Reethi Faru, Bio Luxury Resort

Barefoot luxury without being excessive. We had a fabulous week here in deluxe beach villa 332. This was the perfect location on the island. We had considered being thrifty and staying in a garden room but being on the beach meant you have your own loungers and shade so you don't have to worry about where you are going to hang out. Mind you, apparently the resort was pretty full but you didn't really notice it and there were a lot of loungers on the beach by Nala bar ( the best beach by far for sand and snorkelling) so if you are going to stay in a garden villa I suggest asking for one close to Nala. The pool and hot tub villas looked to be mostly in areas with no beach due to erosion, and poorer reef. The over water villas look to be the same inside as the beach villas. They might be great, but honestly, they didn't look that inviting from the exterior - just rows of tightly packed villas on stilts. And the reef isn't great around them. I'd prefer the beach villas to these. The resort is very eco-conscious - kudos to them. We went on a tour of their 'behind the scenes' operations (a huge area that you don't see at all from the guest areas) and witnessed their commitment to the environment on so many levels. Their staff deserve a huge shout-out for their warm smiles, friendliness, and helpfulness. The house reef was best near Nala bar and was pretty good in comparison to many other countries and reefs we have been to. Hints: don't bring much footwear - you will be barefoot day and evening even in the restaurants. Except if you do use the gym which requires runners. Bring reef safe sunscreen. We didn't have enough and it costs $48 US in the gift shop! We are light eaters so opted for the breakfast plan and did a la carte for our lunches and dinners and drinks. We think we saved $ and had more options. The buffet restaurant does have great food and changing variety though. Please pay attention to reef etiquette- we saw people (not many) standing on the coral :- so know where you are allowed to enter and exit the water where there is a path clear of coral (it's marked, but not well).

We have been coming to the Maldives for many years and this was our first visit to the resort. We had looked at trip advisor and it is surprising that some of the things we saw have not been mentioned. Overall the experience is over commercial, with everything costing more / extra and a feeling that it is just a money machine. It is always going to be pricey in the Maldives but there is a balance. Key points; The views are not as shown. You may look out to a couple of semi industrial (by Maldives standards) islands (we were in water villa 545). The room was not clean, with bits of what looked liked toothpaste on the bed, pen marks and chips on the headboard and rust on the shower. Drinking water is extra above an allowance of 1 bottle per person per day. You are not allowed to have a mini bar stocked with soft drinks / beer etc that you pay for as used .. apparently because people leave the fridge doors open (?). So you are either charged a room service delivery fee for a coke, or have to trek to buy one and bring it back. The infinity pool seems to have been plonked down in the old logistics area, overlooking the pier where the trash etc is removed. The pool is damaged and is awaiting repair. Again not as shown in the photos. Toddlers swimming in it without their nappies and staff indifferent. If you want a life jacket when snorkeling you have to pay a daily fee per jacket. The buffet is OK but one of us got food poisoning, which we have never had in the Maldives before. Possibly unlucky but it all adds up. Internet is really slow. Again not seen this recently in the Maldives. Transfers to the airport seem to be a mystery. We could only be told what time we are leaving the night before. It helps to know if you are getting up at 3 am or 4 am and a suggestion that we check out of our room a full hour before we leave does not show care for customers about to embark on a long trip home. Overall there is a real sense of a lack of interest in customers by managers, which is the opposite of every other resort we have visited in the Maldives. The birthday of one of our family felt like it was an opportunity to upsell a $180 pp dinner booking. Positives included a really excellent dive school (5 stars), very well run and with excellent friendly staff. Marine life seemed fantastic but as has been said before no communication on protecting coral etc. Most of the staff were great and we felt well looked after in our room. Every other resort we have been to in the Maldives has been superb, immaculate and focused on the guests. Sadly not at Reethi Faru.

This is a truly wonderful place. The barefoot experience of wandering around along tree-lined shaded sandy pathways with little bars and restaurants along the way, manned by delightful staff, watching enormous fruit bats fly overhead (confusingly all through the day). The food at the several restaurants is fresh, well-prepared and beautifully served - delicious. Local cocktails are pretty and fruity. The restaurants do have set service times, but you can usually find a snack somewhere. And then there’s the sea - oh my goodness! We’ve been to some beautiful beaches fringing beautiful sea but this is something else. The very epitome of a tropical paradise!

A stunning island with lovely rooms. Quiet enough to find pockets of beach where you feel like you are on your own private island. Amazing water sports and trips also on offer. Our absolute highlight was the food. The chef’s are amazing!! Friendly, smiley and amazing cooks. The desserts were particularly special!

Wonderful house reef - sharks, turtles, sting rays, dolphins, seastars and many fish Quality and selection of food in all restaurants excellent Service staff very friendly & competent Beach Villa was a dream - cleanliness top, very comfortable bed, super nice terrace and stunning open bathroom Beautiful white sand and Cristal clear water, clean beach, resort takes care about environment and sustainability practices