Riu Palace Maldivas - All Inclusive

Beautiful scenery, well kept and clean facilities, friendly and professional staff with attention to details. Excellent food and dining options. Tranquil atmosphere.

Nothing about the property. Long transfer time if not getting a sea plane direct from Malé.

It is the quintessential paradise retreat. Aqua blue water, thriving sea life and the friendliest staff

Getting restaurant reservations was a challenge - the daily buffet was excellent however it would be better to have other options accessible to guests

The environment and activities plus facilities are very convenient

Nothing

The staff were absolutely the best part of the experience—friendly, professional, and always helpful, which made the stay particularly enjoyable. The hotel was spotlessly clean and very well maintained. The location was also excellent, making it convenient to get around and enjoy the surrounding area.

Overall, the hotel does not really give a five-star impression. In my experience, it feels closer to a four-star property, or even below that by the standards of a mainstream European destination. It is quite far from what I would expect from a five-star tropical island resort. In the room, several details feel rather basic: the hair dryer is very basic, the shower water pressure is low, and the toiletries (soap and shampoo) are of standard quality. The minibar has a limited selection, with very few non-alcoholic options, basic instant coffee and only a small choice of infusions. Some of the furniture is also showing its age, particularly the sofa. The architecture is quite brutalist and, in my opinion, lacks character and a genuine local or Maldivian touch. The walkway between the islands is another concern, as some of the concrete tiles feel unstable and could potentially be a safety issue. The hotel is particularly disappointing during rainy weather. There are very few covered areas where guests can sit, meaning that when it rains, there is very little to do and the overall atmosphere becomes extremely dull and restrictive. The food and dining experience also falls short of five-star expectations. Small details are missing: toothpicks are not provided at the tables, and there is no salt or pepper on the tables during lunch and dinner. The buffet has a poor selection of juices, fruits and desserts. The desserts in particular feel very basic, with an excessive use of brightly coloured buttercream, while some items, such as the macarons, were extremely dry. The selection of local food is limited and does not feel particularly well presented or promoted. During my stay, there was only one themed buffet evening. The à la carte/reservation restaurants do not offer much of an advantage compared with the buffet, with rather uninspiring choices.