1 | 6 |
Family | Leisure |
Overall Rating |
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Very Good 7 Reviews WRITE A REVIEW ADD PHOTOS |
Bedrooms |
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Sleep quality: Very Good |
Amenities: Very Good |
Bathroom: Average |
House Keeping |
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Cleanliness: Very Good |
Maintenance: Average |
Public Area |
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Inside: Very Good |
Outside: Very Good |
Service |
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Check In/Out: Very Good |
Professionalism: Very Good |
Friendliness: Very Good |
Dining: Very Good |
Excursions: Very Good |
Food and Drinks |
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Breakfast: Very Good |
Lunch: Very Good |
Dinner: Very Good |
Choice of Dishes: Very Good |
Choice of Drinks: Very Good |
Others |
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Ambience: Very Good |
Value for Money: Excellent |
Expectation Level: Very Good |
Internet: Very Good |
Love to visit again: Very Good |
The relaxed atmosphere.
No tea & coffee on AI
This was my 2nd trip to Eriyadu and it was just as good as the first if not better. Many staff I remember from last year and remembered me which makes you feel instantly welcome.
Transfers both there and back were really smooth and just under an hour each way.
There seemed to be a lot more Russian guests than when I visited last time as well as Germans and not as many English as I remember.
The island is really relaxed and was really quiet during the time we were there, not sure where everyone disappears to all day...
The bar staff were as friendly as ever and kept us entertained.. or us them I'm not sure which way round it was. There's no real focus on entertainment in the evening as not many guests are using the bar late on so if you like a bit going on then you may want to take some entertainment of your own, at least a pack of cards.
The room was in a really nice spot, around 20 paces from the huge beach (Number 136), I believe they are doing some renovation in some of them and it's needed to bring it in line with the competition but saying that, everything in our room worked and the place was spotless.
Our bed decoration on arrival was a lovely touch (photo's attached) but we didn't see anything of the room boy... maybe hiding behind tree's waiting for us to go out I'm not sure..
The buffet had a great selection and the quality was good too. Breakfast later than 9am would make me happier but admittedly it was pretty quiet towards the end so assume lots are up and out diving early. Our waiter was Ibrahim and was really sweet. Considering at lunch he was probably starving as it's Ramadan, he still had a smile for us!
This time we were on AI which is really good value and we found plenty of drinks we liked.. I would like tea and coffee included but appreciate the rate is pretty low for the AI compared to other islands.
Overall I would say they have it right, there's not enough islands like this left sadly so I'd say go now why it's at this level in the market.
Only a short review but please let me know if you have any questions.
Stayed July 2013, in room 136
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My to be "at home" feeling
My titel is the sentence that adorns, since a while, the cover of Eriyadu's fb page. A kind of state of mind, which is currently and actually on going!
When it appeared first, some italian friends of mine, who visited before, were really skeptical about...
But I knew that there had been a changement in the management..
More: "I knew the new management (from a previous visit of mine in Maldives) and completely trusted him and his team!".
My visit to Eriyadu was placed at the end of a quite rich itinerary around Maldives,
touching mostly 5* properties and I can say that the level of service and cares on this small
pile of sand is nothing less than 5* as well..
But let's start with the natural part.
The island is blessed by an easy to reach (through well visible entrances), lively, colourful housereef! I am not a diver and, as only snorkler, this is so important to me.
The perimeter consists of wide beaches and picturesque spots where the vegetation borders the waters.
The inside is natural, rich, wild green. A small jungle to explore.. The banana plantation was absolutely my "wow" factor!!
Have I already listed a lot of reasons to visit Eriyadu? Didn't I?? Mother Nature has well done her part of the job in this small island..
She always does.. It is always "up to us" to have the right attitude to appreciate and notice this..
Now let's add the icing on the cake.
Eriyadu is on the way to its new level (changements and refurbishing is currently going on) and I well know that I was so privileged to have the chance to fully experience the future 'face' of Eriyadu.
Starting from my accommodation: brand new interior and bathroom! Comfortable, practical and cozy! Placed on the best corner ever of the island: you cannot imagine how much I enjoyed my "home"!!
But also all the rest of the facilities are under a massive uplift (partially already successfully ended):
- the reception area (now polished with nice corners where to stop and enjoy for a while)
- the overwater Blitz bar with its new terrace and adjacent swimming pool
(still smelling the air with a scent of freshly cut wood).
In both this areas there is free Wifi connection available.
- the Bougain Spa (where I discovered that "Hot Stones" is my fav massage ever..
only if practised in the perfect harmony of temperature, scents and sounds).I still can close my eyes, right now and refresh this experience! Because, I was given (as present) the eye-mask soaked in the oil essence, which I had chosen for my massage.
- the restaurant (where a 'Prince' and Chef Kumar managed to make me learn how to cook a Vegetable Masala Curry! No.. I mean.. I am a real disaster in cooking and now I have even a diploma!). Let's add Zahir, my waiter, who was also "forced" to learn all the ingredients that I need to create my fav drink at meals.. and he learned them perfectly!
- the new room start-up category (this still under constuction but heavenly located, which case is not usual in Maldives)
- the new.... No! I am not going to tell you everything.. I prefer you to discover and enjoy the difference yourself! Visit Eriyadu!!.. For sure it has, currently, a great, great value for money!
There is only one crucial point.. which is very, very important to me in Maldives and I will never stress enough about:
"Get an island where managers and employeers are passionate about their job.. Get an island where workers are proud and happy to be there.. Get an island which soul is respected and not exploted.."
I was very lucky to meet Eriyadu in this state of mind.. and body!
I am very lucky and grateful to share my passion with the people that I meet, everytime, in Maldives..
A small PS.. I MUST underline this, because I am already sure!! I will never, ever have such an incredible, amazing, smooth " very,very late check out" as the one I had on Eriyadu!! Thank you Aaron and Reservation Team Eriyadu! This was a 'care' that 5* and more can still long dream of.. ;)
Stayed November 2014, in room #212
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Beach, swimming pool
The rooms are a bit old
Everyone is so friendly
We spend 13 nights on Eriyadu, 2nd - 15th February. This was the 6th Island we have visited in the Maldives, it is also the smallest and the first time we haven't gone 4* or above The speedboat took about 50 mins an althoug it was quite choppy is was a nice comfortable ride. We were greated with a cold flannel and fruit drink, filled in the usual registration documents and was escorted to our room. We were allocated room 155 and I was a little apprehensive as I had email the resort and requested a room around 112 - 115 but as we approached the room and I saw the position I said WOW. The guy off reception who escorted us to our room explained that they had given us this room as it has a fantastic beach area at this time of year which was my requirement, it really is a great area with a 'sandbank' outside these rooms. There is sun all day and amazing sunsets from here.
The rooms themselves are really tired, the sleeping area is ok, clean and functional but the bathroom really let the room down. The over bath shower trickled water and the open air shower was cold and smelt a little but we just decided to have a bath each night before we went for dinner, sorted. We prefer to have a room in a great position that an amazing room in not so good a position.
We were allocated our table and waiter in the restaurant Hussan, both were great and the food was fresh and tasty, maybe not as much choice as we have had on other Islands but what they did was really good.There are a few tables and chairs outside the restaurant where we would sit and have a coffee after our meal. The bar area was really good too, the staff are really attentive and we were never waiting for drinks, they also would have the time to stop and have a chat, all were really nice guys.
We had a couple of meals on the beach, Lobster andd Steak, both dishes were delicious, the setting was beautiful and service fantastic. We also went on a couple of excersions, the good thing about this Island is they don't wait to fill the trips, they will go even if there's only 4 people wanting to go. We did the local Island trip and the sunset fishing trip, they were both really good. The crew on the fishing trip were great, we had a real laugh.
The reef, well, this was the 1st time we swam alongside a Turtle which was special for us, we also saw a stingray cleaning station whichh was a big wow and a bit scarey as there was around 8 rays and one was enormous, I'm not sure we will ever see that again, it was very imperessive. We also saw Sharks, Eels, Octopus and loads more.
For us, this Island is pretty near 'Perfect' it has a really good atmosphere and feel to it. The staff, all of them were brilliant and a real credit to the Island. It is them who make it really special. It will be very hard for us to book a different Island for next year as we believe we have found our paradise.
We met some lovely people, many of who descovered Eriyadu many years ago and go back each year, I hope we see them again sometime when we return. That day can't come too soon.
Stayed February 2013, in room 155
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Family > With children | 18 November 2012
Very Good
Friendly staff and beautiful house reef
The rooms and facilities are looked seasoned
This was my second visit to Maldives, and my first to Eriyadu.
This time, my daughter, who turned 8 during the trip, was with us, so basically, we just did snorkeling in the house reef.
We skipped an excursion in the snorkeling safari.
But Eriyadu's house reef was wonderful, and we didn't feel the need to go outside the ship.
When we told the staff that our daughter would turn 8 during this stay, they prepared us a birthday cake and the waiters sang in union. Our daughter looked very happy.
The room looked seasoned, and the cot for the third person is just two mattresses on top of each other. You know how comfortable it would be to sleep on that! The cleaning of the room was meticulous, and we didn't spot any sand inside. But this seemed to depend on the staff's personality, and Didi who cleaned the room of my parents-in-law did do such a good job. The wonderful sea compensated all that, and we had an encounter with a manta ray. I was so absorbed in looking at that I forgot to take photos.
Stayed November 2012, in room 209
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House reefs
Limited activities...
Eriyadu is good for travellers who just want a place to rest their head without too much fuss. The accomodation is very basic. No internet in the room but wireless internet is available at the reception. BYO toiletries because only a small piece of soap is provided.
Like factor #1: House reefs - while snorkelling around the area, I didn't get to see many schools of fish unlike at some other resorts but I did see many varieties of fish that I've never seen before.
Like factor #2: I like curries so the different varieties of curries during meal times appealed to me- beef curry, veg curry, fish curry, chicken curry etc. The mangos are succulent and sweet!
Like factor #3: Nothing fancy about the spa room but the massage is reasonably priced and good. Helped to release the knots and aches from travelling.
Could be improved: Provide at least a bottle of water in the room. The reception staffs here need to smile more and try to be a little more helpful.
Stayed October 2012
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Loved the no-fuss atmosphere and natural friendliness of the staff.
Disliked not having tea and coffee making facilities... missed a good cuppa!
I had a short stay in Eriyadu and having heard comparisons to Biyadhoo was interested to see if it was a good recommendation.
The accomodation is far better and meets 4* standard.
The atmosphere is also similar in that there's no fuss, very easy going. The bar in the evening was very quiet, there wasn't much demand for entertainment but it's something I'd like to see develop.
The reef accessibility is very similar to Biyadhoo and goes the whole way round the island. As the sea was a bit choppy I can't give a fair comparison on visibility.
The food was varied and lots of choice for vegetarians and the waiters in the bow ties at dinner are a nice touch.
I would love to visit again and think there's lots of potential for this island to be a leading relaxed 4* for sea lovers.
The room location could have an effect on the stay, we had a great spot in 206 with good shading and a couple of minutes walk to the larger beach area round the corner.
I would highly recommend the island to repeat Maldives visitors as it's an even balance of good quality accommodation in a natural Maldives setting.
Stayed August 2012, in room 206
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