Chill out at the rooftop pool, Hotel Jen, Male City, Maldives

One of the reasons I chose this hotel is their super nice view of the Male city and Airport.  As I took a night flight, spending a lazy afternoon by this pool is something good before the flight.  What's more, take a cheese cake with a nice sorbet at 4pm.  That's what we call it a day.

Sea House, Male City, Maldives

The hotel front office recommended 3 restaurants for my trying.  Apart from City Garden and this one Sea House, Seagulls was the one my friends and I tried last year.  Perhaps City Garden was so good that I felt a bit disappointed with this one.  Got a chef salad and a Maldivian fried rice.  The salad is a bit too dried out and the dressing is not that appealing.  The good part is the panoramic sea view.  The place is on the 2nd floor above the ferry terminal.

A morning leisure walk, around Male City, Maldives

Fish market, Male City, Maldives

Didn't have enough time to check this fish market during the last 3 times I was in Male City.  This market is open from early morning til noon time.  You can see lots of big tuna fish.  Tuna is the most popular fish in Maldives.  I'd think of my family when seeing all these fishermen working so hard and busily.  I saw some very expensive garoupas (photo 3). 

A night in Male City, Maldives

This night Male City was very busy.  At around 9-11pm, I heard some groups voicing out in a demonstration.  This reminded me of the riot of 2 years ago.  The world isn't settled as before, even in this hideaway country.

City Garden cafe and restaurant, Male City, Maldives

Checked with the front desk of Hotel Jen and got told about his restaurant for a try.  It is just on the seafront in less than 100 meters from the hotel.  The 2nd floor of the restaurant is for their premium dining (with a menu covering a wide variety of food and drinks and service charge).  The prices are not very high - a salad is about US$5-7 and a main about 8-12.  Got a grilled tuna steak, caesar salad and a chicken kebab.  I was really impressed with all the dishes, and can say this place is much better than all the resort restaurants I have ever tried.  Ended up I couldn't resist coming back for another meal before I left for the airport.

Hotel Jen (ex-Traders), Male City, Maldives

Traders brand under the shangrila group has renamed herself into Jen (people).  This one in Male city changed it as of February this year.  The hotel has further made some little changes but made it a lot more pleasant.  The service from the Male Airport is superb - efficient, friendly and discerning.  Only in just 10 minutes (including 5 min. speed boat ride), we could have got to our room.  The room is clean and air con working well.  What made me happier is the memo note on the mirror telling me to get a cool treat from the fridge.  Fruit cup!  It's much more than putting some fruits in the room.  More variety and chilled with this fruit cup - and hygiene too since it's kept in the fridge without avoiding the sunlight when the guests have a late check in.  Also some cookies and a coffee maker to go with the chilled fruit.  So no need for those boring "stocked" mini bar.  Just go out and get whatever you like.  So paying US$250 for a room including a speedy transfer on a private speedboat is worth it!  That's why it's my fourth return to this hotel in Male City.

See you Vilamendhoo, South Ari Atoll, Maldives