Hi Julie,
Just wanted to say we had a brilliant time at Lily Beach, it really surpassed all our expectations. Everything about it is fab - we couldn't fault anything. The staff are amazingly friendly and nothing is too much trouble for them. The atmosphere is so relaxed and chilled out, you don't need to wear shoes for your holiday, even in flip-flops you're a bit over-dressed!!! All they ask is that ladies dress modestly at meal times eg: no swimwear.
The weather was fine with only a few short downpours during the 2 weeks. Despite being the wettest time of year everyone went back with a tan.
We went on the whale shark trip, which I would highly recommend. We also went on the sunset fishing (I caught 3 fish!!), the trip to the local island and during the free snorkelling trip we were lucky enough to swim with 5 large manta rays.
Talking to people on the flight back who stayed at different islands I would really recommend lily beach - mainly because of the house reef. It is approx 10m from the beach whereas at some Islands you have to get a boat to the reef. Being in such close proximity meant that we went snorkelling a couple of times a day. The underwater life is mind boggling, you'll see new fish every time you go. Every time we went snorkelling we saw a turtle, they have about 6 wild turtles that stay around the island - probably because they feed them.
We miss lily beach already and didn't want to leave!!
In answer to Mark's questions
- Can't really answer the first few but everything is included apart from the excursions (although we got 2 free by booking with Hayes and Jarvis), the spa treatments (everyone gets a free 10 minute massage), and 'branded' drinks (all house wine and local sprits are included). There are also 2 cocktails per night which are free but you can also pay if you want something different. Everything you need is included really, bottled water, snacks throughout the day and more food at meal times than you could possibly eat!! You will not go hungry!!! They say the general rule is that if you sign for it you pay for it at the end!
We would say that it is not worth up-grading to a water villa, although we didn't go inside, the sun sets on the otherside of the island so you only get the morning sun. Our land villa was fine - can't think of anything that was missing.
The excursions are every couple of days - there are probably about 10 excursions each week so you can choose which ones you want to go on. Main excursions are:
- Whale Shark Trip (We saw two 7m long whale sharks - totally amazing)
- Sunset/Sunrise/Night Fishing
- Various Dhoni/Speedboat trips to islands/reefs
- Snorkelling Safari (swam with Manta Rays 3m wide)
Feel free to ask more questions if there's anything you want to know. We'll try to post a few photo's......watch this space.
Naomi & Dusty
Whilst everyone is discussing costs - we paid £1150 per person for two weeks with Hayes & Jarvis flying with Monarch in the first two weeks in June. The flight was the only part of the holiday I'd change, go with a scheduled airline if you can afford it. Some people paid less than us for the same deal, try Airtours maybe?
Naomi & Dusty
Naomi & Dusty
Just posted 17 pics in the photo gallery section. Hope that those already booked to go and those who can't make up their minds find them useful. Just do it!!!
Naomi & Dusty
Naomi & Dusty
Hi Naomi & Dusty
glad that Lily Beach lived up to it's reputation, we seem to have fallen in love with this place and sometimes my wife comments that I keep going on about it, mind you she's just the same.
as for the price, it does fluctuate between seasons, it's always cheaper during the so called wet season, whatever the cost I still think this is a place that has to be visited and we are looking forward to taking our friends to experience this island.
the photo's are great and the whale shark trip is on my list for next time.
Regards
Joe
glad that Lily Beach lived up to it's reputation, we seem to have fallen in love with this place and sometimes my wife comments that I keep going on about it, mind you she's just the same.
as for the price, it does fluctuate between seasons, it's always cheaper during the so called wet season, whatever the cost I still think this is a place that has to be visited and we are looking forward to taking our friends to experience this island.
the photo's are great and the whale shark trip is on my list for next time.
Regards
Joe
Hi Joe
i read you booked your holiday through ThomsonTV. could you tell me how to contact them. Is it on sky TV or a website? sorry to show my ignorance. Does the price you paid for next years hols include scheduled flights with Emirates?
many thanks Sandra
i read you booked your holiday through ThomsonTV. could you tell me how to contact them. Is it on sky TV or a website? sorry to show my ignorance. Does the price you paid for next years hols include scheduled flights with Emirates?
many thanks Sandra
Hi sandra
Just to let you know that we found thomsontv via the internet, I explained that I had already received a quote from H&J, they said that they could beat that quote which they did, same holiday same tour operator but cheaper.
We could not get the flights we wanted using Emirates, flights by FCA using there newly refurbished 767's same leg room as Emirates.
Regards
Joe
Just to let you know that we found thomsontv via the internet, I explained that I had already received a quote from H&J, they said that they could beat that quote which they did, same holiday same tour operator but cheaper.
We could not get the flights we wanted using Emirates, flights by FCA using there newly refurbished 767's same leg room as Emirates.
Regards
Joe
Hi allThank you all for you advice re costs of holidays to Lily Beach. We finally managed to book our holiday to lily beach to celebrate our silver wedding-after a lot of price searching.
We encountered a few problems but got a reasonable deal: H&J no longer fly using Emirates (our first choice - Pardon the puns- of airline) from Glasgow.
We could have flown First choice, but were looking to upgrade and nothing was available on the dates we wanted to travel.
We appear to be travelling at one of the most expensive times of year.
We were offered decent deals to fly fron Gatwick but it meant numerous flight changes after flying from Glasgow, including stops at Manchester before arriving at Gatwick!!
We finally booked through an agent- Ramsay World Travel- who booked through Thomson Worldwide Flying with Emirates from Glasgow on the 5th April 2006, Complimentary passes ( I am sure we paid for them somewhere) for Glasgow Airport lounge, 7 nights at lily beach, 1 day room @ Hulhule Hotel, returning to Glasgow on the 14th April at a cost of £1438 pp.
We are really excited even though there are months to go, and would really welcome any advice or tips anyone can give us.
Regards
Donna
Hi,
I was thinking of my choices for a twin centre holiday next year, we had decided on a 3 night stop at Dubai then onto the Maldives for a week. We were looking at the options in the Tradewinds brochure, we had decided on Lily beach for the maldives, it was given as a four star and their most expensive option (otion c for those of you familiar with the tradewinds brochures) however i have just picked up their new book for 2006 and they have down graded Lily beach to a three star and removed it from their option replacing it with Komandoo Island. Does anyone know why Lily beach has been downgraded to a three star?
We wanted a small island, good food, all inclusive, good close snorkelling and a good dive school, trips available, but over all peaceful and pretty.
Any ideas folks would be greatfully received.
Katie.
I was thinking of my choices for a twin centre holiday next year, we had decided on a 3 night stop at Dubai then onto the Maldives for a week. We were looking at the options in the Tradewinds brochure, we had decided on Lily beach for the maldives, it was given as a four star and their most expensive option (otion c for those of you familiar with the tradewinds brochures) however i have just picked up their new book for 2006 and they have down graded Lily beach to a three star and removed it from their option replacing it with Komandoo Island. Does anyone know why Lily beach has been downgraded to a three star?
We wanted a small island, good food, all inclusive, good close snorkelling and a good dive school, trips available, but over all peaceful and pretty.
Any ideas folks would be greatfully received.
Katie.
No idea why they have now listed it as 3+stars. Hayes and Jarvis and airtours still have it as a 4*.
We went last Xmas and are going again this year and can't wait - it has all the qualities you are looking for.
We went last Xmas and are going again this year and can't wait - it has all the qualities you are looking for.
Hi Sandra
If you can't make it next year I'm sure you will make sometime, we kept saying this year is the last for a while, when we got back my hand kept feeling for the wallet, followed by the eventual booking, seems like a good form of addiction.
Donna,
Glad to read that you have booked to go next year, we like yourselves wanted to use Hayes&Jarvis via Emirates and alas they said use FCA or walk, following good reviews of FCA we decided to go with them.
Joe
If you can't make it next year I'm sure you will make sometime, we kept saying this year is the last for a while, when we got back my hand kept feeling for the wallet, followed by the eventual booking, seems like a good form of addiction.
Donna,
Glad to read that you have booked to go next year, we like yourselves wanted to use Hayes&Jarvis via Emirates and alas they said use FCA or walk, following good reviews of FCA we decided to go with them.
Joe
Hi Katielind,
My friend honeymooned at Lily Beach. She did say it was more of a 3* /3.5* as far as overall quality goes in the scale of things......BUT they still had an amazing time and would go back. Lots to do. Food was a bit boring as it's all buffets, but as long as you know these things then you are at least prepared.
She said it's in no way luxurious, but they were just looking for no news no shoes and thats definately what they got and they were happy.
hth
LisaMJ xx
My friend honeymooned at Lily Beach. She did say it was more of a 3* /3.5* as far as overall quality goes in the scale of things......BUT they still had an amazing time and would go back. Lots to do. Food was a bit boring as it's all buffets, but as long as you know these things then you are at least prepared.
She said it's in no way luxurious, but they were just looking for no news no shoes and thats definately what they got and they were happy.
hth
LisaMJ xx
Hi everyone
anyone been to lilly beach over xmas?
we fly out on the 19th december this year .
the last time we went was on our honeymoon in 1999!
just wanderd if alot has changed.
anyone else going around this time would love to hear from you!
ajkitty
anyone been to lilly beach over xmas?
we fly out on the 19th december this year .
the last time we went was on our honeymoon in 1999!
just wanderd if alot has changed.
anyone else going around this time would love to hear from you!
ajkitty
Hi ajkitty
We won't be there untill March, but look for post's from Cynical as she will be there over xmas, they were there last xmas/new year but had their stay cut short by the Tsunami, not that the island was too affected, but the tour op pulled them out.
Regards
Joe
We won't be there untill March, but look for post's from Cynical as she will be there over xmas, they were there last xmas/new year but had their stay cut short by the Tsunami, not that the island was too affected, but the tour op pulled them out.
Regards
Joe
After lots of research we've decided on Lily Beach. It looks wonderful !!
The only thing that bothers me.....is there enough to do? We're thinking about 2 weeks, but I've seen a good offer for 3 weeks!!
We both enjoy mixing with other people and after 30 years of marriage we're still good friends.
Would you say that after the usual 2 weeks, we will have enjoyed our holiday, but having "been and done everything" will be ready for home?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
The only thing that bothers me.....is there enough to do? We're thinking about 2 weeks, but I've seen a good offer for 3 weeks!!
We both enjoy mixing with other people and after 30 years of marriage we're still good friends.
Would you say that after the usual 2 weeks, we will have enjoyed our holiday, but having "been and done everything" will be ready for home?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I guess it depends how much you like lazing around doing nothing.
As with all Maldivian islands there isn't much to actually'do' beyond snorkelling, diving, going on the odd island excursion etc. The main bar area in the evening seems quite a social place - we often used to join table with other couples and chat away the evening but by day you will be mostly alone - sometimes it was hard to believe there was over 150 guests on the island as we hardly saw anyone except at lunch.
The menu in the restaurant is changed on a fortnightly basis so you'll start to see the same dishes being served after the second week. Whatever you decide it'll be fab. Have fun.
As with all Maldivian islands there isn't much to actually'do' beyond snorkelling, diving, going on the odd island excursion etc. The main bar area in the evening seems quite a social place - we often used to join table with other couples and chat away the evening but by day you will be mostly alone - sometimes it was hard to believe there was over 150 guests on the island as we hardly saw anyone except at lunch.
The menu in the restaurant is changed on a fortnightly basis so you'll start to see the same dishes being served after the second week. Whatever you decide it'll be fab. Have fun.
I agree with Tracy,
given half a chance I would stay for 3 weeks just to carry on chilling out.
but would find it hard adjusting to reality on return.
regards
Joe
given half a chance I would stay for 3 weeks just to carry on chilling out.
but would find it hard adjusting to reality on return.
regards
Joe
God, i cant wait to test it all out. Fourteen weeks to go and counting!!!!!
Hi Tykes,
We were at Lily Beach this year for the last two weeks in April and the weather was absolutely glorious during the day. We did have a couple of nights when it rained but it was only for a short time, and then one night we had the best thunderstorm I've ever witnessed.
You could tell that the weather was changing, as we were on a few trips where we could see rain etc on the horizon, and the actual tidal flow around the island actually changed in the second week we were there.
Saying that have heard from people who were there the same time as you have booked, and they have said that the temperatures were even hotter !!
I contacted Lily Beach to ask, and their advice is that the weather and climate has become more unpredictable over the last couple of years.
Sean
We were at Lily Beach this year for the last two weeks in April and the weather was absolutely glorious during the day. We did have a couple of nights when it rained but it was only for a short time, and then one night we had the best thunderstorm I've ever witnessed.
You could tell that the weather was changing, as we were on a few trips where we could see rain etc on the horizon, and the actual tidal flow around the island actually changed in the second week we were there.
Saying that have heard from people who were there the same time as you have booked, and they have said that the temperatures were even hotter !!
I contacted Lily Beach to ask, and their advice is that the weather and climate has become more unpredictable over the last couple of years.
Sean
Hi Tykes
we were at Lily Beach from the 2nd May till 14th May this year. The day we arrived it was raining. The rest of our holiday we had mixed weather but it was mostly sunny. The day we left it was raining heavily. I would go back this time of year again as the heat is more bearable for me. I managed to get a good suntan but my husband burned himself badly a couple of times even though he was wearing a very high factor sun lotion.
You will love Lily Beach. It has a lovely laid back atmosphere and I have yet to see a bad report about it.
we were at Lily Beach from the 2nd May till 14th May this year. The day we arrived it was raining. The rest of our holiday we had mixed weather but it was mostly sunny. The day we left it was raining heavily. I would go back this time of year again as the heat is more bearable for me. I managed to get a good suntan but my husband burned himself badly a couple of times even though he was wearing a very high factor sun lotion.
You will love Lily Beach. It has a lovely laid back atmosphere and I have yet to see a bad report about it.
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