Riu Palace Maldivas - All Inclusive

The property was immaculate and cleaned daily if we wanted it. We did not as we were sick and then there were storms so spent some time in our room. Staff were so friendly and accomodating.

I don’t think the food choices were catered to people like myself being allergic to dairy sugar and capsicum. You say it was all inclusive yet we were limited to soft drinks in our room. That was unfair as like I say I am allergic to sugar. With the language barrier even when I asked no one seemed to understand me.

This island in truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The water was crystal blue and so clear that we were spotting fish, turtles, baby sharks and stingrays swimming past every single day! The marine life is so abundant and absolutely worth the snorkeling sunburn that both my husband and I received. The staff were also such a highlight of the trip - so friendly and welcoming, and always doing whatever they could to make the stay more enjoyable. Also, it was quite a walk from one end of the resort to the other, and the little buggy shuttle that you could catch to and from the different areas was a welcome escape on some of the hotter days.

Overall, there were only 2 negatives that we would be able to provide about this location. First was the "USD$ Resort Credit" that we received upon booking with Booking.com. Upon arrival we asked about the credit and were informed that this could only be used at either the spa or the water sports hut, however, it could only be used for a small selection of treatments and activities AND could only be redeemed for $15-25 off a selected treatment or activity that were already priced $150-$300 USD. It was pretty unfortunate and very misleading as that was not explained during the booking phase. The second thing would be the food, specifically the room service. If you are someone who loves room service meals on a holiday, this resort is not for you. If we wanted to order any kind of room service in between meal times, or instead of going to the buffet, all you could order was a salad or a sandwich. There was very little on offer and it was a bit disappointing.

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.

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.