CLUB FARU ISLAND RESORT MALDIVES - A Review

Location. Club Faru Island Resort, North Male Atoll, Maldives.

To know more about the resort, you may visit the website and if you want to read further reviews browse tripadvisor's page for more details. You can also check my facebook album for our photos.However below is my personal opinion just in case you're interested. ;)

Out of the blue we got an invite from our friends to go resort for the weekends. Okay, resort it is. Let's go!

October is already a high season in the Maldives. Most resorts are fully booked and it’s quite difficult to secure reservations particularly for work permit holders (to get rid of discounted rates!). And if you're lucky enough, you'll only get confirmation a day before. Well, because Jeneath is working in travel agency, magic is simply expected.

Alright, Club Faru Island Resort. Never mind of poor reviews, the distance from Male’ and the all inclusive package matters the most! 

We were able to avail the special speed boat fare of $15/head - credit goes to Jeneath's convincing ability. Regular fare I reckon ranges from $25-$50 per person depending on how many you are traveling. (hint. Traveling in group is a big advantage if you are planning to visit Maldives due to exclusivity of every transport mode here, and that I think is what makes your stay in this country unusual and special. Expect a warm Maldivian welcome from resort representative upon arrival at the Male’ airport any time followed by a special speed boat transfer to your chosen resort. What a life!) It took us only 10 minutes to reach Club Faru from Male’ Jetty No. 01.

Upon arrival, I easily noticed that the resort isn’t as fancy as the few resorts we’ve been; the jetty is small; and maybe because of my profession, i easily noticed the tegula roofs of the public areas – obsolete roofing materials particularly in the Maldives; the reception area isn’t at all intimidating; the main and only pool is plain and simple.

Fine, we we’re given a welcome drink, enough to quench our thirst.

Once we got our keys, we headed directly to our rooms. Ffffff, my flat in Male’ is far way better than this, hahaha! The openings and ceiling are curved-shaped and the room itself is leprechaun-like-niche (think of Frodo Baggins, LOL) And since there is no TV, I easily gave up the idea of having internet connection. (However, my girlfriend was ecstatic with the presence of a hair dryer, funny!) I checked the bathroom just to found out that there was no hand bidet shower… This is the kind of room which you’ll surely love to stay outside counting the stars (and even the moon) – hahaha! I have this thought that vacationing in the Maldives is a dream vacation to many, hence i suddenly remembered the other guests who traveled all the way from Europe just to spend their pennies (though not hard earned I reckon) with these not so impressive facilities. What a frustration I thought. 

To be fair, the resort is indeed old, the pool is small and the reception is not intimidating as others but once you’re there you’ll definitely feel the connection, the relax ambiance, the natural surroundings. Well, that’s how I felt and that's how i thought vacation or Maldives is all about. The room is typical but I slept real tight. The foods were awesome, limited choices but incredibly sumptuous with overflowing supply of bottled water and varieties of fruit juices. If you’re a heavy drinker, wines, beers and other alcoholic beverages, except branded, are unlimited until midnight. The lagoon area is living up with the resort theme, “as lazy as the sun!” wherein the union of the white sand and the pristine clear water gives you the impression of a paradise on earth. And yes, watching the sun set was really dramatic while chilling at the Thundi bar with a glass of beer. Overall, we enjoyed and had fun.

Club Faru might not be within Maldives standard when it comes to facilities but I think it has something distinct that keeps the resort going. In fact, basing on the attendance of the guests during buffet meals, Club Faru is still a tourist drawer of the Maldives. However, one thing that the management has to look into serious consideration - HOSPITALITY. It’s quite frustrating to note that staffs are real poor with proper etiquette in interacting guests; customer service failed to impress us all throughout our stay. They are not wearing smiles, no hands waving and welcoming your arrival and no tongue uttering “good morning or howdy sir?” I’ve never been in any hotel industries but I believe that what make one’s hotel/resort successful are the repeaters. 

*****

Ffffff, I’m already 29! Trying to be a better man this time. Till next pips.