Coconut Bay Resort St. Lucia

I think I ought to write a review about this Hotel, but I have no idea where to start or what to write about.
The old fashioned damp rooms?
The Beach that no one ever goes to?
The food in any of the restaurants that's kind of mediocre?
Or the Night Club that is so small and dark you walk in, swing a cat and walk back out?
No. I'm not gonna go on about that.

Perhaps I will tell you about the happy Wedding Couple we met here.
As you do when you see a just married Pair, we offered our Congratulations and had a little chat with them.
They were young, maybe about 25 for the girl and 24 for the boy and they live in the UK. The slightly uncomfortable looking Groom went along his way to talk to his mates, while we carried on talking to the Bride. Turns out this was not her first Wedding, but her 5th!
Open mouthed and not sure whether to be appreciative or aghast about what we had just heard, we smiled and went to get some more free fake Champagne from the nearest Bar.

The staff here are really friendly and always smile at everyone, they always say hello and ask how you are. Which is lovely. There are some things to do to keep you engaged, like Aqua Aerobics and Pool games, a lazy river or a lazy spa treatment and there is entertainment in the evening. Though sometimes I find it more of a disturbance.
Over the years I have seen attempts to improve little things here and there and for the budget that you spend  to come here you get what you have paid for it.
A colleague said yesterday 'If I came here for my Wedding or Honeymoon, I would cry,'
She's not wrong.

Still there is sunshine and there is Caribbean spirit in this place and in the end of your holiday, all that really matters is that you had a fun/relaxing/romantic/adventure time with your family, partner or friends. And there is nothing here that would stop you from having that. It's a friendly place with friendly people who will charm you and allow you to enjoy yourself. Which is great!

By the way St. Lucia is pronounced with a 'sh' sound not a Lucy sound. Just saying.

Here a link to their Website: http://www.cbayresort.com/

Kurumba Island Resort Maldives

Kurumba means Coconut and doesn't it roll of the tongue nicely? It is the first private resort that opened to tourists in the Maldives in the 1970's. The Design of the resort makes me think 'Zen' and 'Peaceful' and it may have been here for 40 years already, but there is nothing old about it. Kurumba has 180 rooms with 8 different styles to choose from.
At beach walking speed the island can be circumnavigated in 30 minutes. It is indeed surrounded by soft white sand and turquoise child friendly shallow water.

In amongst the plentiful flowers, shrubs and coconut palms the beautiful beach bungalows are hiding. My favourites are the Deluxe Bungalows right by the sea. You can open your glass double door out to your little terrace and hop right onto the beach. All it needs is a hamock, but maybe it's just me, I like hamocks.

To protect the island Kurumba has wave breakers around the lagoon. All along these you'll find marvellous snorkelling scenery. Just outside of the them, by the reef shelf, are thousands of tropical fish of all colours and sizes. Talking of size there are also a few baby reef sharks swimming along the shore, and today when I was calmly bobbing along, thinking I was in a live aquarium, duh duh duuuhhmm...I met their Daddy!

Not to worry though, he looked big and scary but is harmless really.
Apart from snorkelling you can indulge in plenty of other activities. From watersports to yoga, table tennis to finding your dancing feet and sea legs.
Your holiday will be tranquil but never boring.

Being conveniently close to the airport this resort would seem favoured for families or shorter holidays, but I think a romantic getaway would be equally wonderful here.


There are several restaurants and Bars dotted around, offering a great variety of delicious dishes including Seafood, Barbecues, Arabic, Chinese, Italian and Japanese cuisine as well as the usual Buffet Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Do: Book a trip to see the amazing Manta Rays, if they are offering it, (depends on whether they are currently around.)
Do: Visit Male Island and go to one of it's great Restaurants or walk around the Fish Market. There is a choice of my favourite restaurants in Male on this blog.
Don't: Swim over the corals at low tide, they can be razor sharp.

This is their Website:  http://www.kurumba.com/

Kuda Bandos, Maldives

If you're looking for a 'marooned on an island' excursion on your Maldivian holiday, Kuda Bandos will be worth a visit.
No matter how many times I've been here it always has the wow effect, every time. The water couldn't get any bluer, the sand couldn't be any softer and the sound of the waves gently lapping against the beach couldn't be any more relaxing.
Top Tip: (from a german) As soon as you get there grab yourself a sunlounger,


It is the easiest place for snorkelling I have encountered so far. Just step into the water and you're there, surrounded by a multitude of tropical reef fish. The best place to snorkel is to the right of the little channel they use for jet ski's and small boats next to the pier. Be careful though at low tide. The coral is closer to the surface and can be razor sharp.

To get to Kuda Bandos arrange a picnic trip from your resort or hire a private transfer. It currently costs $11 entree fee to be payed on arrival at the island.
If you are not part of a picnic excursion, there is a small bar that serves cold drinks, beer and some snacks. Otherwise a Top Tip is to loiter around other peoples BBQ and take a look after the tour groups have finished eating. Many times I have been offered to help myself to anything that is left. Sometimes they even put a few fresh bits on the barbie just for us.

Must do:
Keep some bread for the fish at the pier.
You will get a huge array of colourful fish coming for a feeding frenzy. It's a small effort but such fun!