Goodbye Baros Maldives

Snorkelling around Baros Maldives

The good thing about this resort is that you can swim safely inside the barrier ring area.  There are quite many medium size reef sharks.  The butler made a fair comment "they are not harmful but it doesn't mean they are vegetarian.".

Breakfast at Lime restaurant, Baros Maldives

In addition to the cold dish and bread stations, you can choose the hot meal choices.  The cold dishes and the bread were much better than the hot dishes.

An afternoon in the Lighthouse, Baros Maldives

The symbol of Baros Maldives

On most of the promo. material, this ship is the symbol for this resort.

Cayenne, the grill, Baros Maldives

We were quite lucky that the 2 nights we were put on an open area without cover and the weather was very nice and not too windy.  The following night when we were leaving, it was very stormy.

This grill place was supposed to be another highlight of this resort.  We ordered a seafood platter for 2, including scallops, tiger prawns, squid, fish filets and a mashed potato and green salad as sides.  The grill was quite nice and good enough for 2.  However, the green salad was a bit disappointing with some mud in it.  So as when the waiter asked how the food was, I simply pointed out the salad but didn't ask for a replace as we almost finished the meal.  Then almost the whole team showed up, from F&B manager, the General Manager, master chef & our butler...  I found it a bit too over-reacted.  So when they asked us for a complimentary dessert.  We just asked for a scoop of ice cream (normally I'd order 2-3) and a tiramisu.  Sadly the kitchen has the same mistake as Lighthouse's - the fridge wasn't cleaned enough that there was some odour in the tiramisu.  We couldn't further complain as that will be embarrassing for both sides.  

A mirror of the sky, Baros Maldives

Noticed this scene at the pool of Baros Maldives.  It was calm enough to see this scene.  

Beach Villa, Baros Maldives

The average room rate of this resort used to be at around US$800 a night.  Perhaps there has been a high competition when more and more resorts have landed Maldives.  As when we boarded on the boat, we were greeted with various choices of drinks.   Then at the check-in, we were given a glass of champagne.  The room was very spacious with a bathroom with quality amenities.   The room is directly accessible to the beach.  As it's faced eastward, the water was very clam.  With a barrier outside, swimming and snorkelling at beginner's level inside was really safe.

The Lighthouse, Baros Maldives

It's been quite some years I have had this resort on the travel list.  Heard of it from the first time I visited its sister resort Niyama (back then under the Universal resort group, but now it's under Minor group).  As when I chatted with the F&B manager of Carpe Diem that I would be visiting this resort after theirs, he highly recommended us to try this restaurant since he used to work here.

The place was very cozy standing out in the panoramic ocean view.  We chose their Lighthouse degustation menu (about 6-7 courses) at US$125++ per person (US$225 with wine pairing).  It might sound a bit expensive.  However, from the time we were greeted, and presented with each dish and until we left, the service was impeccable.  One waiter served for one table, and they wouldn't just stand near but very discerning to serve. The waiter even asked us to take photo of how the flame got on when the lobster bisque was cooked beside the table.  The lobster bisque was impressive that they used some very fine cognac.  I was a bit surprised that they had something quite Thai - Kung Sarong (deep fried prawns wrapped with vermicelli).  The starters were also very nice.  Had a tuna tartar, diced water melon & cucumber, salmon roes.  On the main, there's a crispy duck breast in foie gras foam.  The dessert was a mango raspberry sorbet pudding, followed by a coffee and tea.  The only flaw was the petit four.  It's quite a common mistake of many restaurant kitchens that they put the dessert in a fridge that they didn't clean well enough to get rid of the fridge odour.