Fihalhohi Island Resort

#maldiveshotel Let’s be honest: Most Maldives resorts sell you a dream. **Fihalhohi Island Resort in South Male Atoll** *is* the dream — no filters, no frills, just **crystal water, white sand, and a reef so alive, it feels like swimming through a living aquarium**. After arriving on a 40-minute boat from Malé (yes, we had keys before lunch), we knew this wasn’t just another island. It was *home*. --- #### ✅ **Why We Gave It 10/10:** 📍 **A resort that breathes:** No crowds. No pretense. Just lush greenery, swaying palms, and a beach straight out of a postcard. This is one of the **greenest private islands** in the atolls — nature isn’t curated. It *thrives*. 🏡 **Our room: Premium Villa #404** Close to reception, restaurant, and beach — perfect location. → King bed with top-tier mattress, → Spotless bathroom: rain shower, full amenities (shampoo, lotion, cotton pads, toothbrush, razor), → Kettle + capsule coffee machine (daily refill: tea, coffee, powdered milk), → Safe, life jackets, 2 bottles of water daily (more available free at the bar). ✅ Daily housekeeping, towel change on request. 🍽️ **Food? Absolutely loved it.** Not gourmet, but *deliciously honest*: → Soups, pastas, grilled fish/chicken, beef curries, Indian dishes — all fresh, flavorful, made-to-order, → Tons of salads: build-your-own station (tomatoes, cucumbers, tuna, corn, dressings) + ready-made options (even *Olivier salad!* 😆), → Fresh fruits daily: pineapple, watermelon, papaya, guava, lime, → Bread in every form, pastries, cakes. 💡 All-inclusive works well — drinks included at the table or bar. 🍹 **3 bars across the island:** → Two main ones open all day, → One beach bar (10:00–18:00). We ended each day at the **overwater villa bar**, watching the sun melt into the ocean. 🐠 **Snorkeling = Mind-blowing.** The **house reef starts at the shore** — no boat needed. We saw: → Parrotfish, clownfish, triggerfish, → Blacktip sharks gliding by, → Turtles, rays, even octopus hiding in coral. 👉 Pro tip: Bring your own mask & snorkel (or rent — but it’s pricey). And yes — try night snorkeling near the pier. Magical. 🦈 **Night magic:** After dinner, head to the **main jetty** — they light and feed the fish. You’ll see: → Reef sharks circling, → A resident turtle surfacing every 40 mins, → Nurse sharks arriving after 23:00 for feeding (use the **free flashlight from your room** to spot them!). 🌅 **Excursions worth it:** → **Dolphin & Manta Cruise**: We saw *many* dolphins and 3 mantas — unforgettable. → Romantic dinner on the beach: candlelit setup, personalized menu, sunset views. *Highly recommend.* ⚠️ Book early — excursions need minimum guests. 💼 Practical perks: → Pay in **USD (new bills only)** — exchange at reception, → Accepts **UnionPay (RSB Bank card)** — worked flawlessly in hotel & airport, → Breakfast at 6:30 AM for early transfers — staff opened the restaurant j