Vakkaru Maldives — Hotel in South Maalhosmadulu

When you love a place soooooo much, when an experience is so great and memorable and meaningful you would think writing a review would be easy. Well, actually it is the very hardest task. How do I encapsulate something so special in a few paragraphs or a handful of sentences, the answer is you can’t .... so I won’t. BUT I will share just a little bit of our experience.

The staff- dedicated, attentive , selfless and kind. A few adjectives are not enough to summarize a resort and company culture which emanates everything good about travel and hospitality. They cared so much about your stay and about every little detail that creates it. Our butler Lois doted on our every need and took the reigns when she knew we just wanted to turn our brains off ; she made dinner reservations, she brought ice and jokes and towels and snorkel gear and basically anything we could have asked for. She was our one go to person who could get drinks delivered to the other end of the island on the beach or get a bike fixed. All of the food and beverage staff became family, we laughed and shared stories. They made us feel at home while always showering us with love and attention and the most expedient , professional service . I wish I could remember more names, I feel terrible I can’t, but Shaun ( probably not how it was spelled) was really a special man, and a great server , but so were all the others. They took pictures, shared their stories and became close friends . Even as we left Shifan and the airport and transit teams catered to all of our needs, both foreseen and implicit. They anticipate issues and make them disappear before you even have time to stress. It is a literal dream, I don’t know how else to describe it, except, “ IS THIS REAL LIFE??!” Often times at luxury resorts you are imbued with the idea that you shouldn’t notice staff and food service when it is good but only when it is bad, as if perfection is to be expected. Well here the service was so exceptional that you notice it every time. The room cleaning service was the best I’ve ever seen, and it’s in a world of sand and sea, yet the rooms are beyond spotless . I want to thank our guy Ali for making that so incredible . You are in for in for some surprises too, just wait . You will see!! That man is special, and so kind and hardworking. Really quick : the restaurants were not something we expected to highlight our trip , I mean we are on basically an island far far away from civilization, our expectations were tempted yet the food was beyond phenomenal, diverse and with an ambiance distinct to each restaurant, each experience was incredible and also picturesque, a romantic’s dream. I want to thank one man above all else , Jamel, who got us VIP bottle service at a snap of a finger for incredible prices and directed the most incredible bar staff too. The last day our bartender was creating cocktails for us that were as pretty as art, and tasted exquisite, he made it almost an impossibility to leave. His name is Khairul. His drinks are tantalizing and having them next to that massive infinity style pool as the warm sun blanketed us made them taste that much better. I also wanted to mention; that this resort from the extravagant rooms, with an incredible attention to detail, to the most jaw dropping island of white sandy beaches and turquoise alluring water, to the remarkably landscaped interior of jungle and floral magnificence, was just a literally picture of a figurative heaven. Literally what I would imagine behind those pearly gates. Thanks Ian and the team for making 2020 end wonderfully. I’ve never cried when leaving a resort BUT as the sea plane floated effortlessly into the marine air, as I stared over the small aisle at my beautiful love Jessica and glanced down at the disappearing majesty of Vakkaru, a tear of joy and relief and of everything good in life fell quietly down my cheek ....

As frequent travelers to the Maldives, we had the opportunity to stay at several luxury properties such as Cheval Blanc, Four Seasons, and One&Only. While each of these hotels is impressive in its own way, we keep coming back to Vakkaru and are addicted to this place. What sets Vakkaru apart is its genuine hospitality and the natural beauty of the island. The staff here is exceptional, and they go out of their way to make guests feel welcomed and comfortable. They take the time to get to know their guests and personalize their experience, making it a truly memorable one. This starts with our super professional butler like Nouha but also with the General Manager and Executive Chef Driss. Amazing focus on customer experience and they just keep delivering and raising the bar at each visits. Additionally, the island's natural beauty is breathtaking. The clear blue waters, white sand beaches, and lush vegetation create an oasis that is hard to replicate. Unlike some of the other properties that have a more artificial feel to them (such as One&Only or Cheval Blanc) Vakkaru is a genuine property in a natural site, which adds to its charm. Overall, I highly recommend Vakkaru to anyone looking for a luxurious and authentic Maldives experience. It's a place where you can unwind, relax, and create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime. Management is very present and tried to accommodate your needs , truly listens to feedback and is very proactive. A big thank you to Iain McCormack and his amazing team.

We had the pleasure of staying at Vakkaru for seven times, and each time has been an absolute delight. From the moment we arrive at the island, we are always struck by its beauty - the crystal-clear waters, the pristine white sand beaches, and the lush greenery all around.

What truly sets Vakkaru apart, however, is its staff. The team is exceptional and professional, always going above and beyond to make sure guests are comfortable and happy. They are attentive to every need and take the time to get to know their guests on a personal level, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that is hard to beat.

The hotel's facilities are in a simple , sleek design / deco. The rooms are spacious and luxurious, with modern amenities and stunning views of the ocean from our deluxe beach villa . The food at the restaurants is delicious, with a wide variety of options to choose from. We love the Grill with Ibbe being a star in service but a big applaud to the entire Vakku restaurant team and the kitchen led by Chef Mansoor There is a wonderful kids club which our 8year old daughter loves. A big bravo and thank you to Kristina , Ana , Ina , Maee , and Aisha. You can be sure your child is in good hands and will have fun and for parents like us the quality of the staff and activities in the kids club is a key elements of choosing a property.

Overall, Vakkaru is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a luxurious and unforgettable vacation in the Maldives. The island's natural beauty, combined with its exceptional staff and facilities, make it the perfect place to relax, unwind, and create...

Our 11th wedding anniversary and summer break trip to Vakkaru Resort, with our 9-year-old daughter, was a dream come true. We had spent countless hours admiring the resort on Instagram, and experiencing it firsthand was even better than we imagined. This place doesn't need a filter! The welcome was incredibly warm, we felt like Royalties here.||Our butler, Juman, was an absolute gem. He consistently went above and beyond, always punctual and surprising our daughter with delightful sweet treats and charming sand art creations at night. He took into consideration my daughter's favorite characters! I can tell that he is an artist. The personalized cards and welcome messages on our TV were thoughtful touches that made us feel incredibly special. Our overwater villa was stunning, offering breathtaking views! The sound of the water was very relaxing.||Dining at Vakkaru was a culinary delight. We tried several restaurants, and each offered delicious food with generous portions – so much so that we often felt bad not finishing everything! Vakku is definitely our favorite but all the restaurants we tried were amazing!||Exploring the island was made even more fun with our personalized bikes (complete with our names!). I miss riding our bikes day and night.||Glad we opted for the resort's professional photography services, including drone videos and photos, and we are so incredibly glad we did! The results were absolutely stunning and provided us with unforgettable memories of our trip. Priceless, indeed!||A highlight of our trip was the Vakkaru Spa. The views from the treatment rooms, looking directly down into the pristine waters, were simply mesmerizing. My massage was so incredibly relaxing, I actually drifted off to sleep! I was hoping to see fishes but fell asleep, lol! The wellness center is fantastic, featuring a cold plunge, jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna. As someone who experiences migraines, I particularly appreciated the cold plunge – a perfect alternative to hot treatments.||Vakkaru is truly a family-friendly paradise. Our daughter had an amazing time at the kids' club, which offers a full schedule of activities daily. She made new friends, allowing us the perfect opportunity to enjoy the spa and other resort amenities knowing she was happy and engaged. It's so great that they have this there. ||While our 3-night stay was incredible, we definitely wished we could have stayed for 5 nights to fully experience everything Vakkaru has to offer. There is so much to do and enjoy! Every single staff member we encountered was genuinely kind and helpful. They even know our names! Leaving Vakkaru was hard, but we're already looking forward to our return (fingers crossed). We wholeheartedly recommend Vakkaru Resort Maldives, especially for families! Special thanks to Ted for making us feel welcomed, relaxed, everything!!! Worth...