Previous posts on this around-the-world journey:
Korean Air First Class 777-300ER (Kosmo Suite) Atlanta to Seoul/Incheon
Lounge Review – Korean Air First Lounge Seoul/Incheon
Korean Air A330-300 First Class Seoul/Incheon to Ho Chi Minh City
Hotel Review – Park Hyatt Saigon
First Look – Thai Airways A350-900 Busness Class Bangkok to Phuket
Thai 777-200ER Business Class Phuket to Bangkok and Domestic Royal Silk Lounge
Lounge Review in 15 Pictures – Ethiad Business-Class Lounge Abu Dhabi
Ethiad A320-200 Pearl Business Class, Abu Dhabi to Male, Republic of Maldives
Within 20 minutes of walking off the plane at Male (MLE) I had obtained a Maldives visa, met the hotel representative, and boarded the speedboat for the ride to the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.
I’d heard many great things about the Maldives. Now I would experience these islands first hand.
I was the only passenger so we departed immediately.
It was a 25-minute ride to the hotel at full speed. Rain squalls made the journey a little bumpy. Upon arrival, several members of the staff, including the general manager, provided a warm welcome.
Introductions and a welcome tropical drink preceded the quick check-in process. The general manager told me that, as a SPG Platinum member, my room had been upgraded to a Club Water Bungalow. Just what I was hoping for.
An agent drove me in a golf cart to my room and explained the features of the hotel along the way.
The hotel occupies the entire island. The interior of the island contains the hotel’s restaurants, meeting rooms, support buildings and residences for the staff and their families. Palm and banyan trees cover the areas without buildings.
Club Water Bungalow
After a short ride the agent parked the golf cart and used a boardwalk to reach the bungalow.
The bungalow is 54 square meters with a deck and bathroom overlooking a crystal-clear Indian Ocean lagoon.
The bungalows were positioned so that none of the decks were visible from another bungalow.
A large bathroom is just off the deck and also has great ocean views.
The room has a king-size bed, a seating area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV and direct access to the deck. A vaulted ceiling with fan adds to the tropical feel.
The bungalow also has a desk, mini bar with a wine cooler and large closet.
The bungalow comes with one feature I’m unaccustomed to finding in a hotel room — life jackets.
Everything about this room was perfect. Getting a good night’s sleep was no problem.
Club Lounge
Those staying in this bungalow have access to the Sheraton Club Lounge. As an SPG Platinum I would have had access anyway. The lounge is open for a buffet breakfast, all-day tea, coffee and soft drinks, and evenings drinks and canapes.
Other Facilities
The resort has seven restaurants and bars. Feast serves a buffet breakfast and dinner.
I had a very brief stay here (two days). My final stop in the Maldives was a stay at the Park Hyatt Hadahaa. The staff at the Full Moon Resort coordinated with the Park Hyatt to arrange the flight to Koodoo and speedboat transfer to the Park Hyatt.
First it was another speedboat ride form the Sheraton back o the airport.
Next is a report on the lounge at MLE and flight to Hoodoo Atoll on Maldivian Airlines.
