Let me first start by saying, Cocoa Island Resort is very well maintained and managed. The service was first rate and it's the people that made the trip for me, no doubt. Location was beautiful, villas were outstanding, very clean and I can't wait to go back. Many thanks to the staff that made the trip for us, especially Vijay Baskar and Eka. The others were awesome as well but these two stuck out for us. From the time we got off the plane until the time we got back on, they took care of us. Again, thanks Cocoa Island for such a wonderful experience. A little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

My husband and I went for our honeymoon in the second week of January and we really couldn't be happier with our time at Cocoa Island. In fact, we even made up a song about Cocoa Island that we are still singing to each other. It makes us happy.

As everyone here is saying, the food is amazing, and honestly, I couldn't even imagine having stayed in a resort with more than one restaurant, since we had such wonderful dining experiences here. We had the rock lobster one night and it was by far the best lobster we've ever tasted - totally different than what we get in the US. We ended up ordering lobster a couple more times throughout our stay because it was so delicious and so worth the price.

We also had a fantastic time diving. My husband got certified especially for our honeymoon, and we expected just to do some simple dives there. But when we arrived we realized we could do the Adventure diver course, which included all sorts of fun new experiences, and ended up doing that instead. Marie, our instructor, was super sweet, and very patient with me (I am not the most graceful of divers). We did the PPB, Drift Diving, and Underwater Photography. I especially recommend the last one, because they lend you their camera and you get all sorts of fantastic pictures.

We really felt like the service was superb, and everyone went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. Yes, the spa booked in advance, but we booked the first day we arrived so were able to get some good slots.

We stayed at some pretty amazing hotels on the rest of our honeymoon trip through India, and Cocoa Island definitely won the prize for not only the best of the honeymoon hotels, but the best hotel we've ever been to. We've already recommended to another couple we know who are honeymooning in October, and are starting to think about when we will be able to take our next trip. We can't wait to go back!!

My husband and I went Maldives in mid-January and stayed in Cocoa Island for 6 nights. We choose this resort mainly because of the comments from other Tripadvisors. I struggled for few days on how should I comment the resort. Maybe put it this way, provided the price (USD1K per night) we paid, we somewhat expect the 5 start hotel service, but .. it's nothing near what I expected, the service is okay, but that's all. Let me summarize the comments below.

1. Environment: The resort is located in a very good place, 40 mins from Male airport to the resort by speedboat transfer. The island is small so you can eaisly walk around it. There are many fishes around the island, whenever we go breakfast or watch sunset, there are always fishes around, they make me happy.

2. Suites: We stayed in Dhoni Suite 820 which we think it's good becuase it's in the middle of the resort places. The room is big enough for two people, very clean and comfortable. But nothing really touches me.

3. Food: Excellent chef, we chose half board (USD110), but after all we think it's no need to choose half board (but the sides, coffee or tea are included) because it's bit too full for a lady. (The seafood buffet is on every Thursday night). You could just go for dinner (USD30-60 for starters to main course), lunch or supper anytime you need if without going for half board. Snacks menu (e.g. sandwiches, chicken wings from USD20-40). The portion is more than enough. Yet, the banana ice-cream is perfect! A must try. The breakfast is a little bit boring but it still tastes very good. Try the Miso-soup. The signature ginger tea is good!

4. Spa: It's expensive so I just tried once the massage plus the facial, both were great. The spa place is good. (USD240 for the course I selected)

5. Marine life: Many many fishes around our suite, I am a weak swimmer but it's still very easy for me to snoke with my husband. Enjoyed it very much!! My husband swam with turtle! I also see lion fishes just outside of our suite.

6. Diving center: We didn't dive but we rent the camera there (USD50 for half day). The center said my husband can get the camera by 8am and return it by 2pm at first. The next morning, my huband went there at 8am (we usually snoke before breakfast), but they said we have to wait until 9am and return it by 12 noon. We think they can deliver the camera and the CD to our suite, but we have to go there few times to get what we need, yes, the island is small and can easily walk there, but that's SERVICE.

7. Sunrise breakfast: USD200, we liked it very much! Having champagne breakfast in sandbank with sunrise is super romantic!

8. Sunset dolphin cruise: USD240, didn't see any dolphins, but .. it's still okay to try once.

9. Service:
- We stayed in Traders before heading to Cocoa Island, Traders informed us Cocoa would pick us up at 2:30pm. We kind of feeling odd because we expect to go there in morning. So, in case you stayed in another hotel in Male the night before, please ensure they arrange the transfer in morning.

- When we arrived, no one was expecting us, the receptionist (maybe he's not receiptionist) asked what we were doing! Such a warm welcome.

- The staff showed us the suite confirmed what I arranged with them in email, but it turns out I have to reserve the sunrise breakfast by myself, then, what's the purpose of confirming with me?

- There was daily fresh fruits, but the staff delivered to our room was with stone face, I don't like it so I just put the do not disturb and stayed away from him. Once he checked our snack bar while we were watching TV (the snack bar is just in front of the TV). He didn't explain what he's doing but just check it out, then he asked us "have you taken one of the chocolates?" without a smile, Jesus, I didn't steal the chocolate bar! And if I took, I paid, why asked me in this manner? Can't get it.

- No any one makes our stay memorable, it's only because of the hardware (climate, fishes, suite, food) is good so we enjoyed our stay there.

I think I won't recommend others to this resort, for what we paid, we have many many choices!

We went here for our Honeymoon in May, and it is a beautiful setting and the wife did love it but there are several issues, especially at the price point. What ultimately led to this review was the very high ranking it received in the Global Top 25.

#1 Food - There are options of a la carte, half board and full board. We elected to go full board every other day. Approximately every other day they have a special/themed dinner, if you are not full board this dinner will cost close to $100 a person, or you can eat off the lunch menu. Overall the food was good and they can email you a menu to give you an idea. When we arrived we asked if the head chef was working (it was the shoulder season so I suspected he might be on vacation). We were told he was. After my wife's sea food was overcooked at dinner I asked again. He was not working.

Also despite confirming that every other day we would be full board they always seemed to have it wrong in the computer. When the waiter brought us a bill at lunch one day, and we corrected him that we were full board, I was astonished by the attitude he gave us. It must have matter as to how he received tips for the day, but in a way he made me feel cheap, despite the fact it was costing me over a grand a day to be there!

#2 Wine - expensive but again they can email you a list to give you an idea. When we arrived I requested a copy of the wine list so that I could look up some bottles in my room. I think it took 2 days and several requests to get a copy! Such a simple request should have been easily taken care of, especially when there is no sommelier to give recommendations (in fact for religious reasons most of the servers do not drink).

#3 The room - We stayed in a loft villa which was awesome. Now if only I could have slept! Directly above the bed was an air-conditioner. And not a quiet one. One that despite ear plugs felt like it was moving the entire wall behind the bed. This was brought the the managements attention on numerous occasions. The first time they made it a little quieter, and the second time concluded that it was the way it was, and the noise could not be improved. The air conditioner simply needed to be replaced! The other two air conditioners on the main floor were quiet and appeared relatively new.

#4 The spa - overall what you would expect as fair as quality of treatment, but not flexible. Book early as times book up. We were booking our second massage and the only time slot available was 60 minutes. The treatment my wife wanted was only offered for 90 minutes on their menu (I think it was the hot stone massage). There were no 90 minute slots left, and you had no idea how challenging it was to get them to accommodate us and perform it as a 60 minute treatment. This was also despite the fact our sunset cruise had been cancelled because of bad weather and we were doing this instead.

#5 The last day - We had to leave early to and were told breakfast would be served in our room prior to departing. I called at the time it was suppose to have arrived and they said it was coming. I waited 15 minutes and called again. I was told the food have left. I looked outside because you can see the restaurant from your room, the food had not left. I believe it still took a further 15 minutes to get the food and by now we had to leave in minutes. Not exactly a relaxing breakfast send off.

Overall the some of the servers and staff are amazing, friendly and happy (especially the yoga instructor). Others you can tell are there simply to make money, or are clueless. At much lower price points I still expect attentive service and a quiet air conditioner.