Honeymoon - September - Maldives - Help!
Discussion
Morning,
I'm due to get Married next September but we're currently having some issues deciding on honeymoon destinations.
Back in March we went to the Maldives, Olhuveli to be exact, and we both absolutely loved every minute of it. We've been looking around and priced up a really nice holiday consisting of 3 days in Hong Kong and then 10 days in Seminyak, Bali.
However we're a bit concerned that Bali won't live up to our expectations after going to the Maldives. We're not really super adventurous types so like the all-inclusive Maldives style relaxation resorts. We don't want to be hassled in streets by locals and such like, which is what we're thinking Bali may bring.
So we're thinking about going back to the Maldives instead, maybe even back to Olhuveli as we couldn't fault it. But then the weather in late September could be dodgy and there's not much surprise element to it as we've been before ... so a different Maldives resort maybe? Or should we just man up and do the Hong Kong and Bali trip.
We're so confused. Any ideas or advice?
I'm due to get Married next September but we're currently having some issues deciding on honeymoon destinations.
Back in March we went to the Maldives, Olhuveli to be exact, and we both absolutely loved every minute of it. We've been looking around and priced up a really nice holiday consisting of 3 days in Hong Kong and then 10 days in Seminyak, Bali.
However we're a bit concerned that Bali won't live up to our expectations after going to the Maldives. We're not really super adventurous types so like the all-inclusive Maldives style relaxation resorts. We don't want to be hassled in streets by locals and such like, which is what we're thinking Bali may bring.
So we're thinking about going back to the Maldives instead, maybe even back to Olhuveli as we couldn't fault it. But then the weather in late September could be dodgy and there's not much surprise element to it as we've been before ... so a different Maldives resort maybe? Or should we just man up and do the Hong Kong and Bali trip.
We're so confused. Any ideas or advice?
One Maldives resort is the same as another - a small island with wonderful sea/beaches/sealife. They all have various levels of great service, and steep prices.
September is apparently a good time to visit Mauritius due to lower temps (more comfortable) - and if you like locking yourself away in a resort (!!!) you can achieve that too.
I can really recommend this place though - and it's not what you're used to, but will provide what you want: http://www.lamaisondete.com/
September is apparently a good time to visit Mauritius due to lower temps (more comfortable) - and if you like locking yourself away in a resort (!!!) you can achieve that too.
I can really recommend this place though - and it's not what you're used to, but will provide what you want: http://www.lamaisondete.com/
Morning OP,
You’ve already been to the Maldives and in doing so have potentially ruined and future beach type holiday as a result! Many people try and replicate what they found in the Maldives elsewhere in the world but it doesn’t really exist, at least not unless you spend mega bucks (even compared to the Maldives). I know this because we’ve tried, the combination of isolated islands, with beach or water villas, beautiful reefs and diving on the levels seen in the Maldives seems unique. We’ve been twice you have your own little house on the beach and hardly ever see another soul until meal times, you take a few steps out of your front door and you’re on the beach, take another few and you’re in the ocean.
Although Bali is a nice destination you’ve got to try and offset the cons with the pros, there’s allot more to do and see, and is much more culturally rich and diverse. However the beaches don’t begin to compare, and has resort hotels in the main which are large in scale.
We go on honeymoon next year, but unlike you are a bit more adventurous it sounds and will do 3 weeks touring South Africa then finish with a week in Mauritius. We’re staying here: http://www.princemaurice.com/
Mauritius is more resort hotels, although many hotels have separate bungalows/villa instead of the normal hotel blocks. Again Mauritius has more to do and see outside of the resorts (I plan to do a sky dive here) you can go to a lion sanctuary and walk with lions which also sounds interesting.
We had also looked at Mozambique which also looks stunning more inline with the Maldives rustic accommodation, gorgeous looking beaches but not allot of choice and not too developed as a tourist destination. Also the Seychelles, big islands compared to the Maldives, very expensive, but beaches on a par.
My mate recently got back from his honeymoon in the Maldives and Dubai. He’d been before but to a different resort, this time they pushed the boat out and went for a more expensive place. While they enjoyed it I think they were a little disappointed, they found themselves comparing it to the previous resort and liked some things about the cheaper place better than where they had their honeymoon. This is always the danger when you do something again and give or take the islands/resorts of the Maldives are very similar.
ETA I'd look at Thailand, and maybe Vietnam before Bali, closer and there are many 'hideaway' type places all over Thailand.
You’ve already been to the Maldives and in doing so have potentially ruined and future beach type holiday as a result! Many people try and replicate what they found in the Maldives elsewhere in the world but it doesn’t really exist, at least not unless you spend mega bucks (even compared to the Maldives). I know this because we’ve tried, the combination of isolated islands, with beach or water villas, beautiful reefs and diving on the levels seen in the Maldives seems unique. We’ve been twice you have your own little house on the beach and hardly ever see another soul until meal times, you take a few steps out of your front door and you’re on the beach, take another few and you’re in the ocean.
Although Bali is a nice destination you’ve got to try and offset the cons with the pros, there’s allot more to do and see, and is much more culturally rich and diverse. However the beaches don’t begin to compare, and has resort hotels in the main which are large in scale.
We go on honeymoon next year, but unlike you are a bit more adventurous it sounds and will do 3 weeks touring South Africa then finish with a week in Mauritius. We’re staying here: http://www.princemaurice.com/
Mauritius is more resort hotels, although many hotels have separate bungalows/villa instead of the normal hotel blocks. Again Mauritius has more to do and see outside of the resorts (I plan to do a sky dive here) you can go to a lion sanctuary and walk with lions which also sounds interesting.
We had also looked at Mozambique which also looks stunning more inline with the Maldives rustic accommodation, gorgeous looking beaches but not allot of choice and not too developed as a tourist destination. Also the Seychelles, big islands compared to the Maldives, very expensive, but beaches on a par.
My mate recently got back from his honeymoon in the Maldives and Dubai. He’d been before but to a different resort, this time they pushed the boat out and went for a more expensive place. While they enjoyed it I think they were a little disappointed, they found themselves comparing it to the previous resort and liked some things about the cheaper place better than where they had their honeymoon. This is always the danger when you do something again and give or take the islands/resorts of the Maldives are very similar.
ETA I'd look at Thailand, and maybe Vietnam before Bali, closer and there are many 'hideaway' type places all over Thailand.
Edited by andrew311 on Monday 22 August 09:43
andrew311 said:
You’ve already been to the Maldives and in doing so have potentially ruined and future beach type holiday as a result
I think you're spot on with that, looking back we should of saved going until our honeymoon. I'm the more adventurous one and ideally we would like to do visit a city for a couple of days before going on to somewhere more relaxing. However all Maldives trips seems to tie-in with Dubai, which neither of us are that interested in visiting really.In an ideal world we'd do 3 days in Hong Kong (somewhere I really want to visit) and then fly on to the Maldives, however I've not seen many places offering this, I guess due to the distances and logistics involved.
I guess as a beach holiday we're not going to beat the Maldives, so we could do something totally different instead, but then that's not very traditional honeymoon'y.
andrew311 said:
My mate recently got back from his honeymoon in the Maldives and Dubai. He’d been before but to a different resort, this time they pushed the boat out and went for a more expensive place. While they enjoyed it I think they were a little disappointed, they found themselves comparing it to the previous resort and liked some things about the cheaper place better than where they had their honeymoon.
We've thought exactly that! We enjoyed Olhuveli so much for what was a reasonable price, we could push the boat out to a fancier resort with water villas and such like, but then find we actually enjoy it less. Hence thinking of doing the same holiday again really.Thanks for the advice so far guys, I'll check our a few of the places mentioned.
TheBaj said:
In an ideal world we'd do 3 days in Hong Kong (somewhere I really want to visit) and then fly on to the Maldives, however I've not seen many places offering this, I guess due to the distances and logistics involved.
Anything is possible just depends on how deep your pockets are. I’d agree Hong Kong and the Maldives don’t make logistical sense. Bangkok or Singapore and the Maldives would be doable if you want a city break plus beach, maybe Sri Lanka for something a bit different too. Bangkok is a very interesting city which many prefer to Hong Kong.Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles, Thailand, Bali etc are all popular honeymoon destinations where I think you’ll get a good/traditional honeymoon.
If you're happy to detour away from the beach for a few days in Bali, go up to Ubud and stay in the Alila:-
- Just outside of town, fantastic forest-valley setting
- Nice rooms
- Fantastic service
- Good food
- Their own spa
...plus a shuttle-bus into Ubud if you do want to stretch your legs - Ubud is so much more chilled than the southern resorts, genuinely nice place to spend a little time.
- Just outside of town, fantastic forest-valley setting
- Nice rooms
- Fantastic service
- Good food
- Their own spa
...plus a shuttle-bus into Ubud if you do want to stretch your legs - Ubud is so much more chilled than the southern resorts, genuinely nice place to spend a little time.
As above, I also thought Maldives for a full fortnight would be too much so split it with Singapore.
Flights were a pain Manchester -> Dubai -> Singapore then Singapore -> Malaysia -> Maldives but other half loved it.
Not doing anything in the Maldives was fine by me, it was the eating 3 times a day in the same place (small island with 1 restaraunt) & seeing & greeing the same staff (friendly as they were) that I got sick of so glad did the split.
Op, surely when considering the entire world, is there honestly no another place you would quite like to go?
Flights were a pain Manchester -> Dubai -> Singapore then Singapore -> Malaysia -> Maldives but other half loved it.
Not doing anything in the Maldives was fine by me, it was the eating 3 times a day in the same place (small island with 1 restaraunt) & seeing & greeing the same staff (friendly as they were) that I got sick of so glad did the split.
Op, surely when considering the entire world, is there honestly no another place you would quite like to go?
otolith said:
Any good tips?
Main islands are sprayed daily so no mosquitos, make sure this doesn't make you complacent like it did to us if you happen to go anywhere (we went on a 'wandering trip to a nearby 'romantic deserted island', few hours later returned bitten to shreds 
)Go all inclusive if possible, underwater camera may be useful.
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