Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

Premier Overwater Villa
Premier Overwater Villa
Premium Overwater Villa
Coral Bar and Lounge
Over Water Villas
Aqua Bar
Duplex Beach Villa
Duplex Beach Villa
Duplex Beach Villa
Aqua Bar
Camp Safari
The Club
Premium Sunset Overwater Villa with Pool
The Club
The Club
The Club
Family Overwater Villa
Family Water Villa
Family Overwater Villa
Spa
E-Zone
Water Sports Centre
Deluxe Overwater Villa
Deluxe Overwater Villa
Deluxe Overwater Villa
Reef Restaurant
Suan Bua
Reef Restaurant
Fitness Centre
Premier Overwater Villa
Premier Overwater Villa
Premium Overwater Villa
Coral Bar and Lounge
Over Water Villas
Aqua Bar
Duplex Beach Villa
Duplex Beach Villa
Duplex Beach Villa
Aqua Bar
Camp Safari
The Club
Premium Sunset Overwater Villa with Pool
The Club
The Club
The Club
Family Overwater Villa
Family Water Villa
Family Overwater Villa
Spa
E-Zone
Water Sports Centre
Deluxe Overwater Villa
Deluxe Overwater Villa
Deluxe Overwater Villa
Reef Restaurant
Suan Bua
Reef Restaurant
Fitness Centre

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.

Club Sunset Overwater Pool Villas enjoys a spacious sundeck, 12-sqm infinity pool, and a bedroom with 1 king-size bed overlooking the ocean, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Club Two Bedroom Beach Pool Villas feature duplex accommodation so it's an ideal choice for families or groups travelling together. The spacious villas offer a deck with sun loungers and a plunge pool, bathroom with separate shower and jacuzzi tub, and 1 king-size bed plus a twin bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 kids.

Guests staying in the Club Sunset Overwater Pool Villa and Club Two Bedroom Beach pool Villa enjoy exclusive access The Club lounge. Benefits of the lounge include:

- Breakfast

- Afternoon tea

- Apéritif with canapés

- Premium spirits and refreshments served throughout the day.

  • Book by 30 April 2024 to receive up to 60% off stays between 09 Apr '24 – 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 (3177)
  • Very good (457)
  • Average (113)
  • Poor (44)
  • Terrible (51)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lovely time but room for improvement.....

Apr 27, 2024 BrightonBorn-Bred

We had a very enjoyable (but not fantastic) 12 night stay at Centara in January on the Grand All-Inclusive plan which worked very well for us as it offered an unlimited dine around option for lunch and dinner, unlimited premium alcoholic beverages as well as $400 spa credit each. The resort is looking a little tired in places hence only 4stars… Read more
We had a very enjoyable (but not fantastic) 12 night stay at Centara in January on the Grand All-Inclusive plan which worked very well for us as it offered an unlimited dine around option for lunch and dinner, unlimited premium alcoholic beverages as well as $400 spa credit each. The resort is looking a little tired in places hence only 4stars and in particular the Sunrise Overwater Villa that we stayed in although very well appointed needs refurbishing as does the club swimming pool and surrounding area. If you are paying for a premium resort, I would expect the resort to be maintained at a five star level. Disappointingly, there was some urgent maintenance work being carried out at Coral bar whilst we were there. However, a resolution was found and we were happy with how this was dealt with by Senthil and the management team. All of the bar, restaurant and housekeeping staff that we encountered were very polite, friendly and approachable and a credit to the resort. Particular mention to Sunny in the Italian restaurant, Pablo in the Thai restaurant, Roshan in Coral bar and Irfan in the club who all did an excellent job taking very good care of us during our stay. Having previously stayed at 'Atmosphere Kanifushi' unfortunately this resort didn't quite meet the high expectations that we had after that stay. The reason we opted for Centara this time was that we got a very good deal when we booked and it was nearly 50% cheaper on the same plan... The Pro's from our stay in Centara - 1) Fantastic house reef on your doorstep 2) Excellent Thai and Italian restaurant 3) We enjoyed listening to the 'resident' singer in the evening who was excellent 4) Well appointed and well serviced villa 5) Very good spa treatments included in our package 6) Top shelf drinks including Grey goose vodka and Champaign 7) Very good lunch menu at Coral bar 8) Excellent service and cocktails in Aqua and Coral bar The Con's from our stay - 1) No adult only pool. Fortunately during our stay the club pool area which we had use of was empty virtually the entire time. Why not turn this into an adults only pool for ALL guests! 2) The Reef 'buffet' restaurant was a little disappointing. Although there were some very good Chinese and Indian dishes it did become a little repetitive and there was no fresh fish and meats grilled to order which was a big plus at the other resort. 3) Evening entertainment was a little lacking (apart from the Crab race!) 4) The outside seating area at Reef restaurant needs a revamp. There wasn't anywhere 'set up' to sit outside for breakfast as there are no umbrellas for shade. In the evening the outside area is very dark and needs a lot more lighting added as you can't actually see what you are eating! 5) There needs to be a designated beach area with sunbeds and umbrellas for the guests that are in the overwater villa's. (Club beach area would be ideal) Overall we enjoyed our stay at Centara but without an 'Adults Only' pool and unless the improvements (Con's) suggested above were made we probably wouldn't return. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating "Authentic Thai Delights: Suanbua at Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives"

Apr 27, 2024 Watunyoo S Thailand

We spent four nights at Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives from the 24th to the 28th. Despite our initial plans to explore a variety of cuisines outside Thailand, we found ourselves dining exclusively at Suanbua restaurant @Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives for both lunch and dinner every day. The chef prepared authentic Thai… Read more
We spent four nights at Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives from the 24th to the 28th. Despite our initial plans to explore a variety of cuisines outside Thailand, we found ourselves dining exclusively at Suanbua restaurant @Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives for both lunch and dinner every day. The chef prepared authentic Thai dishes that surpassed those we've had in Thailand. KhunMaew and Khun Auf's exceptional hospitality and warm welcome reflected their professionalism in catering to Thai customers and foreign tourists alike. I will definitely revisit this restaurant and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the resort for mouthwatering Thai dishes and attentive service. Dining at SuanBua is not just an option; it's a must for anyone staying at Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa Maldives to enhance their holiday experience. - Oat and Meng Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing stay!

Apr 27, 2024 Danny S

Amazing staff. Desmond, chef Jithin, sunny, nalin and mojo went above and beyond to make our stay a trip we’ll never forget. The entire resort was 1st class and if and when I do visit the Maldives again, I’ll be coming back here. great food and excellent rooms and customer service. We were here for 4 days
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The 11th time on my dream island

Apr 26, 2024 georg-s-d Hamm, Germany

Of course, there is a reason why I/we have already been to Centara South Ari 11 times. About 164 of the 1,192 islands in the Maldives are islands with hotels or resorts on them - why Centara South Ari? It's the people that make it so special - and the club! Where do I start? Senthil, who fulfils pretty much every wish - organizes everything… Read more
Of course, there is a reason why I/we have already been to Centara South Ari 11 times. About 164 of the 1,192 islands in the Maldives are islands with hotels or resorts on them - why Centara South Ari? It's the people that make it so special - and the club! Where do I start? Senthil, who fulfils pretty much every wish - organizes everything imaginable. In service, it's Mae and Irfan, who are almost like family to us. Daggi from the dive center, together with Akran, have really grown on us. The entertainer Huthu organizes e.g. a private beach cinema with popcorn on request, or a karaoke-evening, and is always in a good mood. In the kitchen, it was Senthil (the taller Chef Senthil) and the new addition Peasamae (certainly misspelled) who spoiled us in the club with perfect dishes. I should mention Nahil, Pat and Cristina in the management - many thanks for everything! I had looked at a few other islands/resorts, but somehow it always brings me back to Centara... Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 9/10

Apr 24, 2024 Cressy87 Moranbah, Australia

What an Amazing place to stay, Food, staff and facilities are exactly what you imagine when you think Maldives. We Did all the tours and fun activities and still relaxed. The Fishing charter was very expensive and they only had one rod for four people to jig with but we still got A yellow fin Tuna which they cooked for us.