Joy Island Hotel

Friendly service from the entire staff especially Hassaan, our host who was available through WhatsApp and responded positively to our many requests. Thanks for putting up with us Hassaan :-) Our group of six enjoyed our meals at the Market and Palm Beach. The ladies who greeted us at every meal are so sweet and charming. They surprised the birthday boy when we arrived at breakfast that morning. The food selection is vast and there are “theme nights” ranging from Sushi Night, Chocolate Desserts night, Sri Lankan night, etc. An air conditioned dining room takes up 20% of the seating but we found it a bit noisier than the outdoor area. We borrowed snorkel gear from the Water Activities desk to use during our weeklong stay in our Lagoon Villas. The water by the over-the-water units was clear but a bit choppy during our week. If you are not a strong swimmer, borrow a foam “noodle” like some of us did, or use the life jacket. We could see some fish but for a better experience, a snorkel tour to a better site is recommended. Some of our group went kayaking and paddleboarding when the wind and waters were calm - both of which are no cost. The staff was patient when we spent 15 minutes trying on fins to get the perfect fit. We booked the Sunset Dolphin boat trip ($85 pp), the Sunset Fishing Trip ($75 pp) and the Explore Two Islands Boat Trip ($120 pp). Jalaail was our host and guide on all three excursions. He encouraged us to clap to get the dolphins’ attention (not sure if that method works - lol), he kept the kids entertained, he hooked our bait for the spool line fishing, and was our guide on the Islands tour. Our only wish was that the shop sold more merchandise with the Joy Island logo as we would have loved to bring home a baseball style cap, tote bag or pole style shirt to remind us of our unforgettable week.