After reading the reviews I was not sure what to expect so for my 22 day business trip to Male I only booked five days here. I just confirmed the next 17 days. The rooms are perfect for the business traveller. Bright lighting in the room, a TV that has a variety of channels, and the room was apparently painted (and painted carefully) not too long ago. The real surpise was a spotless (and obviously newly tiled) bathroom with a sink that holds water. Not a sign of the usual tropical mould one finds in many hotels. Wi-fi is free and works well. The beds and pillows are clean and comfortable. There is lots of work space on a well lit table. The wall sockets work - they even provide a plug converter and power bar. There is also lots of clean storage for my clothing - and my wife's when she arrives in ten days to join me. The staff are helpful and polite. The added bonus is a decent dining room with a great view and attentive service. While the breakfasts may be a bit pricey, I need not stop during the day to eat. It may not be a five star hotel, but neither is the price. In fact, with the lighting, access to electricity and free WiFi it is better than the lastcouple five star hotels I have stayed in.

I didn't have any particular problems with this hotel, but I gave it only two stars due to the (lack of) quality of the rooms and amenities versus the cost. My room was clean, but infinitessimally small, with a tiny twin bed. The bathroom was also clean, but the towel (just one) was worn enough that I wondered if it was older than me. I also had some trouble figuring out how to operate the hot water heater for the bathroom and ended up taking a cold shower, but this was probably my own lack of mechanical abilities. I think I may have been taken to the cleaners by paying $180/night for this hotel. Compared to $300+ that I was quoted for the Hulhule Hotel near the aiport this was a relative bargain, but any random Motel 6 would have better quality rooms. I think about $60/night would be the right price for this type of hotel.

I should also note that the hotel seems to be building an expansion in the back. I stayed on the fourth room in a back-facing room, and the workers were banging away all day on the fourth floor right outside my window. I couldn't even open the curtains or the workmen would have been 3 feet away from me. I didn't care because I was so jet lagged that I passed out in spite of the tremendous noise, but I mention it because it could be an issue for others.

Central Hotel in Male' has obviously changed to the much better! Rooms are now spotlesly clean, housekeeping is excellent, and the young people in the front office courteous, efficient, service minded and speak excellent English. All staff is very friendly and service minded as well. Wireless Internet access is free of charge. The hotel is in a main shopping area, and 10 minutes walk (at most) from the harbour and ministries. The hotel is very quiet, except for the 8th floor, near to the restaurant. Personally I prefer the 7th floor, with a good view of the city.
The breakfast (as noted by another traveller) is nothing to write home about, but the restaurant atmosphere is fine and the waiters excellent.
Nils Munch-Petersen
International Consultant
Gudhjem
Denmark

I am in this "hotel" right now waiting the transfer to "Nika" hotel. 2 hours left :)

If all the Maldives are the same I am seriously thinking to get the first flight and never return.

Absolute absence of the service, almost every item in the hotel is dirty and nasty. The room is extremely dark and smells heavily. Who gave 4* to this place?

Again about the personal: I always knew my English is far from perfect, but the "English" I heard here is absolutely unreadable. The request to clean the room and change linen was either forgotten or ignored.

The only good thing here is Internet access (well, very slow Internet access).

I am 5 hours here already and I am really scaried to sleep here or even get a shower. See the pictures.

Oh, the last thing: the location of this place is quite strange. I was seriously thinking that the driver bright us to a wrong place... this is inapplicable place for the hotel.

I hope this was useful.