Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

The hotel

Just a 25-minute seaplane transfer from the airport is Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, the idyllic setting for your Maldivian adventure. This beautiful, unspoiled island with lush vegetation and pure white sand is surrounded by a crystal-clear lagoon, ideal for snorkelling, and divers will be in their element in the incredible house reef - one of the few places in the world where you’ll find a year-round aggregation of whale sharks! There’s something for everyone here, with adults-only and family-friendly areas that make sure everyone has the perfect spot to unwind, as well as exciting restaurants to discover. What do you fancy, live teppanyaki, or a meal cooked on hot volcanic rocks? Amazingly, those are both options here. You’re sure to have an unforgettable time.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

In South Ari atoll, 88km south of Malé. Transfer time from Velana International Airport: 25 minutes by seaplane (remember to pack light for the seaplane transfer as luggage allowance is 20kg plus 5kg hand luggage, per person).

Hotel information

184 rooms, all Maldivian inspired with king-sized beds, air conditioning, a fully stocked minibar, open-air bathroom with modern amenities, cable TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, and a personal safe. 

Garden Rooms are nestled in the natural island gardens, with a private porch, privacy screen between each room and easy access to the island’s facilities. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child, or 3 adults.

 

Full Board: Inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner served in the buffet restaurants.

All-Inclusive Plus Package: includes the following 

- Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in either Funama Restaurant (for guests staying in Garden Rooms and Beach Villas) or Ahima Restaurant (for guests staying in Jacuzzi Beach Villas and Jacuzzi Water Villas)

- Snack menu served at Bonthi Bar and Sunset Bar from 11.00-22.00

- 20% discount on all food items at Asian Wok or the Hot Rock (not valid for special events or teppanyaki)

- Dine Around Option of one 3-course set menu for Lunch and Dinner in the Asian Wok (pre-booking required, subject to space and availability)

- Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including bottled water, soft drinks, coffee and tea, smoothies and milkshakes, draught beer, wine, house spirits, and cocktails and mocktails made with house spirits)

- Mini-bar with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, plus snacks (refilled once per day)

- One 1/2 bottle of champagne per room per stay

- 20% discount off selected spa treatments taken during the first two days of your stay (subject to space availability)

- Activities included as per schedule: one Sunset Cruise; one 1/2 hour group snorkelling lesson (equipment not included); one Dhangethi Island Excursion; one 1/2 hour group windsurfing lesson (equipment included); one 1/2 hour group tennis lesson (equipment included); free use of Fitness Centre; daytime use of tennis, volleyball and badminton courts; table tennis, billiards, snooker, darts and football; free use of kayaks and windsurfers; free group yoga session at Duniye Spa.

Please note: guests will be required to sign all food and beverage bills, except buffet meals. No charges will be posted to your hotel account for the benefits included in your All-Inclusive Plus Package. Charges not included must be paid upon checkout.

Beach Villas are detached villas just a few steps from the shore, with a private furnished porch perfect for enjoying the fantastic ocean view. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 2 children, or 3 adults.

Jacuzzi Beach Villas offer Maldivian inspired beach living with views of the lagoon, private sundeck and Jacuzzi for two, with a private walled-in outdoor area. These villas are located in the adults’ only area and exclusively for guest over 18. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Jacuzzi Water Villas are over-water villas with a private sundeck, with stairs leading into the sea. These villas are exclusively for guests aged 18 years and older. With 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Two buffet restaurants: Funama (open air, family friendly) and Ahima (adults-only). A la carte restaurants: Asian Wok Restaurant and Bar (with live teppanyaki station) and Hot Rocks (meals prepared on hot volcanic rocks). Snacks served at bars. Bonthi Bar (with overwater wooden deck), Boashi Bar (ice cream and smoothies available) and Sunset Bar (adults only).

Three pools, including a child’s wading pool. House reef, great for diving and snorkelling (snorkelling equipment available to hire*). Fun dives* for certified divers. Diving courses*. Non-motorised water sports* including stand up paddle board, kayaks and windsurfing. Catamaran sailing*. Award-winning Duniye Spa, offering traditional and modern treatments. Children’s play area, close to family-friendly Boashi Bar.

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: to ensure our customer's safety, we are unable to offer over water accommodation to children under the age of 18.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (6388)
  • Very good (1205)
  • Average (224)
  • Poor (64)
  • Terrible (33)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Another fantastic stay

Sep 15, 2024 DepartJersey

A smooth arrival to the seaplane. Friendly and warm greeting when we arrived at Vilamendhoo, they made us feel very special. Standalone Beach Villa was clean, comfortable and roomy. With a beautiful welcome home greeting on the bed, along with a fruit basket, wine and fizz. Food as always was fantastic with different themed nights. A great… Read more
A smooth arrival to the seaplane. Friendly and warm greeting when we arrived at Vilamendhoo, they made us feel very special. Standalone Beach Villa was clean, comfortable and roomy. With a beautiful welcome home greeting on the bed, along with a fruit basket, wine and fizz. Food as always was fantastic with different themed nights. A great selection of different foods. Restaurant server was very friendly and attentive. Enjoyed sitting on the decking area for pre-dinner drinks. The Be A Chef experience at the Asian Wok was excellent and good fun, the chef was friendly and very genuine. The reef was full of fish and the coral appear to be getting their colour back. You could snorkel all day and see something different each time. We find the north side of the island our preferred, with white sand a gentle breeze and shade if you wanted it. Rooms from 185 to 196. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Hidden gem

Sep 7, 2024 Simon A

Absolutely fantastic, am not a picky person, but if I where there would be nothing at all to complain about , location perfect , good app to make trips easy to book , rooms perfect , stayed in jacuzzi beach villa first week , water villa next week ( they upgraded us free , didn’t ask to be upgraded was complete surprise) , food excellent and staff… Read more
Absolutely fantastic, am not a picky person, but if I where there would be nothing at all to complain about , location perfect , good app to make trips easy to book , rooms perfect , stayed in jacuzzi beach villa first week , water villa next week ( they upgraded us free , didn’t ask to be upgraded was complete surprise) , food excellent and staff courteous and friendly , snorkeling knock the Caribbean and Red Sea for 6 , from island saw turtles , eagle and stingrays , sharks , and on trips. Whale shark and manta . Brilliant it was Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Our Happy Place!

Aug 28, 2024 gerry_bean2001 Devon

Just returned from 2 weeks at Vilamendhoo! This was our 3rd visit, last time was 9 years ago and it was just like going home! such a perfect stay, wonderful attentive staff and amazing scenery. Although we got caught in the monsoon that happened it didnt detract from our stay, it was still warm and gave us the time we needed to chill and relax.… Read more
Just returned from 2 weeks at Vilamendhoo! This was our 3rd visit, last time was 9 years ago and it was just like going home! such a perfect stay, wonderful attentive staff and amazing scenery. Although we got caught in the monsoon that happened it didnt detract from our stay, it was still warm and gave us the time we needed to chill and relax. Still able to snorkel and see how the reef was after 9 years. We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary and my birthday while we were there and the staff really went out of there way to make it special. We ate in the Asian Wok several times and the food is absolutely amazing. Used the spa 3 times - the girls there have magic fingers - left feeling so relaxed. It was so nice to see the changes that have been made, staff though are still the best thing about the Island - they couldnt be anymore helpful. Special thanks to Samir from Ahima and Raoof our Room attendant who looked after us. Loved the special floral tributes! Staff in the Asian Wok Jamshad - who was there 9years ago - Sanchita? and all the others who were so welcoming and cheerful and made our celebrations memorable. This will not be our last visit and wont leave it so long next time. Thank you Vilamendhoo - our Happy place! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating My Paradise!

Aug 21, 2024 Maria João M Carnaxide, Portugal

For the seventh time, we chose Vilamendhoo for our summer holidays. Having had so wonderful experiences in the previous years, our expectations were quite high, but everything was perfect again during the two weeks we spent there in June. Since the moment we put our foot in the Island, we really feel at home, with the warm and personalized… Read more
For the seventh time, we chose Vilamendhoo for our summer holidays. Having had so wonderful experiences in the previous years, our expectations were quite high, but everything was perfect again during the two weeks we spent there in June. Since the moment we put our foot in the Island, we really feel at home, with the warm and personalized welcome we receive upon arrival. Everything and everybody and every detail is prepared for our arrival, so we just need to relax and enjoy our stay, surrounded by friends. As we are repeaters, we feel that we already belong to the "Vilamendhoo family" and all the staff recognize us and take care of us in a very special, personalized and warm way. As usually, we stayed in the adults’ zone, in a water villa with the comfort and the excellent service, as well as with the quietness and tranquillity that we can enjoy there. The food is exquisite, with a lot of options and sometimes is difficult to choose among so many delicious possibilities. The service at the restaurant is also superb. All the team at the restaurant and in the pool bar is very nice efficient and kind. A special mention to Nishad that takes cares of us since our first stay, and also to Samir, Ashham, Raaly and Yahnnish that were always incredibly kind and efficient. The Island has a privileged location on the atoll and the house reef is amazing. We just need to enjoy every moment that we spent in the paradise! The house reef is amazing for snorkeling and diving. From our Villa we just need to swim 30/40 meters to be surrounded by all variety of fishes, rays, sharks, corals, school fishes, etc. Besides all the highlights that I have mentioned before, I must say that the quality of the house reef and the diving center, is really a must for me and it is one of the main reasons to come back to Vilamendhoo year after year. The Eurodivers Vilamendhoo team are excellent professionals, taking care of our security and comfort and all the instructors with whom we had the privilege to dive with are really nice, always showing a personalized kindness in a great atmosphere and do its utmost to provide us with the most amazing diving experiences. I really want to thank them all: Matthias, Chika, Kaisa, Sarah, Nahoko, Guillaume, as well as the supporting people at the diving center and the boat crew members – for the most amazing dives this year, as well as their contribution for improving our skills as divers Hopefully, we shall meet again next year! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Room facility and Cleanness need to be improve

Aug 21, 2024 621Sean Shanghai, China

The room facility including wash basin and showers are quite old, sometimes the water is yellow from the tag is pipe got rusted? The bed and quilt is not clean enough some bugs bites us on the back.