Like everyone else, we needed overnight accomodation before flying out to our resort the next morning. After doing plenty of research on Male accomodation, it seemed pretty clear its overpriced and not of a great standard. So the challenge was to not feel entirely ripped off after checking out of one of these places. Boutique inn did acheive that. It still ended up being $100 US after all the taxes but it was clean enough as our expectations werent high. The bathroom was pretty dirty with half used mini shampoo bottles laying around with the labels peeling off. Having travelled through the sub continent which holds similar accomodation I did just laugh it off though. The room was Tiny! Not much room after the makeshift double bed (two singles pushed together) to get the door open. The service was friendly enough.

In summary, knowing how comparatively cheap this place is compared to other options I think some peoples expectations are unfair. It was a few hours of our life spent mostly sleeping in the airconditioning before heading off to paradise.

There is nothing ‘boutique’ or ‘villa’ about The Boutique Inn at Villa Shabnamee. There is, however, a whole lot of dirty and unfriendly. We cannot reconcile our extremely negative experience here with some of the more recent comments. We had an online booking (which we re-confirmed via e-mail before our flight) and arrived late at night to a dank lobby staffed by a surly woman and clueless young man. Despite being the only people in the lobby, the woman kept us standing and waiting while making a number of phone calls, the purpose and outcome of which she never shared. Finally the man escorted us up to our room (one floor by lift) and led us into the dirtiest room we’ve ever seen. Trash still in the waste bins and the bathroom looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in quite some time. He hovered waiting for a tip as we gaped at the horror before us. When he finally let himself out, he gave us no key. Needless to say, we didn’t get a good night’s sleep.

Any pros?: The sheets were clean.

Other cons: We left first thing in the morning, too terrified to check out the “free” breakfast or pool.

Verdict: Wouldn’t come back even if it were the last hotel on earth.

We checked in early and spent the day and night in Male. The owner himself decided it was his responsibility to show us, two females, around, which was nice of him although DO NOT eat at the boutique inn for lunch when he invites you if you are on a budget- he ordered the three of is a simple and nice Maldivian lunch without even mentioning payment, until the next morning when we were handed the massively overpriced bill. The owner had conveniently disappeared and left the non existent wake up call to the nice guy downstairs who pretends to know English. And you don't get blankets, luckily we found two in the kitchen.

I've been to Male two times (2010 and 2011) and stayed in three different hotels. And my general impression is that you have limited options of choice.
This hotel is one block from the main commercial street (Majeedi Magu) and the National Stadium. It is a walkable distance to the Male jetty that serves to/from the airport (if you do not have a lot of luggage to carry...)
Liked: free internet (get a password at the reception); check-in starting at 10am; good AC.
Disliked: very small room (that seems to be the rule in Male); cleanliness could be improved; no box or curtain at the bathroom; only local channels on the TV.
All in all an average option for an overnight stay.