Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

The water bungalows and adjoining pool and restaurant have recently been upgraded and are very pleasant. The food from this restaurant, which is just for water bungalow guests, is quite good and service is excellent! The staff were always helpful, always with a smile on their faces, one of the best features of the island. The house reef is one of the healthiest I saw in the central atolls, many having been badly damaged by global warming. We found the islands use of plastic absolutely obscene and unforgivable. All water is supplied in individual plastic bottles, to both rooms and dinner table. In this day and age it is totally unacceptable. The island must use tens of thousands every year. The management are clearly aware of the issue as it is frequently raised in their reviews, but it is being ignored, it is time they took responsibility for their actions! I really wish I could give the island a higher rating as it does have many positives however whilst they continue to produce so much plastic waste I can not do so.

The service, staffs (except few), and their policies are not up to the mark. I understand if their English is not good at all. But they can at least keep a print out with proper details of each packages!!! We took a full board meal plan, we understood that snacks were not included, soft drinks alcohol were not too. But water was not included either which itself is quite ridiculous: I went to many resorts never seen 3 meals inclusive package does not include drinking water. Even then it was okay,we can't do anything about it if it is their policy but they could not deliver that info properly. Dining staff are not sure which guests/tables took which packages, although each table is served by the same waiter every day, you have to tell them, rather explain them which package you are in; then they would discuss and tell you okay, you will get this, not that. After a while, you will get to know they were wrong!! So one waiter served us water saying full board plan does not include any soft drink, we said we know. then the next day he billed us for water, we were like why the bill; then he replied oh so sorry, he again gave a bill for coke only, we signed; so we did not sign the water bill, he also said his mistake. Then during the check out final bills they just included water bills which we did not even sign!! They can't bill anything without having their guests sign it!! We obviously paid 2.5usd each glass,but you can't bill someone without their signature!! And if we knew, we would have taken the water from our room which was complimentary! The staffs' behavior differs and that is so visible. If you are brown guests with less expensive packages they will treat you differently..I understand those guests who stay for 14days and spend 2000usd on diving (as one staff mentioned) bring more money you value them more.but I spent my hard earned money too and I can't give one star even for that kinda behavior and negligence. We booked sea plane, and we understood sea plane is managed by third party, resort cant do anything about it. But from my little understanding I can also understand that sea plane does not move only once in a day?! You arranged to send a couple around noon as they had emergency. and kept telling us that you know our flight schedule and we wont miss it, then again claiming the sea plane schedule can't be controlled, so we had to wait until it was too late. Surprisingly, we reached JUST on the boarding time. We requested several time on the day we arrived that we wanted to leave island on the departure day as soon as possible, even we were ready to check out early! Also, it does not take 25minutes to reach airport by sea plane. it takes 7 to 10 mints to get to the sea plane by boat, then moving with luggage to the plane takes more 5mints, then 15mints to reach the dock, then waiting for the bus, then again travelling quite a time (too frustrated to time that) to reach airport, then wait for the luggage few more mintues. We started 5.25 from the island, reached at 6.40 at the airport. So, you should not misinform cause we were still hoping if we could reach by 6 at least, we had one hour to go by our plan!! We wanted to leave asap after departure. We could not as I mentioned.it was so hot we just were resting in the reception. The manager lady came in and asked us to move 'nicely' because they had arrival guests coming.being myself an arrival guests many places in my country and in the world I accommodated my sitting places, but never had I have the experience of someone telling me to move for their arrival guests as soon as I check out!! We obviously moved although there were PLENTY of places to sit!!! This is not a big deal. But as I said before the attitude!! The room, cleanliness, the aqua life and maintenance to keep them healthy, and snorkeling guides (along with all water activities) are remarkable. But I can't give stars for their services as that is equally important to me when I am spending whole lot of money. I regret booking this resort, I rather went for the well known ones which are frequently suggested by friends and family and spent this 3000USD at some places which would have better services and stuff. I kinda thing it was also our fault as we wanted less commercial and crowded one, but did not know less commercial can turn up less efficient services. Otherwise, the island itself, the rooms and their maintenance and water activities are good.