"Paradise (well 98% )!!!"
This is our 2nd stay at the RIU Atoll in 9 months. We did 12 nights departing 23 June.
Obviously we enjoyed it first time around and decided to return in June. it was in monsoon season but gambled on the weather and had maybe 3 poor days when it was windy and full cloud/showers. Still you can swim, snorkel and do activities or even spend the day in the bar!!
Whilst the location is great, the marine life likewise it's the staff that make the place and our holiday amazing! It was great to be greeted by so many with an "I remember you!!" look followed by a hug/handshake and a chat.
A huge shout out to the following members of staff (apologies for the spelling!):
Thanney in the restaurant, my go to guy for info.
Sanjay! OMG what a lovely guy, highlight of the day was his bingo, mixey mixey, shakey shakey, oh and hes single!!!
Rose, such a lovely person.
Susi, a new face to us, had the biggest smile constantly.
Afzal again a new face, loved to chat and talk about Maldivian life.
Cindy, Nee and a lady whose name I forget, but was awesome (feel bad).
Jessica, Roshan and SJ in the pool bar, such a laugh! It wouldn't be the same without them.
Marchee, Faz, Riani and a couple of other guys/girls whose names escape me in the sports bar/Boduboro.
Fernando, top fella!
A special mention to Rohit who attends the facilities opposite the spa, such a nice guy, likes to chat and improve his English.
Our room attendant (2802), again I forgot his name, but the level of cleaning was 5 star, and I hope he got the gift I left him.
Philippe, the restaurant manager, such a jovial guy, always happy to chat and would come over to make conversation.
Sounds soft but I have got to know them like new friends and will be returning due to the staff!
A comment I wish to make about RIU, all the staff I spoke with (which was pretty much all of them) said how good an employer RIU are and don't treat them how I know that some big companies treat their staff, I think they know that the staff make a place and are the heart of the organisation. There were a few higher management RIU staff at the hotel whilst we were and they were very nice also, always stopping to say hi.
I know this review is going on a bit, so I'll dig into some of the bits and pieces of the place and maybe a few improvements that could be made without trying to demand 5 star treatment for a 4 star price.
Transfer and arrival from Male. We had the internal flight and boat transfer, we were met by RIU staff after arrival and shown to the waiting area by the domestic terminal (last year we had a sort of lounge on the first floor, that wasn't done this time, don't know why!), it was hot and uncomfortable to wait here and the prices for snacks and drink was high, even for airport standards. After about three hours we got our Manta Air flight, flight is short. On arrival at kudahuvadhoo, again RIU staff were waiting to get us on the 5 min bus trip to the boat and on to the resort which was smooth.
Some reviews have mentioned about the lengthy wait that can happen at check in, which is true. Tip, check in on the RIU app which we did which will streamline it for you. Secondly people mentioned that they were abandoned to find their room in the dark, this did happen to us in Sept last year, but RIU listened and we were escorted as far as the sports bar and pointed out how to find our room this time, even joked with the guy that it was not necessary as we had the same room as before and knew where to go, he said they now have to do this.
There is a lot said about dampness in the rooms in many other reviews, this is true. On our first visit the smell was unpleasant on arrival, however this time it seemed the room had been used recently and they had kept up with correct air con use. It must be kept at 22-24, this DOES work and stops it. Many also mention the rooms are cold at that temp, which they are and people say you cannot raise the temp, yes you can, but make sure when you are not in the room to drop it back to keep the humidity down. The Maldives have very very high humidity and it has to be controlled in your room, maybe a PIV system would help too.
Food and drink.
So some reviews moan about the quality/ monotony of the buffet food, we have no problem with it, the 3 sittings a day offer lots of choices. One slight is the lack of fresh meat, mostly the meats are variations of spam, even the turkey bacon and are not great, however a few times a week there is fresh meat. Fish is plentyful, rice, curry, noodles, soups, loads of bread choices. There really is something good to be found every day and at each meal time, we did 12 nights and I think I could easily do 3 weeks and try something different at each meal.
TIP for RIU, as some of the bread can be hardish, think about adding a microwave to the buffet room to allow for guests to soften their bread up?
The 24 hr all inclusive food options after evening meals comprises of a variety of tiny sandwiches, microwavable burgers, half hot dogs, fruit and a few deserts, these really are the last option and are poor, however they were popular with guests. RIU like to promote their ECO stance and it would be nice if they could work out another way instead of individually wrapping each quarter of a sandwich in printed wrapping that, on the surface, did not look like recyclable material. There must be hundreds of these done each day.
Drinks on the all inclusive are OK. We are not cocktail drinkers but did sample a few, which were fine but obviously used cheap syrups instead of fresh juices/mixers.
The beer is quite poor, it's apparently Carlsberg, but the draught really isn't tasting like it. One tip, on theme nights the outdoor bar serves from cans into your glass and this is better than the draught.
The wine offering is quite tasty, particularly the white!
The mini bar fridge in your room contains 2 cans each of sprite, diet coke, regular coke, Schweppes tonic and Carlsberg, as well as plenty of large bottles of water. It would be nice if there were sugar free options of all instead of just diet coke.
The island
The resort is beautifully kept, staff are constantly cleaning and gardening around the place. Everywhere is spotlessly clean.
TIP to RIU, the lads who do the beach clean start at 630am and use a motored buggy as opposed to an electric one, they drive down the central path every morning at this time and it's REALLY loud. I'm usually up and around but it woke my partner up most mornings, please look to get them to use a quiet electric one.
Snorkeling is good, particularly around the reef, it really is like swimming in a fish tank. Choose your times right though, at the southerly part of the island, where the reef is located, it can get quite strong currents which can make it a little difficult if you are not the strongest of swimmers.
Black tip sharks, rays, herons, lizards, the bats in the day, the Kanbils (you have to love them), the hermit crabs and all the marine life here are fantastic and you won't be disappointed in the nature
On the beach in front of the pool you can, as part of the all inclusive use the non-moterised kayaks, paddle boards, pedalos etc. They have snorkeling gear available, however you cannot take this and use on the reef (looks into allowing this RIU please).
The 24 sports bar has seating inside and out, last year the A/C made the place too cold to be comfortable inside, that appears to have been addressed and is now fine. There are multiple TVs inside (some were not working well and badly stuttering on our visit), 2 free to use pool table (these could do with some attention as they are both slanted and a lot of badly chipped balls).
Again TIP for RIU, the central square outside the bar could be nicely lit and a few chairs and tables added as the outdoor seating fills up fast in the evening!
There is a shop on site, everyday essentials such as sun cream, toiletries, snacks are very expensive, so ensure you take enough with you! On the other hand the clothing choices were good and not over the top price wise.
We didn't use the renova spa, but this did look busy a lot of the time, likewise the gym (free to use, the spa is a paid element).
The sands around the island are good and very clean and you can take yourself to any part of RIU Atoll and sunbathe away. At the southerly end there are a couple of hammocks and Bali beds for guests to use, this is the quietest part too away from the hustle and bustle of the pool area.
The pool itself is OK, quite small but functional. There are plenty of sunbeds available both covered and open to the sun. As noted in some other reviews, it can be quite noisy at times when activities are taking place with a speaker brought into the area by the staff booming out loud music!
This may sound a bit silly, but the pool is cooler than the sea and when it is windy and cloudy it's not that pleasant to lounge in the pool and can feel a bit too cool! But 50 yards away you have the sea!
What seemed to be the highlight of the day was bingo at 3.15pm. it's the most basic thing, but was really fun (shout out to Sanjay as above!), it also got people chatting to others.
BIG TIP for RIU, have you considered adding some form of seated and covered viewing platform by or on the bridge to reception, some of the largest marine life is visible from here, to be able to sit and watch them passing with a drink in hand would be an amazing addition, possibly lights underneath too (dependent on what, if any effect, lighting would have on the animals, nothing harmful or off putting). Maybe also at the end of the water villas platform!
The room
We chose the same room as last year, 2802, in monsoon season this lays on the leeward side of the island which has the calmer sea and is shielded from the wind. It's also the opposite side from the pool, water villas and reef and is quieter, however this side is where the seaplane lands and departs from and that is REALLY loud, but as a plane geek that suits me. But at around 6 am it can land/depart and WILL wake you unless you are a very heavy sleeper.
The room is spacious enough, has a good sized wardrobe, with plenty of hanger AND an iron and ironing board!
The bed we had is the double and it's HUGE and comfortable. We had the ground floor room (direct beach access) and I would definitely recommend paying the little extra and choosing this option.
TIP again for RIU, whilst there is a large dress mirror in the room, there are no plug sockets nearby for hair straighteners, hair dryers etc. the mirror cannot be moved, not a problem for me as I'm shaved headed but was a problem for my other half, maybe supply a mirror on the large drawers where the mini bar fridge and electric socket are.
The room is very dark, even in the day with the curtains on and all the lights, which was a small problem for my partner doing hair/make up etc so a little mirror on those drawers would be good.
You get a variety of USB outlets by the bed which are good for charging devices.
Entertainment
Perfect balance really, aside from the speaker by the pool the music levels are fine, low enough to have a conversation. Some people have commented that the evening entertainment and pool scene are not lively enough, I think they chose the wrong holiday destination! You can dance away in Bodoboru at theme nights or in front of the indoor stage, however it's not Ibiza volume thankfully!
There is generally a guitarist/singer in the outdoor stage at 7pm each night which is good, followed by RIUland kids club till about 845pm. Then a kahoot quiz which is good. About 9pm on non theme nights the house band play and they are good too. There is also a weekly movie night which makes a good change.
Daytime there is constantly something going on somewhere, should it interest you, from yoga in the RIUfit area or on paddle boards in the sea! to water sports and aerobics in the pool, volleyball in the court by the pool. Not really our scene though.
Overall we loved the place, a few more minor points or improvements as noted above could be made to enhance it, without taking it I to 5 star territory and raising prices (which I note are creeping up for later this year!).
Any way I have waffled in FAR too long, but wanted to be thorough.
Sorry to any staff I have missed, it's not because you didn't impress more that I have forgot names :(
See u soon, maybe September or November;)
Richard and Caroline x
