Delightful stay within a catamaran ride from Male airport
Apr 24, 2024 tamago_dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates
We have just returned from a beautiful 6 day trip to Ozen Bolifushi. This was a recommendation from my sister who previously stayed at this resort in 2021. This is our sixth trip to the Maldives and we travelled as a couple and are resident in Dubai. We travelled in late April 2024 during the Eid break.
Our previous Maldives reports include…
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We have just returned from a beautiful 6 day trip to Ozen Bolifushi. This was a recommendation from my sister who previously stayed at this resort in 2021. This is our sixth trip to the Maldives and we travelled as a couple and are resident in Dubai. We travelled in late April 2024 during the Eid break.
Our previous Maldives reports include Shangri La Villingili, Soneva Fushi, The Residence Dhigurah, Fairmont Sirru Fen Fushi. All these resorts require a seaplane or domestic flight from Male airport. This is the first time we are experiencing a resort within a speedboat transfer from Male.
OB have colleagues to greet and assist you at Male airport on arrival and departure. It was very welcome and thank you to the team especially Hussain. The lounge is small but welcome with soft drinks and wifi. We waited there for about 30 min before our catamaran was ready.
Catamaran: good journey, approx. 40 min to OB. Staff give a welcome explanation of Maldives and the islands and point out the new modern hospital tower at the end of Male which is visible to many resorts around the area. Catamaran was very good and smooth with power outlets and USB sockets.
Water villa: We stayed in a overwater villa on the sunrise side. The villa was very spacious and the outside decking had the overwater hammocks and a sunken lounge area. The bathroom was designed so well with the showers accessible from the pool and outside area. The pool was an excellent temperature and a good size. Amazing marine life from all around OB island, quick snorkelling trips results in plenty to see even from your water villa. This was a pleasant surprise given the proximity to Male and the construction of a new island nearby. We saw lots of colourful fish, baby sharks and other marine life on each snorkel. The other observation here is that (as others have noted), the water villas are ready for renovation. The curtains, wooden floor and furniture are dark and tired and in both villas, had creaking living room floors when you walked. When a buggy drives past, you can also hear and feel the rumble in your villa. The outside decking, pool and soft furniture are also ready for a refurbishment.
There is a new island being constructed on the sunset side by Damac and will be operated by the Mandarin Oriental. Much talk has been mentioned about this neighbouring island. And it is true that there is construction work and it may not be the postcard setting which one may imagine of the Maldives but most of the villas (certainly the ones we had) do not have a direct view if this is a concern. Clearly also this is no fault of OB.
Island: I'd say medium size and good to have bikes to cycle around when not raining. On the bikes it seemed that some were newer with baskets and mudguards and others were not. Baskets are very useful to have and mudguards too especially when cycling after the rain and where puddles unavailable. Occupancy was very high during our stay.
The service team was really amazing and engaging. Everyone we met was so kind and helpful and clearly one of the strengths of OB.
Azmy our butler was one of the best we have seen in our various Maldives trips. A fantastic can do attitude, a calm and humble demeanour meant that nothing was too much trouble. We had two observations on this trip, one of which was to move to the 500 series (requested when initially booking) and the request of a late check out were both handled promptly, professionally and efficiently. Thank you Azmy - you are a star Hiyani!
Leroy the director of F&B was very visible throughout our stay and part of the team that greeted us when we arrived from Male. We would see him during breakfast, lunch and dinners. He always had time for a chat with all guests and is a great ambassador for OB. He is ex-Marriot Dubai so we had a good catch up and clearly engaged to make sure everyone was having a good time.
Saffron: excellent Thali. Thank you to Rippe and Chef Hari who provided amazing service. Chef Hari altered the set menu when we came back to Saffron a few days later to give extra variety and would check on tables to see if guests were enjoying the food.
Origine: really well paced elevated dining with professional and interactive service from Nancy. She is confident and engaging and has an opinion on the food and drink pairing. Thank you!
Soyi: impressed with the offering here as the new F&B kid on the block. The setting does not feel particularly Far East Asian but the offering and menu was very good.
Sangu: great service from the bar staff. Thank you to Brice(?) who proactively offered insect repellent and covered our bags when we had light rain during fish feeding time. The restaurant (lunch and dinner) was fair. One of the pomelo salads had no pomelo and had grapefruit instead. We preferred the other restaurants but the beach setting was great.
Vista: All day dining. Breakfast was busy and we always had the Maldivian breakfast and tropical fruits. The overall selection of food can be increased, it was certainly the smallest buffet compared to all the resorts we previously stayed. The fruit selection was good but again can be enhanced. As with most open display buffets, they attract flies so please consider glass covers for the cold cuts/cheese etc. Thank you to Chef Firas on the sushi counter for always cheerfully accommodating and for arranging some great coconut ice cream! Vista is very busy with families and it was obvious the entire service brigade were at full capacity during breakfast and lunch service. One observation here is that drinks take a long time. Is it possible to perhaps put a ice bucket with sparking wine so those who want this can help themselves. Or have a bloody mary corner with all garnishes so you can make your own.
Spa: great massages from Dr and Evi. Great to meet the wellness ambassador Paula too.
Ozar: main bar. Nice place for sundowners. They have two bands for live music. One band in particular was excellent.
Otherwise, we ate a little, slept a little, cycled a little and swam a little. A great Eid break in a lovely resort. Hope to have the opportunity to be back soon post renovation!
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