Athuruga, Maldives

We stayed in Arthuruga for our Honeymoon break and had a fantastic time. It is picture perfect paradise and we have never seen or experienced anything like it. The accomodation is spacious with a fee drinks fridge which gets stocked up every day. The room was cleaned twice a day with fresh linen at least once a day. The bathroom was half outside half inside but had everything you need and was very big.

The snorkelling is excellent. We saw turtles and other huge fish we really didn't expect to see. The staff did a morning snorkelling guide every morning around the island so they could point the different species of fish out. It also felt safer having an expert with you.

The only thing that I would avoid is the free trip to the local island...it was clear that the locals didn't appreciate visitors.

The food was delicious, with chefs cooking fresh fish on the beach near to the restaurant.

We hope to go back in a few years when we can afford such a holiday again! Fully recommended if you want a quiet relaxed break.

At many maldivian resorts, the staff will be falling over you and helping you all of the time, if that is your thing, then go to another island. On Athuruga the balance is perfect. All Maldivian waiters and room boys are excellent, the bar staff are also brilliant. The island is not over populated or crowded with only 100 guests. If you love your water sports and activities then the animation staff on the island are brilliant. They help so much, they will take you out sailing or snorkelling, they'll give you diving and windsurfing lessons. In all, it was the perfect maldivian holiday.

We've visited a number of islands in the past but at last we've found the one we'll stick to. To an Anglo/Italian couple the prospect of a good Italian restaurant on a Maldivian island sounded like paradise and it was.

Bungalows, single or semi, are large, well air conditioned and equipped with a fridge and a safe. Outside shower and loo is shared with (non-biting) ants from time to time. Nothing extravagant but all very comfortable and we slept well. Good line in freebie sun creams supplied. We had a semi-attached bungalow but no adverse neighbourly noises were evident.

Dining room is very elegant for the Maldives with a tiled floor, it was beautifully light and airy. We defy you to find better food anywhere at this price but then Italians are really picky about their nosh. No fast food here. Nor does all-inclusive mean rubbish wine; on the contrary all drinks were excellent as was the service.

Simple beach bar, plus nice lounge area, with small stage for Italian style night entertainment which will either amuse or bemuse!

The house reef snorkeling is brilliant and additional trips to other sites are available. I am told that the diving facilities are also excellent but I have no personal experience of this.

A major difference on an Italian managed island is that the 'animation' team of young people are employed to make your life easy. For instance, they not only taught you how to snorkel but also provided a biologist to accompany you and point out what is what. There was a brilliant professional keyboard player/singer and of course a resident doctor. There's also a spa, of which we know nothing, and even someone to clean your sunglasses as you lay on the sunbed!

Compared to some all-inclusive islands we know, Aruthuga is very quiet. Italians prefer espresso to alcohol, so round the clock boozing and late night antics are non-existent. Maybe the savings on booze go on the food! Overall, there's a very warm, friendly, almost family atmosphere, there's plenty to do or nothing to do and you can either find a crowd or get lost on your own. Just perfect!

Please note that some re-shaping of the Island by wind and sea was ongoing and you might wish check the state of play regarding running repairs and shifting sands. This applies to many islands.

Having chosen a honeymoon to Sri Lanka and then Athuruga I can honestly say that a week on this island was a perfect end to a great holiday.

The island is small, which limits guest numbers to about a maximum of 90, there were no children and few English.

The food was top rate and the service was good (certainly not as good as in Sri Lanka though). The rooms were spacious and clean but I would recommend ensuring you get a detached bungalow to ensure total privacy.

Plenty to do, as the staff put a full days activities on, but only if you want to join in.

The night and sunset fishing is a must.

Athuruga in the Maldives is excellent for an informal, relaxing holiday. There are no airs and graces, and the staff have a positive can do approach to their guests. Relatively few English, but lots of vibrant Italians and Germans who are willing to try out their English language skills. A few babies and toddlers, but no teenagers. It is so good, we have been back six times.

Athuruga is a very peaceful island, excellent for a romantic getaway. Truly idyllic beach with warm, sparklingly clear water. Only 46 rooms on the whole island (you can walk right round it in 15 minutes) so it's very peaceful. Food a great mix, lots of freshly-caught fish but my fish-phobic partner also found plenty to eat. Nearly everything inclusive - cocktails, spirits, choice of wines - only very top brands were extra. Large, well-equipped rooms with outdoor bathrooms - all felt very private. Can't wait to get back

Visited Athuruga during the Iraq invasion so there was only 37 guests to over a hundred staff. The beach is fanastic, with the island in the centre of the Atol the sea was always calm and snokelling great. The resort is the ideal size and shape, unlike many other islands. The food was really good, especially the pizza. Rooms are situated on directly on the beach. The resort is 4 star by Maldivian standards and so the rooms can be a little basic. The entertinment was a little cheesy but great fun.

The downside to this great resort is the high number of Italian's, who are very noisy in the day on the beach and don't have the English sense of personal space or respect that other might like to relax in peace.

I Cannot understand Miles revue. We went to Athuruga in March 2004 - our sixth trip to the Maldives, the earlier trips being Thudufushi, sister island to Athuruga, Fesdue plus cruise, Kuredu plus cruise, Ari Beach and Reethi Beach. Certainly 'all-inclusive' seems to diminish as years go by. Reethi Beach was only all-inclusive at the main bar and Athuruga was only all-inclusive at main bar at lunch times and evenings. Despite what brochures say at Athuruga they only supplied wine, beer and soft drinks at the beach bar although when we complained we got rum and coke at the beach bar and are awaiting a final reply from Cosmos. Despite this I would say that food was excellent, rooms were delightful with open-air bathrooms, staff were helpful and my husband thought diving was excellent. Entertainment was pretty awful but take a few drinks back to you room and sit on the beach. If Miles has had better food and service from a three star in the Maldives would be interested to know where.

All four of us enjoyed our time on Athuruga immensely. We met several other groups on repeat visits. The staff were delightful, the food was an excellent mix of international, Italian and Asian. We have no criticisms and will go back.

The only thing maldivian about Athuruga island is the location. 99% italian occupancy. Poor service all round don't even believe the brochure descriptions. If you are English give this and any other planhotel resort a wide berth. Totally rubbish and a rip off. rated 4 star plus in reality we have had far superior service and food at 3 star in the maldives.