Glenowal
18. december 2024
Having just retuned this weekend from my 13th trip at Reethi Beach its time for the annual review. This was my first visit under new management and from a few photos I had seen prior to going of changes I was unsure what to expect, I can safely say there was no need to worry at all. Upon arrival and after checking in I was shown to my room, I usually just head off on my own as I know the island so well but I was shown one of the new villas en route and then also got to have a look at a water villa also renovated and can happily say that both look very good, the beach villas will have a new look decor which looks very smart and the bathroom has also been completely redone as well and looks very nice, there was also a small pool out front as well, I was informed that not all villas will get these as some people prefer not to have one. The water villa was being worked on so i didn't get to see the bathroom, but i did get shown the new hammock area over the water out the back which looks good for relaxing on. I had requested a room in the 160 area as usual as its a good location for reef entry and also is in the section of detached villas and was happy to find i had been allocated room 160 (i have had most of the villas between 154 and 166 over my trips). The room was expected needing some TLC but it was clean and working (other than the tv gets no channels) which is the main thing, and once the island shuts in April it will get the same treatment as all of the others with a fresh new look. I had my first walk around the island and was happy to see how good the beach currently is all around the island, especially from the watersports area round to the sunset bar as for the last few years to walk around here you had to go high above the sand bags, but you can now walk low around the shore on a nice big beach, the area in front of the sunset villas near the sunset bar has also recovered to a nice big sandy area. The inner part of the island was where i was interested to see as that was where i had seen photos prior to going but seeing it in person I can see that it is an improvement and doesn't look anywhere near as bad as photos had portrayed it. The paths have also been widened all around as well. During my time there i saw older trees being cut down and replaced by what look more like palm tree type trees which will be a lot airier and easier to manage. The food in the main restaurant seems to of improved since my previous visit and certain theme nights are very good, for example on street market night the back area is also opened up with around 5 or 6 extra stalls doing specific things like Tempura, Burgers, Kebabs and various other street market type foods, along with the usual food area with other stuff as well. The staff as usual are a huge credit to the island with their friendliness and helpfulness, and for me it always feels so much better when I am remembered from previous visits (i have been going there longer than a lot of the staff
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