Maldives - Filitheyo Island Resort

Filitheyo is a popular Maldivian resort since firstly, it has all the features that make a typical Maldivian island resort special and secondly, it is not in the category of the more expensive resorts. A 4 star+ resort, Filitheyo is the only resort in the unspoilt Faafu Atoll and at 118 km from the airport, the island is quite sizeable, being just under a kilometre long and half a kilometre wide. The resort itself is very well done and is typical for the regions style - wooden huts with thatched roofs integrating nicely with impressive coconut palms and other typically exotic indigenous vegetation. The resort is also a little special compared to some in that you have the opportunity to walk through the island as well as around it via a network of interior pathways. The beaches here are quite superb and are unbroken on each side of the island - offering, great walks and views.

The bar area here is very tranquil, with tables that run right down to the waters edge, and a wide selection of cocktails, ice coffees and other drinks available from the friendly and helpful staff. The dining here is perhaps the best I have found in a resort in this class. There is a wide range of meal options in the main bar and the a la carte restaurant, from where you can watch the sunset as you eat, of course! You also have the option of choosing villa or beach dining, and there is also a half-board option here which allows guests to choose lunch or dinner as the included meal.

The resort was once dominated by German visitors but has a more cosmopolitan flavour nowadays, with a mix of European and Japanese visitors. Although the resort does not advertise itself as a family resort, it treats them very well and has therefore become popular with visitors who have children in their group.

Activities

The diving at Filitheyo is superb and caters for all levels of ability, with a channel adjacent to each side of the island and several shallow thilas inside the atoll for inexperienced divers, the resort offers challenging diving foreveryone who cares to indulge. The housereef is popular both day and night and with a healthy level of coral, the reef provides a habitat for many fish species and there is a good opportunity to see big fish here. The Werner Lau dive school has a complete range of multi-lingual dive courses by CMAS, PADI and SSI. If you dont wish to go as far as a full open-water PADI course (for the unqualified) then the Snorkeling is fantastic - I saw a large Moray eel just a hundred yards from our hut.Other activities include Canoeing, Catamaran Sailing, Windsurfing, and you can even try your hand at some traditional Maldivian night fishing.

The Accomodation

Most of the rooms on the island are in the superior class and face eastwards onto the narrower beach. These rooms are semi-detached, unlike the water villas and deluxe class rooms, but do have the advantage of offering very convenient access for snorkelling on the reef. The deluxe rooms have the same standard of furnishings as the superior ones but are detached, are a bit larger and have an extended bathroom.

The water villas have cushioned sun loungers, a Maldavian swing joli, and the snorkelling is just a few steps away. The villas are lovely but are open on each side to the neighbouring ones, so visitors who value their privacy may be better suited in a superior or deluxe room. Some guests split their holiday between different room types to vary the experience.

you can read more about the Filitheyo Island Resort at Maldives Holidays where suzi sometimes blogs.