Hanifaru Transit Inn

The host was thoughtful and did his best to meet our needs. When we returned from night fishing, he had left disposable raincoats for us without being asked, since the night air was cool. The room was tidy and clean, with a pleasant smell. The food was tasty and could be adjusted to our preferences, whether salty, spicy, or sweet. We had a great time on the Coral Garden and Sand Bank excursions, and sunset fishing was wonderful too. Guests can use the washing machine and drinking water machine for free. We made lovely memories here. A really wonderful guest house!

Ahmed, the manager, was always ready to help with our requests, and the fast, reliable Wi-Fi was a plus. It felt almost like a resort-grade hotel for the value, and being there was like staying in our own home. The place is well maintained, with a cosy interior and lots of little conveniences: fish charts in the dining room, the air conditioner placed well in the room, tea, coffee, and water always available in the dining room, and a small backyard garden. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the pier and beach. You can hear planes from the nearby airport during the day, but not at night, and it wasn’t disturbing.

Ahmed and his family made us feel welcome from the moment he picked us up until he dropped us at the airport. He speaks excellent English, always made time for our questions, and told us about Dharavandhoo’s history. It’s a lovely, friendly place to get a genuine feel for the Maldives. He arranged trips at reasonable prices, and his wife kindly invited us into the kitchen for an impromptu chapati-making lesson. The food was excellent and plentiful. We only tried the Maldivian dishes, and they were lovely without being too spicy. Our room was tidy and clean, with good air conditioning and a large bathroom. The garden was a pleasant place to eat or relax. A very pleasant hotel run by exceptionally nice people, and I’d recommend it to anyone.

The food was excellent, and the dive centre and beach are just a five-minute walk away. I was so glad I picked The Hanifaru transit inn. It’s a lovely family-run place, spotlessly clean, with a great bedroom and en suite. Everyone was so lovely, and I couldn’t have been happier. I’d recommend it to anyone visiting Dharavandoo.