The White Harp Beach Hotel

We spent 10,000 rupees for one night after four days at an island resort, hoping to see Male and Hulhumale. The lobby didn’t feel welcoming, with people playing cards and staring at us, and breakfast was unhygienic, with houseflies around the food. The air conditioner was set to 16 but didn’t cool; when we reported it, reception said it had been repaired, though it only seemed to run as a fan all night. The room had a stained, dirty couch, and the bed was only okay. There’s no lift, and the bathroom is tiny, with the toilet and shower together. Water pressure was very low, and shower water ran over the toilet and soaked the tissues. There were no complimentary coffee sachets, and no phone in the room to contact staff about any of this. I didn’t like the service at all.

The staff were kind, polite, and genuinely helpful, and that was the best part of the hotel. Breakfast was also better than I expected. The rest was disappointing for what we paid: the Wi-Fi kept failing, and ongoing construction noise made it hard to rest. The room didn’t even have basics like hand soap, toothpaste, or a toothbrush, which felt unacceptable at this price.

The staff were great and friendly, and the beach is just across the road. There’s a restaurant in the hotel, and they can arrange airport transfers for a fee. For this price, I was okay with everything, but don’t stay here if you want a large bathroom. The toilet and shower share a very small space.

We had a wonderful honeymoon at White Harp Beach in Hulhumale. The room was spotless and kept fresh, and Ahmed Basir, the housekeeping manager, and Iqbal were always smiling, friendly, and happy to answer questions. They also gave us useful tips on places to see. The whole team was welcoming and attentive. We loved the food and the shisha, and the atmosphere was just right for relaxing. We highly recommend it for a getaway.