Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

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.

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.

After booking.com and centara grand cancelled my reservation without notice, or explanation, I booked a week at Vilamendhoo at short notice, it was a fantastic week and fulfilled the aim which was a chilled week away and to see and swim with whale sharks.