Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Come experience the Maldives you’ve always dreamt of at Royal Island Resort & Spa. Amidst the sparkling jewels of the Indian Ocean, our exquisite Maldives luxury hotel shines and dazzles above all. Indulge and immerse yourself in a colorful journey of discovery, where shores lined with luxuriant banyans and lush palms yield to a majestic underwater world that will render you speechless. Enjoy unmatched services and facilities, including the lavish Araamu Spa and a fabulous selection of restaurants and bars. Relax and unwind with a vast selection of resort activities , including a fully equipped gymnasium, tennis, and squash to scuba diving and water skiing.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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Royal Island Resort & Spa stands out for its vibrant atmosphere, complete with live cultural events and music that create an engaging environment lauded by guests. The service is noted for its attentiveness and professionalism, ensuring a memorable stay.
While its remote location offers picturesque beaches and snorkeling opportunities, some guests suggest the rooms could benefit from modern updates. The resort's amenities, including pristine beaches and a range of activities, are popular, and the overall cleanliness is highly praised, although certain excursions may seem costly to some visitors.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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This was our first visit to Royal Island and to the Maldives. We received a very warm and friendly welcome from a group of the reception staff on arrival at the resort, and when seated comfortably in the reception area, we were given a lovely cold drink and a lemon-infused cold flannel to freshen us up. Noble from reception introduced himself, and gave us a quick tour of the island and told us all of the relevant information, and then showed us to our Sunset Beach Villa. Our stay was one of luxury and pure relaxation. Every single member of staff we encountered was polite and friendly. They could not do enough for us. We enjoyed the sunset fishing trip, which was included in our package, and also an additional trip which we purchased. This was snorkeling in a reef, and with turtles, finishing off with a stop at a sandbank, where one of very helpful and friendly staff (Axhaan) took lots of photos of us which he later sent us by WhatsApp, along with other photos and videos taken during the trip. Royal Island is a very special place, and we met other guests who had visited there on several occasions, choosing to return after staying on other islands but preferring Royal Island. The quality and choice of food during our stay was exceptional, and all of the drinks offered in the All-inclusive package are branded ones at no extra cost. We would like to thank all of the staff for making our stay so special. It isn't possible to mention everyone, but we would like to thank Mithila (Manager) for his attention and enjoyable conversations. Also Abdulla and Lakshi in the main dining room, Shristi in the Alacarte restaurant, and Asmita, Made, and Shaimira in the Boli Bar (apologies if the spellings are not correct). All of these staff members went out of their way to talk with us, and we enjoyed sharing conversations about our different cultures and what life is like in our home countries. We are also grateful to Mr Nor, our villa attendant, who kept our villa clean and our fridge well-stocked. It was one of our birthdays while we were there, and a cake and complimentary bottle of pink fizz was provided in our room, with beautiful flower decorations on the bed. There is so much more that we could say, but to summarise and conclude, our stay at Royal Island is one of the best holidays we have ever had, and we would not hesitate to highly recommend it. We would definitely return again in the future, if we are able. Royal Island has a special place in our hearts.
(If you have sensitive feet take some swimming shoes to cross some sharp areas getting into the sea, otherwise the sand is fine)
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Aaron Rodrigues, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Island Resort & Spa
Responded 1 week ago
Dear W663AMianm, Greetings from Royal Island Resort Maldives! Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt review of your first visit to the Maldives and our resort. It means the world to us to hear that your stay was filled with luxury, relaxation, and memorable experiences. We are delighted that our team gave you a warm welcome and that Noble was able to provide a great introduction to the island. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed the sunset fishing trip, snorkeling excursion, and sandbank visit and that Axhaan was able to capture those special moments for you. Your kind words about our team, including Mithila, Abdulla, Lakshi, Shristi, Asmita, Made, Shaimika, and Nour, have been shared with them, and they will be thrilled to know they made such a positive impact on your stay. We are especially happy to hear that you enjoyed the special birthday surprise, it was our pleasure to celebrate with you. It would be a pleasure to welcome you back in the future for another unforgettable holiday. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can assist you with. Wishing you all the best, and we hope to see you again soon. Best regards, The Management Team
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We had a wonderful week. Staff very kind, smiling and always attentive to our every need. Very nice and clean rooms, good food and always varied. Do not expect Italian food, the cuisine tends very much towards the East as it should be. Chef Nishanta was nice enough to offer me a show cooking to show me the recipe of a dish that I particularly liked and for any special need he is always there to satisfy you. We are vegetarians, at every meal we have always been asked if there was enough variety and I assure you that we have always eaten a lot and good. Upon arrival, they assign you a person to whom you can turn for every need. We had Myet, a super smiling and sweet girl. Thanks also to the guy who cleaned the room, Bandi, also always attentive and kind (the rooms are cleaned twice a day). Cleanliness reaches manic levels as well as the care of the Resort itself. Coral reef near the beach and therefore easily explored, bring masks and fins because they will be very useful! In the Resort there is a lot of privacy despite being always full. The nature around is lush and manicured, you will always be pleasantly struck by something. Definitely will be back!
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Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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We are happy we chose this hotel to spend our 10th wedding anniversary. Everything was well-organized; from the transport arranged from Male Airport (note that it will take another 3-4 hours to get to the hotel once you arrive at Male), the check-in (we arrived at noon and were able to make use of the AI lunch buffet while they were preparing our villa), the villa (we stayed in #175, which was a standalone sunset beach villa at the more quieter side of the island), the location (green, lush island with dreamy beaches and a housereef where you can find beautiful fishes, turtles and small sharks), food & drinks (high in quantity, variety and quality, the management ensured the dietary wishes of my wife (no gluten and no lactose) were met, the facilities (we made use of the pool, tennis, badminton, table-tennis, billiards, same-day laundry (paid), the spa (paid) and the manta ray excursion with the diving centre (paid)) All were outstanding! Even though we had some rain the first half of our stay, we were still able to have a great time, due to the many facilities the hotel offers. But the highlight of this vacation was the service and the staff. Everyone goes out of their way to make you feel special and cared for. They arranged several surprise attentions for our anniversary, which really made this stay memorable. With special thanks to Sonia and Noble (both from guest services), Mithila and Nishanta (both from Makaana), Nor (our housekeeper) and Anaan (the photographer). Also thanks to the team from the Sport Center and Medial Center, they too gave outstanding service. We wish you all the best and we hope to be back in the near future :)
Tips for management: - more sun loungers around the pool area - more gluten-free and plant-based meal options in your daily menu (e.g. desserts)
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Aaron Rodrigues, Guest Services / Front Office at Royal Island Resort & Spa
Responded Sep 14, 2024
Dear Blindo1, Greetings from Royal Island Resort & Spa, Thank you for choosing Royal Island Resort & Spa to celebrate your 10th wedding anniversary. We’re delighted to hear that your stay was well organized and that you enjoyed your villa. It’s wonderful to know that the island’s natural beauty, along with our facilities met your expectations. We’re especially pleased to hear that our team members service made your stay memorable. Your special mention of Sonia, Noble, Mithila, Nishanta, Nour, Anaan, and the teams from the Sports Center and Medical Center is greatly appreciated. We will be sure to pass along your thanks to them. Thank you also for your valuable feedback. We will certainly consider your suggestions regarding additional sun loungers and more gluten-free and plant-based meal options to enhance our offerings. Once again, thank you for choosing Royal Island Resort & Spa for your vacation, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable stay. Warm regards, The Management Team.
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Hey, everybody! And so my review of this hotel came along. My husband and I spent a week there. And certainly not a foot in it again! The hotel, with a lot of stretch, pulls four, well, not five stars! Even though we were on an all-inclusive! I'll start with the main thing, which tourists mostly come for, is snow-white sand - the beach is not at all clean of coral, shells and leaves (i.e. barefoot is impossible to walk)! Inside the island, the paths are tiled, and one would like to be closer to nature and walk barefoot in the sand (in many hotels in Maldives, this is done). Waves around the island significantly spoil the aesthetic beauty of the view. And at low tides, you can't swim to breakwaters (scratching against corals) only if you swim behind them. The food in the main restaurant is monotonous. Staff eat in the same restaurant, while often having to queue for them to get food. It's the first time I've seen it in the Maldives. Usually, at a minimum, staff eat at other times from guests. Also, the restaurant doesn't have the usual paper napkins, just fabric ones. Everything in the room is modest. The rooms(bungalows) are small. Toiletries are minimal. The same toothbrushes had to be asked for, and there were no ear sticks at all (even for money). Water was given two litre bottles per room per day (in heat of 30 degrees ), additionally only for money or go to a bar and there given in glasses. The iron is prehistoric (without steam), ironing is impossible! It doesn't seem to be all that significant, but when it comes to the big picture, it gets uncomfortable and uncomfortable! We rested in late October 2024.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Cleanliness
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The hotel is wonderful, came here for a week in October 2024. Villa was very close to the ocean, only 10 meters to the water, inside the environment is also pleasant, cleaned twice a day, so there was no sand. Your sunbeds, your shower to wash sand off your feet at the entrance. Dripping air conditioning, fixed the same day. The buffet is also very good, a variety of dishes and a great range every day, different cuisines. Cocktails were more popular at the beach bar from 3 to 6 p.m. In the evening, you can listen to music, play tennis and billiards, from entertainment is everything. Many water sports - if you are going to go with a diving center to watch the rays, I recommend a better ride on a jet ski if you have the opportunity. The price is twice as high, but for that the rays will swim next to you and not at the bottom, also you look at the dolphins and turtles, you will drive to a small empty island in the ocean, photos are super, the instructors also send a lot of videos from their cameras, you will not have to shoot. We also went fishing at sunset (free from 5 nights in the hotel), teach fish from scratch, fits all and everyone on the boat caught fish. Also you will see a beautiful sunset and incredible starry skies on the way back. Another 5 nights provide dinner in the restaurant on the beach, it was very delicious and beautiful. The cards are working very badly. Take the cash. There is a homely beautiful reef near villa number 250, you can see a bunch of fish, sharks and turtles. The hotel environment is pleasant, the service is super attentive, ennobled territory. Anyway, I recommend it!
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were on our honeymoon at the Royal Island Resort & Spa and had a great time. The island and the resort are beautiful, well maintained, clean and welcoming. The sea is a dream. The staff is delightful and our contact Roji was extremely helpful, kind and ready to meet our every need. Thank you very much. The food is great and every day there is a wide variety of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, desserts and pasta dishes from all over the world, all fresh and delicious. We also tried couples massage in their beautiful Spa (very relaxing after the long trip), boat excursion (where we saw turtles, dolphins and fish of all colors) and jet skiing (very fun). The staff is available to clean the rooms 2 times a day, just leave the tag on the door and they think of everything. Even the movements from the island to the airport (both outward and return) were handled by the structure very precisely. We were extremely satisfied and hope to return soon. ps. the weather was great despite the forecasts on the main mobile apps gave rain every day, so do not worry if before leaving you see that the forecast is not good ;)
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed in a beach bungalow, no sunset, a very good solution with beach and sunbeds a stone's throw from the patio and a barrier a few strokes from the shore. In our opinion, the extra cost of the sunsets is not worth it, the sun at the equator, especially in March, moves vertically and not horizontally as we are used to in our latitudes and if you want to enjoy the sunset a walk of just 5 minutes is enough. Furthermore, the beach is better and the lagoon is also better than that of the sunsets, in many cases further inland and further away from the sea. The food and catering are excellent, to those who have given negative reviews because they are used to eating pasta and pizza I say go to the Alpitour villages. Even if every day there was also a white pasta that could be seasoned with two different sauces, not taking a dive into the local cuisine is missing out on an important piece of experience. Indian, Chinese, Maldivian dishes, and with repeated variety, we stayed for seven days and for lunch and dinner we always ate different things. The staff is very friendly and super helpful, a particular mention to Aliriza who managed our bungalow impeccably. We had a Premium All inclusive, staying for 7 nights or more, which entitles you to excursions included in the price, a Spa treatment for two, plus the possibility of having unlimited food and drinks including one lunch or dinner per day also at the à la carte restaurant. Based on our experience we would recommend it, as an extra we only had the manta ray excursion, which organizes diving, which unfortunately we weren't able to see but you have to take it into account when you want to see free animals in their environment. However, we have rebuilt the reef with corals that are still quite alive, despite climate change you can see everything, and a large quantity and variety of fish including turtles, eagle rays, sharks, triggerfish, moray eels etc. The transfer takes place with an internal flight from Malè and then a short journey by speedboat. The hotel has its own company, Villa Air, and everything is very well organized right from the exit at the airport where one of their representatives awaits you up to the hotel. For the return we got up early at 4.30am, we understand that the domestic flight doesn't leave at all hours and that they need to group people together, but for a flight like ours leaving from Malè at 1.30pm maybe a few hours less could have been expected. Anyway thanks also to the Premium AI, in Malè we were able to enjoy the lounge with free meals and drinks and therefore a long but very comfortable wait. Final judgment therefore for the Royal Island Resort & Spa: Recommended!
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Premium AI e Beach Bungalow No Sunset
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We felt very comfortable on the island. We had a double house as a family with numbers 241 + 242. The location was perfect, even compared to the other beach villas. The food was varied and there was a lot of choice, there was something for everyone. The a la carte restaurant was really very exclusive and you can dine right on the beach. With the all-inclusive booking you can also borrow snorkels, fins, etc. for free, which is really great! You can snorkel really well around the island and small reef sharks and rays swim past right on the beach (not dangerous if you behave normally). The beach is cleaned every morning. The rooms are also cleaned every day, the room service is very courteous. The minibar is also filled at the same time, which is included in the all-inclusive. The staff are generally very friendly and attentive. Everyone smiles at you and you always feel very well looked after. We had many nice conversations in the restaurant with Mathila and Mark also took great care of us and was always available. Activities such as beach yoga can also be taken part in. The pool bar offers all cocktails (with original schnapps) that taste great and can also be enjoyed in the pool. The only negative point is that the rooms are very noisy, which is not a problem in some beach villas.
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Schnorchelausrüstung kann ausgeliehen werden.
Lange Anreise (Transfer von Malé mit einem...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beautiful village, super organized, prepared staff and always available cheerful and smiling. Mark welcomes you on arrival really like being in the family, professional and helpful to your every need accompanied us throughout the holiday. A credit also goes to pandi our personal waiter, ready to our every request. Mathila the manager of all the restaurant staff, kind caring and very knowledgeable in his work .. Parves the guy who takes care of room cleaning really very very good .. what about a dream vacation deserves everything 10+ ... They cleaned the rooms twice a day never happened in all the trips we made with my family.. Food of all kinds plentiful from breakfast to dinner you are spoiled for choice .. Another very convenient merit whatever you bought in the shops do not pay at the time, put everything on the room bill .. We had all inclusive and really very very advantageous .. The sea.... From breathtaking gorgeous, we can say that there really is paradise... The only thing that should concern the prices of excursions, are a little high .. And to conclude with this wonderful and unforgettable experience you just have to try ..
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent an unforgettable holiday at this resort, me, my wife who is seven months pregnant and our lively one and a half year old baby. From the moment we arrived, we breathed an atmosphere of luxury and tranquility. The resort, an authentic five-star jewel, welcomed us with unparalleled elegance and impeccable service.
Our room was a haven of comfort and refinement, with a breathtaking view that made us feel immersed in the beauty of the surrounding nature. Every detail, from the bed linen to the furnishings, was carefully looked after to ensure maximum comfort.
Excellent buffet food for all tastes.
The resort staff deserves special praise: always helpful, courteous and attentive to our needs. They made our stay even more pleasant, making us feel pampered and welcome at all times.
Despite the transfer, which included a domestic flight and a ferry after landing in Male, I must admit that it was absolutely worth it. The resort organized everything impeccably, making the trip much smoother and stress-free.
Ultimately, we felt refreshed, relaxed and completely satisfied from start to finish. I hope to be able to return to this corner of paradise for another unforgettable experience
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Date of stay: April 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Manta season its regular, i think summer and aug, sept, okt then
They cant garantie to see mantas, they move
We was 28e nov and off season. Had a private jetski tour and lucky to see big mantas really near 3-4 in a group and turtles and dolphines. Lot of jetskiing for two hours so arm hurts😉
Guide and a photograf on another jet an all for 580 dollars
Its really much for the money. Rent jetski for 2 hours is like 400 dollars and we have two privat and play one and the tour
Do this….
"It is an excellent place to start snorkeling. Though there is regular fumigation, it is still recommended to take personal precautions against mosquito bites."
There are more places to choose from in the Horubadhoo Island area.
PRICE RANGE
$225 - $560 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
royal island hotel baa atoll, royal island resort and spa, royal island resort maldives
LOCATION
MaldivesBaa AtollHorubadhoo Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
150
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
