Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

Sunset bar
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Funama
Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Ahima
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa
Sunset bar
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Garden Room
Funama
Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Ahima
Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa
Jacuzzi Water Villa

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 (6472)
  • Very good (1211)
  • Average (226)
  • Poor (65)
  • Terrible (33)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Loved it

Jan 26, 2025 Karen M Berriew, United Kingdom

Fabulous . We had a water villa with jacuzzi. Room was lovely and spacious with outdoor seating area as well as the separate jacuzzi with additional seating that was screened and private. Our room was cleaned twice a day with clean towels and fresh bedding daily. Mini bar restocked daily which includes wine, beer and soft drinks as well as… Read more
Fabulous . We had a water villa with jacuzzi. Room was lovely and spacious with outdoor seating area as well as the separate jacuzzi with additional seating that was screened and private. Our room was cleaned twice a day with clean towels and fresh bedding daily. Mini bar restocked daily which includes wine, beer and soft drinks as well as peanuts and Pringles. No spirits unfortunately. Food was amazing such a variety of choice for breakfast lunch and dinner. Cocktails very good. Service brilliant staff always happy and polite. Hired the snorkelling equipment to save taking it with us. The reef is awesome never seen so many beautiful fish. Had sunset trip as complimentary due to being all inclusive as well as a trip to Dhangethi (that will make you appreciate Vilamendoo!). Glad we didn't go half board as it would work out very expensive for the extras. The spa was lovely had a facial and a massage. Not cheap but a treat. Bit of confusion over the a la carte restaurants. We did go to Asian Wok once but then were told that any further visits were not included in the all inclusive package and we would have to pay. So cancelled but then talking to another guest they got told that there was unlimited visits to Asian Wok on an all inclusive package. Never go to the bottom of what was the right answer. Only went to the Bonthi Bar once for evening entertainment and they had the most brilliant rock band - they were called something Conspiracy . It's a lovely place - our first venture to the Maldives. Only issue was that in booking we believed that January was the driest month - sadly we had one day when it didn't rain and saw some amazing tropical storms. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A beautiful place that I’d like to keep secret!

Jan 26, 2025 michaelavent Bromsgrove, United Kingdom

Another wonderful trip and experience in the Maldives. Vilamendhoo is the perfect location for snorkelling or just complete relaxation. The staff are fantastic, the whole site is clean and well laid out and the reef is spectacular. We will definitely be coming back again.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent staff team

Jan 24, 2025 clairemN3287DA Uckfield, United Kingdom

From the moment we arrived at Male airport to departure, we were looked after by staff from the resort and ushered through to the bus to take us to the seaplane terminal. Everything worked well. On arrival at the resort, we were given a cool welcome drink. Our room wasn’t ready so we had lunch in the Ahima ( adults only) restaurant. The same lady… Read more
From the moment we arrived at Male airport to departure, we were looked after by staff from the resort and ushered through to the bus to take us to the seaplane terminal. Everything worked well. On arrival at the resort, we were given a cool welcome drink. Our room wasn’t ready so we had lunch in the Ahima ( adults only) restaurant. The same lady who checked us in came and collected us to take us to our room. We had chosen a jacuzzi water villa in the adults only area of the island. It was spacious, detached and private. The bed was on the firm side for me but not uncomfortable. The sheets were changed alternate days and there was an excellent turn down service in the evening when you could have your towels changed for a second time if you wanted. Nihan, was brilliant, keeping our room spotlessly clean. We were on the AIP board basis and could use most of the contents of the minibar which was restocked daily. We also received half a bottle of champagne on the first evening. The air con wasn’t working when we arrived but the problem was quickly rectified . We ate exclusively in the Ahima restaurant and had our own waiter for the duration. Meezad was excellent and remembered exactly what we liked to drink. He was thoughtful and efficient. The food was plentiful and delicious. We enjoyed several themed evenings. The drink package was extensive on the AIP with plenty of cocktails on offer as well as a good choice of wine. Unfortunately, they did not have the French white/ rose options as they had run out. The resort has its own house reef and has several floating life buoys at intervals so that you could have a rest. We saw so many species of fish…just like floating in an aquarium! You have to watch the currents but it is relatively easy to see where you should be swimming. Do take your own snorkels, masks and flippers as these are not free of charge to rent and are quite expensive to hire. This is the first time in the Maldives that we have been told there is a charge ( out of five visits to other islands). Luckily , we were prepared. We took part in one excursion . This was to visit a nearby residential island. We were told , only when we turned up at the appointee time, that there were mosquitoes on the island. It was a long walk back to our villa to get the insect repellent. Perhaps it would be a good idea to inform guests on booking that repellent was needed. It was interesting to see the boat building and schools. When we departed, we were looked after again by staff from Vilamendhoo who met us at Male and took us through to check in. All in all, in spite of the changeable weather, we had a lovely time and would return. This island works so well because of its staff team. Meezad, Nihan and Safraz ( a trainee who went above and beyond to show us the little lights in the sand at night) all deserve a mention. The staff are all incredibly helpful and well trained. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A real island paradise

Jan 23, 2025 Nick M St Albans

Our second visit to this mini island paradise was every bit as great as our first. They really put a lot of effort into making your stay enjoyable in every way - rooms, staff, food are all excellent, and of course the crowning glory is having fish-filled reef only yards of the beach, and virtually circling the whole island. We went for a jacuzzi… Read more
Our second visit to this mini island paradise was every bit as great as our first. They really put a lot of effort into making your stay enjoyable in every way - rooms, staff, food are all excellent, and of course the crowning glory is having fish-filled reef only yards of the beach, and virtually circling the whole island. We went for a jacuzzi beach villa rather than a water villa this time, and while we missed looking down at the illuminated fish from our deck in the evenings, we loved being able to be over the reef within a minute of leaving our room. And being closer to the bar! The food in the buffet is remarkable both in terms of quality and the variety offered. Even after 10 days we never got bored and never even considered either of the two a la carte restaurants Staff were all good, but our waiter, Misbah, was exceptional. A real star Finally - unless you drink vast amounts of alcohol, you'll save money by going full board rather all-inclusive Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A paradise on earth

Jan 22, 2025 donatellan676 Milan, Italy

The overwater villas are amazing. You can also enjoy a jacuzzi treatment in a separated area of the villa, having a total privacy experience. The house reef is one of the best we have experienced in Maldives resorts. All the bars have a wide area outside to enjoy the sunset by drinking a special cocktail. The food variety is very good.