DHIGALI MALDIVES | is this the best luxury/value resort in Maldives?

[@patrickmclean3580]

Great video. We lived next door in 709 in March. We loved it so much we have booked for March 2024. 👍

[@auldsouls]

Thank you so much, we loved our experience and the villa was so gorgeous and the food 🥘 was so delicious.

[@ZurriyetBlogs]

Did you go , how was that ?

[@patrickmclean3580]

@ZurriyetBlogs yeah we went in March 03 and March this year. And stil amazing from our first visit. Staff are amazing and so genuine. We are thinking bout going nxt year again. Totally recommend 👌

[@ciryulnya_bradobrey]

Cool video! We are going to Dhigali in Semptember! It will be our honeymoon ❤

[@auldsouls]

Pretty cool :), we are sure you are going to enjoy it ❤️

[@ZurriyetBlogs]

Did you go ? How was the weather ?

[@ciryulnya_bradobrey]

@@ZurriyetBlogs Mostly it was sunny. It rained lightly for two nights.

[@raulr9877]

Awesome video. Coming from the US, which airport do you go to for the seaplane or how to get there? Is there a video on how to ?

[@auldsouls]

Yes, you basically take a sea plane, which is additional 400$ plus minus, once you land in Male (it is a small airport) either they will wait for you directly at the exit or you go to universal resorts kiosk (there is a huge area with resort kiosks in the front of exit ) and then they will take care of everything, they will escort you to the seaplane check in which is like 1 minute walk from the exit, they will take you on a bus to the seaplane terminal which takes about 5 minutes and they will escort you to the lounge or to the gate and you wait for the seaplane. Have fun 🤩

[@cheriewerner4478]

How was the house reef for snorkeling?

[@auldsouls]

It was ok, but cannot be compared with untouched reef resorts such as park Hyatt Hadahaa.

[@stefanraicevic7075]

Very informative video, thank you!Would you recommend it for Honeymoon? Are there any additonal costs if you book the all inclusive plan (except the tips I guess)?

[@auldsouls]

Hmm, an interesting question. Let us start with the easy one. I do not think there are any additional costs but you might want to consider doing the activities, the dolphin cruise, the glass bottom boat, the equipment for snorkeling. I also think there are a few items on the menu that you have to pay extra, certain wines and alcohol as well as some exclusive dishes like a lobster dinner etc. but there is some pretty decent choice like a steak or tuna steak is included in the package. Now, is is a place for Honeymoon, honestly, yes, but this resort is more geared towards the families and it is more lively, live music, kids, certainly you will find some secluded parts, but it is not an exclusive only you and me resort....Hope it helps with your decision.

[@stefanraicevic7075]

Certainly does! Many thanks!

[@liberation26]

Great video. How does this place compares to the Park Hyatt? Thx.

[@auldsouls]

Hmm. It’s a difficult question, they are very different. First, Hyatt is next to the equator so it is further south, you get different cristal clear contrasty light, while Dhigali is more tropical sun, more clouds and mist in the air. Hyatt is a smaller island, while Dhigali is a larger island. Dhigali is more geared towards family, kids, is more popular. Hyatt is more adults, couple vibe. Hyatt is also more private, luxurious and exclusive. I would say Hyatt is small, exclusive, retreat with this very luxurious feeling, it’s a level higher when it comes to luxury, but Dhigali is like affordable luxury vibe, more popular, more social, more lively and the sand bank at the end is quite nice. So depends on what you are after.

[@liberation26]

@@auldsouls Thanks for your insights. Super valuable :)

[@toliver.99]

Hey there, I would love to know how much the evening meal cost you? I would like to plan one for my partner :)

[@auldsouls]

Hey there, we were on the all inclusive plan, so not sure. But a dinner could have been about 75-150 dollars for 2.

[@angelsx82]

I don't like and never going to book Maldives resort with sea barriers around.

[@ZurriyetBlogs]

Unfortunately, not all features come together.

[@lindas2531]

What’s up with your hands - you shake them soo much

[@auldsouls]

@@lindas2531 yeah, I know. The camera does not have any stabilization so the footage is shaky…sorry for that I know how annoying it can be.

[@lindas2531]

@@auldsouls Thank you 😊 What did you think of the hotel and food overall? I am considering going there for 5n and Dusit for 4n to do Hanifaru Bay excursion, re Dhigali have some concerns about food (we are used to healthy and elaborated dishes and kids do not live on nuggets) and the wave breakers spoiling the beach. Thanks for sharing your impressions.

[@auldsouls]

@@lindas2531 So you would like to see the Mantas at Hanifaru, may-sep I think is the season for that. Well, it is a difficult question and I would love to give you an honest answer. We had the all inclusive plan, I think there is no other option. My wife Mima is a picky eater and most of the time in Maldives she is on french fries and some cheeses, but that is everywhere. For the kids the good thing is that there is a kids center, but make sure it is going to be open as in the low season it might be closed so contact the resort before hand. It is a very long island about 1km from one end to another and there is a dedicated application with the buggy so you can plan accordingly. There is an international restaurant that serves tuna steak, australian steak, some pasta and other specialties. There is a middle eastern restaurant Ibn Batutta, but that one is open on only a few day a week and is in the middle of the island. There is a Japanese restaurant and the breakfast spot with international restaurant as well in the Eastern Part where the pool is. This one had a great ramen that I got every day along with a steak. Honestly, if you are not a picky eater you will find a good selection, but if you are a vegetarian that does not like eggs and eggplant and cooked vegetables, you will eat fries, some pasta and the choice is not that great. The wave breakers are there but it depends where you are staying. If you stay next to the west part where is the sandy end is, there are almost no reef breakers. I agree that they do spoil the view and personally do not like them. However, it is more and more common for the resorts to have them as the erosion is becoming a problem there due to rising seas. Again there is a question of price, for the price I think it offers a good value. There is also a caffee we loved and a pizzeria that was quite decent. Again the west part was much nicer with the evening bar. The pool area in the east as well, there is a giant 3 pools. When it comes to vegetation, it is very lush and dense but there is not that many open coconut forests as opposed to Reethi Faru that is next by. The reef in Dhigali was not some of the best we have seen, but it has a nice Turquoise Beach near the end. I doubt kids will want to spend time at the sea for them the pool is more important. Let me know if you need more info :) We have been to Maldives in about 10 resorts, and every one of them is different and there will be things you wont like and things you will enjoy. It really depends on what would be your preference.

[@lindas2531]

@@auldsouls Thanks so much! We have never been to Maldives yet. I have been put off by total price for 4ppl and went to Mauritus for 10 years every time we wanted a tropical vacation. This month want to do Maldives - before son #1 becomes 12 as then the prices will get to the whole new level for us. We are picky eaters in a sence that we do not eat burgers, fries, eggs & bacon, cannaed beans, etc. We do lots of fresh or nicely cooked veggies, greens, fruits, smoothies, wild fish, organic fillet steak if having meat, etc. So, food is not the main attraction but important. Also, some of the more affordable hotels (Elaidhoo, Kuredu, Kudafushi, Reethi Beach, Reethi Faru, Kuramathi, etc.) worry me re room age, cleanliness, food quality & variety and overal service perspectives while excite price-wise, of course. I am trying to pick a place (in addition to Dusit - because of Hanifaru Bay) that is fairly easy / quick to transfer from Dusit, although it looks like we would have to pay twice for RT seaplane even if hotels are within a 30min boat ride from one another (at least Travel Republic & Destination2 and LastMinute bundle the RT transfers with each hotel). We want a beautiful turquoise lagoon with white sandy beach, mature tall trees, ideally flowers as well, good swimming or snorkeling (unless one can get both on the same island). ALso, since we are going in August, we need rainy-day activities - covered billiard/table tennis/basketball court/video gaming room, etc. My kids are 6 and 11, both sporty boys - so Kids club with colouring books is not for them. Any advice is greatly appreciated as I start panicking that prices would go up (we are 3 weeks away from flying) - and I still cannot make up my mind with so many considerations and so many hotels.