Review of Adaaran Select Meedhupparu 5*

Honest review — I want to re-rate down to a 4 but I gave 5 stars before the last 2 days of my holiday, which somewhat disappointed me considering the wonderful service I received until then. This is a beautiful island… The sea clear and warm, the beaches white and the abundance of flora and fauna makes for a truly magical experience but these things are readily found on all of the holiday islands in the Maldives. Staff were smiley, chatty and above all concerned that you are enjoying your holiday, so much so that it begins to feel a little less genuine every day. I took full advantage of the facilities available other than the pool, (why use a chlorinated pool when the sea is just there! ) I visited the spa twice and enjoyed both the salt scrub and the hot stone massage, the spa setting is beautiful and the atmosphere tranquil but it is over priced… I paid approximately double what I would pay for a hot stone massage in the UK once service charges and tax were added, for a treatment which was half as good. The Chinese style massage was sublime, offered in the reflexology room by a supremely capable young woman, it is advertised as a more medicinal treatment as opposed to the relaxation type offered in the spa… Much cheaper and worth more… I tipped in gratitude. The beach villa was clean, the outside shower was amazing… Don't forget the bug repellent… My stay was comfortable and I had everything I needed close to hand. Staff in the restaurant were attentive but not overbearing and the chefs very accommodating to my gluten free requirements… The food was good if a little repetitive. The settings and public areas are beautifully presented and you do feel like you are spoiling yourself just by being there, the atmosphere is relaxed and relaxing. However the same customer care I received from my arrival to the last 24 hrs was not prevalent after 8pm on my last night… When they stop your credit line and prepare your final bill. Basically you can't spend anymore money after 8pm… You can still use the facilities and your inclusive drinks allowance doesn't stop until you physically leave but other than cash tips (no bars / shops accept payments cash or card) your spending days are done. I had a very early 7am seaplane, which meant luggage collection at 5:45 from my villa and key hand in at reception at 6:15. At 5:35 (despite being told not to put bag out before 5:45, because it might rain) the porters knock on my door for the case… I'm in my nightie… They leave, I attempt a shower… Housekeeping boy knocks on the door at 5:50 (to check what time my check out is) … I make it to reception at 6:12… And then sit in the lobby until 6:50… Maybe if I was catching a later seaplane my experience would have been different… But the impression of not only being pressured to rush and the expectation that I would do as I was told and attend breakfast at 5:45… But the pressure also to tip — which I was planning on doing anyway, was rude and did nothing but made me feel inconvenient and unwelcome. It also made me realise quite how corporate the whole thing felt, from the identical responses and questions to the then reading the other reviews on here and seeing they are mostly written by 'local guides' — draw from that what you will, I appreciate at the end if the day the whole island is a business and everyone there an employee, however surely the point of very expensive luxury destination holidays is that you should feel like an old friend/honoured guest and not like you are paying for it…? The Maldives are beautiful and I will go back… But I might try a different style of island next time.