Kihaad

Departure from Fiumicino via Malpensa and arrival in Malé. From here a transfer by bus to the seaplane, about 40 minutes' flight, a wonderful and sensational experience. Landing on the open sea; from a wooden platform we board a dhoni (a typical Maldivian boat) and after about 10 minutes' sailing we reach the Valtur resort, all the while with an attendant and without having to carry any luggage, which will be delivered to the room later. Welcome from the Village Manager, Emiliano Mangini, and the entertainment team with a fresh, scented towel to refresh yourself after a long journey, and a welcome cocktail (kurumba), a delicious coconut-based drink, which would become our favourite drink accompanying us throughout our stay in this spectacular place.

As for the room, since we were on our honeymoon, we treated ourselves to an over-water one, beautiful! Parquet floor, canopy bed, safe, air conditioning, 2 washbasins behind the bed, and a huge bathroom with shower and bathtub where you could see the sea below, as well as a pool on the balcony with direct access to the sea, and a unique view. The room was tidied twice a day and each time they drew beautiful figures with the sheets on the bed (butterfly, shell, fish, heart, rose petals), an impeccable service. The beach and the common areas were always clean; if a leaf fell, after a while the staff cleaned up; you never saw anyone idle, people always smiling, very polite, and they greeted you every time you met them.

The restaurant was on the beach, under cover in case of rain; the service was excellent and the food great with a large variety of products and, as you can imagine, above all fish but also meat; it was served at the buffet for both breakfast and lunch, and in the evening sometimes at the table but always with the buffet for those who didn't fancy it, draught beer, bottled white or red wine with meals (all included). In the resort we were all Italians, only the staff were foreign, including the entertainment team, who were very good, kind, extremely friendly and above all made you feel at ease; I felt as if I'd known them all my life; if you wanted, they made you join in, otherwise you stayed on your own.

I'm someone who likes to relax and above all laze about on holiday, but I couldn't help following them, in particular the Head of Entertainment, Walter Vichi, a character, someone who gives you stomach ache from laughing, so funny; in my opinion he'll go far and I wish him that with all my heart. Then I want to say a few words and pay compliments to the Village Manager, Emiliano Mangini, an exceptional person, both professionally and as a human being, friendly and sunny, and also good at comedy. I want to tell you this little episode to show you what kind of person he is: after a race in the pool, perhaps from the effort and the sun I felt unwell and fainted; the first person who came to my aid and who, when I came round, was beside me was him and the entertainment team; for me it was a gesture I will never forget.

The place is beautiful, I'll leave you a few photos to judge for yourself; I left Kihaad shaken by everything and everyone, there's really nothing wrong with it; giving it a mark from 1 to 10, it goes without saying, 10. Kihaad has to be experienced and I wish you, and above all I advise you, to go there.