Hotel Review: Reethi Beach Resort, Maldives

Is there anywhere else on this planet as dreamy as the Maldives? Known for its crystal clear waters and endless blue skies, the Maldives is truly paradise on Earth but there is usually one drawback – the hefty price tag that comes with a trip to this island nation.

However, there are still some hidden gems in the Maldives that offer luxury at an affordable price and Reethi Beach Resort is one of them.

We recently spent four days at this beautiful resort and it exceeded all of our expectations. Read on for our comprehensive review of Reethi Beach Resort and why you should add it to your travel bucket list.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. Please note that we were invited to stay at Reethi Beach Resort, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.*

Basic Information

Arriving at Reethi Beach Resort

Reethi Beach Resort is located on the beautiful Fonimagoodhoo Island in Baa Atoll, north of the Maldives’ capital, Male. The resort occupies the whole island, so the only people you’ll find here are other guests and resort staff.

Getting to Reethi Beach Resort is relatively easy, with two transport options. You can either take a 20-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride, or you can opt for a 35-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport.

While the seaplane ride is a bit more expensive, I think it’s definitely worth the upgrade for the stunning views you’ll get to see along the way. Trust me, traveling on a seaplane is an experience in itself!

Regardless of which option you choose, the resort staff will be waiting for you at the airport to assist with your transfer. They are extremely friendly and welcoming, making us feel like VIPs from the moment we arrived.

We decided to go with the seaplane ride and it was absolutely amazing. Actually, it was our first time traveling on a seaplane and we were both blown away by the beauty of the Maldivian islands from above.

As we touched down, we were greeted with a refreshing drink and a cold towel to cool off from the heat. After a quick check-in process, one of the staff members showed us around the island and then escorted us to our villa.

Villas

Reethi Beach Resort offers seven spacious villa styles for guests to stay in. They’re all built in the traditional Maldivan style with natural materials, giving you that feeling that you’re staying in a pure local utopia.

With the villa styles, you can choose from the Reethi Sunrise Villa, the Garden Villa, the Reethi Sunset Villa, the Deluxe Sunset Villa, the Family Villa, the Water Villa, and the Reethi Suite.

One thing to note is that wifi is only available in some of the public areas and not in the villas themselves. So if it’s important for you to stay connected, you can rent wifi routers with data packages upon check-in.

We decided to rent a router for our entire stay and had no issues with the connection. To be honest, the wifi was quite spotty in the public areas so we were really happy to have our own private connection in our villa.

As for the villas, we had the opportunity to stay in two different types: the Deluxe Sunset Villa and the Water Villa. Both were spacious, beautifully decorated, and offered something completely different from the other.

Deluxe Sunset Villa

We spent our first two nights in the detached Deluxe Sunset Villa on the west of the island, facing right out onto a pristine beach.

It was equipped with a king-sized bed (you can also opt for a twin bed option), a spacious open-air bathroom, a sizable wooden patio with two deck chairs, and a workstation with a widescreen TV.

The villa had more of a rustic feel to it, with wooden furniture and traditional Maldivian decor.

The best thing is that you’ll find the beach right on your doorstep, where you’ll also have your own sun loungers with thatched umbrellas.

We also really loved that the Sunset Bar was just a few steps away, making it the perfect spot to grab a cocktail and watch the sunset from the beach.

Water Villa

We spent the second half of our trip in a Water Villa, which was a completely different experience from the Deluxe Sunset Villa.

As the name suggests, this villa is built on stilts over the water and offers direct access to the Indian Ocean. We were amazed by how clear and blue the water was right below our villa!

Our 61 sqm villa featured an expansive king-sized bed with a plush mattress, a spacious bathroom with a shower and a soaking tub, and a living area with plenty of seating space.

As you open the glass doors, you have your own balcony, where you can dive straight into the lagoon. It also has two sun loungers and one umbrella, so you never have to go too far to catch some rays.

Facilities

Beach

Reethi Beach Resort has an endless stretch of white sandy beaches all around the island, making it the perfect spot for sunbathing and water activities.

One of the things I really loved about the island was that the sand was super soft and powdery, so walking barefoot was a pleasure. In fact, most people on the island walked around barefoot which was a bit strange at first, but after trying it, we never wanted to wear shoes again!

My favorite part of the island was the small lagoon between the water villas and the island, and the beach on the right side of the water villas, where you can even find a swing to take some Instagram-worthy photos.

Most villas on the island have their own sun loungers on the beach, but if you’re staying in the overwater villas, you can use the sun loungers placed close to the water villas, or the ones at Sunset Bar.

Swimming Pool

If you need a break from the sand, Reethi Beach Resort has an outdoor swimming pool that’s usually quiet because most guests spend their time by the beach. The pool itself is quite small, but it rarely fills up.

I loved how it was hidden amongst the dense tropical vegetation, away from some of the hotel’s busier areas. There are a couple of deck chairs with cushions that you can use and some swinging chairs if you’d prefer.

Sports center

It’s always a good idea to stay on top of your fitness routine while you’re on vacation, and Reethi Beach Resort allows you to do just that at its state-of-the-art sports center.

Every guest gets free access to the whole complex, including two open-air tennis courts with flood lights and two indoor badminton courts.

The gym is well-equipped with a range of cardio and strength machines, as well as free weights. It’s also conveniently located next to the pool, so you can pop out for a refreshing dip after your workout.

Coconut Spa

For a truly relaxing experience, head to the Coconut Spa, located in a tranquil area of the island surrounded by lush vegetation.

The spa offers an extensive menu of treatments and therapies, and they also have some really great packages. For instance, you can purchase multi-day packages with a massage for each day of your stay; how cool!

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to try the spa, but if I ever go back to Reethi Beach Resort, it’ll be at the top of my list.

Experiences & Activities

Reethi Beach Resort offers a range of activities and excursions for guests to take part in during their stay. Some of these include snorkeling trips, sunset cruises, dolphin watching, Maldivian fishing, and even cooking classes.

With the Indian Ocean right at your doorstep, snorkeling and diving are a must-do activity at Reethi Beach Resort.

The resort has its own house reef located on the western side of the island, right in front of the sunset villa area. You can easily access it from the beach, and you’ll be amazed by the underwater world that awaits you.

A word of warning though, the reef is very close to the beach and the water is quite shallow, so be careful not to step on the coral or hurt yourself during low tide.

There’s also a 5* PADI Dive Center on the island, offering a variety of courses for beginners and experienced divers. They also organize excursions to nearby dive sites, including the world-renowned Hanifaru Bay, where you can witness massive schools of manta rays and whale sharks.

The season for both manta rays and whale sharks is from June to December, so if you’re visiting during this time, it’s a must-do experience.

For those who love water sports, Reethi Beach Resort has an array of activities to choose from. You can go jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking.

One of the excursions we really loved was the sunset dolphin-watching cruise. We were lucky enough to spot a pod of dolphins and they even swam alongside our boat, an unforgettable experience!

Dining

Dining packages

There are a few different dining packages you can choose from when booking your stay at Reethi Beach Resort. Here’s a quick overview:

• Breakfast only: breakfast at The Rehendhi
• Half board: breakfast & dinner at The Rehendhi
• Full board: breakfast, lunch & dinner at The Rehendhi
• All-inclusive: same as the full board but with a selection of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks included
• All-inclusive premium: breakfast at The Rehendhi, lunch and dinner at either The Rehendhi or any of the other four a la carte restaurants (soft drinks and alcoholic drinks also included)

Since you’re on a private island with no other food options, we highly recommend opting for the all-inclusive premium package. That way, you can try out different restaurants and not worry about the bill at the end.

If you go for either the all-inclusive or all-inclusive premium, you also get some other inclusions such as two excursions per person per week, selected watersport activities, and one try dive per person.

For a truly unique and romantic experience, you can also opt for destination dining at Reethi Beach Resort. You can choose from various private locations on the island, such as a sandbank dinner under the stars or a candlelit dinner on the beach.

Restaurants

Reethi Beach Resort boasts five incredible restaurants across the island, with each providing a distinct dining style so guests never get bored.

• The Rehendhi: The main restaurant where most guests have their meals. It offers a buffet-style dining experience with a range of international and local dishes.
• Saima Garden: Set in a beautiful garden, Saima Garden offers a romantic experience with a set menu.
• Reethi Grill: This stunning open-air restaurant has an a la carte menu with a focus on grilled seafood and meat dishes. It’s also the perfect spot for sunset drinks.
• Moodhu Bar & Restaurant: Located on stilts over the beautiful lagoon, this a la carte restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines and a unique dining experience.
• Alifaan Restaurant: This poolside restaurant is a popular spot for lunch and serves up delicious pizzas, burgers, and salads.

During our visit, we got to try four out of the five restaurants, and each was a delightful culinary experience. I will give you more details on the different dining experiences below!

The Rehendhi

This is the main buffet restaurant at the resort, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of food available at each meal.

There’s a range of international and local dishes, including curries, stir-fries, pasta, salads, and more. For dinner, they always have a new theme every night of the week, so there’s always something new to try.

The breakfast buffet is also impressive with fresh fruit juices, pastries, eggs cooked to your preference, and even a selection of traditional Maldivian dishes.

Moodhu Bar & Restaurant

If you’re in the mood for an a la carte-style meal, the Moodhu Bar & Restaurant is the place to go. Located over the lagoon, you can enjoy a beautiful view while indulging in delicious dishes from various cuisines.

We had dinner here one night and were blown away by the quality of the food. We highly recommend trying their seafood dishes, especially the yellow-fin tuna tacos!

Reethi Grill

You can’t leave without dining under the stars at the Reethi Grill! This open-air restaurant offers an a la carte menu with a focus on grilled seafood and meat dishes.

The atmosphere here is simply magical, and the food was top-notch. It ended up being our favorite dining experience at the resort!

The grilled calamari and the homemade mozzarella were amazing, but the highlight was definitely the black Angus tenderloin steak. It was hands down one of the best steaks we’ve ever had!

For dessert, we went with the mango cheesecake and the five textures of chocolate. Both were delicious and made for the perfect ending to a fantastic dinner.

Saima Garden

For a more intimate and romantic dining experience, you can book a table at Saima Garden. Set in a beautiful garden, this restaurant offers a set menu with various courses.

You can choose from a vegetarian, seafood, meat, or Maldivian menu – we both went with the meat option and were not disappointed. The food was delicious, and the setting made for a truly special evening.

Bars

In addition to the restaurants, Reethi Beach Resort also has five bars for guests to enjoy.

• Rasgefaanu Bar: the main bar serving drinks and snacks by the beach
• Veyo Bar: located by the main pool
• Sunset Bar: offering fantastic views of the sunset
• Handhuvaru Bar: located near the water villas
• Moodhu Bar: the floating bar over the lagoon (same location as the Moodhu Restaurant)

We spent the majority of our time at Rasgefaanu Bar and Sunset Bar, both of which offer a laid-back atmosphere and a great selection of drinks. The sunset views from the Sunset Bar were truly breathtaking!

Final Thoughts

Overall, our stay at Reethi Beach Resort was incredible. From the beautiful villas and pristine beaches to the amazing dining options and activities, we couldn’t have asked for a better Maldivian experience.

Walking around the island barefoot, snorkeling with tropical fish and sea turtles, and indulging in delicious food – it’s safe to say we left the resort with wonderful memories that we will cherish forever.

We highly recommend Reethi Beach Resort for anyone looking for an unforgettable vacation in the Maldives. And don’t forget to try out all the different dining experiences – you won’t regret it!

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