Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

The hotel

This modern All-Inclusive resort offers guests a truly luxurious standard of accommodation and top of the range amenities. Water sports enthusiasts will be in their element with a great selection of pursuits on offer, including superb scuba diving amongst colourful reefs and a dedicated shipwreck. There’s also a gorgeous swimming pool to laze by and the Spa Cenvaree with no end of treatments to leave you feeling in the pink of health. Whilst the adults are at play, children can enjoy a range of supervised activities at the kids club, including arts, crafts and beach games. When it comes to dining, you’re spoilt for choice with three restaurants serving sumptuous world cuisine. For a melting pot of Asian and Western dishes, head to Reef Restaurant with its interactive buffets, stunning salads, fiery woks, tandoori oven and teppanyaki grill. SUAN BUA is where you can sample the most delicious Thai food in a suitably tranquil setting, overlooking a lotus pond. For Italian delights, Azzuri Mare is perfect, set beside the ocean, there are seafood platters to feast on, char-grilled entrees and sinful desserts. Coral Bar is one of the most impressive in the Maldives – more than just a bar it’s an entertainment centre with a lively sports bar.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Windsurfing
  • Kids Club
  • Teen Club
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

In South Ari Atoll, amidst world-class coral and diving spots. Transfer time from Malé International Airport: 25 minutes by seaplane (remember to pack light for the seaplane transfer as luggage allowance is 20kg plus 5kg hand luggage, per person).

Hotel information

112 beachfront and overwater villas, all with air-conditioning, private furnished balcony or terrace, living room, flat-screen TV, complimentary WiFi, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar, safe, bathrobes, slippers, bathroom amenities, and hairdryer. Duplex Beach Villas open directly onto the beach, featuring an oversized bathroom with outdoor shower, living room, and king-bed on the upper floor, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Bed & Breakfast: includes daily breakfast at Reef.

Half Board: includes daily breakfast and dinner at Reef, and $40 credit towards food at Suan Bua (once per person, per stay).

Full Board: includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at Reef, $40 credit towards food at Suan Bua (once per person, per stay), and afternoon tea at Coral Bar.

All-Inclusive: includes daily breakfast, dine around options for lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, a wide choice of drinks available with meals and from the resorts two bars from 11.00am-11.00pm, additional resort credit towards enhanced dining options, in-room mini-bar (beers, soft drinks, water and snacks, replenished daily), non-motorised water sports and snorkelling equipment.

Grand All-Inclusive: includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at all restaurants, afternoon tea, premium beverage choices with meals and from the resorts two bars from 11.00am-11.00pm, in-room mini-bar (beers, soft drinks, water and snacks, replenished daily), non-motorised water sports and snorkelling equipment, in-villa breakfast once per stay, all day snacks, and a choice of selected complimentary excursions.

Deluxe Overwater Villas feature a private sundeck with direct lagoon access, bathroom with separate shower and jacuzzi tub, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Premier Overwater Villas are larger in size and offer more privacy, featuring a private sundeck with direct lagoon access, bathroom with separate shower and jacuzzi tub, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Family Overwater Villas feature a sundeck with direct lagoon access, bathroom with separate shower and jacuzzi tub, PlayStation games console, 1 king-size bed, and bunk beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Premium Sunset Overwater Villas with Pool feature a private infinity pool on the sundeck as well as direct lagoon access, separate bathtub and shower, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

  • Book by 31 March 2024 to receive up to 55% off stays between 07 Mar – 20 Dec '24. Terms and conditions apply. Blackout Dates apply. Applies to certain room types.  
  • Book by 31 March 2024  to receive a complimentary return sea plane transfer with stays between 1 Mar– 20 Dec '24. Terms and conditions apply. Blackout Dates apply. Applies to certain room types

Reef (all day international buffet restaurant featuring live cooking stations). Suan Bua (traditional Thai cuisine, open for lunch and dinner). Azzuri Mare (Italian cuisine, open for lunch and dinner). Coral Bar & Lounge (casual beachfront lounge open for snacks and refreshments throughout the day). Aqua Bar (overwater bar serving light fare). 

Infinity swimming pool with children's pool. SPA Cenvaree*. Fitness centre. Multi-purpose sports court which includes tennis, volleyball and badminton. PADI Diving centre*. Water sports* including windsurfing, kayaking, boating and fishing (complimentary use of non-motorised water sports). Camp Safari (4-9 years). E-Zone (10-17 years). Pool table. Football table. Board games. 

Complimentary WiFi access. Babysitting service*. Laundry service*. Concierge. 

5 nights for stays 25 Dec–31 Dec.

No checkouts permitted on 30 or 31 Dec.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: to ensure our customer's safety, we are unable to offer over water accommodation to children under the age of 12.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (3137)
  • Very good (453)
  • Average (112)
  • Poor (43)
  • Terrible (51)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Exceeded Expectations

Mar 28, 2024 Rajeshv736 Pune, India

We celebrated our 25th anniversary and were overwhelmed by hospitality. We arrived very early in the morning around 8 am via sea plane however check in time was around 3 pm. We were provided complementary breakfast and room was delivered to us by 1 pm . We stayed 2 nights in beach villa and 1 night in Water-villa. Rooms were beautiful. Neat and… Read more
We celebrated our 25th anniversary and were overwhelmed by hospitality. We arrived very early in the morning around 8 am via sea plane however check in time was around 3 pm. We were provided complementary breakfast and room was delivered to us by 1 pm . We stayed 2 nights in beach villa and 1 night in Water-villa. Rooms were beautiful. Neat and clean good view. Food was perfect with tons of varieties including Indian cuisine . Overall memorable experience. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 100% recommend Centara Grand

Mar 26, 2024 Molly Maid B London, United Kingdom

We stayed in beach villa 41 which is on the calmer side of the island for snorkelling, if you are a keen snorkeller, I would recommend asking for a beach villa between 100 - 110, those villas are on the drop off side of the island, excellent snorkelling, although the island is tiny so it’s not really a big deal to walk across the island with your… Read more
We stayed in beach villa 41 which is on the calmer side of the island for snorkelling, if you are a keen snorkeller, I would recommend asking for a beach villa between 100 - 110, those villas are on the drop off side of the island, excellent snorkelling, although the island is tiny so it’s not really a big deal to walk across the island with your fins etc. and the snorkelling is good wherever you are. Beach villa: beautiful, peaceful and private, you have your own garden on the beach with loungers, air con is good, but no air con or fan in the shower/dressing room area, so after shower whilst getting creamed up and dressed it can get very hot in that area. You do need to bring hair conditioner, they provide shower gel and shampoo/conditioner in one, which doesn’t really work after a day in salt water, so do bring hair conditioner. We were on Grand All Inclusive, so ate in the Italian and Thai most of the time, both very good, only went to the buffet once for dinner and once for lunch, but each time there was plenty of choice and everywhere is spotlessly clean and hygienic. Was also ate at the Coral Bar, they do an all day menu which is burgers, fish and chips, club sandwiches, chicken wraps etc. very good for lunch if you don’t fancy the buffet and is included in the GAI plan. The best part for me was the included laundry plan (GAI) 4 items per day! If you leave out by 10am, you have it back the same afternoon! I’m going home with a mostly clean and pressed suitcase full of clothes! Perfect, thank you so much Centara!! Whale shark excursion: 45 mins trip out, 45 mins back, total excursion time 4 hours. We did get to see 2 whale sharks which was amazing, BUT it is a frenzy, be prepared to be kicked a lot by other, less considerate tourists. I would recommend to bring your own fins masks and snorkels, the island do provide, but the quality is not great, no valve on the snorkel so allows water in. As everyone else has mentioned, the staff cannot so enough for you, the lovely Chandra looked after us really well on our room, doing our laundry and bringing our bottle of wine each day 🥰 I would 100% recommend Centara Grand. Have been to Kurumba, Bandos, Eriyado, Diamonds, Thudufushi, but this is my favourite so far. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Unforgettable Honeymoon - Paradise (Unlocked).

Mar 25, 2024 VG-Reviewer

We visited as a couple for our honeymoon, March 2024. The island is spotless, the staff work incredibly hard and maintain a good level of professionalism. Right from the arrival on the island, we were blown away by pretty much everything, attention to detail and the way of relaxation we felt. We spent 11 nights at this amazing island, the food,… Read more
We visited as a couple for our honeymoon, March 2024. The island is spotless, the staff work incredibly hard and maintain a good level of professionalism. Right from the arrival on the island, we were blown away by pretty much everything, attention to detail and the way of relaxation we felt. We spent 11 nights at this amazing island, the food, staff and everything in between was perfect, we couldn't fault. We had the best of two rooms, one a beach villa and the other an over water villa. They were both amazing and i couldn't really say which is better, it all depends on what you want. The food on the island is great, plenty of choice and a wide variety of different cuisines. I would like to thank Centara for an amazing honeymoon, you really went above and beyond for us. The residential manager (Nabil) i think his name is, he was great. He came and chatted with us a few times, really nice guy. The staff on the reception are also really nice, had some good conversations with them and they helped where was needed. What stood out the most for me, was after an 11 hour flight, I got off the sea plane and dropped my phone in the water. Centara got a dive team out to try and recover it for me. This was really nice, i didn't expect them to, but it was nice. Unfortunately the phone is part of the island now aha! Nothing really more to say, just a huge thank you and if you're looking to book here, seriously its amazing. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A magical journey

Mar 24, 2024 魏 毕

The islan is verybeautiful,The staff are very enthusiastic!I like there very much! 风景很好,可以看到美丽的日出、夕阳和星空! 工作人员很热情,帮我们解决了很多的烦恼,尤其是我们的管家非常负责 !非常感谢他们! 我非常喜欢这里,如果有机会还会再来!当然,我也会推荐我的朋友们来这里享受生活! 推荐鲸鲨之旅,可以看到大鲸鲨哦,很刺激!这里的小甜点超级好吃,朋友们一定要多吃几块~~哈哈!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Outstanding Reef & Family Resort

Mar 23, 2024 rogerz3 Doncaster, United Kingdom

Outstanding place - the reef is unreal and it’s a 360 reef so you’ll never have the same snorkel experience twice , we swam with turtles , sharks , rays & nemos straight out of the villa. Food is fantastic, lots of choice and if you love curry ( Thai and Indian ) you’re in luck ! The two restaurants are good but service is slow and the menu’s are… Read more
Outstanding place - the reef is unreal and it’s a 360 reef so you’ll never have the same snorkel experience twice , we swam with turtles , sharks , rays & nemos straight out of the villa. Food is fantastic, lots of choice and if you love curry ( Thai and Indian ) you’re in luck ! The two restaurants are good but service is slow and the menu’s are limited - around 5 choices of main and it’s pretty much the same menu for lunch and dinner but it’s a good change of scenery if you’re on a long stay. We tried them both but waited 1.5 hours for a main course in the Italian so swerved it after that. We used kids club as travelling with our five year old and he took part in pizza making, mocktail making, crab hunting , sand art , coconut painting and had so much fun with the lovely team of ladies. Cocktails are varied and strong! Iced coffee and breakfast is great. Overwater villas with pools offer access to the club which is a seperate pool and breakfast / afternoon tea option but to be honest it’s dull and there’s nobody there … the overwater villas are insane though and access to the reef is priceless straight off the back - we could sit for hours in the afternoon watching jumping fish, dolphins, sharks lunching & the boats go by. Showers / Baths all hot & rooms cleaned twice daily with turndown service , mini bar is stocked with a good range and Pringles / chocolate daily which was a nice touch. Tips Get a water villa - splurge you won’t regret it. The reef behind the family villas is the best bit. Don’t underestimate factor 50+ sunscreen as it starts at £35 a tube (150ml ) in the shop. The Italian restaurant lava cake was amazing. Shark feeding at 6 each night in the bar. For turtles - around 4pm in the shallows was the best time to see them. We tried to dolphin trip and didn’t see them but did see Them swimming by the hotel a few times We spoke to countless couples who didn’t see the whalesharks and it’s pricey to try each time. Bring an underwater phone pouch £10 off Amazon and priceless memories to keep forever… Read less