Overall
Rooms
Food
Service
Dive Shop
Dive Spots
Bathala is a relaxed and friendly gem in the Maldives! Not only has it only been renovated in 2019, you can also see everywhere that the whole team cares about the guests and the resort.
Our accommodation was perfect - beach bungalow with shady palm and mulberry trees in front of the door, directly on the beach. Comfortable beds, clean, lovingly decorated, nice bathroom with outdoor shower, walk-in closet, a comfortable bed.
Wi-Fi everywhere. Own wooden terrace with comfortable new armchairs and table, own deckchairs in front of the door.
As a breakwater is a beautiful endless freshwater pool at the edge of the island.
The food is varied, hot at lunch and dinner, besides a changing theme food (Mexico, BBQ, Oriental, Seafood, Maldivian..) there is always a grill station with fish and meat, an area with Maldivian curries and since there are many Italian guests a station with fresh original Italian pasta and pizza.
Breakfast with everything you could want, fresh omlets and eggs, pancakes and waffles.
There is fresh fruit and desserts with every meal. Service is very personal (with the same waiter in charge the whole time) House wine is OK. The bar has iced coffee and all kinds of drinks in the afternoon, cocktails after 6pm.
The service was always extremely friendly and courteous. The rooms were completely cleaned every day. In unoccupied apartments, minor defects were repaired directly.
The animation is unobtrusive. The evening program was entertaining despite my skepticism, the lectures on marine biology and films about the coral reef were entertaining. With a few cold cocktails, even the karaoke event was fun. Top program item was the volleyball game Perosnal vs. guests
The Werner Lau dive center is cozy, clean and practical. The instructors are competent, extremely friendly and helpful - just like the "compressor boys" who bring the tanks to one of the 6 entrances and help you with the diving (and of course collect the empty tanks again).
We were daily 2x at the house reef, which is mostly in good condition and has very nice areas in each section (sometimes you have to vary the depth). Where to dive is best checked quickly with the dive center crew, which then suggests something suitable depending on the current and shows the ideal entry. We had relaxed (but also exciting) dives throughout. At the house reef there is everything from stonefish and pipefish to eagle rays and big reef sharks. At the jetty there is a cleaning station for sharks at 25m. In the morning with strong current hook on the rope and wait. SharkLive.
There are rental scooters and guided tours with the three scooters to Bathala Thila.
The dive boat (with toilet) is in good condition, the crew friendly and capable, we were dropped off directly at Split Point. Fresh water & towels are waiting at the boat after the dive.
We were there in the low season and almost the only divers.
It is definitely worth booking a dive package in advance with Werner Lau.
My conclusion: Absolutely recommended and gladly again.
(Automatically translated from German)