Hotel reviews: Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Around 200 islands of the archipelago are inhabited (recorded at the time of our visit in April 2010). Each hotel is set on its own island (unless you stay in the capital or Hulhule, the airport island). Among the 200 or so inhabited islands, few are inhabited by locals only - hotels and locals rarely mix unless in a work environment within a hotel structure. By this, we mean that there are no local villages on the same island as a hotel and vice versa. Tourism and local life are kept separate. This means that there are no cultural activities on hotel islands, although most hotels tend to organise excursions to neighbouring local islands for the day.

Upon arrival at the airport, everything may seem very confusing, with people milling around all over the place looking lost - you will notice a row of hotel kiosks, and a row of Maldivian Air Taxi or Trans Maldivian Airline kiosks behind the kiosks. When you come out of the arrival doors, just look out for your host who should be waving a Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo placard. Go with him/her. Make sure you have bags of patience with you, as the wait may last a little longer before you board the seaplane. Your host will have to collect all the passengers heading the same way as you before checking you in and taking you to the seaplane terminal, where you will be served complimentary refreshments while you wait to board the plane; there is also complimentary Wi-fi (ask the staff for the access code). The process may seem long, especially after a ten hour flight, but it is definitely worth it! Rest-assured that you will reap the benefits sooner rather than later!

If you choose the speedboat option, then your host will take you to the speedboat jetty where you will board the boat for the island.

Sri Lankan owned and managed, Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo is one of three properties of the Chaaya Group in the archipelago. Ellaidhoo was originally a backpackers' island and in 2008 it was taken over by Chaaya, which brought the resort up a notch or two.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Upon arrival the resort looks a little rough around the edges, however the laid back atmosphere takes over and if luxury isn't what you're after, but you prefer to have a comfortable room whilst being able to dive, then this is the place for you. Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo is a good compromise for active types as it is of fairly good value. The resort is very basic but it does not pretend to be a five star luxury affair. The relaxed no-fuss, no-frills resort still has a lovely looking spa offering a range of treatments, a gym and an indoor entertainment area. You will also notice that there is a hospitality school on site, although guests are not troubled by this. There are also tennis courts and a kids' club.

Otherwise in terms of lay-out, beach accommodation blocks line most of the beach. In some areas there are quaint looking beach villas along the sand. The water accommodation is found to the back of the island and is located close to a restaurant located on the jetty.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

In total the hotel has 112 rooms including 46 Beach Bungalows, 28 Superior Bungalows, 24 Water Bungalows and 14 Standard Bungalows. The décor in the beach accommodation may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is new. The furniture could, however, do with being changed as some pieces have remained from the time before the renovation. The rooms are spacious although most are a little dark. There is a terrace, which is lovely to wake up to as it has a view onto the garden with the sea in the background. These accommodations consist of concrete blocks lining the beach. The bottom floors of these blocks are best for direct access to the beach. The beach at Ellaidhoo can be very narrow in most places. It is however pleasant, especially for families. The best accommodation here is by far the water bungalows which look fresh and let it plenty of light. The bungalows all have semi-open bathrooms which gives the rooms an exotic feel. There is nothing more refreshing than showering outdoors. All amenities are refillable Chaaya own-brand products. The décor in all the rooms is fairly smart and guests can expect to find a flat screen television as well as complimentary tea and coffee making facilities (with a somewhat small choice of tea and coffee). There is no wireless internet in the rooms.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

There are two restaurants, one main restaurant found in the main cluster of activity on the island and the second, over water at the front of the jetty leading to the water accommodation. Maadhee Restaurant and bar offers a selection of seafood whereas Malamathi is the main restaurant situated close to the beach and serves a selection of international food. The staff here is what makes the real difference as they are unbelievably friendly and welcoming. The food is of fairly good quality and the variety is plenty. Try the Indian food; it's the best here by far. All meals are served in a buffet style. Drinks and snacks are served at Iroshini bar where the staff here are just as friendly as at Malamathi.

• Z Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Sadly the island's beach has undergone severe erosion which has reduced it to a very thin strip of sand so in terms of a real Maldivian lagoon experience, Ellaidhoo is not the place to come. However what does attract visitors from all corner of the globe is the incredible diving experience Ellaidhoo reserves for its guests as the house reef is accessible from the beach; there is no need to book an excursion. Expect to see large rays, sharks, turtles and sometimes dolphins among many other varieties of surprising marine life!