Riu Palace Maldivas

We’ve stayed at loads of Riu Palace hotels (about 15) in Europe and the Caribbean. All of them are very well run and very good value. We think the best one, however, is Riu Palace Maldives. The food is exactly as you’d expect at a Riu Palace...in fact, possibly even better. Same goes for the drinks. In addition, the two “specialty” restaurants..Krystal and the Japanese restaurant...were the best that we’ve been to in all the Riu Palaces. The rooms are the best we’ve seen. Very clean, and everything works (including the excellent air conditioning and the USB chargers). Prepare yourself, though...it is hot. My best tip for the entire holiday is: take a portable table-top mini-fan. The main buffet restaurant is covered, yes, but open...and at lunchtime in particular I really needed the small fan to cool down. The entertainment at the Palace at night time wasn’t every night, but it was extremely good: a very talented band. Sitting at tables in the sand with waiter service: definitely the best bar setting we’ve had at any Riu. The sea at the Palace, however, is slightly rocky near the bar/restaurant/swimming pool (it’s better down the far end of the beach). The beach at the Riu Atoll (which you can go to, although Riu Atoll guests can’t go to the Palace...this is the normal procedure at Riu Palaces when there’s a “non-Palace” next door) is fantastic..the best Riu beach we’ve seen...and the swimming pool is busier with pool games (at 11am and 3pm I think) if that’s your thing. Then at about 5.30 a DJ plays chilled out music on the beach...that was really great.. Most importantly, though, the staff are fantastic. Just to mention a few huge thankyou’s: Matty (the Manager), Ibrahim, Marshall, Edward, Samee, Thushan ...and so many more...they were all brilliant. I’d say that the only thing that I had a problem with is that I’d prefer it if there were separate seating areas for smokers at the outside bars. It is a long journey there, and we very rarely go back anywhere, but we’re planning/hoping to go back in February. Thank you Riu Palace Maldives..!!

I sit and reminisce on this holiday nearly every day, it was the best of my life. The beaches were beautiful and the ocean so warm and relaxing. Every night, at sunset music would play in the background and it was my favourite time of day. I looked forward to breakfast lunch and dinner, as the food was nothing less than perfect. There was every item of food you could possibly imagine and more! The kitchen staff were amazing, and took pride in explaining each dish on offer. Not only were the kitchen staff amazing but all of them. The entertainment was incredible, and had me dancing every night, and the bar staff were so caring and kind. The watersports would keep anyone entertained for hours on end, the paddle boards were my favourite! All in all, as I write this today i’m really sad that I won’t be able to return again this year as planned, because this resort is truly the most beautiful place on earth...

Stayed at the Riu Palace in March, after 20 hours travelling we finally arrived, looking at all the atolls and turquoise sea brought a tear to my eye, we were upgraded to a sea plane for arrival and upgraded to the Riu Palace for our stay, it was also my birthday whilst on our holiday. We stayed in an over the water room which was pure heaven, waking up and looking out to sea was perfect, the steps leading to the clear sea were heaven. Just listening to the jumping fish and the waves on the sunbeds were so relaxing. The marine life is stunning, baby sharks, eels, trigger fish, clown fish, rays and a disagreement between a trigger fish and a cuttlefish squid was something we probably will never see again. 🐠 🐟🦈 Excellent snorkelling adventures had by all. The room is very spacious, with its own iron and ironing board, fridge stocked daily. The bridge over the sea to the beaches gave more marine life, plenty of buggies going past who stop and ask if you want a ride, it’s incredibly hot, I love the sun but this was a heat I’ve never experienced. ☀️ Meals both in the buffet and restaurants were exceptional, and all the staff would chat with you telling you about themselves which we found so interesting. Can not fault anything with the food and the drinks, always got served at the bars, sometimes didn’t even need to ask for another drink, 🍺 it was there ready for us ☺️. The beach has plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas as does round the pool, both the sea and pool are a welcome relief from the heat. Swim up bar and stools in the pool 🏊‍♀️. We ventured out on the jet skis with the instructor and saw views of the island and a nurse shark 🦈😳, we stopped at a sand bar for a drink and a swim, absolutely made our holiday, the instructor was always looking for marine life to show us and made this adventure amazing for us, definitely recommend jet skis. Gym was cool and had a good variety of equipment and the bonus of overlooking the sea. We traveled during the Covid-19 outbreak which affected our holiday, unfortunately activities and entertainment were stopped, and then it was decided that the Maldives would not be taking guests. It was sad that as guests went no one came in. It’s strange to think that the island is still there but no one to enjoy it 🥺. During this time hand sanitizers were everywhere which was brilliant and all the staff went above and beyond to continue to make it a holiday come true. We are definitely going to return as we want to enjoy this holiday and island when we can participate in all the activities and entertainment. I would like to thank every member of staff for making our holiday definitely one we won’t forget, and look forward to returning to see you all again. Please all stay safe.