Maldives

Elizabeth Streeter

We went for our honeymoon for 3 days, 2 nights and it was fantastic! Mahaasin and Alif were particularly amazing and lovely at looked after us really well. Food was delicious and there is a lot included on the full board. There are additional fees for things such as espresso martinis but at a reasonable cost (lots of other cocktails available) the Snorkelling is amazing here! We saw 5 black tipped sharks, squid, sooo many species of fish and really beautiful corals. The beaches are spotlessly clean (the staff clean them each morning) with white sand and clear water. Flying foxes fly over at night which is also magical! The whole thing was magical. The intimate island made it extra special as you can walk round the whole island in 7 minutes! Thank you!

Sara Teele

We just returned from a short stay at Malahini Kuda Bandos, and we genuinely had an amazing time. The only possible negative I can come up with is that the rooms and some facilities are a little bit run down with a lot of wear-and-tear, but not in a way that seriously affected our trip or our enjoyment. Everything was clean, comfortable, and more than sufficient for a relaxing beach escape. Loved the ceiling fan in the room so I could skip the AC! The true highlight of this resort is the staff. Every single person we interacted with was friendly, warm, and incredibly helpful. Special shout-outs to Vanesa, Ansari, Leona, and Astini - they were absolute stars and made us feel so welcomed. We did have a rocky start due to a 5-hour flight delay, and some confusion over WhatsApp where we were mistakenly told that the resort had no plant-based milk options and that we could not bring our own. As vegans, this worried us. But the moment we arrived, we realized the complete opposite was true. The team went above and beyond to accommodate our dietary needs. They had plant milks, vegan butter, a chef familiar with vegan cooking, and staff who were eager to make delicious meals for us. We felt so cared for. One of the highlights of our trip was the private beach dinner. It was absolutely worth it; romantic, beautifully set up, and surprisingly affordable (almost the same price as the buffet). They created a customized 4-course vegan menu for us, full of flavor and beautifully presented. The only thing missing was a vegan ice cream - like coconut milk ice cream or dairy-free sorbet - which I hope the resort considers adding because it would make the dining experience even better! We were only there for two days, but we left feeling relaxed and refreshed. Another huge plus is the location: just a 15-minute speedboat ride from Malé Airport. It saves so much time compared to resorts requiring long seaplane transfers. There is a bit of light pollution from the Malé coastline, but we still saw plenty of stars and enjoyed the peaceful island atmosphere. Overall, we loved our stay, felt truly looked after, and would happily return. With a few small updates to the rooms and some vegan dessert options, this resort would easily be perfect!

Lisa Chadwick

What makes this resort for me are the staff; they are all lovely, so nice and helpful! the food is good and plentiful and I was expecting prices to be much higher for drinks, $8/9 for a cocktail is very reasonable I thought (I wasn't AI) and they were delicious. Yes you can see Male even though it's a good distance away, but this is the payoff for only a 12 minute speedboat ride. This island is a good choice if you don't have megabucks to spend. The standard rooms were more than adequate, comfy bed, good air con, roomy, good water pressure & hot water. The only thing i didn't like about the standard rooms are lack of balcony ; yes you have chairs outside your door, but everyone walks past to access their rooms, so there is no privacy there, which is a shame. If you are going to shell out for a more expensive room, choose the sunrise side, the view, beach and reef on that side is much nicer. I was pleasantly surprised by the reef, saw some beautiful fish i hadn't seen before and black tipped reef sharks. I would go back for sure!

Abdullah AL-Ibrahim

Arrival & Check-In • We were pleasantly surprised when the staff allowed us to check in early, which made our first day so much more comfortable. • At the reception, we were greeted by Newaly, who immediately stood out for her professionalism and kindness. She speaks both Arabic and English fluently, which made communication effortless and reassuring. • Newaly personally showed us to our room, explained everything clearly, and made sure we had everything we needed. Her genuine smile and attentive service made us feel at home from the very beginning. 🏡 Accommodation • The room was clean, spacious, and thoughtfully prepared. • The design balances simplicity with comfort, giving a cozy island vibe while still feeling modern. • Small touches, like the arrangement of amenities and the freshness of the room, showed the staff’s attention to detail. 🌊 Resort Experience • The island itself is stunning—white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush greenery all around. • The atmosphere is peaceful, perfect for relaxation, yet there are plenty of activities for those who want adventure. • The staff were consistently helpful, always ready to assist with a smile. 🍴 Dining • Meals were varied and delicious, with options that catered to different tastes. • The service team ensured we were comfortable and satisfied during every meal. 💡 Overall Impression What truly makes Malahini Kuda Bandos special is not just the beauty of the island, but the people who work there. The staff, especially Newaly, went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Her ability to connect with guests in multiple languages and her dedication to helping us with every detail left a lasting impression. We left the resort feeling refreshed, cared for, and already planning to return. Malahini Kuda Bandos is not just a place to stay—it’s an experience of genuine hospitality in paradise.

Joanna Butchard

Disappointing stay – far from Maldives standards!! The Maldives should be paradise, but this resort was far from it. The reality did not match the pictures shown on Booking.com at all. We paid almost $800 per night for a garden room that felt like a basic backpacker room!! Yes, backpacker- please see the pictures, it was a pavilion with small rooms facing each other, zero privacy! The bathroom was tiny and barely suitable for two people, probably understatment, two people did not fit at the same time. We were also woken up at 5am by an animal screaming, which continued throughout the morning. We were so disappointed after the viewing, we asked for a refund and were ready to leave the island. Only then were we offered an upgrade. The all-inclusive package is extremely basic – no Jack Daniel’s, no Malibu, not even a proper piña colada. There is no swimming pool on the island unless you pay for a higher room category, and even then it looks worn down. Service was poor overall. Hana at reception lacked empathy and warmth. She is not someone you expect to meet in your paradise, treats you just as another number. On the other hand we were really looked after by Vanessa and Rosie, both were lovely and made mealtimes more pleasant. The food was suprisingly good, which was one of the few positives. The island has potential, but at its current state it is well below Maldives standards and absolutely not worth the price. Stay away