Villa Park, Maldives — Hotel in Sun Island

This place is just marvelous and you can see it by the thousands of pictures uploaded by the thousands of guests who spent their lovely holidays here. But Let’s be a bit practical. Sun Island is an holiday village very well organized. It has everything and when I say everything I mean it! Cheap/expensive, silence/noise (nature), beach/jungle, sport/relax. Check in is easy. As soon as you book, the Sun Island personnel send you an email with all the instructions, because you have to take another flight (30 minutes) to get there (flight costs about 250$ round trip). Check out is well organized, the day before your leaving you receive all the info you need to leave in accordance with your flight back home. No need to carry cash with you. All payments are made through you room’s number and the last day but one you pay the bill. The island is long (about 3 km) and narrow, pretty much everything is located in the center and out of the water villas, the bungalows are all around, meaning that...if you get a bungalow close to the extremities, you’ll have to walk about 1 km every time you’ll have to eat, or go to the reception to book an excursion or just whatever. But, as I said, they are very well organized, so bicycles are available for rental at the cost of 6$ per day. The north side is always windy and the water is a bit deeper than the south one, which is calm (super hot) and the water is kids friendly (not deep), plus, close to the water villas, it’s plenty of fishes and small sharks you can dive with. Every day at 6,30 pm there are two separate events, the shark and the stingray feeding, when the fishes come in 2 specific spots to get food and you can take some nice picture as well. Another thing to know is that with the all inclusive/full board formula you will be assigned to only one restaurant, even if in the island there are 5 or 6 restaurants. Don’t worry, if you will choose the only breakfast formula, the prices in all the the restaurants are made to let you choose the full board/all inclusive, but I would recommend the only breakfast formula because at the end the price will be the same but at least you can change menu, avoiding to get some fat, since the full board/all inclusive are “all you can eat”! Inside the “village” there is a gym, a volleyball indoor and outdoor (beach) courts, and many other activities like table tennis, mini golf, basketball, pool and for your kids there is a big swimming pool with a bar inside of it (very cool) and of course, video games. So, bring your tennis shoes, besides the gym there is a paved road (it’s an inner circle) where you can jog early in the morning. There are a couple of shops and even a jewelry but do not forget your snorkeling gear, otherwise it will cost you more than a diamond (81$ for a mask with mouthpiece and 31$ only mask). Everything out the sun, the beach and the sea, has a cost (I’m talking about excursion like snorkeling, fishing and stuff like that, price listing as per the posted picture) and water sports costs a lot (double zeros). I left my stay at the end to be the more impartial, since I’ve been in the water villa, with all the comforts. That was a good one. We only had a couple of minor problems with ants in the room and the toilet pipe blocked, but the service was quickly efficient to solve it. The water villa is Very quiet, private stair to the sea, private terrace and the restaurant assigned for water villas’ guests (which is different from the other one assigned to the remaining guests) is very good, with a big variety of food. The menu change every day, there is always a special dish from some Country all over the world and you will always find fish, meat, salads, local, fresh fruit, sweets all goods. Great value to the restaurant is given by the cooks in the picture, not just because the delicious food they cook at the moment (grill, pasta, pancakes, fish, meat..) but because their cheerful and kind nature, 5 stars to them! At the end, I would definitely recommend this place, both if you’re a couple or a...

This is my 14th time in Maldives and 12th time to Sun Island Villa Park. I have been coming here because the customer service is one of the best I have ever experienced. On our arrival we received an amazing welcome and we’re looked after by Cindy and Ali (Guest Services Manager). The transfer process and check in was quick and smooth and they did everything to make us feel special. I have met Ali on previous visits to the island and even then his customer service was amazing. In 2023 he took the time to inform me about plans and changes that were in place for the island. Both Ali and Cindy did everything to ensure that our accommodation needs were met and Cindy even went the extra mile to ensure things went smoothly.

Our main Resturant was the southern star (the one near the water bungalow), the food and the service there is amazing. A lot of different choices and very well seasoned cuisines. We were looked after by Karthik (waiter) and everyday we were welcomed by him with a smile. He was consistent in his customer service and very attentive. When my partner was unwell he went above and provided herbal tea during lunch and dinner time. On the main beach we met Mamun again. Mamun has been working here for years and whenever we see him we are greeted with a warm welcome. Mamun has always provided great customer service and always tried to ensure we have great beach experience. It would nice to return to Villa park next year or the year after and see him promoted. The facilities here are great they have recently built an indoor facility for kids in the middle of the island.

We stayed in the Deluxe beach villa with pool and love it there. The champagne floating breakfast was the best one we have had so far. More variety compared to the ones we have had at other Maldivian resort. It’s was carefully prepared by Chef Murugan.

The only thing I would change is the Champagne for the floating breakfast to Moet and Chandon or Dom Pérignon choice.

Chef Murugan approached us during the seafood Barbecue beach dinner to find out what we thought of the food. We informed him about the soup needing more flavour.

He took our opinion on board and when we saw him again at the Sea food beach dinner we were noticed a big improvement in the taste of soup dish. The beach dinners are chargeable events which are not part of the all-inclusive so it was good to see that he cared about the quality of the food. Our main restaurant for our stay was the Southern Star, the service we received there was impeccable. We observed how the staff responded to our needs over the first week and especially Rachel (The Resturant Manager). Rachel displayed a lot of positive energy and consistency smiled and greeted us whenever we walked in. She was open to listen to our feedback regarding the Japanese dinner and went above and beyond to surprise us on our last night during our stay. We felt very happy at the way we treated at Villa Park to the point that am planning to bring some close family members and friends on our next visit. Pratima the guest services host played an important part in this visit as well. I contacted Pratima prior to arriving in Villa Park and informed her of our plans and issues on getting through to the right department. Pratima was on annual leave but still went ahead and provided an excellent service by contacting her colleagues on my behalf. When returned to the island from her leave she reached out to check on us and also resolved some minor issues for us behind the reception especially when our host Cindy was off work for the day.

Some people may think the chargeable events are expensive however they so flexible here that if you ask for more food they will cook it for you. There are a lot of things on the island to do. The Spa is the best we have ever seen and experienced. Spa Manager Chivan always ensures the service we receive is of a high standard. He always asks for feedback and is open for suggestions in terms of improvements. I would definitely return to Sun Island Vill Park again...

I was contacted over email right after I booked my stay to plan the domestic flights. Once in MLE airport, guests were accompanied to the domestic terminal. After a scenic 25-minute flight and a 8-minute boat ride, we were driven to the reception in golf carts, offered a welcome drink, and a local representative welcomed us with maps of the place, a list of optional activities, information about the meal plans. Next, buffet lunch. Guests are assigned a fixed table during the stay. My table (#88) had a beautiful view, away from the noise, and the service was superb. Full board guests eat at the Maaniya buffet restaurant. The enormous variety of options changes twice a day, making it impossible to try everything. Service is excellent. Ananth, who was in charge of my table, became a great company and friend. Great talks on local culture, food and life in paradise vs back home. I once asked why it was that Indian chai wasn't served among the beverage options, and he then personally prepared chai for breakfast the following morning. Service was over the top at all times. Food in general is very good, Indian food is excellent. Satheesh, the expert at the Indian food section, will get you a plate full of the daily recommended options. Variety in general is 10/10 (options for kids too, even burgers and marshmallows), taste 7/10 (fish options were surprisingly dry), Indian food 10/10, deserts 8/10, service 10+++/10. The FB meal plan includes water, tea and coffee, other drinks have extra cost (range of wines, imported beer, cocktails). All-inclusive guests get a list of included drinks upon arrival. Other restaurants on Sun Island offer options like Italian food (including pizza delivery and gelato). A la carte prices are alright-ish, but I’d definitely recommend the meal plan. Some of the bars/cafes open 24/7. COVID19 protocol is strictly followed, and guests are kindly asked to do so (masks and sanitizer gel are offered in places like buffet restaurant). Safety first. Facilities include a gym, souvenir shops, video games, childcare, daily activities - yoga, stretching, belly dance, salsa and bachata classes-, karaoke, a disco, a convention hall. Water sports, diving school, snorkeling safaris, fishing expeditions... I went on a speedboat snorkeling safari (110 USD) with Mohamed, local guide, expert swimmer and great nature photographer. A connoisseur of marine fauna and passionate about his work, willing to assist the guest to make the experience unforgettable. Sunsets are spectacular. A relaxed walk around the island will take around 2 hours. Add 1-2 if you plan to make stops at the many bars to have a drink and enjoy paradise. The Aaramu spa offers beauty and relaxation treatments. Prices are reasonable. Place looks amazing. Orchids and frangipani included. There’s a medical facility and a golf-cart ambulance for guests and staff. Sharupa, the doctor in charge, told me that the clinic is on the way to expand with imaging services and its own laboratory. Beaches are paradisiacal, shallow natural pools, a sandbar, endless white sand beaches, crystal clear waters. The area around the Italian restaurant offers deeper waters and corals, with a wide range of marine fauna (even manta rays). Palm trees include flying foxes. Stingrays and sharks are fed daily at 6:30 PM, allowing the guest a close encounter with these animals. Just don’t annoy the creatures. No touching or grabbing. Rooms are air conditioned, well-equipped with a safe, kettle, coffee, tea, ironing board and iron, minibar, adapters for electrical outlets. Wi-Fi around the entire island is free and fast. Housekeeping twice a day. Bicycle rentals 4-6 USD/day. Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Sold at the local store, too. Reception staff will help with departure PCR tests (70 USD/March21) and arrange your checkout schedule (wake-up call, luggage pickup, breakfast time, boat/flight time). If you have an early flight, you'll get breakfast at Vani Coffee shop...