Oblu Select Sangeli - All Inclusive with Free Transfers Resort

A Dreamy Family Holiday at OBLU SELECT Sangeli – Worth Every Minute After several weeks of researching and reading reviews, we confidently chose OBLU SELECT Sangeli – and it turned out to be one of our best vacation decisions ever. Arrival Experience Our journey began with a 55-minute speedboat transfer through rather rough seas. It was quite a challenge, especially for our 8-year-old daughter, but she was brave and handled it like a little champ. Upon arrival, we were welcomed warmly by the resort staff, which made the effort all worth it. Their hospitality was evident from the very first moment. The only small drawback was the check-in process – it requires downloading the hotel’s app and completing the check-in through it. The app took quite a while to download, but thankfully, staff assisted us using their own device and helped us speed things up. The Island & Accommodation The island is absolutely stunning, both in terms of flora and fauna. We stayed in villa number 119, which we highly recommend! It’s conveniently close to the main restaurant and bar, yet tucked into lush greenery, offering direct sea access – sometimes waves reach right up to the villa doors! The rooms are well-equipped, beautifully maintained, and cleaned twice daily. The outdoor bathroom adds an exotic touch, and the soothing sound of waves is always present – pure bliss. Weather & Environment As we visited in the off-season, we experienced a mix of sunshine, rain, wind, and storms – all of which we embraced. The weather was still warm, and the changing skies added charm to the island’s beauty. Despite the rain, the sea remained clean (though wavy), and swimming was always possible. The beach slide was out of order, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the water. Our daughter made great use of the main pool, especially in the early days when it was pristine. Unfortunately, the last three days we noticed some dirt and stronger chlorine levels – which we considered a minus. Still, we came for the ocean, not the pool 😊. The poolside bar deserves special mention – the team there works full throttle, delivering drinks of all kinds with incredible friendliness and speed. Clean drinking water is always available, both at the bar and in-room. Facilities & Cleanliness The resort is constantly being maintained, and you’ll see workers enhancing its beauty every day. However, one downside was the cleanliness of the poolside toilets – although beautifully designed, they were often wet, sandy, and poorly managed (used towels scattered around). We see this as an area for improvement. All-Inclusive Concept & Activities We chose this resort specifically for its family-friendly all-inclusive concept, and it truly delivered. Depending on the length of your stay, you’re entitled to à la carte dining, spa treatments, and excursions (snorkeling or fishing). For our 10-night stay, we received three à la carte dinners, two spa treatments for two, and two excursions. While we skipped the excursions due to rough seas (other guests went though!), we thoroughly enjoyed our treatments at Elena Spa. The staff’s professionalism and care stood out – I can confidently say it was one of the best massages I’ve had in the Maldives (and this is our 12th visit!). We tried the grill à la carte restaurant, where we especially loved the tiger prawns and carpaccio. The only downside was the portion size, which was more tasting-menu style – but the staff were happy to accommodate if you asked for more. Dining Experience We dined three times a day at the main buffet restaurant, which was a highlight of our stay. From the warm welcome to being seated properly (and the absence of guests walking around in wet swimwear – great dress code!), everything was handled professionally. The food stations offered a wide variety: pasta, pizza, Indian cuisine, soups, salads, desserts, fruits, and more. The chefs are incredibly accommodating – if you need anything customized, they are always ready to help. We especially loved the Indian flatbreads, freshly prepared for us upon request – even our daughter became a fan! The only thing we missed was seafood variety. While seafood was available cold (mussels, shrimp, calamari), we would have appreciated more grilled options. One evening featured a delicious seafood paella, and after sharing our feedback, the F&B manager surprised us with a special seafood platter lunch – a wonderful and thoughtful gesture we are truly grateful for! Atmosphere & Extras OBLU Sangeli truly shines thanks to its staff and serene island setting. It’s an ideal resort for families with children, but also caters well to couples and honeymooners thanks to its adults-only island, which we couldn’t use as a family, but seems perfect for romantic getaways. We’d like to highlight a few additional features for future guests: • The house reef is excellent for snorkeling, even for kids. We saw many fish, a baby shark, and a stingray! • There’s a beautiful pier where even non-swimmers can observe marine life – perfect for sunsets with a drink in hand from the Rock Bar, which opens at 5:00 PM. • The resort lies in North Male Atoll, under the main route of seaplanes – so expect frequent flyovers during the day (up to 10 in a row in the afternoon). • The guest mix is around 50% European, 30–40% Chinese, and a smaller portion from Indonesia. Sadly, we did notice some littering behavior, particularly from certain guests – something we hope the resort will address with more awareness. Final Thoughts We want to thank the entire team – from gastronomy to spa, reception, and housekeeping – for making our stay so memorable. OBLU Sangeli exceeded our expectations with its warm service, stunning nature, delicious food, and overall experience. We are already looking forward to returning next year to recharge and create more unforgettable memories. Thank you – and see you soon!