Sandy Blooms Guesthouse · Ukulhas, Maldives

Our Policies

Everything you need to know about reservations, payments, cancellations, privacy, and your stay with us.

Booking & Reservations

How reservations work at Sandy Blooms

Request & Confirmation

All bookings made through our website are treated as reservation requests. Your booking is not confirmed until you receive a separate confirmation email from us, typically within 24 hours. We will verify room availability before confirming.

Once confirmed, you will receive a booking reference number. Please keep this reference — you will need it to manage or look up your booking.

Payment Methods

We currently accept the following payment options:

  • Pay on Arrival — settle the full amount when you check in. No advance payment is required.
  • Bank Transfer — transfer the full amount to our bank account prior to arrival. Bank details are provided in your confirmation email. Please use your booking reference as the transfer reference.

All amounts are quoted and payable in US Dollars (USD).

Special Requests

Special requests (dietary requirements, room preferences, early check-in, etc.) can be noted in your booking form. We will do our best to accommodate them, but they cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability.

Group Bookings

For bookings of three or more rooms, please contact us directly at info@sandyblooms.com to discuss availability and rates.

Cancellation & Refunds

Our cancellation terms and refund conditions
Notice given before check-inCharge
7 days or moreNo charge — full refund if applicable
3–6 days50% of the total booking value
Less than 3 days100% of the total booking value (no refund)
No show100% of the total booking value (no refund)

How to cancel: Email us at info@sandyblooms.com or use the My Booking page with your reference number. Cancellations are effective from the date and time we receive your request.

Refunds

Eligible refunds for bank transfer payments will be processed within 7–14 business days back to the original account. For pay-on-arrival bookings that were not charged in advance, no refund is applicable.

Modifications

To change your check-in or check-out dates, please contact us as early as possible. Date modifications are subject to availability and may affect your rate. The cancellation policy applies from the original check-in date if the stay is shortened.

Force Majeure

In the event of circumstances beyond our reasonable control — including natural disasters, government travel restrictions, or public health emergencies — we will work with you to find a fair resolution, which may include a complimentary date change or credit for a future stay.

Check-in & Check-out

Arrival, departure, and room access
Time
Check-in from2:00 PM
Check-out by12:00 PM

Early Check-in & Late Check-out

Early check-in and late check-out may be available on request, subject to room availability. Please contact us in advance if you require either. Additional charges may apply for late check-out beyond 1:00 PM.

Identification

All guests are required to present a valid passport or national ID upon check-in. This is a legal requirement under Maldivian law. Guest details will be recorded and may be shared with the relevant authorities as required.

Getting to Sandy Blooms

Sandy Blooms is located on Ukulhas Island, North Ari Atoll. The island is reachable by speedboat transfer or public ferry from Malé. Please see our Transfers page for detailed options and current schedules.

Taxes & Mandatory Fees

Government-mandated charges applicable to all room bookings

All room bookings at Sandy Blooms are subject to the following mandatory charges imposed by the Government of the Maldives. These are included in the total amount shown at the time of booking and in your confirmation email.

ChargeRateBasis
Service Charge (SC)10%Applied to room rate
Tourism Goods & Services Tax (TGST)17%Applied to room rate + service charge
Green Tax$6 per person per nightApplied to all guests including children

Green Tax is a tourism levy collected on behalf of the Maldives government. It applies to every guest regardless of age, including infants and children. Sandy Blooms does not retain this charge — it is remitted directly to the tax authority.

Price Display

All prices shown on the booking form and room listings are base room rates. The full itemised breakdown — including service charge, TGST, and green tax — is shown in your booking confirmation email and on your invoice at check-out.

House Rules

Keeping Sandy Blooms a peaceful place for everyone
  • No smoking inside any room or indoor area. A designated smoking area is available outdoors.
  • Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Please keep noise to a considerate level during these times.
  • Pets are not permitted on the premises.
  • Alcohol — Ukulhas is a dry island in accordance with its local island status. The possession or consumption of alcohol is not permitted anywhere on the island, including within Sandy Blooms.
  • Dress code — Ukulhas is an inhabited local island. We kindly ask guests to dress modestly when outside the guesthouse, covering shoulders and knees in public areas.
  • Visitors — non-resident guests are not permitted in rooms. Day visitors should be received in common areas only.
  • Reef and environment — please do not stand on or touch the coral reef. The marine environment around Ukulhas is protected; please take only photographs and leave nothing behind.
  • Sandy Blooms reserves the right to ask any guest to leave without refund if these rules are seriously or repeatedly violated.

Privacy Policy

How we collect, use, and protect your personal data

Information We Collect

When you make a booking, submit an inquiry, or use our website, we may collect the following:

  • Name, email address, and phone number
  • Passport or national ID details (at check-in, as required by law)
  • Booking details including dates, room preferences, and payment method
  • IP address and basic browser information when you visit our site

How We Use Your Information

  • To process and confirm your booking
  • To send booking-related communications (confirmation, updates, reminders)
  • To comply with Maldivian legal requirements (guest registration, tax reporting)
  • To improve our services and website experience

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

Data Retention

Booking and guest records are retained for a minimum of 5 years to comply with Maldivian tax and hospitality regulations. You may request access to or deletion of your data by contacting us — requests will be honoured subject to any legal retention obligations.

Cookies

Our website uses only essential cookies required for the site to function (session management, security). We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.

Contact for Privacy Matters

For any questions about your data or to make a data request, please email us at info@sandyblooms.com.