Hotel Paradise Island

8.7 miles away from Malé airport, the island is accessible by speed boat in only 15 minutes. The hotel is located in the Malé Nord atoll not far from several other islands also equipped with hotel complexes. The hotel is located near an island of natives, a "spot" dedicated to surfers and another hotel complex.

The hotel was built in 1994. It belongs to the VILLA HOTEL hotel chain. The renovations of the waterbungalows are almost finished. The clientele is 60% European and 40% Asian.

The Malaysian architecture is a bit overdone and the swimming pool seems too little considering the number of rooms. It is surrounded by shops, a bar, restaurants and the beach. The gardens are flowery. The hotel offers: paying tennis courts, a badminton room, a squash room, a basketball court, a large fitness room, ping-pong tables, a playground for children, game rooms for teenagers or adults with pool tables and other activities. The hotel's large spa suffers - just like the reception area - from its kitsch and snazzy furniture. The employees are considerate and helpful. The island can be covered in only 20 minutes on foot.

The hotel houses 269 rooms for a total capacity of 520 persons. It is open all year long. The 40 waterbungalows and 220 beach bungalows have a surface area of about 538 square feet. Each has a telephone with a direct access for international calling. The walls combine exotic woods and plasters, all the doors and windows are made of mahogany while the floors are made of terrazzo and marble. Home cinema and plasma screen (20 TV channels), i-Pod platform, espresso machine (coffee at will), very nice large desk to work. Spacious private terrace and large jacuzzi bathtub without vis-à-vis on the terrace and with sea view. Large bed outside, deckchair, tables and chairs. All the rooms have a sea view and individual air conditioning.

The hotel has five restaurants. The main one serves all three meals (capacity of 600). It offers international cuisine served buffet style. The Sunrise, open from 8.00am to midnight, offers a large selection of seafood with several themes each week. The Al Tramonto, from 11.00am to 11.00pm, bar 24/7, several themes each week including Opera night on Sundays. The Fukuya Teppanyaki, open from noon to 2.30pm and from 6.30pm to 10.00pm, offers Japanese cuisine. The Daavani coffee shop is open 24/7. Poolside barbecues can also be organised on request. There are two bars including one open from 9.00am to 6.00pm (the pool bar) and the Paradise bar that never closes. The average prices are $40 for a course or a small menu, $4 or more for a glass of wine, $3 starting price for beer. The buffet is reserved for half-boards and full-boards while the other three restaurants cost extra. It is possible to have dinner served on the beach.

Big beach for the Maldives! Several sunshades from coconut tree leaves. All the deckchairs are wooden. The sand is white, clean and fine. The sea is turquoise and warm (28°C). Beautiful birds fly over the island, the many visible fish on the beach emphasise the exotic character of the decor.