Hints and tips. We are just about halfway through our holiday and we grow to love this island more each day.
The pick up from the airport was the best we've ever had. Normally we go by sea plane to the various islands but this time is was a 30 minute speedboat straight from the airport. No waiting around for other guests, we were escorted to the boat and given cold towels and drinks. The benefit of a speedboat transfer is you don't have to stay in Male if you land after 3pm (I don't think seaplanes operate after this time so an overnighter in male is required)
We requested a villa on the west (sunset side) in advance but to be honest all of the villas are lovely and there are benefits to being on both sides of the island. All have direct access to the sea.
The villas are lovely. Some might say they are looking a little tired but to be honest they are of a good standard. I've been sleeping here much better than I'm sleeping at home so the bed is obviously comfortable.
The food is of good quality. there is a lot of choice at the buffet breakfast and it's a buffet for lunch. The usual with a wide range of excellent salad choice, one soup each day, and about 7 hot dishes plus rice, pasta and veg and a BBQ station. Food is piping hot and very tasty. For dinner it's a buffet for some nights and a la carte for others. Both are good. A la carte is a starter, a soup, a main course and a dessert. Drinks are all inclusive, which isn't unusual, but what is unusual is that is labelled spirits. Would love a more extensive cocktail menu but the ones we had were delicious.
Snorkelling - all the gear, including life jackets, is free to hire. The reef is the best we have seen. The plus points for us are very little current which is great for nervous snorkellers on the drop off. You can snorkel around the whole island in an hour but although the current is mild sometimes you do feel its slow to get from one marker to another 😂 the coral is actually alive!! And there are plenty of fish. There are turtles but we haven't seen any so far. Same for the manta rays.
For those that are nervous then the lagoon ( the sandy bit before you get to the reef) holds plenty of interest if you want to be in waist deep water. There are outcrops of coral and so we saw moray eel, octopus although they are shy and will shrink into the crevices as you pass, lots of fish. There are also reef sharks, which are obviously no risk to snorkelers, but are a decent size. I think the largest is about 6 feet. Very awesome.
Today we took a trip to the sister island (Banyan tree) which was nice but bear in mind the sunbeds are part of the villas so best to head to the pool by the sea and nets like you get on catamarans. Best to go at 10.05 and come back at 12.30 in time for lunch. No stingray feeding there now though.
The couple massage is $195 each but was the best massage we have ever had
So all in all. Very nice. The people are lovely and friendly and I'd recommend a visit especially if snorkelling is important to you
starstarstarstarstar Suzanne Powell
Tranquilo e esplêndido
starstarstarstarstar Joarez
Passamos 5 ótimas noites aqui, a experiência de mergulho foi muito boa👍, vimos tubarões de pontas pretas 😍, a comida no bar estava deliciosa, a recepção e a loja de mergulho nos ajudaram a resolver o problema de carregamento da câmera de mergulho, muito obrigado muito Você 🙏, vi um pôr do sol lindo, as refeições no restaurante são ricas e deliciosas, e tem passarinhos fofos que costumam nos visitar🤣, o SPA é muito bom, estou muito feliz aqui😃
starstarstarstarstar Shadow Wu
Pasamos 5 noches geniales aquí, la experiencia de buceo fue muy buena 👍, vimos tiburones punta negra 😍, la comida en el bar era deliciosa, la recepción y la tienda de buceo nos ayudaron a resolver el problema de carga de la cámara de buceo, muchas gracias Mucho tu 🙏, vi una hermosa puesta de sol, las comidas en el restaurante son ricas y deliciosas, y hay lindos pájaros que nos visitan seguido🤣, el SPA es muy bueno, estoy muy feliz aquí😃
starstarstarstarstar Shadow Wu
An island away from any hustle and bustle! Paradise like no other! Small, quite, quaint, magical island. Individual villas hidden among the trees from each other, total privacy, private slice of the beach with all the creatures’ comforts around. Fantastic food cooked by an Italian-trained chef. Convenient connections to near by bigger islands by regular speed boats. One feels welcome and is given every possible comfort from the moment one steps on the island for the first time. The villas are cleaned twice a day. The staff is fantastic - I have never seen so many smiling, friendly and welcoming faces. They just know what the guests want or need and are there to offer it without asking! Beautiful modern gym, marina centre for diving and other water sports and excellent quietyoga studio just above the sea waves. Marvellous massages in the spa centre. Extraordinary views from any part of the island. Good coral reef, fitting for newbies and for professional snorkel era and divers. Famous ship wreck nearby to dive to. Endless hours of bliss, calm, sun, white sand and turquoise sea. Exquisite little island!! Uma ilha longe de qualquer agitação! Paraíso como nenhum outro! Pequena, bastante, pitoresca, ilha mágica. Villas individuais escondidas entre as árvores umas das outras, privacidade total, pedaço de praia privado com todo o conforto das criaturas ao redor. Comida fantástica preparada por um chef italiano treinado. Conexões convenientes para ilhas maiores próximas por lanchas regulares. A pessoa se sente bem-vinda e recebe todo o conforto possível desde o momento em que pisa na ilha pela primeira vez. As villas são limpas 2 vezes por dia. A equipe é fantástica - nunca vi tantos rostos sorridentes, amigáveis e acolhedores. Eles apenas sabem o que os hóspedes querem ou precisam e estão lá para oferecer sem pedir! Bela academia moderna, centro de marina para mergulho e outros esportes aquáticos e excelente estúdio de ioga tranquilo logo acima das ondas do mar. Massagens maravilhosas no centro de spa. Vistas extraordinárias de qualquer parte da ilha. Bom recife de coral, adequado para iniciantes e para mergulhadores e mergulhadores profissionais. Famoso naufrágio do navio nas proximidades para mergulhar. Horas intermináveis de felicidade, calma, sol, areia branca e mar azul-turquesa. Pequena ilha requintada !!
starstarstarstarstar Lora Dimitrova
An island away from any hustle and bustle! Paradise like no other! Small, quite, quaint, magical island. Individual villas hidden among the trees from each other, total privacy, private slice of the beach with all the creatures’ comforts around. Fantastic food cooked by an Italian-trained chef. Convenient connections to near by bigger islands by regular speed boats. One feels welcome and is given every possible comfort from the moment one steps on the island for the first time. The villas are cleaned twice a day. The staff is fantastic - I have never seen so many smiling, friendly and welcoming faces. They just know what the guests want or need and are there to offer it without asking! Beautiful modern gym, marina centre for diving and other water sports and excellent quietyoga studio just above the sea waves. Marvellous massages in the spa centre. Extraordinary views from any part of the island. Good coral reef, fitting for newbies and for professional snorkel era and divers. Famous ship wreck nearby to dive to. Endless hours of bliss, calm, sun, white sand and turquoise sea. Exquisite little island!! ¡Una isla alejada de cualquier ajetreo! ¡Paraíso como ningún otro! Isla pequeña, tranquila, pintoresca y mágica. Villas individuales escondidas entre los árboles entre sí, privacidad total, porción privada de la playa con todas las comodidades de las criaturas alrededor. Fantástica comida preparada por un chef entrenado en italiano. Conexiones convenientes a islas más grandes cercanas mediante lanchas rápidas regulares. Uno se siente bienvenido y recibe todas las comodidades posibles desde el momento en que pisa la isla por primera vez. Las villas se limpian dos veces al día. El personal es fantástico, nunca había visto tantas caras sonrientes, amables y acogedoras. ¡Simplemente saben lo que los invitados quieren o necesitan y están allí para ofrecerlo sin preguntar! Hermoso gimnasio moderno, centro de marina para buceo y otros deportes acuáticos y excelente estudio de yoga tranquilo justo por encima de las olas del mar. Maravillosos masajes en el centro de spa. Extraordinarias vistas desde cualquier parte de la isla. Buen arrecife de coral, apropiado para novatos y para buzos y buceadores profesionales. Famoso naufragio cercano para bucear. Horas interminables de dicha, calma, sol, arena blanca y mar turquesa. Exquisita islita!!
starstarstarstarstar Lora Dimitrova
If you are a couple or family DEFINITELY visit this Maldivian island gem! We (couple) just returned from a 7-day stay which overall was 11/10 (aside from the somewhat expected rains). Although Angsana Ihuru caters virtually exclusively to international tourists, other than the overseas management team the mostly local staff workers are all from one of the many Maldives islands which provides for wonderful cultural insights from every one of the incredibly friendly, well-presented & well-spoken folks.
Accommodation is super comfortable & simple yet brilliant, especially having an "outdoor" shower but still with total privacy. Mere steps from every villa to the water's edge is fantastic, then simply straight into the reef teeming with marine life!
Food & drink quality & service is of the highest calibre with individual allergy issues dealt with promptly & professionally.
Convenient access to the sister Banyan Tree island for sting ray feeding is awesome & airport transfers by 25-minute boat ride are also so easy with staff ensuring every step is taken care of.
All in all a wonderful place that ticks all the boxes. Hopefully we won't have to wait so long next time (Covid :-(( lack of travel) to return!
starstarstarstarstar Mark Bernamoff
An island away from any hustle and bustle! Paradise like no other! Small, quite, quaint, magical island. Individual villas hidden among the trees from each other, total privacy, private slice of the beach with all the creatures’ comforts around. Fantastic food cooked by an Italian-trained chef. Convenient connections to near by bigger islands by regular speed boats. One feels welcome and is given every possible comfort from the moment one steps on the island for the first time. The villas are cleaned twice a day. The staff is fantastic - I have never seen so many smiling, friendly and welcoming faces. They just know what the guests want or need and are there to offer it without asking! Beautiful modern gym, marina centre for diving and other water sports and excellent quiet yoga studio just above the sea waves. Marvellous massages in the spa centre. Extraordinary views from any part of the island. Good coral reef, fitting for newbies and for professional snorkel era and divers. Famous ship wreck nearby to dive to. Endless hours of bliss, calm, sun, white sand and turquoise sea. Exquisite little island!!
starstarstarstarstar Lora Dimitrova
An incredibly beautiful place with very comfortable beachfront villas, a stunning coral reef and impeccable, friendly service. I was impressed with just how good a job the staff did of anticipating our needs and for the little details — like cleaning the room every day while we were out so as to never interrupt us, or leave us wanting for service.
The house reef is convenient and easy. We saw countless varieties of fish and at least 1 or 2 sharks every time we went out, as well as turtles on some occasions.
On the shore we saw lots of large herons and occasionally a flying fox / fruit bat. The beachfront villas are well appointed, comfortable, private and have plenty of shade. It’s easy to get to the other Banyan Tree island to see the manta ray feeding.
Some other reviewers mentioned the things used to retain the sand; quite honestly I would not have noticed them if I hadn’t read the reviews prior to our visit, and once I saw them in real life, they didn’t bother me a single bit. Total non-issue. The beaches are stunningly & jaw-droppingly beautiful, and the privacy of the bungalows and their beaches are overwhelming. Others commented on which side of the island is better. We circled the entire island many times on foot and swimming and I honestly couldn’t fault any particular location. They could have put us anywhere. It’s all amazing (and very walkable as the entire island is tiny).
We had good weather and no rain. The water was clear but varied quite a bit in clarity. I asked a few people about this and have come to understand that how clear the water is has to do with weather systems and storms than what season you visit, so it’s a bit luck of the draw. Our visibility under water varied from 10 meters to 25 meters depending on the day.
Overall: We would return to Ihuru in a heartbeat. Best snorkeling, best service and lots of privacy and natural beauty.
For comparison, we also stayed at Vabbinfaru one night and Velavaru (Felix over water villa) for 5 nights.
Ihuru was my favorite but my family was torn between Velavaru and Iruhu in terms of the accommodations and activities overall.
I would describe the respective strengths as:
Ihuru: the best snorkeling by far, excellent natural beauty, outstanding/flawless service.
Vabbinfaru: most romantic, very private, quite luxurious (best for couples)
Velavaru: larger and nice to have a variety of activities, very spacious accommodations (we stayed in the nicest delux over water villa) but we experienced problems with the customer service :-(
Overall: Ihuru is an amazing and very special resort. We would definitely return here in without question.
starstarstarstarstar Joe Heitzeberg
Fantasticamente pequeno e fino. Não há massas catastróficas de bangalôs de água à sua frente. Serviço do tipo calmo e fino. Eu só recomendo hotéis novos ou recém-reformados nas Maldivas. Após 3-4 anos, muitas coisas parecem desgastadas.
starstarstarstar Flight13
Foram cerca de 30 minutos de lancha do Aeroporto Internacional de Velana, então foi bom poder chegar rápido e confortavelmente. A ilha é pequena mas charmosa, e também gostei muito do recife da casa com muita variedade de peixes. Eu não era bom em snorkeling, então não podia ir fundo, mas era transparente o suficiente para ver os peixes de fora, e achei que era um resort famoso por seu ambiente subaquático. As instalações da vila também foram satisfatórias. A roupa de cama também era da mais alta qualidade, e o spa era bom para relaxar. A praia em frente à vila era a nossa praia particular. :) O bife de atum grelhado no restaurante foi excelente. Carne e cordeiro também foram da mais alta qualidade. Bebidas como coquetéis, mocktails e sucos no bar estavam todas deliciosas. Foi bom poder sentir a cultura das Maldivas por um tempo através da apresentação folclórica todas as segundas-feiras, e também foi atraente poder usar as instalações do Banyan Tree Babbinfaru, um resort irmão localizado a 5 minutos de barco, também. pode ser visto.) Há também um clube infantil, por isso é um resort muito bom para viajar com crianças. O melhor de tudo foi o serviço da equipe amigável e profissional. Lamento não poder lembrar os nomes um por um, mas todos que conheci sorriram e me trataram com gentileza, e me ajudaram a não me sentir desconfortável. Fiquei muito triste no dia em que saí porque eles me trataram como família. Foi minha primeira viagem às Maldivas, e obrigado por fazer boas lembranças. Definitivamente vai visitar novamente!
starstarstarstarstar Ellie You
Fueron unos 30 minutos en lancha rápida desde el aeropuerto internacional de Velana, por lo que fue bueno poder llegar allí rápida y cómodamente. La isla es pequeña pero encantadora, y también me gustó mucho el arrecife de la casa con mucha variedad de peces. No era bueno haciendo esnórquel, así que no podía profundizar, pero era lo suficientemente transparente como para ver los peces desde el exterior, y pensé que era un centro turístico famoso por su entorno submarino. Las instalaciones de la villa también fueron satisfactorias. La ropa de cama también era de la más alta calidad, y el spa era bueno para relajarse. La playa frente a la villa era nuestra propia playa privada. :) El filete de atún a la parrilla en el restaurante era excelente. La carne de res y el cordero también eran de la más alta calidad. Las bebidas como cócteles, cócteles sin alcohol y jugos en el bar estaban deliciosas. Fue agradable poder sentir la cultura de las Maldivas por un rato a través de la actuación folclórica todos los lunes, y también fue atractivo poder utilizar las instalaciones de Banyan Tree Babbinfaru, un resort hermano ubicado a 5 minutos en barco. también se puede ver.) También hay un club infantil, por lo que es un muy buen resort para viajar con niños. Lo mejor de todo fue el servicio del personal amable y profesional. Lamento no poder recordar los nombres todos los días, pero todas las personas que conocí sonrieron y me trataron con amabilidad y me ayudaron a no sentirme incómoda en absoluto. Estaba muy triste el día que me fui porque me trataron como a una familia. Fue mi primer viaje a Maldivas y gracias por crear buenos recuerdos. ¡Definitivamente lo visitaré de nuevo!
starstarstarstarstar Ellie You
Fantásticamente pequeño y fino. No hay masas catastróficas de bungalows de agua frente a ti. Servicio del tipo tranquilo, fino. Solo recomiendo hoteles nuevos o recién renovados en Maldivas. Después de 3 o 4 años, muchas cosas parecen gastadas.
starstarstarstar Flight13
Angsana Ihuru is very far from being a 5-stars resort, the services offered are far below expectations, most of the staff is lethargic and unfriendly, and the rooms are small and infested with insects - ants and mosquitos.Even though we have opted foran All Inclusive meal plan, the food was portioned, the fruits ran out quickly with no replenish and we had to ask the waiters to refill the small plates . One evening, it was a bit of a crowd and we waited an hour to be seated at the table. There was no coffee machine in the room, and room 8 had mold on the ceiling. Every day, near the bar, we had to endure the unbearable noise of a drilling machine while we “enjoyed” our coffee or our drinks.We would have expected more involvement from you to solve our problem, which was clearly a real one and in no way exaggerated.
star Cristiana Zardova
Visited the island with a friend for a 2 days getaway. A small but beautiful island great for relaxing and enjoying your time with your friends/family/partner. The beach is covered with fine white sands.The ocean is delightfully limpid with layered shades of blues from turqoise to indigo. The whole island is encircled with coral reefs close to the beach brimming with flocks of fish and other wildlives, providing excellent snorkeling views (good equipments freely available at the marine center of the resort). The staffs are very nice and attentive and offered us impeccable services. Transportation is convenient, with less than 30min speed boat travel from the ferry terminal at the Male airport. Hotel rooms are cosy though a little bit aged, with water temperature for bath unstable. Food is decent, I would recommend the Linguine but not the Burger at the bar. You can easily visit the close Banyan Tree island to watch the stingrays in the afternoon and try other food options. Overall a very memorable getaway experience. Visitei a ilha com um amigo para uma escapadela de 2 dias. Uma ilha pequena, mas bonita, ótima para relaxar e aproveitar seu tempo com seus amigos/família/parceiro. A praia é coberta com areias brancas e finas. O oceano é deliciosamente límpido com camadas de tons de azul do turquesa ao índigo. Toda a ilha está rodeada de recifes de coral perto da praia repleta de bandos de peixes e outros animais selvagens, proporcionando excelentes vistas para snorkeling (bons equipamentos disponíveis gratuitamente no centro marinho do resort). Os funcionários são muito simpáticos e atenciosos e nos ofereceram serviços impecáveis. O transporte é conveniente, com menos de 30 minutos de viagem de lancha do terminal de balsas no aeroporto de Malé. Os quartos do hotel são aconchegantes, embora um pouco envelhecidos, com temperatura da água instável para banho. A comida é decente, eu recomendaria o Linguine mas não o Burger no bar. Você pode facilmente visitar a ilha próxima de Banyan Tree para observar as arraias à tarde e experimentar outras opções de comida. No geral, uma experiência de refúgio muito memorável.
starstarstarstarstar Aoxin Guo
I can only praise the rooms, services, and location. -The rooms are large and filled with all the needed technology, but also keep a traditional Maldivian design. -The cleaning crew is coming two times per day to clean your room and your garden. -The beach surrounds every vila. It takes a person 10 seconds to wake up from bed and enter the sea. In addition, the island is close to the airport Só posso elogiar os quartos, serviços e localização. -Os quartos são amplos e repletos de toda a tecnologia necessária, mas também mantêm um design tradicional das Maldivas. -A equipe de limpeza vem duas vezes por dia para limpar seu quarto e seu jardim. -A praia circunda todas as vilas. Uma pessoa leva 10 segundos para acordar da cama e entrar no mar. Além disso, a ilha fica perto do aeroporto
starstarstarstarstar Patrick Banu
Visited the island with a friend for a 2 days getaway. A small but beautiful island great for relaxing and enjoying your time with your friends/family/partner. The beach is covered with fine white sands.The ocean is delightfully limpid with layered shades of blues from turqoise to indigo. The whole island is encircled with coral reefs close to the beach brimming with flocks of fish and other wildlives, providing excellent snorkeling views (good equipments freely available at the marine center of the resort). The staffs are very nice and attentive and offered us impeccable services. Transportation is convenient, with less than 30min speed boat travel from the ferry terminal at the Male airport. Hotel rooms are cosy though a little bit aged, with water temperature for bath unstable. Food is decent, I would recommend the Linguine but not the Burger at the bar. You can easily visit the close Banyan Tree island to watch the stingrays in the afternoon and try other food options. Overall a very memorable getaway experience. Visité la isla con un amigo para una escapada de 2 días. Una isla pequeña pero hermosa ideal para relajarse y disfrutar de su tiempo con sus amigos/familia/pareja. La playa está cubierta de fina arena blanca. El océano es deliciosamente límpido con capas de tonos azules desde el turquesa hasta el índigo. Toda la isla está rodeada de arrecifes de coral cerca de la playa rebosantes de bandadas de peces y otros animales salvajes, lo que brinda excelentes vistas para bucear (buenos equipos disponibles gratuitamente en el centro marino del complejo). El personal es muy agradable y atento y nos ofreció un servicio impecable. El transporte es conveniente, con menos de 30 minutos de viaje en lancha rápida desde la terminal de ferry en el aeropuerto de Malé. Las habitaciones del hotel son acogedoras aunque un poco viejas, con la temperatura del agua para el baño inestable. La comida es decente, recomendaría el linguini pero no la hamburguesa en el bar. Puede visitar fácilmente la cercana isla de Banyan Tree para observar las rayas por la tarde y probar otras opciones de comida. En general, una experiencia de escapada muy memorable.
starstarstarstarstar Aoxin Guo
Visited the island with a friend for a 2 days getaway. A small but beautiful island great for relaxing and enjoying your time with your friends/family/partner. The beach is covered with fine white sands. The ocean is delightfully limpid with layered shades of blues from turqoise to indigo. The whole island is encircled with coral reefs close to the beach brimming with flocks of fish and other wildlives, providing excellent snorkeling views (good equipments freely available at the marine center of the resort). The staffs are very nice and attentive and offered us impeccable services. Transportation is convenient, with less than 30min speed boat travel from the ferry terminal at the Male airport. Hotel rooms are cosy though a little bit aged, with water temperature for bath unstable. Food is decent, I would recommend the Linguine but not the Burger at the bar. You can easily visit the close Banyan Tree island to watch the stingrays in the afternoon and try other food options. Overall a very memorable getaway experience.
starstarstarstarstar Aoxin Guo
I can only praise the rooms, services, and location.
-The rooms are large and filled with all the needed technology, but also keep a traditional Maldivian design.
-The cleaning crew is coming two times per day to clean your room and your garden.
-The beach surrounds every vila. It takes a person 10 seconds to wake up from bed and enter the sea. In addition, the island is close to the airport
starstarstarstarstar Patrick Banu
Gostei muito deste hotel. Não muito longe de Male (25 minutos). Belos recifes que cercam a ilha🏝️, a profundidade começa atrás dos recifes. Funcionários educados e atenciosos. A única coisa que ofuscou as férias de 2 semanas foi o último dia. Fomos despejados da vila às 15h20 (embora muitos estivessem vazios), e o barco veio para nós às 20h00. Todo esse tempo eu tive que sentar em um café aberto. Foi abafado e desagradável. Eles disseram que podem deixar por $ 200😱 Para mim, é muito dar 12k₽ para assistir a um filme com ar condicionado por 5 horas. Já fiz uma sala de espera...
starstarstarstarstar Irina Seregina
Me gustó mucho este hotel. No muy lejos de Male (25 minutos). Hermosos arrecifes que rodean la isla🏝️, la profundidad comienza detrás de los arrecifes. Personal educado y atento. Lo único que eclipsó las vacaciones de 2 semanas fue el último día. Nos desalojaron de la villa a las 15:20 (aunque muchas estaban vacías), y el barco vino a buscarnos a las 20:00. Todo este tiempo tuve que sentarme en un café abierto. Estaba cargado y desagradable. Dijeron que pueden dejarlo por $ 200 😱 Para mí, es demasiado dar 12k ₽ por ver una película con aire acondicionado durante 5 horas. Ya hecha una sala de espera...
starstarstarstarstar Irina Seregina
This resort is a gem. Very conveniently located within speed boat distance from the airport. Staff is extremely attentive. Snorkeling is absolutely beautiful. We spotted some dolphins from the restaurant at lunch time. Angsana might not be very posh nor bling bling...it is a place to chill and relax in a very friendly setting. Great for families.
starstarstarstarstar Je An
Hotel with the best house reef I’ve seen so far in Maldives. Convenient transportation, only 20 mins from airport via luxurious speedboat. The room was a bit too plain and aged IMO, but still clean and full of amenities. Common area, beachfront area, and pretty much everywhere else on the island are splendid. Staffs were very friendly and attentive and helpful. We received a very pleasant service from Noufel who helped us a lot in communicating with the next hotel and let us late checkout as we had to wait, appreciate that a lot. It was a great place there we did enjoy it very much.
starstarstarstarstar Ernst J
Es una lástima visitar la isla y encontrar sacos de rafia encanchados en los corales y en la orilla No parece un hotel de 5 estrellas Lo único por lo que merece una buena puntuación es por el House Reef y no lo cuidan como merece y deberían He sentido tristeza
star Sushika Sweet
Excelente calidad precio.
starstarstarstarstar Bàrbara Alonso
Spanish
English
Portuguese
French
Armenian
Italian
