Hi there,
We've been there, but that was 5 years ago. I've read in the brochure that they renewed the whole place in the mean time. But 5 years ago it was very good. Very friendly staff, amazing beach, fantastic drop off to go snorkling or diving. The only thing you have (in every hotel in the Maldives) is that they know that you can't go anywhere else for food or drinks and you will pay for that
But we are planning to go back there. Food is good, you had the choice in 3 restaurants.
Conclusion, you are in paradise from the moment you set foot on the island.

thanks for your reply, i think we will give it a go have seen quite a good offer there!

Em

We have heard that the restaurant on Bandos is closed until 31 December ( ish ) - Does anyone know what dining options are available until it reopens ?

Friends flying Xmas day

Thanks

Scubaman

Dick

Heard that Bandos hasn't been too badly affected, although Karumba and Paradise close-by are in a real mess

Have you heard from your friends - guess they must have arrived in the middle of it all........

We have heard that they are both safe but have lost everything. That is all the news so far.

Not even sure where they were when the tsunami struck as they could only have been there a few hours at the most. They were going 2 centre and Bandos was second island and not sure which island they were going to first.

They are most likely very traumatised being a part of that tragic devastation. SKY News reporting confirmed death toll to be over 40,000 confirmed inc 17 Brits but that number is likely to rise significantly as many are still missing.

Thanks for your concern

Dick

What an awful way to start a holiday.

apparantly Bandos is taking other holidaymakers transferred from other islands which are more badly affected. It wasn't full due to refurb. works ongoing, but of course also has the conference centre as emergency accommodation.

I hope they manage to get home without too much delay

t

Hi all
Received an e-mail from the staff on Lily Beach, they stated that although Lily Beach escaped damage other island did not fair so well, those to the north and east bore the brunt of the Tsunami.

Joe

My friends got home on Monday safe and sound and had an excellent holiday apparently, although I have not had a chance to talk to them in detail yet.

Many thanks to all who were concerned

Dick

Hello

Has anyone stayed at the Bandos Island resort, if so what was it like?

Also are the drinks expensive on the island?

Many Thanks

got back yesterday as it happens!! spent far too much on diving but have had a great holiday!!

current bar prices (same in mini bars in your room) - all in dollars
J&B 4.50 / courvoisier 5.00 / gordons gin 4.50 / bacardi 4.50 / vodka 4.50 / Heineken 3.50 / tonic or soda 2.50 / coke 2.50 (coke float 4.00) / mineral water large bottle 1.82 / milkshakes about 5.00.

the new pool on bandos is huge compared to the old one in the Paradise Club - now has swim up bar with jacuzzi seats!! 2 good tennis courts, indoor badminton court, small but well equipped gym. Kids club 8-5 for tinies (most of the children tended to be Japanese who probably make up about 50% of the guests) house reef for diving or snorkelling was excellent and there is a good water sports centre which offers sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing even parasailing !!

we stayed in standard rooms which were clean and spacious.

come back or pm me if you have any specific questions about Bandos as I'd be happy to help

Hi guys, can anyone please give me any info on Bandos Island,I've heard its got good kids facilities??
Thanks.

Small kids or big kids ???

Bandos is fairly well equipped for young children - has a children's pool which is unusual in the Maldives, a fairly well equipped playground (most islands advertise playground and provide one slide and a swing!) and there is also a children's club aimed primarily at KS1 and younger. They run a sort of creche service for tinies, and I know that they took the older children on their own sunset dolphin watching cruise while we were there.

I didn't see any sign of activities more suited to the older children ( 7 and up) - but they seemed fairly content pottering around on the beach and at the pool. There is of course the watersports facilities, tennis, table-tennis & badminton, all of which are chargeable as an extra to help occupy them.

Despite the facilities there were very few children there when we visited in August 2005 (thought there may have been more given that it was school holidays) - only one English family apart from ours (then 11 & 12) - and they were mostly Malaysian and Japanese.