All rooms have a umbrella and rechargeable torch situated by the bed, however the islands footpaths are well illuminated at night.


You are expected to tip your room boy and table waiter during your stay and the average is $15-20 per week depending on the service of course. (you will hear people complaining about this... some were even heard to say they are only table clearers as you get your own food ! and why should we tip them !!!  very sad !!! but it is up to you to decide how much.


The cd players in the accommodation will play copied (back up discs) this saves taking the originals and damaging them with sand and lotions, also they can be donated to the bar at the end of your holiday.


The water bungalow side of the island can be very rough under foot due to the dead coral that is washed up, use beach shoes if unable to buy them in the UK, the shop on Meeru sells them. 

Dont take high heals or over the top night time clothing, all of the bars, restaurants, shops etc have sand floors you will only sink, flat shoes are the norm, the same for clothes most people tended to war linen or similar cool clothing.


You can tell the new arrival by the clothing and footwear they wear on the first night then the next night they are like every one else, but one thing if you feel like dressing up do it it is your holiday.

Vodafone / Orange / O2 mobile phones do work on parts of the island and can receive and send text.

Hairdryers are in all rooms now.

The water temperature of the sea is all year round 27 to 30 Celsius    :-)

Your room will get cold at night due to the air con and trying to get a happy medium is hard and if you switch it off you will sweat, just ask the room boy for a blanket and you will get a better sleep (how ever the air con does make some noise).  

Set it to 16 degrees (coldest setting) during the day and around 24 degrees on a night to take the chill out of the air, if you switch it off you will not sleep due to the high temperature, It is trial and error with the remote control but the best setting on the remote control is 3rd icon on the left and max (top) on the right (when you see the remote control it will make sense) if the air con makes to much noise inform the room boy who will get the maintenance department to rectify the problem.


The sun is very hot and will still burn even if it is cloudy.. start off with a high factor sun lotion for the first couple of days and then reduce.. the shop sells a range of oils and lotions if you run out.

In the restaurant depending upon the season you might be expected to share a table with another couple of the same nationality... dont huff and puff thinking this is going to spoil your holiday... if you want to sit by yourselves ASK and things will be arranged... its quite good talking to someone else and finding out what they did that day (we wouldnt have gone on the love boat cruise if it was not for the couple on our table !   

And as the meal times are for 2hrs+ you might see each other over coffee and dessert :-)

Don’t bother to take any alcohol into the Maldives all “luggage” is passed through an x ray machine and any drink is seized you are giving a receipt and can collect it prior to boarding your flight back home….

Over crowding


Also be prepared for the possibility of Meeru being overbooked particular in the November to February period, this has happened for at least the last 3 years, what they offer you to ease the room shortage is the possability of down grading for a couple of nights or up grading with varies freebies thrown in (lobster dinner, fruit basket, t shirts) they even offer you a free transfer to a sister resort by plane which is 4*

Another one is the chance to upgrade from Land Villa to Water Villas at a huge discount

Also the offer of a free 2 or 3 days boat cruise (only problem you have to vacate your room and no guarantee where you will be located on the island upon your return).

Departure


You are requested to have your luggage outside of your villa as stated below and that you pay your bill prior to leaving, your bill will be printed out and will include all receipts even if all inclusive... it is a good idea to check as on occasions mistakes happen and someone else's drinks could be put on your room...


You can settle your bill in either cash $US or travellers cheques $US but be aware that a 1% charge is made on the total cost if used, the best bet is to pay by credit card as the exchange rate is set by the bank.


The time and room vacate will be on the white board behind reception on the evening prior to departure, this will include the time you have to have your suite cases outside your room (they will disappear and the next time you see them is at Male) and which boat your will be on to Male. You have your name ticked off and helped onto the boat and then you are on your way, upon arrival at Male your cases are placed on the jetty and then it’s off to the departure lounge.. Join the queue where you have to show your passport and flight tickets to security and your luggage is put through an x ray machine and then you join the queue for your tour operator.

Britania check in desks are on the right as you enter

If with Airtour’s premium gold they have there own check in desk on the right hand side of the Airtour’s check in lanes.  

Once you have your seat tickets pass through immigration and pass port control and there are a number of duty free shops $12 for t shirts and $20 for cigars (box of 25 Cuban), there is also a restaurant which is self service and not the cheapest but they are trying to get your last dollars. 
                                                                      

I hope that this is everything if it is not just let us know and we will try to answer it and enjoy your holiday

One last thing you will notice on a number of websites that people complain about the slow service and staff attitude.. my only observation is yes at times it does appear slow but you are on an island in the Indian Ocean and every thing is laid back..... But the main thing is treat the staff and waiters as you would expect to be treated, a please and thank you does go a long way………perhaps this is why people complain of slow service etc !!!!

If there is anything you think should be included please let us know and just to remind you this is a guide based upon our experiences and that of our friends. 

Don’t be shy put your comments on the web site and also on the guest book's at meeru.com or meeru.co.uk


Steve