Sun Island Resort & Spa

We were planning this vacation for years and Sun Island was the best choice! It has everything you need. Water bungalow to just jump into the water when you want. Plants, animals, trees everywhere! Everyone was so nice and helpful. It was good to get a smile every time! There are so many thing to try, water sports, boat excursions, snorkeling with sharks :) The 10 days was like a long dream! I cannot say anything to improve. Read less

Sun Island is a large resort where you can do all sorts of activities: relax, explore, water sports, excursions (must try reef explorer). You can't get bored here. The facilities work perfectly and give you the expected comfort. Beautiful landscapes all around the island. Wild life is also present: birds, crabs, bats, stingrays, reef sharks, colorful fish. This is a perfect location for families with children and couples. We spent a wonderful week here. They were kind to upgrade our room free of charge for 3 days, as the one we have booked was not available. Special thanks to our waiter Mamun who made sure we enjoy our time in the restaurant. As a recommendation to the management: try to schedule all construction/refurbishment works outside the season, so avoiding any disturbance caused to the visitors. Read less

We have just returned from a 4 night stay to celebrate my husbands 50th birthday. Sun island is stunningly beautiful - the white sands and the turquoise waters. We had an all inclusive package and the quality of food in the restaurant was great. Lots of fresh fruit and salads and the chef made a special butter chicken for our table one of the We had fantastic service from our table waiter Elias in the buffet restaurant who was brilliant - attentive and super efficient. He also helped relocate our allocated table to a quieter section in the restaurant where we could overlook the beach. When we arrived at the island just before lunchtime on the first day, our room wasn’t ready. We had to negotiate if it be possible to have a drink somewhere. We were directed to the coffee shop and we’re allowed a drink that they tried to charge us for on the bill when we checked out! The coffee shop staff were good and reserved a table for us one evening after dinner so we could play cards. The room was on the whole clean but it seemed as though the previous guest had only just checked out. The tv was programmed to the channel they liked to watch and there were hairs in the bathroom. To note, remember your bath robe as they are not available to wear. On the last night we ate at the Italian restaurant, which wasn’t included in our package and the food was delicious. The service here was haphazard and awkward. Despite us booking a table it was not ready for us on arrival and even though in our paperwork it stated we could have all-inclusive drinks with our dinner, they initially refused to allow my son a coke on this package! We had to speak to the manager to allow this. We were buying the wine, which we did all holiday as the all-Inclusive wine was poor quality. The menu didn’t quite match what was delivered to the table and the antipasti contained shell fish which would have made me ill had I eaten it. I hadn’t mentioned this as it shouldn’t have been an issue. Watch out if you have allergies! We had a valentine couples massage in the spa which was very relaxing and a must do. I had contacted the hotel to ask whether it was possible to organize a celebration for my husbands birthday - which was the week before - and they said they could only do this if he celebrated his birthday during the stay!! I mean a 50th birthday should be a special milestone. I had to ask twice if they could do something. A cake and a bottle of wine were delivered to the room, but as we had to ask it didn’t have the same effect. Hiring bikes was interesting. They had some bikes with baskets which were newer and ideal for carrying items around the island. These were in high demand and limited availability. We asked to swap the ones we’d hired as we’d like these and they told us to keep coming back at different times and they would keep some for us. We went back 3 times and none were available, so we gave us and kept the original ones. The bikes could do with bells and lights as it was very dark cycling at night. The cleaning of our room was slow and cups were left dirty. We had to ask for our room to be cleaned and made up as they didn’t attend this it one morning. The day before our check out we asked at reception what time we needed to be ready to leave. The man at reception said come back at 8am in the morning and they would let us then. There was a knock on the door at 7.45 am by a porter asking for our luggage. I was walking along the beach and by the time my husband found me it was 8.10am and we were told the boat was leaving at 8.30am! We threw everything in the suitcases with no time for a shower and our luggage was taken. We still had to return the bikes and settle our account. We got to reception and the said we had 15 mins to have breakfast which none of us felt like eating and we rushed something quickly down. We got back to reception and had to sit and wait for 30 mins for them to organize the bill as the cashiers office was closed! We could have had time for a shower and a more leisurely breakfast. My husband complained to the service manager who answered with ‘but this doesn’t normally happen!’ It was a shame that this spoiled our last morning. We loved our Maldives experience as this was the first time we had been. The customer service on the island linked to the main reception and the rooms seriously needs to change and improve. We would love to return to the Maldives but not sun island and we would not recommend it to others unless this service improves significantly. It’s the little things that make a huge difference to the overall holiday experience. This is something Sun Island lacks. Read less

If you are looking for a hotel that offers more than just luxury and beach lounging...this is the place for you. One of the original five star hotels in the maldives is located at least a 1.5 hours from the main airport. They no longer offer a seaplane which means you need to take an internal commercial flight (40 mins) and another sea boat transfer(30 mins). This was well organised but by the time we reached the hotel, it took another 4 hours of travelling after a 11 hour flight from London. Welcome was swift and very well organised given that about 150 people arrived at the same time. We received an upgrade slightly further from the reception, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they offered us free rental for bikes for our stay and our new room was right on the beach in an upgraded room. The hotel offers a golf buggy service which was efficient mostly but when it wasn't, you could wait up to 30 mins. I recommend getting the bikes as you can roam freely and manage your time to your needs. The room was modern and beds comfortable. Beach areas are cleaned well and being right next to your room, means easy access and wifi too. Beaches are covered in pretty shells and whole pieces of washed up coral. There is no sea weed and you can walk out to about 2 miles and the water reaches about 5ft. There is sealife in the form of non-carnivorous sharks and manta rays, which can be fed at specific times near the italian restaurant or the standalone huts. You are provided with 2 complimentary bottles of water, which comes in handy. Its a shame that you can't bring alchohol into the country and therefore will have to buy the overpriced alcohol on the resort. My advice would be to not go with the all inclusive option, as you will be restricted to the pool area and the beach hut area. As the resort is very large and can accommodate over a 1000 people. The adverts and postings don't do the hotel justice with its facilities and what it has to offer. We booked on a full board basis which includes food and water/ tea etc when you eat but soft drinks and alcohol are chargeable. If drinking is a must, then go for the all inclusive option, as the drinks are charged very high. There is entertainment but during covid did not exist. Food Large dining area and has a broad offering of food. Indian station was a permanent fixture and was really tasty food. Plenty of condiments and sauces too. They have different meats on the live tepanyaki style grill, 3-4 rices, fish dishes and many casserole and international food. We stayed for 2 weeks and there was no food that was overly repetitive. Well stock salad bars with healthy vitamin shots and a cheese bowl to fire up that salad! Also the highlight is that to accommodate the large number of guests, there are 3 separate phases to lighten the queue load. When you arrive they will allocate you an area based on the location of your room and ask nicely and you will be positioned as closely to the sand. That will be your table for the duration of the stay and was a good thing, as you know your table would be available. So one of the key reasons for our stay was the tremendous staff at the hotel in the restaurant. HEMANTH and RAVINDRA are outstanding hosts who were more than affable, helpful, kind and were the perfect ambassadors for the hotel. They offered to help with everything and Hemanth catered to our every whim. It was a key highlight and these individuals need to be recognised either financially or promoted, as they would be a reason for us to return. We left as dear friends and I hope management take care of these individuals as they work so hard. Bikes The island offers so much to see by bike and also you can access the different sides of the island easily. To do a whole circle should not take more than 10 minutes. By bike you can visit the secret rabbit farm and other animals too. Hire is from 4 dollars to 8 dollars depending on the quality of the bike. As the island is big and sometimes can take awhie for the buggies to arrive. It also allows you to see the manta ray feeding at 1900 and the sharks and manta rays after 2100. Facilities This is the most underrated part of the trip and the brochures need to do more! They have 2 tennis courts, basketball court, mini golf, 5 table tennis tables, a full squash court, 2 badminton courts and a FREE spa that can be booked. This comprises of a powerful steam room, sauna and two powerful jacuzzis in a lush garden setting. They also have a plunge cold pool and open shower to cleanse. This was my haven and was the perfect way to start and end my day. They also had a fully kitted out gym, which naturally I avoided! They also have 2 snooker tables with full ac rooms. You have a paid SPA but is great for massages etc but comes with a honeymoon price. The quality of the these facilities were really high and was impressed with the selection. The pool area is very pretty but mainly for the all inclusive customers and who wants to be around the pool, when that aqua sea awaits! Ensure you buy a strong snorkel so you can dive around the italian restaurant area. Beaches Another key strength of the resort is the cleanliness and sereneness of the beaches. Most accommodation is on the beach but if you are not then there is the main area where the water sports are and is lively. This also leads to the pretty spit and has many sand islands that you can walk into the sea. Water is deeper and better for bathing. Kayaking and windsurfing is free but needs to be booked. It is also beautiful to ride around the sand in that area. The north side of the island is Read less

Following a lengthy flight from London via Heathrow, we landed around 6am. Upon locating the rep for the hotel, we were shocked to find we had to wait 6 hours for the internal flight. The rep phoned the Manager of Sun Island, only to find it was our fault we had landed so early! There was no offer of a boat or seaplane transfer. We were returning guests of the island and decided to recommend it to 2 friends who were travelling with us. We were renewing our wedding vows and these were to be our witnesses. To say we were disappointed was an understatement and it was an awful start to our holiday. Upon arrival at Sun Island, our friend requested to speak with the Manager. He came back to us recommending we also speak with him as he couldn't believe the attitude of the man. His arrogance was astounding. Everything was our fault!!! Apparently our travel agent had been notified of the flight time, I do not believe this as my travel agent is a personal friend and she would've told me. Our agent emailed the hotel and requested rooms together, this didn't happen either and the Manager denied receiving any communication. What a dreadful start to what should've been a lovely holiday. The Thai restaurant was closed, however when we walked to it, it was open but only available to a huge family who had obviously paid for sole use of it. Other facilities were also closed. We were not advised of this prior to arrival. We booked a dolphin trip which advertises canapes and cocktails. You do not get canapes and cocktails. What you actually get is a chicken wing between 2 people and 4 mini chocolate looking sweaty cakes. Not a cocktail or a beer in sight, only brandy, whiskey and other cheap brands with fanta orange pop! Not a dolphin in sight either, a very expensive sunset boat trip was had by all! The food was the same almost everyday. No sign of a wrap/sandwich at lunchtime, not everyone wants a full on heavy lunch. The evening meals weren't great. Our friend tried a chicken giblet curry, he said it was more like a "bush tucker trial", totally inedible. The island was very untidy, the grounds could be improved with a bit of manicuring. We visited over Christmas and there we loads of noisy children. If you want a quiet relaxing beach holiday, choose a different island. We rented bikes. You are taking your life into your hands with these death traps! The brakes are inadequate, the tires are threadbare and if you don't lock them up they will get stolen. *The room was reasonable and kept clean. *Our waiter was fantastic *The Spa ladies were amazing *The renewal of vows went very well, albeit slightly rushed. The ladies who organised it were brilliant. *These comments are why I have given the resort 3 stars instead of 2 stars The Manager obviously felt quite guilty about his attitude and how we had been undervalued as guests and decided to offer us a complimentary spa treatment each, along with some beers in the mini bar. Whilst this was welcomed, it didn't take it away from the fact that we had lost almost a day of our holiday and his dismissal of that, left a very bad taste in our mouths. I wasn't going to write a review, but I have been removed from the Sun Island Facebook page for advising future guests that you have the potential of waiting 6 hours at the airport. In summary.....If you want a swift, speedy and painless transfer, do not visit Sun Island. There are plenty of other islands to choose from. Read less