other activities - Enjoy baby shark & sting ray feeding, nearby the Villu bar area (bar with large tv and snooker table) Enjoy the clean pool & experience an exotic view of sunset from it.

Staff - Every1 is helpful & decent. (Our service Yamin - a Hindi speaking localite)

Meal plan - Can avail full board - includes unlimited amount of food, water & drinks We took half board, saved our money & have not faced any issues. We carried a lot of Indian snacks with us & used to take only breakfast and dinner. Only drawback is the extra water bottles (apart from the 2 provided) are chargeable at 4-5$ per bottle.

Overall - If one is looking for a budget friendly luxurious stay, with exquisite views around, then this must be...