Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Over Water Villas
Arrival Pavilion and Reception
Beach Suite
Beach Suite
Deluxe Family Water Villa
Ocean Water Villa
Ocean Water Villa Exterior
2 Bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa
Ocean Pool Villa
Sunset Ocean Pool Villa
Reef Restaurant
Reef Restaurant
Suan Bua Thai Restaurant
Aqua Bar
Aqua Bar
Coral Bar and Lounge
The Club Swimming Pool
The Club
Camp Safari Kids Club
E Zone
Azzuri Mare
Over Water Villas
A video preview image
Arrival Pavilion and Reception
Beach Suite
Beach Suite
Deluxe Family Water Villa
Ocean Water Villa
Ocean Water Villa Exterior
2 Bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa
Ocean Pool Villa
Sunset Ocean Pool Villa
Reef Restaurant
Reef Restaurant
Suan Bua Thai Restaurant
Aqua Bar
Aqua Bar
Coral Bar and Lounge
The Club Swimming Pool
The Club
Camp Safari Kids Club
E Zone
Azzuri Mare

The hotel

This modern Ultimate 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

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

Where is it

In South Ari Atoll, amidst world-class coral and diving spots. Transfer time from Malé International Airport: 25 minutes by seaplane.Please note: Sea plane transfers to/from your resort will only operate in daylight hours. Please ensure your international flights into and out of Malé allow for this schedule.

Hotel information

112 suites and villas. All rooms with air-conditioning, private furnished balcony or terrace, living room, satellite TV, DVD player, telephone, WiFi*, tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bar, safe, hairdryer, iron and board on request. Beach Suites have a living area with a day bed, a bathroom with an outdoor shower, and a bedroom on the mezzanine with 1 king-size bed and a sleeper sofa, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Ultimate All Inclusive: includes refreshing towels and glass of bubbly upon arrival (non-alcoholic beverages on request). Daily sumptuous champagne buffet breakfast, served until mid-morning at the Reef restaurant. A choice of lunch venues including themed international buffets, Italian favourites at Azzuri Mare and Thai cuisine at Suan Bua restaurant. Afternoon tea of cakes, scones and sandwiches, and children's ice cream station (available until 30 Apr '19). The Sundowner party: weekly cocktail reception accompanied by tasty tapas and an opportunity to meet resort management and fellow guests. Dinner at a choice of 3 different venues, including international themed buffet and Teppanyaki at the Reef Restaurant, Thai food at Suan Bua (advance reservation required) and Italian and grill cuisine at Azzuri Mare (advance reservation required). Drinks including a selection of international wines (red, white, sparkling, rosé), a selection of beer, spirits and cocktails, plus soft drinks, tea, coffee and canned juices, served from two bar areas from 10:00am to midnight. Mini-bar (beers, soft drinks, water and snacks) replenished once per day.

Also includes: 5 excursions per person per stay, including whale shark tour, sunset fishing, guided snorkelling trip, local island visit and sunset cruise. Fitness centre with programs designed from a personal trainer, plus a game of tennis, snorkelling equipment, windsurfing lessons and catamaran rental (guests must be able to sail and surf). Spa credits: US $100 per adult per stay 6 nights or less, US$200 per adult per stay for 7–9 night stays or US$400 per adult per stay for 10 night stays or more. The E-zone for entertainment and activity for teenagers, and daily supervised activity program at Camp Safari Kids Club.

Please note: in-villa dining, Island Club Benefits, and recreational activities not mentioned above, are not included in the Ultimate All Inclusive package. Spa and diving credits for guests age 18 years and above, and cannot be accumulated. Only 1 dive per day, first must be an orientation dive. Guests are required to present an original diving license once in resort. All excursions operate weather-permitting and must be booked in advance.

Deluxe Water Villas on stilts over the ocean, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child.

Deluxe Family Water Villas are larger, with a large bathroom with shower and Jacuzzi, a bedroom with 1-king-size bed and a children's area with bunk beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Ocean Water Villas offer spacious living areas, an airy bathroom with shower and free-standing bathtub, and a bedroom with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child.

Beachfront Pool Villas 1-Bedroom have private plunge pool and beachfront terrace, airy bathroom with shower and indoor/outdoor bathtub, a lounge area, and a bedroom on the mezzanine with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Beachfront Pool Villas 2-Bedroom have private plunge pool and beachfront terrace, bathroom with separate bath and shower, a lounge area, master bedroom on the mezzanine with 1 king-size bed, and a smaller bedroom downstairs with 2 single beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 3 adults and 2 children.

Sunset Ocean Pool Villas are on the western side of the island, ideal for watching the sun go down. They have a private plunge pool, a living area, airy bathroom with shower and free-standing bathtub, a bedroom with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child. Complimentary access to the Club Lounge, complimentary WiFi and other Island Club benefits included for 2 adults.

Island Club Benefits are available at a supplement to any of the featured room types (complimentary in Sunset Ocean Pool Villas, for maximum 2 adults) and include the following:

  • Exclusive access to the Island Club complex with check-in and check-out
  • Exclusive indoor and outdoor lounges for daily hospitality, as well as WiFi
  • Private swimming pool including cold towel service, pre-lunch snacks, afternoon fruits, and canapés
  • Afternoon tea service
  • Exclusive dining venue offering speciality menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Premium brand beverages (beer, wines and spirits) served in the Club Bar and Lounge
  • Premium mini-bar service, replenished daily, including soft drinks, juice, 4 beers, chocolates and snacks, plus 2 spirits (choice of 700ml vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, Bacardi or bourbon, replenished once per week)
  • Priority spa and restaurant reservations in all outlets
  • Upgraded room amenities
  • Complimentary book and DVD library
  • Daily turndown service and 2 pieces of laundry per room per day

3 restaurants: Reef (Western and Asian cuisine, including teppanyaki table, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), Azzuri Mare (Italian and seafood, open for lunch and dinner), Suan Bua (home-style Thai cuisine, open for lunch and dinner). Aqua overwater bar, Coral Bar & Lounge. Swimming pool. Fitness centre. The Spa Cenvaree*. Water sports* including windsurfing, kayaking, boating and fishing (complimentary use of non-motorised water sports). Scuba diving*. Kids Club* (4–9 years), E-Zone* (10–17 years). Babysitting*. Regular evening entertainment. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. Concierge desk. 24-hour room service*. Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel.

5 nights for stays 25 Dec '19–2 Jan '20.

No checkouts permitted on 30 or 31 Dec '19.

*Denotes local charge.

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 (1566)
  • Very good (325)
  • Average (73)
  • Poor (27)
  • Terrible (19)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Pure paradise

Nov 17, 2019 Jennifer D Durham, United Kingdom

My husband & I visited for 10 days to celebrate my 40th birthday & will definatley visit again, Centara Grand should be on everyones bucket list to visit. We arrived at sunset by seaplane the island itself is absolute paradise powder white beaches exactly what you come to expect from the Maldives, the ultimate all inclusive package is amazing… Read more
My husband & I visited for 10 days to celebrate my 40th birthday & will definatley visit again, Centara Grand should be on everyones bucket list to visit. We arrived at sunset by seaplane the island itself is absolute paradise powder white beaches exactly what you come to expect from the Maldives, the ultimate all inclusive package is amazing value for money. We booked 5 days in the beach suite then 5 days in the deluxe water villa both were very clean, spacious & luxurious. The views from our water villa were absoultely breathtaking. There are so many activites to enjoy we were spoilt for choice we booked a snorkeling trip, whale shark watching, sunset cruise, fishing trip, & local island tour all included in the package. Also included are various watersports activities & equipment there was a full programme of activites everyday. One of our highlights was yoga meditation on the beach with Eman, my husband had never tried yoga before but we both loved it soo much we booked again. We each had a maldivan massage which is soo relaxing 2 hours of sublime pampering, we also had enough spa credit to rebook again before we returned home. This was the first time my husband & I have tried snorkeling, we were stunned by the wide species of fish, sharks, rays & turtle. We were very impressed with the 'silent' cinema on the beach, fabulous experience watching Lion King 2019 under the stars wearing bluetooth headphones & a few glasses of wine. Dining options we were spoilt for choice in the main restaurant which was actually our favourite, we never saw the same menu as it was changed daily . The food was high quality & prepared fresh from several chef cooking stations. We also dined at the al a carte restaurants Italian, Thai & tappenyaki which we equally as delicious. We dined at the Club which was wonderful again the food & drinks menu was completely different from the rest of the island a definate VIP experience. Head Chef Steve & his team went the extra mile to cater for my husband special dietary requirements. The 2 main bars had a large selection of drinks, all the bar staff were so friendly & even remembered our favourite drinks. We really enjoyed watching the daily shark feeding from coral bar, one day we were even lucky enough to witness a dolphin sighting from Coral bar. Our favourite was the Aqua bar beacuse of the contemporary ambience & spectacular views over the lagoon. My husband surprised me by booking the private island package for my birthday dinner,an unforgetable experience perfect way to celebrate a special occassion. Every member of staff were genuinely friendly & service overall was outstanding. From the moment we arrived we were treated like VIPs, especially on my birthday Alok & his team went above & beyond to make my birthday special, I felt like Cinderella. Throughout the day staff would wish me a happy birthday & I also recieved hand written notes were a wonderful touch. We were devestated to leave such a beautiful island, but even more so having to say goodbye to the wonderful staff who made our visit so exceptional. We were both utterly overwhelmed during our visit, we rarely visit a place a second time but wouldnt hesitate to return to Centara Grand. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Honeymoon

Nov 16, 2019 K9320VMamandag Winscombe, United Kingdom

Wow wow wow, what a fabulous resort to spend our honeymoon. Total relaxation from start to finish. Collected from the seaplane by the resorts boat, treated to ice tea and towels on the short trip to reception, where we were greeted with sparkling wine, whilst our luggage was spirited away to our villa. Our beach villa was perfectly situated (no:… Read more
Wow wow wow, what a fabulous resort to spend our honeymoon. Total relaxation from start to finish. Collected from the seaplane by the resorts boat, treated to ice tea and towels on the short trip to reception, where we were greeted with sparkling wine, whilst our luggage was spirited away to our villa. Our beach villa was perfectly situated (no: 29) with a spectacular sea view. A bottle of champagne and chocolates awaited us and every need taken care of in our villa during our stay. Omar came daily and serviced our room to very high standard with a friendly and welcoming manner. We visited all the restaurants which catered to a very high standard. The Reef where we ate daily had a wide range of cuisine and even though we were there 12 nights there was plenty of choice. Would also recommend trying the Thai, the Italian and the Grill, but you do need to book these. Whilst on our honeymoon my husband celebrated his birthday and we booked the Romantic Beach meal. We were collected by a buggy and travelled the very short distance to other side of the island where the most beautiful and romantically lit table arrangement was set up on the beach. We had a private chef and waiter for the entire meal and music playing softly in the background. They both surprised my husband at the end of the meal by bringing out a delicious chocolate cake with candles singing happy birthday! Having previously spoken to reception when we returned to our villa they had decorated the bed! We took advantage of The Spa, practically daily. We spoiled ourselves and had the Honeymoon Escape package one evening, this was absolutely heavenly, felt very pampered. We did some trips the best one being the Sunset Cruise. We did some water-sports and went snorkelling every day. We genuinely enjoyed our whole holiday at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa and wholly recommend this resort. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful hotel!

Nov 12, 2019 dykhelena

Excellent hotel! We had such a great stay. The room is great, the restaurants super and the staff is so friendly and helpful. We want to go back! Also great is that you have the sunken ship just outside the resort to dive on, great diving. Also the housereef is very nice.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Manta Ray and Whale Shark snorkelling

Nov 9, 2019 Michelle M Sunshine Coast, Australia

Enjoyed our stay and the main advantage of this resort is the ultimate all inclusive benefits such as boat excursions and spa credit. Our main reason for visiting this area of the Maldives was to swim with the Whale sharks and Manta Rays and we have to mention and thank Dhilley – he is a stand out staff member – Manager of Watersports. Dhilley… Read more
Enjoyed our stay and the main advantage of this resort is the ultimate all inclusive benefits such as boat excursions and spa credit. Our main reason for visiting this area of the Maldives was to swim with the Whale sharks and Manta Rays and we have to mention and thank Dhilley – he is a stand out staff member – Manager of Watersports. Dhilley went above and beyond to ensure we got to swim with a Whale Shark in the Maldives and we can’t thank him enough!!. His team also took us on a Manta Ray trip and these were the highlights of our time in South Ari Atoll. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellence in Paradise

Nov 9, 2019 Marek L Johannesburg, South Africa

We stayed at Centara Grand for 7 nights to celebrate my wife’s birthday and our wedding anniversary. We booked deluxe water villa which was very spacious, private, comfortable and positioned on the edge of the reef. The resort is beautiful, well planned and well maintained. All 3 restaurants serve excellent food with exceptional service and… Read more
We stayed at Centara Grand for 7 nights to celebrate my wife’s birthday and our wedding anniversary. We booked deluxe water villa which was very spacious, private, comfortable and positioned on the edge of the reef. The resort is beautiful, well planned and well maintained. All 3 restaurants serve excellent food with exceptional service and presentation. We enjoyed great variety of dishes every day. Big compliments and appreciation to all the staff, very attentive, ready to assist and exceptionally friendly. We had an amazing time at Centara and would definitely recommend this resort to anyone who plans holidays in Maldives. Read less