Six Senses Laamu

We had a fantastic time at Six Senses Laamu. This note is a bit of a long run down - but if you want to see Manta Rays, Turtles, and have a relaxed and luxurious experience with great service and top notch sports, snorkel, and scuba equipment - you won’t regret coming here. You are met by the Six Senses team at the new airport terminal. Quick note - you cannot bring in alcohol at all to the islands, it gets held at customs till you leave so don’t bother buying duty free as you head out to the Maldives! They X-ray every bag so there is no sneak smuggles. You are escorted to a lovely lounge and then the flight is sorted within an hour or so to Laamu. The flight itself is an hour and we were in a 14 person Six Senses plane painted like a turtle. The resort is very eco centric - it is also a barefoot hotel (literally), so don’t bother bringing many shoes you simply won’t wear them. The island is laid back, with a mix of couples of all ages and some young families, though that probably is reflective of us going out of school holidays. There is an 11-12 person marine ecology and research centre on the island, part funded by six senses and part funded by charities including Olive Ridley (turtles) and Manta Ray Trust. The research team - people like Summer, Juliet, Nisha, are super knowledgeable and keen to share their expertise which includes evening 30 min lectures in the (free) ice cream bar - (with 80 or so flavours, you can keeping coming back.) and on dives as well The rooms are large and beautifully done - not as large as places like Bolifushi and similar to Madhoo, but they are lovely - with clear glass bath to see straight into the sea, a lookout sitting area on the room, and then big deck straight out onto the reef. If you are in jetty A or B you are right on a turtle feeding ground. Jetty C is a 5 min bike ride there. The house reef is spectacular - you go to the bar and head in and immediately on the reef. We saw sting rays, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, sharks, teeming with fish of all sorts, and beautiful corals. V v good snorkelling straight from the bar. The dive team were superb, we had a fabulous instructor called Anoof who was v caring and patient, and he took us on several dives including the Manta Ray cleaning station. Just wow to see these massive animals - truly mega fauna just a metre or two away from you. Was so memorable. We had a guest experience person or room butler called Janko, he was super. He organised everything, super responsive, and was able to book endless sailing as well as make and alter restaurant bookings. He also ensured that we saw turtle eggs hatching - which was v special. At meal times and in the bar, Warren who leads the drinks team was incredibly hospitable and helpful and we had great service - particularly at breakfasts - from Siri on the pancake stand (this man can make a pancake in the shape of any marine animal you name), Sau on the fruit stand and Yupin at the dosa and stir fry station. Mohit was ever present ensuring we had the right food and were happy with everything. The spa and gym were lovely and looked out over the sea in a gorgeous setting. We had great massages from Karma and Eke. There is loads to do on this little island. There is an extensive programme every day with visits to local islands, yoga and fitness classes, chocolate making and paper making classes, sea life drawing, as well as guided snorkels and kayaking in the mangroves. The gym has got a good mixture of cardio and strength equipment. There is a cinema playing movies and wildlife documentaries most evenings. The water sports equipment was extensive and new/near new - whether you like windsurfing, SUP, wing and kitesurfing, jet skis, sea bobs, sailing and more. Sailing in a K3 catamaran was no extra cost (as was other non motorised equipment) and conditions were great on multiple days. All in all, we had a terrific trip - will definitely be back (around half the guests seem to be returners and some were on their 11th trip!). We would highly recommend it . The wonderful staff - majority of whom are from two nearby islands and have been with the resort multiple years - are what truly makes this place special, with a smile every time you see someone from a gardener to a maintenance man to the front of house team. Thank you again for a truly memorable experience. From the U.K., we booked with Simply Maldives who have organised previous trips for us. Amit is very knowledgable and has been able to offer us (and friends and family we have recommended to him) both great pricing and great service.