Dhooni Finolhu Guesthouse

Прошёл месяц после возвращения, делюсь впечатлениями. Остров красив, много зелени, краски яркие - сказочно. Выбирая такой отдых вы должны понимать, что вы не отдыхающие, а путешественники. Так как жить вы будете с местными жителями и уважать их законы и традиции, что позволяет вам конечно погрузиться и узнать культуру Мальдив - бесценный опыт. Жители дружелюбны и гостеприимны. Для любителей подводного плавания идеальное место, красивый густонаселённый риф буквально в двадцати метрах от берега. Пляж да, для тех, кто принимает гостей вопрос нужно решать, возможно просто - зелёной стеной, но пока её нет, поэтому плавать будьте готовы в более закрытых купальных костюмах. Ну а теперь о главном! Гостевой дом Мартина, это находка, он очень внимателен к любым вашим просьбам, ну а поездки которые он организовывает выше всяких похвал. Безусловно отдельного внимания и комплимента заслуживает кухня и шеф-повар Саид, это всегда очень вкусно и сытно, и много, плюс фрукты и свежевыжатые фреши, берите полный пансион не пожалеете. Однажды мы обязательно вернёмся! И да, английский точно пригодится.

I really liked the experience in the guesthouse. We spend one week on the Maalhos island and it was amazing. This place is for people who wants to see how the local people live, cook, fish. Is more alternative way to see Maldives. The room was clean and have all necessary things for a comfortable stay. The drinking water in the bottle was always available. The host Martin was very kind and patient explaining everything, dedicating us time. Provided a list of activities and all prices for it. We went to see dolphins and did the picnic on the isolated island. During our stay was my birthday, he prepared us a cake and a birthday dinner on the beach with candles and light. The food was good, vegetables, rice, juice, fresh fish, pizza, traditional bread and dishes. Also, he offered us a free visit for a nearest island while he showed how to fish tuna. All the guys that are working there are very kind and attentive. Thank you a lot!

We left with the idea of taking a simple holiday but we came back with unforgettable memories that we will bring forever with us. Usually this is only possible for two reasons, a magnificent place or for amazing people. In this case you don’t have to choose, because at Dhooni Finolhu you will find both things. The island is so stunning that doesn’t even need to be described, it’s a small pearl in the ocean full of local life and still anchored to rare traditions that are really difficult to find nowadays. Martin is not just a host but an amazing person, the father and the husband of other likewise wonderful people. Their humanity and love for their land and their own work made us live a truly beautiful experience, unforgettable, full of laughter, adventures, colourful fishes, jungles and huge mantas. If you want a holiday to remember not with the brain but with the heart, choose this place. P.s. : We stayed in Dhooni Finolhu during July which is yes the season of rain but we were so lucky that none of the days rained and it was also mantas and whale sharks season and there were lower prices. Think about it😉

One of the best hosts experience I've ever had! Martin was the most engaging host I've ever had. He would help you with booking domestic flights or speed ferry. You don't even have to worry about that! Speed ferry was 50$ each but very uncomfortable !!! But it's an amazing experience! Help and assistance : 10/10 When you'll arrive, you'll get a free coconut drink as a welcome gift, then you are introduced to the Maldivian local everyday life since it is very immersive to live in a ghesthouse. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and say hello to every local I could make eye contact with! Lovely stay, and lovely family. First impression : 10/10 If you travel alone, Martin would be glad to organize your whole stay! That's what happened with me! I haven't planned anything, I just had some places and activities to do, like seeing manta rays and diving. He organised all of this! I still can't believe I came to the Maldives without any plan and miraculously someone planned it out for me! This is wholesome. Traveling alone : 10/10 Planning : 10/10 Service : 10/10 If you have no experience with diving, Martin would give you a snorkeling course and give you the best snorkeling tips to make it magical AND safe. He's litterally a friend and whenever you're not comfortable with something he does, you just have to tell him and he'll stop. He will constantly remind you that whenever he does something wrong, you have to tell him. Communication : 10/10 Wifi was top notch, except when data runs out. In this case, Martin would also arrange everything back into normal. And whenever you can't message anyone from the ghesthouse, you can walk to the café ( ＜2 minutes by walk) and the wifi here worked very great! You would never be on a wifi shortage. Wifi : 9,5/10 Efficiency : 9,5/10 The staff is absolutly lovely. Everyone was as sweet as a sugar, and there are some rules on this island like not showing the tummy, except when you are on a private beach or a normal beach. When you are in the island, you have to cover your tummy. Meals were very good and different. You can choose between a european breakfast (croissant, bread, butter, jam) or a Maldivian breakfast (tuna, sausage, egg, crepes). I chose to be in the skin of a Maldivian during all my stay, and I had a Maldivian breakfast every day! Some stray cats would also keep you company by far, they tend to be scared of everything but they are so cute! I say they but I only saw one cat haha. Meals and breakfast : 10/10 Staff : 10/10 If you need anything you can ask Martin, he's always available and he has everything you need. Maalhos is beautiful. I made great souvenirs from here, I met some friends and we're staying in contact. If you expect to see bioluminescent planctons in other months of January of February, i'd recommend to reschedule your vacations. These planctons appear some nights on january and February. Outside of these dates, you'll have to squint your eyes and be completely in the dark to se

It was a pleasure to stay at Martin's place. He is really kind and open person. He spent time with us and told us many useful and inetersting information about Maldives and Maalhos Island. Definitely, we can say that it was a whole package of everything what we needed to had a great vacatoion :) Combination of great food at his restaurant, place, exiciting excursions, beautful beach with reefs nearby and on the top of that Martin's hospitality. :)