Local Island Inn

Hangnaameedhoo is tiny, so you can walk anywhere in about 5-6 minutes. Locals all seem to know each other, and even though the guesthouses have different owners who are brothers or cousins, they’ll happily help you even if you’re staying somewhere else. It feels like real Maldivian life, with warm local hospitality, rather than one of those resort spots promoted on celebrities’ Instagram. Local Island Inn worked really well for us, especially for privacy. Every room has a terrace screened from outsiders, air conditioning, and a small fridge that’s handy in the heat. Our rooms were cleaned daily, with fresh towels every two days for ecological reasons. The staff were always around if we needed anything and helped us feel at home. The dining room is five minutes away at another guesthouse owned by the same person. Meals are buffet style, with local dishes, including great fish, as well as à la carte options. We could have breakfast looking out at the ocean, and dinner under atmospheric lighting. We met the owner, Salaam, almost every day and also stayed in touch with him on WhatsApp throughout the visit. That was helpful and made us feel as if a good friend was looking after us. He arranged speedboat transport to and from Male, helped us choose extra activities using a brochure with details and prices, and took care of our laundry. He wasn’t available on our last day, but arranged for someone to look after us until we left. As a woman, I felt safe on the island, even walking alone late at night. The locals were all very friendly and harmless. We had a great time and were very happy with our choice. All the details were on point, with nothing to complain about, so we gave the highest rating in every category. We hope to return and would recommend Local Island Inn to anyone visiting Maldives.