What a hidden gem!
I’ll start with quantifying this review with a few facts about us. We are frequent travellers to the Maldives, visiting most years and this was our 11th visit. So as you might Read MoreWhat a hidden gem!
I’ll start with quantifying this review with a few facts about us. We are frequent travellers to the Maldives, visiting most years and this was our 11th visit. So as you might imagine whilst the destination is still a serious WOW, we have over the years become a little more discerning (perhaps fussy) 😉
I’ll break this review down into categories so you can skip forward to the relevant section if needs be, it’s a lengthy one, buckle up!
ARRIVAL
We arrived from the UK on the BA direct flight, landing a little ahead of schedule around 9am. Immigration and bag collection was fairly smooth, and we were met outside the arrivals hall by the Baglioni Male representative who swiftly relieved us of our bags and whisked us off to check in with the seaplane at TMA. Once those formalities where complete he showed us to a waiting private, and very cool, car for the short drive around to the new seaplane terminal. Our last visit, roughly 12 months ago, was through the old terminal, which I have to say I’m slightly saddened to see gone. However the new one is clean, shiny and delightfully cool. Baglioni have their own private lounge on (I think) the 2nd floor, it’s a large airy space with complimentary snacks drinks and wifi, as well as a veranda outside overlooking the seaplanes.
Our wait was only about 30-40 mins, so sadly no time to try out all the delicious looking food, just time for a cool water, and icy cold towel and we were collected and taken down to the seaplane waiting area.
CHECK-IN
The seaplane journey is one of the longer ones at about 40-45 mins. We were a very full plane, with guests for Baglioni, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and Sun Siyam Iru Veli. The flight was uneventful once the pilot had rearranged some of the passengers to distribute the weight better. Despite flying over both other islands we landed at Baglioni first and we and another couple were greeted with warm smiles and hand crafted leaf ‘leis’. From the moment I stepped off the seaplane I could feel something a bit different about this island. No miserable drum banging by hot people who just didn’t want to be there, all the smiles felt genuine, and I had a very pleasant chat with the Guest Relations Manager all the way along the (very) long arrival jetty, where at the end the assistant GM Victor was waiting to greet us all.
A few days before our departure we received an email from the resort allowing us to pre-check-in, and also asking for our preferred time for the turn down service along with any special requests, dietary requirements etc. So really, check-in was more of a meet & greet with (soon to be) friends.
We were introduced to Khassu, our Guest Relations chap, handed a fresh coconut and a glass of champagne, and when we were ready he took us for a short orientation tour on a golf buggy, finishing at our room where our bags were waiting for us.
ROOMS
We booked a standard Beach Villa and as part of our pre-arrival check-in we had asked for one with some shade and privacy, we were allocated room 132 which was exactly that. I was also delighted to learn that not only was it in a pretty spot on location on the beach, it was directly opposite what is considered to be the best area for snorkelling.
The room was spacious, airy, bright and light. There are two aircon units, one on ‘his’ side of the room and one on ‘hers’, but for both marital and temperature harmony they’re best both set to the same temp! The bed sits in the middle of the room with a desk area directly behind it, the bathroom door behind that and two double wardrobes either side of the bathroom door. There were plenty of hangers, for the first time in ages I didn’t need to double my clothes up, and there is the usual safe, life vest, 2 umbrellas and a Baglioni beach bag for you use. There are also two pairs of slippers and two pairs of flip flops, neither of which we used. Additionally, there is a day bed, two chairs and a coffee table, along with a large flat screen tv.
The room is also equipped with a Lavazza coffee machine, with complimentary pods, a kettle and a range of teas. The mini bar includes a range of soft drinks, a few beers, a half bottle of red and white wine and a selection of chocolate, crips and Haribo sweets, oh and some nuts! Honestly far more than we needed, but nice to have in case of post snorkel or late night munchy attack.
Also waiting for us in our room was a bottle of champagne (not fizzy wine, real champagne) and a selection of sweet treats. We devoured most of the sweet treats, but were too tired to open the fizz.
The bathroom is large and is open air with a part covered area across the toilet, ‘indoor’ shower (there are two, another fully outside) the bathtub and the basins, one on either side of the room. There is also a set of scales, should you wish to torment yourself with your weight gain during your holiday! Personally I didn’t go near the evil things 😬
The room is decorated in off whites and turquoise perfectly mirroring the views, and all the furnishings are of great quality.
Outside, beachside, you have a large decked area which is partly covered, with a small 2 seater sofa, two chairs and a small table (bistro style) along with sunbeds on the beach and a shade brolly. The rooms are surrounded on both sides by fairly thick vegetation so there is a good level of privacy both left and right to your neighbours.
F&B
Well, I’m not sure I can really do this section of the review justice!
Baglioni has three restaurants, which for a small island is really something, especially when you add in that you can also eat at the pool bar too.
Gusto is their Italian restaurant and is situated above the pool bar area. It’s only open for evening meals and serves the most delicious Italian cuisine. Also on this floor is the wine ‘cellar’, which is a climate controlled area where you can indulge in some extra special wine and menu tasting. Gusto is relatively small, but the tables are well spaced. It feels airy, yet still intimate and the service was impeccable.
Umami is the Japanese restaurant again for evening meals, and is located halfway along the water villa jetty in the lagoon. It has the most stunning lagoon views during the day, looking back towards the island, and there are two small outside areas which accommodate about 4 tables, as well as being the usual open sided room. At the far end, in the centre of this restaurant is a Teppanyaki Grill, sadly due to low occupancy the Grill wasn’t being used during our visit though.
The final restaurant is Taste which is the main eatery and is multi-national cuisine, covering Asia, The Maldives and Europe. This is situated on the edge of the beach with a view across the lagoon by the arrival jetty. Usually this restaurant is open for both breakfast and dinner (perhaps lunch too) but during the first part of our stay Taste was closed for some refurbishment work so we didn’t get to eat there until just a few days before we left, but the menu is extensive and the setting on the beach just lovely.
The food we ate at all the establishments was first class. The quality, attention to detail and service faultless. My only criticism of this aspect of our holiday, is that for us it became a little repetitive, mainly due to the closure of Taste. During our stay breakfast was being served in Umami over the water, which we found really lovely. One of the things that makes this location so special are the wide views across the lagoon, and you don’t get to enjoy that in the evenings.
For our stay, while Taste was closed, evening meals were being alternated between Gusto and Umami. Both restaurants have good menus, but both were fairly small, so after 10 days or so we were less excited about dinner. I think had you been staying for a week or so it wouldn’t have been an issue, and in fact the restaurant staff often told us that if we wanted something off menu they would happily accommodate us – the trouble is, I have no idea what I want to eat until I read the menu, and so giving someone 24 hours notice is never going to be possible for me! 😂
However, we were surprised with an offer of an authentic Maldivian meal which we very gladly accepted. We are both big fans of Asian and Indian food, so for us this was a very special treat. The following evening, our Maldivian evening, a special table was set up for us in a quiet corner of the pool bar area (it would have been on the beach, but the weather had other ideas!) and we were brought the most delightful meal accompanied by a very delicious bottle of rose. We felt very special and very spoiled, with some extremely attentive members of the F&B team looking after us.
This year we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, and whilst it didn’t fall during our time at Baglioni, Khassu had seen me mention it in my blog and arranged for us to have a special anniversary meal on the beach on our last night. OMGosh, what another special evening! The chef had prepared some off menu dishes for us, everything was stunningly presented and exquisitely tasting, and accompanied by champagne, lapping waves, gently swaying palm trees and the sounds of paradise. Thank you so much for these magical memories!
THE BEACH
Like almost all islands these days, Baglioni has suffered some erosion issues and they have dealt with that by installing some sea walls. Like most people, I’d rather they weren’t there but I’m a realist and they are needed. They are visible even at high tide so don’t expect the clear open view across the top of the water, without them the island would be slowly eroded and then it’s far more unsightly. These walls are built from sea rocks, hard like granite, and tumbled together to form a permeable barrier. This means that they disperse the force of the waves, whilst allowing the water through, and they provide a haven for crabs to live alongside the tiny fish on the deeper sections. They were clearly not that old, but already home to many creatures and we even found a large moray peeking out at us from them one day.
The sand is powder soft. There are a few odd pieces of broken coral that come in with the high tide, but no patches of that sharp ‘ouchie’ sand that you sometimes find on other islands. It’s possible to walk the whole circumference of the beach, you may need a small paddle at one or two points, but it’s a pleasant albeit hot stroll and only takes a few mins.
At the time of our visit the beach was wide and deep in some areas, and in one or two spots very narrow. This is however seasonal and all islands experience sand movements.
SNORKELLING
The drop off directly outside our room was pretty close to shore, in fact at low tide great care was needed to pick your way through to deeper water. There was an abundance of marine life and Baglioni’s reef is extremely healthy compared to some others we have seen in recent years in the Maldives. The corals were in a far better shape and looking really very healthy! A day or two into our visit we decided to enter at a different point, just to the right of the service jetty, and were rewarded with the huge gatherings of fish. Large schools of yellow banner fish, fusiliers, red lipped trigger fish and even large gatherings of needle fish are to be found just hanging around there.
During our daily trips to the reef we were rewarded with a turtle sighting, several sharks and rays, an octopus or two, lots of large parrot fish, unicorn fish, a huge Napoleon wrasse and several spots of very colourful soft corals complete with ‘Nemo’ fish.
SPA
We only visited the spa once, so I can’t give too much detail, but the treatment was most enjoyable, and the facilities are very pleasant. Adjacent to the spa is a very well equipped gym, although we only peaked in and didn’t use it. There is also a resident Yogi who will happily take you for sunrise / sunset yoga, or any other time of the day.
The spa complex is situated in the centre of the island, so lacks the sound of the waves, however since I’m either face down on a table, or face up with a towel resting over my eyes I really don’t mind swapping the sound of gently rustling palm trees for waves.
CHECK-OUT
Quite simply THE simplest check-out process ever; and to be fair they’re never that complicated.
We received a text from Alessandra in Guest Relations on the evening before our departure, advising of our departure time and attaching our final invoice; which was actually $0. A short while later, she sent another message to say she would complete our IMUGA forms for us - we had in fact already done them, but this is above and beyond customer service!
The morning of our departure, we enjoyed a quick breakfast and once the seaplane arrived were given the warmest of send offs from the team. They all stood on the jetty waving us away, while I (not so) discreetly wiped the moisture from my eyes 🥺
GENERAL OBS & Thanks
Firstly, I want to mention Hussain who looked after our room. It was amazing, we hardly saw him but it was like walking into the room for the very first time every morning and evening - it was immaculate - his work was absolutely perfect. Also, the amazing anniversary artwork he created was stunning.
Khassu - was super friendly, funny and helpful and although we rarely needed anything, we felt if we ever did need anything at all he would be on it and able to help.
Vel - what a gentleman and all around lovely person. Vel was always trying to add that extra finishing touch to make our visits to the restaurants perfect. The anniversary dinner Vel and the team laid on, such beautiful presentation and we were looked after so well - it was utter perfection and we’ll never forget it.
Margaret - who recently joined Baglioni really hit the ground running on her arrival and was instantly really lovely and friendly and chatty. Margaret just knew what we needed and where we’d want to sit. She was always there to greet us and looked after us so well, making sure we were comfortable, we were always happy to see her.
Also we want to mention the bar team, Chandu, Rajat, Ashak, Preet, Hisham and everyone else who looked after us. (We loved the aperetivos!). Chandu invented a new cocktail one evening which I loved, and Rajat looked after us really well. We also noticed Rajat’s attention to detail as he would perfectly arrange and position the bar stools at exactly the same angle and the candles were placed equidistant from the edges of the pool so that everything looked right; such a perfectionist!
There are many others across the team like Nasru who arranged our Maldivian meal and looked after us, the excellent chefs like Fatima and Mangesh and everyone else we met throughout our stay.
Right across the team there is a consistently excellent quality of service and attention to detail and genuine friendliness that’s a rare quality. Aside from the beautiful facilities, mature island and fabulous reef it’s the team that we’ll most remember about our visit to Baglioni resort, Maldives. THANK YOU!
...and PS, I'm so sorry its taken me so long to leave this review Read Less
#6 of 14 hotels in Dhaalu Atoll
Based on 649 reviews
