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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Going to Kuredu Island in the Maldives soon - anyone been there and can give tips?

20 replies

summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 15:04

Mainly on which trips to go on/what food is like/dos and donts.

Thanks!

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summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 18:46
Smile
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ruddynorah · 12/10/2008 18:49

try this

TheRedQueen · 12/10/2008 19:01

No. But I'm very envious. Have a great time!

summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 19:08

Thanks ruddynorah - some of those reviews not so good but forearmed and all that!!

Thanks TheRedQueen

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Tillyscoutsmum · 12/10/2008 19:14

Haven't been to Kuredu but have been to Meeru which I think is a similar resort (I think they were around the same price when we went)

Got to dd's bedtime but will come back later if its any use

summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 20:12

Yes TSM- that would be great . Meeru was our first choice but was fully booked at the times we wanted. What accomodation did you stay in? Things like what excursions you went on, what things to bring,was it all inclusive so what things did you have to pay for, any things that would of made it better etc

TIA!

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Tillyscoutsmum · 12/10/2008 20:57

Ok - it was a couple of years ago (pre dd), but will do my best

We stayed in the Jacuzzi Water Villa and it was amazing. We didn't really go on many excursions - it was a really lazy holiday - we spent most of the time chilling on the beach (got through about 20 books !). We tried snorkelling which was worthwhile. You can hire all the stuff there and its not massively expensive. We also spent a fair amount of time/money in the spa, which was just amazing. The four hand massage was especially blissful and we had a his and hers pamper thing as well, which was gorgeous.

We did a night fishing excursion (because it was free ) and it was ok for a change, but I don't think I'd have bothered if we'd had to pay for it iyswim. We did an excursion to a neighbouring non tourist island (I think it was just a half day excursion) and that was worthwhile.

It was all inclusive but we did spend some money. Certain wines (pretty hideous ones imho) were included but you had to pay for a nicer one so we had a few bottles of those (if you don't finish them, the restaurant will keep it for the next evening). Similarly, there were a few restaurants which weren't included in the all inclusive and we ate in those a few times. The food in the all inclusive restaurants was absolutely fine and there was loads of choice - I can't imagine anyone not being able to find something they liked - but it was just lovely to get waiter service and an a la carte meal occassionally. I can't remember the non inclusive food/drink prices being extortionate.

Things like drinks/chocolate/crisps etc. from the shops were pricey. We often would order a couple of bottles of mineral water with lunch/dinner and then take them back to room to save buying them from the mini bar

You usually get a waiter allocated to you in the AI restaurant for your whole stay and they will usually look after you really well. We took some cash for tips for them and the room maid.

You don't need to take much in the way of clothes/shoes. Its quite casual, so bikins, cover ups and a dress or top/skirt for the evening were fine. We also took our shoes off the moment we arrived and barely put a pair of shoes back on for the whole 3 weeks we were there ! Everything has sand floors and its so liberating not to have to wear shoes . My hair was a frizzy mess the whole time because its so humid, so I don't think I'd bother taking a hair dryer or styling products next time. There's just no point

I can't think of anything else but let me know if you think of anything specific

I am massively - it is just the most amazing, beautiful place. I would love to go back

Tillyscoutsmum · 12/10/2008 21:00

Oh - really high factor sun tan cream obviously and lots of it. There's a lovely breeze on the beach so its easy to forget how close you are to the equator and how strong the rays are

summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 21:52

Thanks so much Tillyscoutsmum that is really helpful - you answered things I didnt think of asking

Have just read it out to dh and he is really impressed (now knows why i enjoy mn so much!!)

The only thing I meant to ask is when we get off the flight in Male is it easy to find which seaplane we should get (not sure if there are reps there as the company said they dont work all the time)

Thanks again!

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Tillyscoutsmum · 12/10/2008 21:55

We did a boat transfer and it was all very straightforward. I think there was a rep at the airport but can't be 100% certain

summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 22:03

Fab - thanks so much.

Better start stocking up on books now as like you we are planning a lazy holiday, maybe dragging ourselves to the spa as the his and hers you said about was one we earmarked!

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VaginaShmergina · 12/10/2008 22:11

We had our honeymoon here 5 and a bit years ago. Had the Jacuzzi Beach Villa 2 doors down from our restaurant. (There are separate dining areas depending on your villa type) We also had a waiter who looked after us so well, but then its in their interest if they are to get a good tip.

Take very little clothing and dont worry bout shoes, sand everywhere, its amazing.

We had a day out on the islands boat and just chilled, snorkelled if we wanted.

Had plenty of treatments while we were there in their spa. Had a Mr and Mrs massage where my DH was massaged by a man and me by a girl, but we were laying on separate tables but in the same room.

Scuba diving was available and truck loads of other beach activities but we did not take them up.

The boat trip was a gift when we arrived as my cousin was then at the time working for Kuoni and she was in charge of PR for Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Loads of hermit crabs busy ebaying their homes all over the place.

Baby tiger sharks follow you along the beach as you walk around.

On a sad note but importantly, there was a couple there celebrating their anniversary and they went of off the end of the island out onto the sand banks and she got caught by the rip tide and drowned. So be careful at the opposite end of the island to where you will land.

We also went on a midnight moonlit cattamaran(sp?) boat trip which was amazing. Saw the stingrays as clear as a bell ! However, youdo need the full moon for this to happen.

We had a romantic dinner for two cooked for us and served privately further up the beech. Had chat with the Head chef and all prepared for us using ingredients we wanted. The table was decorated so beautifully and it was outrageously expensive but so romantic and so special.

A flight transfer should be very easy, just follow your nose. I hope you have the seaplane both ways as it takes 4 hours+ by boat as Kuredu is the furthermost island from Male.

Have a wicked time...... it was fab, brings back some lovely memories and i m

VaginaShmergina · 12/10/2008 22:14

oh yes the booze.....

Baileys worked out to be £12 a double !!! Our bill at the end of the week was over £1000 and we were all inclusive, however we did go hell for leather on the treatments and the booze. The meal was £350 itself !!

summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 22:24

£350 FOR A MEAL!!!!

Thanks for the warning though shall watch those doubles!

Great info too. We are in a jacuzzi water villa and have asked (tho it's not confirmed ) to be in the Sangu end as someone said it looked over the lagoon. Do you agree it's the best end?

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summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 22:24

jacuzzi BEACH villa, not water

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VaginaShmergina · 12/10/2008 22:31

TBH I cannot remember the name of the end we were at, if you have a map to look at, as you look at the island the seaplanes land at the easterly end where the swimming pool and the large restaurant is and we were further along the island, the western end where the restaurant is for the beach and water villas are.

I am sure that is right as that end of the island, and then around the other side is where all the better quality villas are.

Will check their website and come back and confirm........ my DH says do you need someone to carry your bags ?

Take your favourite CD's if you dont do ipods or similar as there was a Stereo in the room too.

VaginaShmergina · 12/10/2008 22:34

Here we go

The end of the island that is closest to you in the photo is where we stayed. The building with the large roof is the restaurant for the Villas at this end of the island, and the sandbank you can see is where the awful accident happened.

Our Villa was two doors down (Be warned the bed is knackered )

summerdressesandlacyboots · 12/10/2008 22:54

Thanks VS - and if your dh can put down his credentials I'll see if he's a good swop for my dh

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mice · 13/10/2008 07:21

Hi - we went to Kuredu in 2005 taking our 2 children who were then 7 and 9. We stayed n a water villa in the Sangu end of the island. I think things may have changed a bit since then as a lot of new villas have been built.
It is a beautiful island - but much larger and busier than how I had imagined a typical island in the Maldives (but at the time was the only island that accepted children in a Water Villa)
I would definitely say the Sangu end of the islad was better - the estaurant gave a much more individual service (in the other restaurants in teh centre of the island you were not guaranteed a table to yoursleves - lots of people had to share - and you kept the same table for the duration of your stay. (not sure if this has changed or not) and in Sangu you could only eat at that end if you were staying in a Sangu villa (we wore blue bands and the other villas wore yellow) Sangu tended to be more honeymooners etc (except us and two children!! - I think child policies may also now hae changed!)
The dive centre there is great - my husband started diving here - and the organised snorkeling trips are a must if you want to look at the hundreds of diferent fish. You can do this straight from the beach but the guided snorkelling takes you to different sites and we saw so many different things - and it is all done at your pace / confidence level (our 2 kids were absolutely fine with it all)
The all inclsive wasn't like in many places - only including local drinks - no cocktails - and back in 2005 we had to pay for all bottled water although again I think this may have changed.
We got all our essential info from the friendly forum on the islands website here www.kuredu.com/community/forum/index.php which has loads of FAQ's essential things to do and take and always someone round to answer questions no matter how silly! It gets you really excited!
We had an amazing holiday - we combined 8 days on Kuredu with 8 days touring Sri LAnka and 5 days in Dubai - we enjoyed Kuredu - but when we return to the Maldives we will pick a smaller island for that more exclusive desert island type feel (maybe that is just because we are old!!!)
I hope that helps a little - I have many many photos and can try and answer anything else - but think the forum may be the best place for up to dte information!
Have a great holiday!

summerdressesandlacyboots · 13/10/2008 12:02

Thanks mice - that is really helpful, lots of great info. Thanks as well for that link - will check it out!!

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