Diamonds Athuruga Maldives — Hotel in North Ari Atoll

To give this review an accurate account, I would like to point out that my wife and I have been travelling to the Maldives for 29 Years and made 24 visits to 13 different islands, so we have some idea of what to expect. Regarding Athuruga this visit was our seventh, but with a 20 yr gap between our last visit and this one. Yes things change over 20 years and people change too. But Athuruga was always our happy island and that for our last trip to the Maldives was the reason we chose it.|So let’s do the review…..we arrived at the airport and no one from Athuruga was visible, we eventually asked someone if they could contact the island representative |which they did and five minutes later someone appeared. Seaplane luggage sorted we were transported to a lounge in the new sea plane terminal, I can’t remember the name I think it was something like Nooni, it was the worst lounge I have ever been in, in the Maldives, not clean and everything had to be bought.|Our seaplane flight was relatively quick and we were at Athuruga within 35 minutes.|We were taken to our room a junior suite number 41, it was in a position on the beach where we have stayed before but the room had been updated to a suite.|We will start with the issues…and our views|The room was a bit tired and not really very functional with very few drawers but two wardrobes and not many coat hangers. The flooring was a bit messy and looked unfinished and some of the skirting boards didn’t quite fit correctly leaving holes onto the walls.|The loungers on the beach were quite dangerous with the corrosion on them pictures below||Our first room boy as not very good, he didn’t clean the room very well and he didn’t change the bedding when he was supposed to after three days but apparently he claimed it was our fault for not asking him to, but the reception staff had stated bedding would be changed every three days. I went to reception and pointed out the bedding hadn’t been changed, they agreed it should have been and made a phone call, we heard nothing then until the next morning when we had a new room boy, no apologies or anything but at least the bedding had been changed.|Our major complaint was with regards to the dining room the display of food for breakfast was appalling not very much at all. You could order an omelette with beans and bacon but the omelette was cold because the chef cooked the omelette then put it on a cold plate whilst he warmed the beans up in a frying pan and warmed the pre cooked bacon on the grill, by the time the beans were warm and the bacon the omelette was cold and pretty soon it was all cold.|This also applies to lunch and to evening meals everything was cold or at best like warm, the food on display on the boat centre didn’t appear to have heating under them and didn’t always go with one another and very few choices.|This was a shame as the cooking stations made very tasty food but it was always cold or luke warm, in 10 days I only had one meal that was warm.|Let’s go to the positives…|As I said the food at the cooking stations were very flavoursome shame about the temperature. |Our waiter Rasheed was brilliant as were the pizza chef whose name I cannot remember but a real comedian.|The ice cream station was brilliant, and fortunately always cold.|Our new room boy was Imran, he was brilliant and did his job to an excellent level and very friendly.|The room was clean in respect of creatures, no ants, spiders or cockroaches.|There was little interaction with management if any and reception staff were not always that approachable. We tend to look after ourselves but when we did ask or speak to staff it wasn’t met with friendliness. Which was one of the things we loved about the old Athuruga it was a happy place full of people with lovely food.||On one day about 30 people left and after that not very many arrived and the island looked and felt almost empty. Our overall opinion on the island and the experience was that everything appeared to be penny pinching, done as cheap as possible or to save as much money as possible. It was such a shame as the island used to be brilliant, it appears to have lost its heart and soul.|I was not impressed with the reef either it used to be vibrant and full of creatures it certainly wasn’t...

Beautiful, idyllic island, with the most EXCEPTIONAL team. |ޝުކުރިއްޔާ/ Shukuriyaa||I stayed in a water villa, which was substantial compared to other resorts I have stayed at, bed was so comfy I almost missed breakfast most mornings. Meals could be taken a 'la carte at the water villa restaurant or in the buffet restaurant on the island, great touch and both had great food and fantastic service.||It’s a small island, you can get around it in 10mins max, so I made full use of the many excursions. Really enjoyed both the manta & whale shark safari, no whale sharks this time but I saw my first manta. A first for me was a marine biology team at the resort, they led tours and house reef snorkelling sessions. They have a fantastic amount of knowledge and it was a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about the marine life and reefs and a "perk" I have never experienced in the Maldives before.||I also did a Discover Diving session with the iDive team. The House Reef is incredible and seeing it whilst whilst diving is an experience I would recommend everyone try at least once in their lifetime. Nils, my dive instructor, had the patience of a saint. I am not the most confident of swimmers and after 30mins I was off. I loved it so much that I now want my Open Water certification. I would 100% recommend doing a Discover Diving session as early in any Maldivian holiday as possible, not only did I love the diving, I really benefited from the confidence that it gave me when I went snorkelling.||The staff here are what makes this island exceptional, and for me unforgettable. All of them genuinely seem to get on and have fun as colleagues and friends, which makes for a very warm and welcoming feel as a guest, from the moment you step off the sea plane. Having visited the Maldives on many occasions, stayed at various resorts, travelled solo, as in this case, and with my husband & children I've made a general rule not to visit the same resort twice BUT Athuruga, you have my heart, and have made an exception, I'll see you in October. Ciao Vicky||So many wonderful staff to mention I cannot name them all but…|Front of house: Valeria (for introducing me to a Martini Spritz), Sebastiano (for being such great fun). |Water sports: Miriam, Federica, Giulia (for getting me jumping off of various boats whilst snorkelling) and Gabriele (Karaoke king, DJ, Game Show Host the list goes on, he is actually part of the water sports team)|The iDive Team: Davide, Jessica and of course Nils and Ramu for getting me under the water.|Waiters & Bar Staff: Sailam, Shiyarau, Nasook, Akash, Abdulla, Shakib. |Fernando, the head chef, and his amazing team and finally to the best chef this side of the sun, Chef Titu,...

We flew in by sea plane from Male. Quite an adventure in itself, as the pilot opened up the throttle and we tore across the sea to start climbing. A short 35 minute or so flight and we touched ( or splashed ) down and taxied to the pontoon. ||(The islands position on the flight path dictates you are the first to be dropped off and last to be collected, which is a great add on.)||There to meet us were the resort’s Guest Manager and team. A short transfer to the island’s jetty and we had arrived. The weather was and had been, uncharacteristically poor, but that did not diminish the beauty of this place. ( In any event, a day or so later the Sun came out. )||We were shown around and introduced to all the island has to offer. Our beach front villa sits as the name suggests, right on top of the beach. Ten yards or so and you are in pristine waters of the Indian Ocean with it’s abundant marine life, including many types of fish and shark ( all of which harmless) ||The resort has its own marine biologist and aqua centre. Do go on the guided snorkelling trip. Even for beginners, it’s glorious. There’s a PADI centre for the more qualified and adventurous of course. ||The staff - Simply amazing. They really have made a good holiday, a great holiday. ( sorry for the cliche..) They really are superb and cater for your every wish, with a smile and easy going nod. ||Tipping - The US Dollar is king. A couple of Dollars at the bar and a 5 or ten every couple of days to a member of the front of house staff and room team, keeps the wheels running smoothly. ||It is a largely Italian based resort with most of the food leaning that way, pastas, pizza, etc, which personally, we enjoyed. There are local dishes and they change daily. The BBQ Chef was particularly popular. ||Internet! I guess if there was one thing that is missing, or we missed, is internet coverage. There is no TV or Radio in the accommodation. The only Internet that is available in the bar and reception and that is ‘patchy and slow’. It may be a well designed feature of the resort coordinate everyone from their rooms at night to congregate in the bar with a view to creating an entertaining bar environment? ||Commendable if correct? But sadly not supported by the entertainment schedule, which was quite poor, on the most part with tired old karaoke and accompanied dancing staff amongst other fairly lacklustre entertainment in place. ||What with the advent of ‘Starlink’ a little more internet access would be welcome for some, but we except, not all. ||All in all. It remains a...