Golhaa View Inn By TES

This is a humble guest house, so don’t expect it to look exactly like the pictures. The cafe in the building has a beach club setup, which means it’s easy to get morning coffee, and their Nasi Goreng is good. There’s a spa inside too, with good therapists. It’s a short walk to the (almost) beachfront and nearby cafes and karaoke, but a long walk from the jetty, so you’ll usually need a buggy ride. At low tide we found a few hidden spots that were gems, though they’re not accessible at high tide. The room could use some TLC: there wasn’t a hot shower, and the lighting wasn’t enough. Bring plenty of local currency, Rufiyaa.

The owners and staff were incredibly kind and generous. They booked my speedboat from the airport and picked me up at the jetty. I came alone, and the staff kept me company so I wouldn’t get bored. Luba taught me to float and snorkel. Even though I can’t swim, I managed it without a life jacket in the middle of the ocean, and he was a great instructor. Snorkeling gear is free to borrow. I booked a couple of excursions with them, including wsting rays and shark snorkling, and had a wonderful time. Mr. Saleem took me fishing and arranged a visit to the coca-cola factory for free. On my last day, the owner invited me to dinner with his team and gave me a gift. Breakfast is complimentary. The room, toilet, sheets, and towels were super clean, and the bed and pellows were soft. The hotel is right in front of the beach. The staff went out of their way to help with everything I needed. Yuni, the massage therapist, is a nice girl. I highly recommend it for a stay in thulusdhoo. People here are friendly, and it feels safe and secure for solo travellers.

The sea is very clean, and the beach is protected by rocks, with no strong currents, so it felt safe for a child to swim independently. The grounds are clean and well maintained. I’m absolutely in love with the island and this hotel. It’s right next to Bikini Beach, and although this is a local island where residents are Muslim, I could walk from the hotel to the beach in a swimsuit without any issues. The owner, Ali, was extremely hospitable. He treated us to watermelon and took my husband fishing. Later, they cooked the fish they caught for dinner at the restaurant and invited our whole family to join. We were truly pleasantly surprised. The staff were attentive and did everything they could to make our stay enjoyable. Even when we bought a pineapple at a local shop, they kindly offered to peel and cut it for us. It was unexpected and very nice. Special thanks to Luba for talking us out of jet skiing when the sea was rough. Safety comes first! We’d love to return to Golhaa View Inn.

The buffet breakfast was tasty and filling, and toiletries, beach towels, and snorkelling gear were all free. The welcome drink was a nice touch too. The owner is a nice guy who’s fun to have a laugh with, and he made us feel very at home. Golhaa View is right on the beach in a fantastic location. I’d definitely recommend staying here in Thulusdhoo.