JA Manafaru Maldives

In April of this year, my wife and I traveled to the Maldives for our wedding anniversary. We stayed at one of the most amazing resorts JA Manafaru. The place is absolutely spectacular. We stayed on an overwater villa, waking to a beautiful sunrise each morning surrounded by crystal blue waters. The resort itself is beautifully maintained on a daily basis. Large villas with significant detail for comfort. Being cared for by a personal assistance to all our needs was a highlight. The hospitality of each and every staff on the resort was impeccable, cheerful and friendly. We got to know each of them by name as they were each unique and so personable, in ensuring we had an amazing experience. They particularly made our anniversary day so spectacular with personal extras and surprise additions. The resort offers many watersports, pools and lounging areas, restaurants with international dining standards. The most amazing thing was that they catered for all dietary needs such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-carb in addition to a wide range for normal cuisine. The Head Chef worked with us to provide even more specialised food to my wives dietary needs. The unique experience of lying beside the beach or poolside drinking cocktails or having snacks, snorkelling directly from your own villa and swimming with a turtle, boat ride along playful dolphins are all spectacular memories we will always cherish. We will definitely be back! Read less

Maldives is amazing, and indeed the hotel is paradisiac. The best was the room for us, we had an overwater sunset villa and it was very comfortable, we had sun almost the whole day. The beaches and the pool were the best. In regards to the hotel and their service I believe there is a lot of improvement We went there because we saw a lot of really good reviews, specially with the service and the food. We paid the all inclusive so we thought that we would have “all inclusive” at the names says but there are several rules: 1) on every restaurant there are several dishes that will be charged an additional 2) during the day there is only one place available for food . If you go to the pool around 3 pm and order a fruit plate (which was actually on the menu) they tell You that they will charge you for it, and if you want it free you have to go to Andiamo (the Italian restaurant). I never saw such a horrible service and attitude. I was pregnant , it was more than 30 degrees and they tell me they will charge me the food that I thought I had for free if I don’t walk for 10 min under the sun. After these all my expectations went down and I will never come back to this resort. We travel a lot and we never saw this attitude anywhere specially in all inclusive resorts. 3) the food wss ok. Coming from Europe, the Italian restaurant was not ok. The best was the grill restaurant on the beach, but even the breakfast or other restaurants were ok nothing amazing which also surprised us since we saw that the hotel had a gastronomy award. There were no huge buffets , everything is mainly a la carte. Anyway, the place in general is very nice it is indeed a paradise but it is very e lxpensive and for that amount we would have hope for better service which we got on other places 4) Read less

Absolutely loved my birthday stay at the JA! The accommodations were impeccable, the staff full of hospitality and incredibly attentive to every detail, we felt fortunate to be the recipients of Chef Moosa’s culinary genius, Rita and her team at the spa were nothing short of remarkable and Mark had a knack for knowing what we wanted before we did and made it happen faster than we could say please… the overall experience was unforgettable… and imprinted on my heart for a lifetime ! Can't wait to come back! Read less

Our recent stay at JA Manafaru for our 5th wedding anniversary was nothing short of magical. From the moment we landed in Male airport until our departure, the entire experience was seamless and filled with genuine warmth from the exceptional staff. I must start by acknowledging Otabek from the reservations team, who was incredibly helpful, taking care of our transfers, answering all our queries promptly, and assisting with activity bookings. His efficiency made our trip planning stress-free. Farrish and the arrival team went above and beyond to ensure we didn't miss a night due to unforeseen flight delays. Their quick thinking and effort to rearrange our transfers showcased their dedication and professionalism. From this moment on I was reaffirmed I had picked the right resort. A special mention goes to Rizam, our personal Thakaru, whose calm demeanor and meticulous planning made our anniversary unforgettable. His emotional intelligence and attention to detail were unparalleled, allowing us to relax and enjoy every moment without worrying about day to day logistics. The F&B team, led by Mark, included Ashraf, Ismail, Katerina, Kudey, Lahir, Nim, Rosa, Shaamil, Shehan, Soonam, and Ziyaad. They were the heart and soul of our dining experiences and made us look forward to each sitting. Mark's leadership and expertise were evident in every aspect of our culinary journey. From the warm welcome at each meal to the seamless coordination of the F&B team, Mark ensured that every dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Ashraf, as the head of the restaurant staff, displayed 17 years of expertise, managing the restaurant with impeccable precision and a calm demeanor that set the tone for every dining experience. Shaamil's friendliness and thoughtfulness made each meal a pleasure, while Kudey's unwavering effort and attention to detail ensured every dish was served to perfection. Ziyaad's attentiveness and friendly demeanor added to the welcoming ambiance, while Ismail's welcoming humor and exceptional memory for our preferences made each dining experience effortless. Rosa, with her warm and wholesome presence, exemplified professionalism and expertise, creating an atmosphere of genuine hospitality. Katerina, stood out for her exceptional friendliness and attentiveness, adding to the overall delightful dining experience. Nim's friendly and thoughtful demeanor added to the overall enjoyment of our meals, and although we only had the pleasure of Soonam's company for a few days, her warm and welcoming personality left a lasting impression. Shehan, with his remarkable anticipation of our needs and his engaging company by the pool, made every moment relaxing and enjoyable. Lahir's years of experience in the industry shone through in his skillful service and genuinely friendly manner, contributing significantly to the memorable dining experiences we had. Chef Moosa and his culinary team deserve accolades for their passion and dedication to creating culinary masterpieces. Every dish was a testament to their expertise and commitment to quality. Consistent authenticity across a diverse range of cuisines was unwavering throughout our stay. Kitty from the scuba dive team impressed us with her professionalism and ability to cater to divers of all levels, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience underwater. The housekeeping team deserves immense recognition for their outstanding behind the scenes effort and meticulous attention to detail. Every morning, afternoon and night they tirelessly checked our water villa to ensure that all our needs were met and that everything was in perfect order. Their incredible dedication and attentiveness were evident in the spotless condition of our villa throughout our stay; not once did we notice anything amiss. Their unbeatable effort and commitment to maintaining a pristine environment contributed significantly to our overall experience, making our stay truly memorable and comfortable. Jason, the general manager of JA Manafaru, left a lasting impression with his in person warm welcome upon our arrival at the resort. Being the first person to greet us and the last to bid us farewell as we departed, he set the tone that we were valued guests. This personal approach highlighted the culture of the team managing the island—a culture of hospitality, recognition, and genuine care for every guest's experience. Jason's visible trust in his team's ability to perform and deliver the exceptional experience we had was evident throughout our stay, creating an atmosphere of confidence and comfort that enhanced our overall enjoyment of the resort. His leadership undoubtedly plays a significant role in making JA Manafaru the remarkable destination that it is. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to the entire staff at JA Manafaru for creating an atmosphere where we could truly connect and celebrate our love. This was more than just a holiday; it was a soul-enriching experience that we'll cherish forever. I write this review not as a compensated gesture but as a genuine testament to the exceptional service and unforgettable memories we created. We're already looking forward to our next visit, not waiting for another milestone anniversary to relive the paradise that is JA Manafaru. Read less

The real Maldives is waiting for you! I stayed in the sunset overwater villa with pool and it was amazing. The best sunset view. I also went on the snorkelling and castaway experience and really I thought I was dreaming. The experience was amazing. We even saw dolphins on the way back! The highlight also is the food! Chef Moosa, F&B Manager Mark and Team are amazing! AND the spa is next level! You can leave all your worries behind.. especially with their wellness journey and general peace. Read less