OBLU SELECT Lobigili

We chose Lobigili for a few reasons: 1. No children 2. Close to the airport (15 min speedboat ride which is included) 3. The reviews were really positive online 4. The Lobi plan looked good From the moment we met them at the desk (Oblu select’s desk one of the desks that’s further away) they were helpful and took our luggage for us. We needed to wait for some other passengers for the speedboat transfer but we didn’t need to wait too long. After a quick and convenient 15 min trip, we arrived at the resort to a wonderfully warm welcome (I won’t spoil it!). We sat down and had a glass of champagne (non alcoholic drink options are available) and met our hostess Lisa. There isn’t a reception and you communicate via WhatsApp (you don’t need a SIM card or to use data as there’s wifi all over the resort) there’s also an app where you can add excursions and plan your itinerary). She let us know about our stay and how everything would work. She’d already scheduled our massage, excursions and meals at Only Blu and Gaadiya - we could change the dates and times if we wanted to. We had a tour of the island and were able to settle into our room. We chose a beach villa which was really nice and we were steps away from the beautiful beach. It had a pool and we enjoyed relaxing there too. Ylang ylang: The food here was excellent. The menu for lunch and dinner is different each day. Breakfast is mainly buffet style with different stations. The meat is high quality and cooked perfectly. The menu was very varied and they ask about any allergies or food preferences that you have (and you can make adaptations on a dish - I’m allergic to mustard and was able to have a steak without the mustard sauce). The staff at Ylang Ylang are a credit to the resort, they greeted us like we were old friends and were so attentive. The swing bar: The swing bar was a great place to meet other couples and have conversations with others (if you want to). The drinks were always tasty and the service was also fantastic. The infinity pool is here and there’s an inside and outside bit. Gaadiya: It says it’s a food truck but it’s much nicer than expected. We had a delicious steak here and enjoyed dinner on the beach. The menu was great and we enjoyed our food. Only blu: The underwater restaurant where we saw a shark whilst eating dinner. Again, the menu was brilliant and you were able to enjoy watching the fish swimming around as you ate, they give you a card so you can identify the fish that you see which we enjoyed. Lobi plan: The lobi plan is very comprehensive, everything you need is included and you have optional extras (like Lobster dinner) if you need but we didn’t need any. For excursions and activities we did the sunset cruise which we thoroughly enjoyed, it was fully booked (we took the last two places for that day) and there were plenty of space on the boat. It wasn’t crowded and we all had lots of space. Spa: We enjoyed a massage at the spa which made us feel relaxed and was perfect after we’d been travelling. I also went to the spa on the other island for my hair and make up (we booked a photoshoot for our anniversary). The services were lovely and the staff were so friendly. Be a Bartender: My husband called this ‘Drink the bar’, it’s less of a cocktail making class and more of an opportunity to make your own drinks. We met other couples through this and had lots of fun cheering everyone on and trying our cocktails! Mocktails drinkers could also make their own mocktails too if they like and if there’s something that isn’t on the table but you would like then you can ask them and they’ll provide it. Cooking class: We enjoyed this as we met more couples but this is aimed at those who are newer to cooking. Photography: We had photos taken by the company that works at the resorts. The photographers met us before our shoot and they put us at ease, we really enjoyed the photoshoot and had lots of fun doing it. The results are fantastic and we are so happy with our photos. Other island: We walked over there a few times but it’s for families and we chose Lobigili to avoid children (we’re teachers who wanted a break!) so we quickly retreated and went back to Lobigili. When we left, we left at 6:15am, Lisa waved us off and a staff member from Oblu helped us to enter the airport and sent our checked luggage through onto our flight. Overall, this is a 5 star resort but what really sets it apart from others is the helpfulness and welcoming attitudes of all the staff but especially Lisa - she is a superstar! I managed to get sunburnt and she delivered yoghurt to our villa which really helped to soothe the sunburn. We had a gorgeous anniversary surprise (I won’t spoil it!) too. Lisa was so kind and attentive the whole time we were on the trip and nothing was too much trouble. She is a credit to the company and we were so satisfied and grateful she was our hostess. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and enjoyed the peacefulness of Lobigili. We will definitely be recommending it to our family and friends back home. Thank you Oblu Select Lobigili! Read less

It’s an amazing holiday! Our island hostess Patrice have our days on island all well planned without us needing to think or ask much. She is amazing! Super easy to get to from airport. Food and drinks are nice, I like dinner being Al la carte so feels like you are not doing buffet everyday. Underwater restaurant is a cool experience and we see a few sharks swimming around! The island is not so big but connected to the other resort, sufficient deck chairs, beach for you to chill around, beautiful sunset too. There is more activities happening like DJ, live music etc, so see if this is your vibe as it is more lively than other islands we have been. Snorkelling is ok but not great within the resort but I did see a stingray! All in all still highly recommended, thank you so much Patrice and team! Read less

We've just returned from a fantastic 9 nights in Lobigili, we had our 1st madlives holiday last year and fell in love but this was at a different resort. Even though the reviews for Lobigili were very good we still didn't expect it to be better than where we stayed last year but wow we were wrong. This place is fantastic, the staff are on another level and just can't do enough. The food is a very good standard and eating in Only Blu was a great experience. I was lucky enough to have my birthday when we were there and they made it so special and the memories will last for ever. I wish I knew the names of the staff but there was so many to mention from the bar staff, restaurant staff, cleaners' chefs etc and our brilliant island host Rinki. She was always there if we needed anything and would message us in the morning wishing us a nice day. We stayed in the end water villa without a pool, its seemed it was a great location especially for snorkelling, we saw sting rays, plenty sharks and many more even though there's not really any sort of reef. We always like to try different places but Lobigili will be somewhere we'll return and hopefully soon, it's a special place Read less

Lobigili the dream island, is like being in a movie. Having stayed at other 5 star resorts Lobigili puts them all to shame as it’s stands out so highly above anywhere else we have ever stayed! From the moment we arrived on the island the attention to detail for every couple blew us away, we both fell in love with the island straight away. The resort is immaculate and gave us both privacy when we wanted but also the ability to mix with others when we wanted to. The Lobi package which includes the sunset cruise, fishing, massage and underwater restaurant dinner was amazing, it allowed us to explore the island and is a fantastic deal we highly recommend. The staff are like no other, they go above and beyond and having travelled worldwide, we have NEVER received such amazing care and treatment from staff. Ester our host/butler was incredible, nothing was too much trouble for her, and was a wealth of information for us. Rachelle and Jenny at Ylang Ylang, made us feel so special and knew us so well at the end of our 4 days, their attention to detail is amazing! All the staff there are so happy which is a rarity in today’s world and shows a reflection of Sumeda (Ylang Ylang) professional leadership skills and qualities which are second to none. The food was phenomenal and out of this world both at Ylang Ylang and the food truck (which is fancier than it sounds) all 5 star plus food! Dilki the best mixologist on the island (swing bar) has the biggest smile and heart and is very knowledgeable and creative we will miss her cocktails. Read less