Gemma Cann

Review of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces...

Absolute paradise. Where to start... booked the Ta...

Absolute paradise. Where to start... booked the Taj as a break for 7 nights before going on to Sri Lanka and could have happily stayed for longer. Welcomed at the airport by the concierge team, who took us to a speed boat where we traveled for 20 mins to the Island (the journey was stunning!).

Welcomed off the boat by bongo players, rose petals, the General Manager, Assistant General Manger, a lady from reservations and our own butler waiting for us in a golf buggy. It wasn't even our honeymoon!

The Island:
It takes about 10/ 15 mins to walk from one end of the island (spa) to the other (restaurant) but there are quiet little golf buggys running the whole time. The island was stunning, it felt like nobody else was there. The beaches were completely clean with beautiful white sand. Each sun lounger on the beach has its own picnic basket was cold water and fresh towels on all beds. All trees, plants, walkways are looked after daily and it shows, everywhere you look is beautiful, it looks like a dream.

Yes it is a beach holiday but we didn't run out of things to do once. There are trips (don't bother with the trip to Male, why leave paradise?) snorkeling, the spa, a swing in the sea, watch a tropical storm from your bath tub with surround sound music!

Accommodation:
Everything was clean, exotic fruit bowl replenished daily, espresso machine in room, fresh orchids in the bathroom, they even treat you to bubble baths with rose petals... amazing. We stayed in a lagoon villa off the island (not a beach suite) The room was perfect, bathroom was huge, with a getty out the back with a ladder that lead into the lagoon. The water is incredibly clear and under the villas are a whole host of beautiful coral and fish - take your breath away stunning.

Service:
Outstanding - about sums it up.

Tips:
- They hire out good quality Snorkel equipment and fins for free that you can keep for the time you're there.
- Snorkel around the island - beautiful colours, stingrays, reef shark, loads of powder-blue surgeon fish.
- Swim/ walk to the lagoon edge. The lagoon (the side of the villas not the beach) at it's highest point was hip height, walk out to the lagoon edge, the reef is amazing.
- Book one of the short trips to the Coral Gardens - simply breath taking everyone needs to see this once in their life!
- The free yoga on the pavilion is a great way to start the day.
- Food is very expensive, book the inclusive deal, where dinner is included, as to pay taxes and service charge on top is really expensive
- Take snacks with you, nuts, crisps, chocolate etc. - with all the snorkeling you'll need it!
- Ladies, everywhere is sand - leave heels at home take wedges!

I would go back in a heartbeat!