A smiley Jen representative awaits our arrival at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. As the Maldives is a series of small islands, the airport and capital included, our hotel transfer is by speedboat. Whipping across the ocean with the night’s cool breeze in our hair seems a fitting start to this tropical island getaway.
We’ve chosen Hotel Jen Malé as our point of transfer for its convenient location, modern facilities (high speed Wi-Fi, 24 hour gym) and reputation for bright clean comfortable rooms. Check-in is fuss-free, and we’re soon settled into our Deluxe King room. White linens and walls, neutral hues in the furnishings and a splash of contemporary adornment in subtle artworks create a peaceful ambience in its smooth lines and uncluttered elegance.
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| Deluxe King Room |
Arriving on the night flight from Malaysia, it’s not long before we’re in bed. Highly appreciative of the hot high-pressured shower, we’re cleansed from the journey, but feeling slightly peckish. As fatigue permeates our limbs, we add another tick of gratefulness – this time for the in-room dining service. Not long after we’ve allayed our hunger with a delicious meal from Azur, we drift off into undisturbed sleep, with pleasant dreams of aquamarine seas and tropical island bliss anticipated.
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| Pumpkin Soup with Chili Oil – Excellent Choice |
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| Prawn Tortilla Wrap – Delicious |
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| Local Tuna with Artichokes – Must Eat the Tuna – Fabulous! |
I love to wake with the sun, so have purposefully drawn the curtains leaving a small gap, and am naturally roused by the sun’s first rays. If not however, the blackout drapes would have stood their ground, not allowing a single beam of light to infiltrate until sanctioned. After I’ve tested out the personal espresso machine, and dressed for a workout, hubby tests out the curtains, closing them again for an extended doze.
In final efforts to be “bikini ready” I hit the gym, and finish with a dip in the rooftop infinity pool before breakfast. Open 24 hours, I have no concern for timing and find sufficient cardio and strength training facilities to get my day off to a positive start in the health club.
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| Gymnasium |
Ending with a few laps of the pool, I capture the potential of the surrounds from the rooftop. If staying longer, I’m sure this spot would be worthy of a sundowner or two. Also, with an extended stay, we’d be sure to take up the free walking tour of Malé provided by the hotel – of which we’re told the local market is a real highlight.
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| Rooftop Pool |
Brekkie is included in our package and it’s taken at the all-day dining outlet Lime. A decent sized selection ensures a variety of tastes are satisfied. Friendly staff give us a brief tour of the spread as we sip on fresh coconut water. Western, Asian, healthy and decadent options abound. Chefs at live cooking stations for eggs, waffles and thosai take diner’s orders and prepare them a la minute. A waiter notices my hunt for something Maldivian and soon has me wrapped a local breakfast of tuna salad in a flat bread – yum! Coffee is freshly brewed, and for those in a hurry to-go cups and paper bags are available to grab a cuppa and a pastry to take away.
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| A Super Helpful Staff Member – Truly impressed by the service of this guy |
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| Maldivian Breakfast |
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| Omelette Made to Order |
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| Cappuccino |
Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet “anywhere and everywhere” allows my final social media updates before we’re escorted by a Jen representative to our transfer for our next destination, Gili Lankanfushi.
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| Airport Transfer |
Reasons to visit: excellent transfer point to or from a holiday in the beautiful Maldives; gracious service; clean cheery rooms.
Hotel Jen Malé, Maldives
Ameer Ahmed Magu
Malé, 20096
Republic of Maldives
+960 3300 888
Monica and Co.
Well you have had me busy with Male ( Maldives) research.
The Hotel Jen doesn't overpower you with the entrance but the interior
is very impressive.
I see that the airport is not on this Maldives Island, but on Hulhuke Island.
How far from this island by watercraft or sea-plane??
I was also fascinated with the airlines that fly in – none direct from
Australia – via SIN, BKK or KUL, and more surprising that Aeroflot has
flights direct to Moscow????? Hmmmmmmm????
One would have presumed that from Perth at least a couple of B737-800's
of Virgin Australia or Qantas would fly a few weekly services to Male?
Also surprised the MH has no flights to Male, so what airline and from what
airport did you use/depart? Also no "Yankie" airlines to deal with.
Except for seafood which should be wonderfully plentiful, everything else is
imported and would be rather expensive, thus a packaged deal with food would
be the 'way to go' ??
Cheers
El Colin Cordobes, the middle suave one of the triplets.
PS: ( For junior Cordobes only – "hey mate, looks like a good water skiing place")
Oops – Hulhule Island – not Hulhuke!
"L's" and "K's" shouldn't be so close together.
Well you need some excuse, eh??
El C.C – the middle one!
Everything (!) including the airport are on separate islands. The speedboat ride is about 10 minutes – depending on how choppy the sea is – sometimes a little more or less. We flew Malaysian Airlines, although they are now stopping that route. Air Asia will take over at the end of October. Singapore is another convenient point of departure from this region. Europeans I believe make up many tourists to the islands and yes, the Russians – with all of their new money – although that is slowing down a little for the moment. Maldives is certainly not a budget destination. It's mostly for the wealthy or a special holiday such as a honeymoon.
Tuna is incredibly fresh here – it's in many of the national dishes.
Lovely place, food looks great – love the omelette!
Food at this hotel was really delicious. They use tuna in many dishes and it's highly recommended as it's caught locally and superbly fresh.
helpful staff members always turn out to be one of the most memorable factors of the industry, whether it be restaurants or hotels! 😀
I agree 100% It's all about service. Excellent service and just about anything is forgivable.
What a gorgeous place! The bedroom is beautiful and soothing, the food and presentations are wonderful, and I must admit that I have never tried fresh tuna. I have only tried it in a can and I do not like it. I do, however, love salmon, both fresh and in the can. The omelet looks delicious! 🙂
Linda if you have a chance to try fresh tuna, it's well worth it. It's a very different experience to the canned fish. The hotel is bright and cheery and the staff are incredibly friendly.
I would love to try that Maldivian breakfast so bad!
Is that what local people normally have for their breakfast? 🙂
Yes – the local tuna is incredible. They put it in everything.
I bet this is not as costly as those one island one resort eh~
You're right TZ – it's nowhere near the price of those hotels on their own islands. It makes a very convenient travel point.
Looks interesting, a different Te of visit, somewhere else to go..
Wait until you see the photos of the islands this week and next. They are truly stunning.
looks like a fine hotel to me. seems stylist and clean. with good staff. however seems more like a budget side?
btw, where is all the beautiful beaches? 😀