Vilamendhoo Resort & Spa

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

Sunset bar
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Funama
Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Ahima
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa
Sunset bar
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Funama
Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Ahima
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa

The hotel

Just a 25-minute seaplane transfer from the airport is Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, the idyllic setting for your Maldivian adventure. This beautiful, unspoiled island with lush vegetation and pure white sand is surrounded by a crystal-clear lagoon, ideal for snorkelling, and divers will be in their element in the incredible house reef - one of the few places in the world where you’ll find a year-round aggregation of whale sharks! There’s something for everyone here, with adults-only and family-friendly areas that make sure everyone has the perfect spot to unwind, as well as exciting restaurants to discover. What do you fancy, live teppanyaki, or a meal cooked on hot volcanic rocks? Amazingly, those are both options here. You’re sure to have an unforgettable time.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

In South Ari atoll, 88km south of Malé. 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

194 rooms, all Maldivian inspired with king-sized beds, air conditioning, a fully stocked minibar, open-air bathroom with modern amenities, cable TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, and a personal safe. Garden Rooms are nestled in the natural island gardens, with a private porch, privacy screen between each room and easy access to the island’s facilities. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child, or 3 adults.

 

Full Board: Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the buffet restaurants.

All-Inclusive Plus Package: includes the following 

- Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in either Funama Restaurant (for guests staying in Garden Rooms and Beach Villas) or Ahima Restaurant (for guests staying in Jacuzzi Beach Villas and Jacuzzi Water Villas)

- Snack menu served at Bonthi Bar and Sunset Bar from 11.00-22.00

- 20% discount on all food items at Asian Wok or the Hot Rock (not valid for special events or teppanyaki)

- One lunch or one dinner at Asian Wok restaurant for every 5-night stay (pre-booking required, not valid for special events)

- Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including bottled water, soft drinks, coffee and tea, smoothies and milkshakes, draught beer, wine, house spirits, and cocktails and mocktails made with house spirits)

- Mini-bar with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, plus snacks (refilled once per day)

- One 1/2 bottle of champagne per room per stay

- 20% discount off selected spa treatments taken during the first two days of your stay (subject to space availability)

- Activities included as per schedule: one Sunset Cruise; one 1/2 hour group snorkelling lesson (equipment not included); one Dhangethi Island Excursion; one 1/2 hour group windsurfing lesson (equipment included); one 1/2 hour group tennis lesson (equipment included); free use of Fitness Centre; daytime use of tennis, volleyball and badminton courts; table tennis, billiards, snooker, darts and football; free use of kayaks and windsurfers; free group yoga session at Duniye Spa.

Please note: guests will be required to sign all food and beverage bills, except buffet meals. No charges will be posted to your hotel account for the benefits included in your All-Inclusive Plus Package. Charges not included must be paid upon checkout.

Beach Villas are detached villas just a few steps from the shore, with a private furnished porch perfect for enjoying the fantastic ocean view. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 2 children.

Jacuzzi Beach Villas offer Maldivian inspired beach living with views of the lagoon, private sundeck and Jacuzzi for two, with a private walled-in outdoor area. These villas are located in the adults’ only area and exclusively for guest over 18. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Jacuzzi Water Villas are over-water villas with a private sundeck, with stairs leading into the sea. These villas are exclusively for guests aged 18 years and older. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Two buffet restaurants: Funama (open air, family friendly) and Ahima (adults-only). A la carte restaurants: Asian Wok Restaurant and Bar (with live teppanyaki station) and Hot Rocks (meals prepared on hot volcanic rocks). Snacks served at bars. Bonthi Bar (with overwater wooden deck), Boashi Bar (ice cream and smoothies available) and Sunset Bar (adults only).

Three pools, including a child’s wading pool. House reef, great for diving and snorkelling (snorkelling equipment available to hire*). Fun dives* for certified divers. Diving courses*. Non-motorised water sports* including stand up paddle board, kayaks and windsurfing. Catamaran sailing*. Award-winning Duniye Spa, offering traditional and modern treatments. Children’s play area, close to family-friendly Boashi Bar.

*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 18.

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 (6259)
  • Very good (1190)
  • Average (223)
  • Poor (64)
  • Terrible (32)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful place with excellent diving

Apr 25, 2024 gibbingspl

Its so beautiful, with friendly helpful staff, excellent food and wonderful accommodation. Great diving and excursions. Worth going to visit .
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Solo snorkelling trip

Apr 20, 2024 tonywilliamsstat Dorchester, United Kingdom

I chose Vilamendhoo based on Internet searches and Trip Advisor reviews. I was particularly attracted to comments about the quality of the snorkelling. This was about my twelfth visit to the Maldives and I came to snorkelling after retiring from diving so may be more critical than many. I found the snorkelling very interesting without being… Read more
I chose Vilamendhoo based on Internet searches and Trip Advisor reviews. I was particularly attracted to comments about the quality of the snorkelling. This was about my twelfth visit to the Maldives and I came to snorkelling after retiring from diving so may be more critical than many. I found the snorkelling very interesting without being spectacular, eg I saw four species of butterfly fish that I don’t remember seeing before, many different types of parrot fish, Moorish Idols, surgeon fish, etc, etc and I swam with a turtle most days, saw lots of moray eels, including ones swimming in the open, Napoleon wrasses, including one with nine accompanying blue fin jacks and both red and yellow sling—jaw wrasses slinging their jaws, I had an amazing introduction to the black tip sharks under the Asian Wok restaurant, as well as seeing bigger ones in the open water with the highlight, because I was looking for one, an amazing close encounter with a large eagle ray. I didn’t see any nurse sharks and the coral was not as vibrant as I had expected and, while fish are plentiful, spread over a large reef, the density was less than I expected. The drop off between exits 9 and 10 was my favourite place. Exits 4 to 5 have the prettiest coral and the area between exits 1 and 2 provided some nice sightings. Not a bad return on about 30 hours of snorkelling during my week. My only serious disappointment was a Whale Shark trip. I sort of knew I wouldn’t see a whale shark but somehow I didn’t reckon on a four hour trip without entering the water, I think the resort should have a plan B to stop at a reef on the way back to the island for snorkelling to provide something for the $150 cost. Also, probably my own fault because I tended to go into meals at least half-way through the sitting, I often founds tureens empty or nearly empty and they were not refilled. I would have liked to have seen more fresh cooking at the food counter, eg stir fries, Asian breads, etc. But I did enjoy my daily fresh omelette for breakfast! Otherwise everything was excellent, including the service, friendliness, room (I was in 111, an adjoining beach villa) and I think I received good value for money and a really nice experience. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Cannot fault this place! If you love snorkelling, this is the place for you!

Apr 18, 2024 clarecas Shepperton, United Kingdom

The house reef is incredible, we were also lucky enough to swim whale shark and manta rays on the boat excursions away from the island. The people are so warm and friendly. The island is small enough to walk around but big enough that there’s plenty to see and do. The food is such high quality and lots of variety everyday. The pools are… Read more
The house reef is incredible, we were also lucky enough to swim whale shark and manta rays on the boat excursions away from the island. The people are so warm and friendly. The island is small enough to walk around but big enough that there’s plenty to see and do. The food is such high quality and lots of variety everyday. The pools are wonderful (the Boashi pool is like a bath and the sunset pool is the best infinity pool I’ve ever seen). In summary, if you like snorkelling and diving, this island is incredible. We saw baby black tip reef sharks every where, literally off the welcome jetty! Plus turtles, rays, and an abundance of fish of all colours, shapes and sizes. Best snorkelling I have ever done and we have travelled extensively, including to Sipidan in Borneo. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating ABUNDANT MARINE LIFE BUT POOR RESORT MANAGEMENT

Apr 11, 2024 londontina3

ABUNDANT MARINE LIFE BUT POOR RESORT MANAGEMENT Resort management and reception are extremely poor and unorganised. Service level is mediocre similar to 3 star hotel. Unfortunately, the management just wants your money. Once you’ve paid, they kick you out of room before your check-out time to make room for new arrivals. I was kicked out of Over… Read more
ABUNDANT MARINE LIFE BUT POOR RESORT MANAGEMENT Resort management and reception are extremely poor and unorganised. Service level is mediocre similar to 3 star hotel. Unfortunately, the management just wants your money. Once you’ve paid, they kick you out of room before your check-out time to make room for new arrivals. I was kicked out of Over Water Villa at 9AM when I had asked for later seaplane after check-out time 12PM so I could enjoy the room. They told me they could not accommodate the night before and that they had booked me a 10AM seaplane. My departure flight out of Male was past 9PM. I told the reception I needed some more time and wanted to enjoy the Villa in the morning until 9:20AM. I had to plea for this by the way. The reception unwillingly agreed. In the morning, housekeeping comes at 9AM and says “Reception told me you would check out at 9AM. They told me I need to clean the room for next guests who have now arrived at the island.” Did the management forget that I also paid for the room? I felt sad for having paid so much money for a 7 night stay to be treated poorly. I was quickly forced to leave the air conditioned room and sat sweating 2 hours at reception waiting for seaplane to arrive. Pros Abundant marine life Scuba instructor Ethan was very helpful. Dive centre team and crew were friendly. Nuas at Asian Wok provided quality 5 star hotel service. Starry skies and beautiful sunsets Maldivian culture night and live music were entertaining. In general, bar staff were quite attentive. Cons In general, the resort management was very poor. There is big difference in service between Beach Villa buffet vs. Over Water Villa buffet. The staff at the Over Water Villa buffet were way more attentive than the staff at the Beach Villa buffet. At the Beach Villa buffet, they force you to sit in your assigned table during meal times even if all the other tables are empty! I had to ask the management and reception multiple times to be moved to a better table location before this was actioned. I felt constantly the level of service was not there. Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa has potential to be a very enjoyable vacation place. But for now with the current management team, I’d highly recommend you to try another resort. I hope the senior leadership team and stakeholders will care about guest experience instead of just revenue and how to churn out as much money as possible by booking stays too closely without adequate time in between - causing guests to be kicked out of the rooms they paid for. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Black Tips and Eagle Rays

Mar 30, 2024 michaelweidinger

Very Beautiful resort. Stylish beach villas with the sence of your own private piece of beach. Reef located just 15 m of the beach. We saw 1 turtle several blacktips and Eagle rays. Baby sharks playing inreef. The reef itself was ok. Nice walls and excellent for free dive practices easy 25 m dept just a few m if the reef. Calm safe waters.… Read more
Very Beautiful resort. Stylish beach villas with the sence of your own private piece of beach. Reef located just 15 m of the beach. We saw 1 turtle several blacktips and Eagle rays. Baby sharks playing inreef. The reef itself was ok. Nice walls and excellent for free dive practices easy 25 m dept just a few m if the reef. Calm safe waters. Dining was great. We enjoyed the all inclusive plus package. Though be aware not everything is all inclusive. Read less