The Maldives have ruined just about every island vacation I will ever take. Following my trip, I will be comparing every beach destination to the Maldives and every hotel to my stay at Constance Moofushi. And, I will be disappointed each time. The Maldives and Constance Moofushi have set the bar so high that it will be near impossible to reach.
Prior to arriving on the island, I was anticipating check-in problems since I booked through Expedia and encountered numerous problems with my reservation. I booked three round-trip flights to Male, Maldives from Delhi, India on Sri Lankan airlines via Colombo. I have always wanted to visit the Maldives; however, the flights to Male from Chicago are crazy expensive. Given my budget, the Maldives needed to be an extension to a longer trip, since airfare to Male from the surrounding area is just a couple hundred dollars (versus thousands). I had booked a trip to India and Sri Lanka with my mother and brother [see posts: India’s Golden Triangle and Stopover in Colombo, Sri Lanka], and added the three-night, four-day extension to finally visit the Maldives.
The Maldives consist of approximately 1,190 coral islands spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers (or about 34,750 miles). Hotel choices are abundant. Just keep in mind – there is no wandering off the property or taking long walks on the beach. Each resort is situated on its own island. Not an environment for the solo traveler. The romantic and intimate settings make the Maldives the ultimate destination for couples. Be prepared to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars a night. A once-in-a-lifetime trip – one that I thought I would never be able to take. In terms of selecting a resort, I solely focused on reviews. As a budget traveler, I never take these types of glamourous trips. I filtered the search by all-inclusive options and overwater villa availability. Constance Moofushi held the top spot. Cringing at the price, I convinced myself that this trip would be worth the cost.
The 45-minute flight from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male to Constance Moofushi located in the South Ari Atoll was $550 USD per person – more expensive than three round-trip flights from India to the Maldives. Given this is the only way of getting to the island, we had no choice but to pay up. The exceptional service commenced at the Constance Lounge at the airport.
Cheerful and friendly representatives greeted us and offered a variety of refreshments. We were escorted to the seaplane, where the amazement began.
The 45-minute flight had my eyes glued to the window. Indescribable. I was lost for words.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by hotel staff, “Welcome, Ms. [insert last name]”. How did they already know my name?
The check-in process was the easiest I have ever experienced.
Shoes removed, we received a quick tour of the island and were escorted to our overwater villa. During the short walk, I wanted to take pictures of everything. There are no words to describe how beautiful and mesmerizing the island is.
Crystal clear water, pure white sand, not a piece of garbage in sight. The view from every angle was something I could not believe existed.
The overwater villa was spectacular.
Most importantly, it had direct access to the ocean.
Mini-fridge items were included (most all-inclusive resorts charge extra for mini-fridge items) and snorkel equipment was loaned to us for the entire duration of our stay (most all-inclusive resorts limit time on snorkel equipment rental).
The villa was spotless, even the outdoor shower was clean. Housekeeping came twice a day. Although completely unnecessary, it just speaks to the level of service. In the evening, housekeeping would sneak in while we were at dinner, prepare bedside slippers, and swap out towels.
Speaking of dinner, the dining options were plentiful and delicious.
On the first day, we made it in time for lunch. Our server asked for our names, and somehow the remainder of the staff was referring to us by our names by the end of lunch. These people have incredible memories. The level of service at Constance Moofushi is service that you will not find at other all-inclusive resorts. The resort has a wine connoisseur come to your table to pair your plate with wine. Dinner included all you can eat lobster. Most all-inclusive resorts stopped serving fresh seafood years ago, let alone “all you can eat”. During our entire stay, we ate gourmet food prepared in unique and tasteful ways.
Constance Moofushi is a beautiful island, and just as gorgeous underwater.
We snorkeled around the property for a couple hours each day. The coral reefs around the property are absolutely stunning, and free.
Additionally, I booked a two-tank dive on day two, followed by a night dive. Turtles. Colorful schools of fish. Manta Rays. One of the best dive sites that I have ever experienced.
The exceptional service continued onto the dive boat. Divers do not have to do anything. The staff carries the equipment, sets up tanks, and serves refreshments. I ended up completing the PADI Adventure Diver and Enriched Air courses and certifications. Although expensive, it was well worth it.
Constance Moofushi is one of a kind. The location. The water. The beach. The property. The service – all exceptional. Regardless of where you stay, a trip to the Maldives should be on your bucket list.
