Nika Island Resort

We were writing this email squeezed between the seats in a plane of a low-coast air company on the overnight flight with all my family getting back home after 10 days which supposed to be a great 5-star family vacation. A great example of a terrible ending which killed the whole experience. Me and my wife with five kids (15, 13, 8, 6 and 3 years old) have decided to spend a great vacation together in the best available room on a beautiful Maldivian resort – so we booked a Sultan Suite on a Nika Island Resort and Spa. It was our second time with Nika during the last 6 months – first time we stayed with three kids in November 2024 and everything was fine so we decided to return. It’s hard to travel with a number of small kids using connecting flights - so we booked direct ones to Male – a returning and also a flexible ones, just in case something happens and we’ll need to change the flights. The air tickets were around good 40% of the overall cost – to ensure the maximum comfort level. Planned smart but didn’t help in the end. We arrived as planned and spent a great 10 days – everything was good. But then the last day just killed the impression of the whole vacation: • We received a farewell departure message which said that the flight to Male is scheduled for 13:40 local Nika time (11:40 Male time). Our flight home was at 14:10 Male time so we suggested this could be a great balance to make it to the flight without overspending time at the airport. • We’ve paid the bill at 12:30 Nika time and were waiting for the flight – on the pier accompanied with a guard there. • At 13:40 the plane hasn’t appeared so we’ve started to bother – but no one has arrived to the pier with any updates. Not even proposing a water for the kids – nothing. • At 14:00 I myself (still no initiative from the personnel) went back from the pier to the reception and asked whether the plane is arriving and if we’re still making that to check in for our home flight – the answer was that everything is under control, no need to worry about. • 14:45 - the personnel finally have come to the pier - when the plane was landing – obviously to meet and greet the arriving tourists. No comments on what shall we do with our flight home. Definitely we would be looking for more attention and thoughts when it was pretty obvious that we’re missing our flight. • The local flight took off at 14:55 Nika time. At that time, it was still possible to reschedule our flight home for the next day without any extra costs – if someone told us that we’re not making that for the check in. But no one did. • The crew on the flight from Nika to Male was perfect – they’ve made it very fast even under heavy wind and rain (that’s why it is pretty obvious that so called “bad weather conditions” was not the reason for delay). By the way during the last two days of our stay the weather was even worse in terms of wind and rain and the planes were arriving without any complications. • Finally, we arrived at Male local airport at 13:30 – five minutes after the check in for our flight was closed. And it was already not possible neither to reschedule no to cancel our expensive flexible tickets. We just lost them. • The company representative has immediately informed us that we missed our flight. Then he suggested to take another flight at the company’s cost. Good idea. • The suggestion was to take a connecting flight - but at least with a well known company at least with similar service level to our home air company. So we decided to take an advantage of earlier arrival home even with an overnight connection and further flight. • However no one has informed us that the second connecting flight was not with a well known airline but rather with low-coaster with obviously much worse general service level (seats, meals etc.) • The connection in Dubai at night was 4 hours. No one has suggested to provide a lounge or any other opportunity to have rest – at least for the kids. • Needless to say no one has interested how was our travel when we’re back home. *** We are still very disappointed and hope no one else would suffer from such an experience on your family vacations. P.S. We send this email to the hotel – no feedback in 2 months as expected.

The best holiday and the most perfect honey moon! The location is beautiful, staff super nice at all times, and very good food. A special mention goes to Ishme that followed our experience at the restaurant with her kindness and professionalism! She made us feel home, and made our stay even more perfect. Also, another mention goes to Carolina, amazing and always available, welcoming us to the island in the best way since our arrival. Cannot wait to come back!

A fantastic vacation in a great resort! The staff is just fabulous and you automatically feel like family. The house reef is just great and the private beaches are just perfect. The food is delicious! We are already planning our next visit! If you are looking for a cozy an quiet place, this is the place to go.