Equator Village

There’s no WiFi across the resort except at reception, where it’s only 2MBPS. The reception, restaurant, and bars have no Aircon either, so working or relaxing there means getting cooked. Full Board feels like a myth. People look at you as if you’re eating for free, and if you choose FB+, staff make you feel your package doesn’t entitle you to eat or drink. You have to memorize the food chart before you dare order. The staff’s attitude is on another level, making you uncomfortable again and again, as though there are no other tour options. There were cockroaches in the bathroom. I reported them, but nothing was done. They said they would reduce the charge, which was ridiculous. From the staff to the food and leisure, the whole experience was awful. It made me wonder why I came at all, and home felt like a much easier, safer, better place.

The staff were genuinely friendly, and one cook in particular clearly took pride in the local dishes. The local food section he ran each day was consistently the best part of the buffet. The rest was okay but forgettable, and the alcohol was very low quality. There was also confusion about what “all inclusive” meant compared with “full board,” which could have been explained better. The hotel was roomy, comfortable, and exceptionally clean. The water pressure was noticeably low, though, and the internet barely worked in the public areas and was almost impossible to access from the rooms. Our snorkeling trip was just okay. Addu Park was far better for snorkeling, but ongoing reclamation had made the water murky and rough, which took away from the experience. We were kindly allowed to check out at 2 PM. At checkout, someone first told me I’d paid through Booking.com, which I hadn’t. The person helping me was new, and I caught the mistake by asking for a receipt before we left for the airport. A kind gentleman runs a little souvenir shop across the street, where you can rent snorkeling gear and buy decent souvenirs. There were some good parts to the stay, but several things need work.

We were there in February 2025. The area is beautiful, the rooms are clean, and the staff are amazingly helpful, though the grounds are only somewhat maintained. The place seems to be falling into disrepair. The village received awards for excellence through 2018, but apparently none since. Food was mediocre, just okay. If you choose Half Board, expect to be treated like a second-class guest. You’ll pay for water at dinner, $18 USD for lunch on site, and $5 USD for afternoon High Tea. Extra water beyond the amount allowed in your room costs more too. Water rationing seems to be a thing in the Maldives. It seems advisable to buy the full All-Inclusive package.

The front desk staff member, fahm, was extremely impolite. We hadn’t booked, so we left and found another hotel. I wouldn’t recommend this place to a colleague.