Nika Island Resort & Spa

The natural setting in the Maldives is exactly what you'd hope for, and this is a top-tier resort with top-level service. We were also at an exclusive resort where the villas have private beachfronts. But some of the steps are slippery and dangerous for older guests. That was the case at villa n.22, so we asked to move. We expected an oasis of quiet, with only nature to hear. Instead, the electrical generator can be heard across a wide area, including inside my new villa, n.22. It made an afternoon rest pretty much impossible. We reported it to reception, but nothing changed. NOT A GOOD STAY!

The food was delicious, and the cooks were cheerful and helpful. Everyone working there was extremely friendly and willing to help. Our room was spacious enough and cleaned every day. We stayed in a sea-view villa, though the bathroom and toilet were old and smelled damp. Sharks may swim alongside you, which can be a little scary. The island is quiet and calm, and the welcome was lovely. It takes about 30 minutes by seaplane from the capital, Male. Our four-night stay was generally good, and we'd recommend it. My only suggestion is to keep lunch and dinner available for longer and offer more snacks.

A serene, quiet eco resort, kept in good shape by friendly, knowledgeable staff. The food was tasty, and the restaurants have peaceful outdoor spaces. It seems more suited to adults. You can do water sports, snorkeling, and diving. It's about 30 minutes by seaplane or two hours by speedboat from Mali.

The reef was the main reason we picked Nika, and it surpassed what we expected. Depending on the season, you can snorkel around the island and see nurse sharks, Black fins, turtles, and all kinds of tropical fish among the corals. The island vegetation is magnificent, and walking around you really feel its wild nature. The resort has an interesting history and tries to do things differently. It looks after the island environment by avoiding plastic, cutting waste, and making its own water and supplies. An incredible local community makes that possible. Food choices each day were nice and healthy, with lots of fresh fish, Asian ingredients, pasta, and a strong Italian footprint. There are some areas to improve. The original villas are stunning but take up a lot of the landscape, leaving limited public beach. Some activities feel too expensive. If the aim is to help guests understand the ocean and its fragility, prices should probably be more attractive. Entertainment is very limited too. The evening sessions could be updated. The last thing guests want at a bar is a PowerPoint, since we already sit through presentations at work. Maybe schedule those for other times based on interest, and make evenings more Maldivian, with more music and fun. Sometimes prices still show older tax rates. Lotus Spa also wasn't transparent, with fees changing between the promotion and the final price. Beach staff weren't responsive at times, and we waited three days to try a kayak.