JA Manafaru, Maldives

JA Manafaru, Maldives Reviews

JA Manafaru, Maldives

Haa Alifu Atoll, Manafuru Island, Haa Alif Atoll, 20012, MaldivesSee Hotel Details
JA Manafaru, Maldives
JA Manafaru, MaldivesJA Manafaru, MaldivesJA Manafaru, Maldives
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Guest Reviews

9.7/10
Amazing
64 review
Verified reviews
Location9.7
Amenities9.7
Service9.8
Cleanliness9.7
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Yuan Zhi Lionel
Beach Pool Villa
Stayed in Apr 2025
Traveling with friends
39 review
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on May 26, 2025
Nice room and hospitable stay for the Northern region. Decent and clean.
Guest User
Beach Pool Villa
Stayed in Oct 2024
Couple
5 review
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Nov 6, 2024
Great hotel, with great service. Was a nice way to end our honeymoons
Response from Property: Dear valued guests, Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you had a wonderful honeymoon and enjoyed the service provided by the team. We hope to welcome you back in the future. The A Manafaru Maldives team
Kenneth
Sunset Pool Water Villa
Stayed in Oct 2023
Couple
9 review
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Nov 18, 2023
Amazing resort! All the staff are so nice and helpful and the food was so good, highly recommended if you are looking for a quiet, relaxing and peace getaway
Response from Property: Dear Kenneth, Thank you for your five-star review. We are delighted you enjoyed our Sunset Water Villas and hope to welcome you back in the future. Warm regards, JasonGeneral Manager
Guest User
Sunset Pool Water Villa
Stayed in Dec 2024
Family
27 review
9.0/10
Great
Posted on Feb 1, 2025
#Maldives #JA Manafaru (Manafaru) is measured as follows: [Overview] Small and medium-sized island, it takes about 20 minutes to ride a bicycle around the island, and about 25 minutes to ride a bicycle at the farthest ends. It has a wild luxury style, with good vegetation, beaches and other environments, and perfectly achieves the harmony between man and nature. This island is far away from Male, and it can almost be regarded as the northernmost island in the Maldives. It takes 90 minutes to get there by seaplane from Male. [Food] This island is nicknamed "Dry Rice Island" by Chinese people, and the products are basically impeccable. There are 5 restaurants on the island, including breakfast + barbecue restaurant (main restaurant), seafood barbecue restaurant (three-course), White Orchid Restaurant (Chinese style), Italian restaurant, and wine cellar restaurant (over 3,000 bottles of wine, currently the wine king is about 12WRMB per bottle). The barbecue products are great, especially tiger shrimps, and the barbecue restaurant can satisfy your hunger. Because we went to the White Orchid Restaurant on the first day of the Chinese New Year, the menu for the whole venue that night was "Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner". The products are first-class! The free ice cream bar in the afternoon has a mango flavor that is very rich and tastes amazing! Breakfast is in the form of "self-service + ordering", and there are many items to order, including English, Arabic, Indian, Chinese noodles/porridge, and Spanish. [Entertainment] Because it is a small and medium-sized island, there are no super-large projects, but it is enough for ordinary tourists. Non-powered paddle boards, pedal boats, windsurfing, motorboats... SPA is also a traditional Maldivian method, using coconut essential oil. It is not amazing, but it is also impeccable. [Water conditions and diving] Because this island is wild and luxurious, it is "more fun but not very good-looking". The previous article wrote the reason that "fun is not good-looking, and good-looking is not fun". There are two good diving spots on the island (the butler will give suggestions). The water depth at the entry point is more than 10 meters, the permeability is very good, and the bottom corals are in full view. Those who are afraid of water can borrow life jackets to wear, because the snorkeling point is next to the pier, and there is a security booth, which is actually very safe. In addition to attracting schools of fish, sharks also come to check in on time at night (see Figure 7 for details). [Summary] There are 88 villas on this island, half of which are water and half are sand. There are less than 200 tourists at full capacity, but the island is equipped with 300+ staff members, which can basically provide 2:1 service when tourists are dissatisfied. This island is only equipped with one Chinese housekeeper, Linda, and the service is first-class! There is also a restaurant service staff, Nizam, who is also first-class, thumbs up! ! ! Because there are few tourists on this island (even fewer Chinese tourists). The occupancy rate during the Spring Festival holiday is about 60%, and there are only 3 Chinese tourists. I personally think that this island is a seriously underestimated value depression. Although there are few Chinese people, almost all service staff can speak a few words of Chinese, and the Internet celebrity service staff "Zhang Fei" is even famous in many Maldivian circles in China. Because the service ratio is high, the timeliness of the service will be very good, and some small problems can be solved quickly and efficiently. The staff of the off-island service, MubbE, is also very good, so the service review gives the hotel a five-star rating! 【Tips】 1. You can see groups of sharks at the end of the pier at night. You must go there. It is a very unique experience. It is between 22:30-23:00 local time. 2. Because of the wild luxury style, the wood products are not polished finely enough. Families with children should ask their children not to touch them randomly, as they may get stabbed by sawdust (Eason was hit 3 times). 3. The water houses are divided into 2-digit and 5-digit houses. The 5-digit houses are closer to the service area, and the 2-digit houses have better snorkeling conditions. 4. This island is highly recommended for friends who like quiet, relaxing and feeling nature. But friends who like lively and exciting projects are not recommended for this island. The 4G signal on this island is very weak, and there is only Wi-Fi signal in places with buildings (the wifi in restaurants and rooms is also average). It is equivalent to forcing you to put down your mobile phone and truly feel "man and nature". The beaches on the island are polarized. You can already get "pink sand" on the beach, but the sand on the island is not very fine. You may feel pricked if you walk barefoot on the island (flip-flops are provided on the island).
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Response from Property: Dear Valued Guest,Thank you for sharing such a detailed and insightful review of your stay at JA Manafaru. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed our island's unique blend of wild luxury, natural beauty, and exceptional service.You appreciated the diverse dining options, from our seafood barbecue to the authentic Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner at White Orchid Restaurant. We’re also pleased that you found our complimentary ice cream bar to be a delightful treat!We appreciate your feedback on our entertainment and water activities and are glad you found the island’s offerings sufficient for a relaxing getaway. Our team takes great pride in providing a seamless and personalised experience, and it’s heartwarming to hear that our staff, including Linda, Nizam, and Mubbe, contributed to making your stay memorable.We truly value your insights regarding the island’s natural elements and connectivity. JA Manafaru is a place where guests can disconnect from the digital world and immerse themselves in nature. Your tips will undoubtedly help future travelers make the most of their visit.Thank you once again for choosing JA Manafaru and for recognising the hidden charm of our island. We hope to welcome you back for another peaceful and rejuvenating escape in the Maldives.Best regards,Jason KruseResort Management, JA Manafaru
Guest User
Sunrise Pool Water Villa
Stayed in Dec 2024
Family
5 review
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Feb 4, 2025
Can make people relax, happy and comfortable
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Response from Property: Dear valued guests, Thank you for taking the time to complete your review and I am delighted you had a wonderful holiday with us on JA Manafaru. Warm regards, JasonGeneral Manager
louiszg
Sunrise Pool Water Villa
Stayed in Jul 2024
Family
8 review
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Aug 26, 2024
The first time my family came to the Maldives, we had the honor to know JA MANAFARU. We felt very lucky because it has the most beautiful sea view, the warmest and most thoughtful service, the most pristine environment and the most delicious food. First of all, from the time we arrived on the island to the time we left, we could feel the happiness of being at home. The staff on the island were very professional and attentive in their service. They also paid great attention to details (the manager took all the staff to meet and see us off at the pier). Here, we would like to thank the housekeeper LINDA for her meticulous care and the waiter NIZAM for her enthusiastic service, which made me and my family deeply feel the existence of love. Secondly, the sea view here is first-class and there is no pollution. This is also due to the people's protection of the environment here. All facilities and supplies are original and organic products, and the beach is also managed by special environmental protection personnel. The island is lush with vegetation, and basically more than 80% of the place is covered with greenery, so people can't feel the heat of the equator. There are also many snorkeling and marine sports projects, and the experience is very good. There are also a variety of interactive activities every day, including children's playground, which are very good experiences. Furthermore, the 6 restaurants on the island provide very rich and delicious food, which is clean and hygienic, and the vegetables are all organic, mostly from the island's self-sufficient cultivation. By the way, the island restaurant provides free ice cream to children every day, which is very considerate. Finally, thank you again to the hotel manager and housekeeper LINDA for the careful arrangement of various stay experiences. We are looking forward to meeting all of you at JA MANAFARU next time!
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6/10
Response from Property: Dear guest, thank you very much for sharing your wonderful time at JA Manafaru with us! We are honored to create unforgettable memories for you on your family's first trip to the Maldives. We are proud to hear your praise for our stunning ocean views, attentive service, natural surroundings and delicious food. Our team is always committed to providing every guest with a home away from home experience, and your affirmation is our greatest encouragement. Special thanks for your praise of LINDA butler and waiter NIZAM. We will convey your praise to them and they will be very happy. We also attach great importance to the sustainable development of the environment. We are glad that you can feel the natural beauty and environmental protection concept of the island. Regarding catering, we have always pursued health and naturalness, and strive to provide guests with the highest quality organic ingredients, especially ice cream for children. We are very satisfied to be able to make children happy. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back to JA Manafaru in the near future and continue to have a wonderful vacation together! Sincere regards, JA Manafaru Hotel Management Team
Anonymous User
Sunrise Pool Water Villa
Stayed in May 2024
Traveling with friends
20 review
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jul 23, 2024
Facing the sea, spring flowers blooming, beautiful hotel The housekeeper arranged very well The dining service was very considerate
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Response from Property: 親愛的貴賓,感謝您選擇JA Manafaru,並與我們分享如此簡潔而美好的評價!"面朝大海,春暖花開"完美地描繪了我們酒店的自然之美。我們很高興聽到您對管家服務和叫餐服務的滿意,您的認可是我們繼續追求卓越服務的動力。期待在不久的將來再次為您提供一個温馨而難忘的假期體驗!衷心的祝福,JA Manafaru酒店管理團隊
Guest User
Sunset Pool Water Villa
Stayed in Dec 2023
Family
4 review
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jan 28, 2024
The service and sea view are first-class, and the facilities and sea resources are second-rate. It was a good vacation. In particular, I would like to praise LINDA, a girl from Chengdu, China. She was warm and thoughtful and made us feel at home.
Original TextTranslated by Google
Response from Property: Dear valued guests. Thank you for your positive review, and we greatly appreciate your kind words about Linda. We are delighted that you felt at home and had a first-rate holiday. Kind regards, JasonGeneral Manager
ScottR548
Stayed in Jun 2025
Family
6.0/10
Posted on Jul 1, 2025
First, 3rd trip to the Maldives over a ten-year period. Yes, things have changed, but also many things still the same. I think the biggest change coming is when the new Velana terminal opens. That place hasn't changed at all in 10 years... For Australian's, we were on the Luxury Escapes Deal, 7 nights, booked the Beach Villa with Pool. LE charged us around $11k AUD including the sea plane. We took Singapore airlines return and got tickets for $800 each... yes $800... First Arrival: Picked up by the JA representative as soon as we stepped out of arrivals, taken straight to the Sea Plane Check-in counter and he did everything for us. Perfect, very attentive and plenty of small talk from him, which I appreciated, as you have so many questions when you arrive and he answered everything. Then headed to their lounge while we waited 60 mins to board our private sea plane to JA. JA don't share a sea plane with other islands; it brings people once a day then takes people home the next day. On a continuous cycle. Food and facilities in the lounge were excellent and all up the arrival and sea plane were 10 out of 10. Arrival at JA: Staff waiting for you on the jetty as you arrive, everyone very friendly, we were a group of 3, had our 7-year-old with us. Meet our host and he took us for a ride to our villa; this is when we were slightly disappointed. I had sent about 6 emails asking them for a specific room as this was the first time we were going Beach Villa. My wife really wanted that tropical island with all the sand and jungle feel, plus we were unsure about having a 7 year old able to just jump in the ocean with out us knowing. Many emails between me and JA about this and our hosts pulls up at a villa and goes, we upgraded you to a Sunset Overwater Villa.... I was what? I then explained to him about my request to be in a Beach Villa and our reasons. He was completely unaware of the email between me and the reservations team. He politely checked us in to this villa and said just wait here while I go back to reception and follow up.... We walked around this villa, and the pool was broken and not working, the bathroom hadn't been cleaned from the last guests and the place needed a good vacuum. Our host returned and said, yes, we can put you in a Beach Villa, by this time, from talking to him and some others it was clear the Resort was not very full. We actually found out later the most people on the island while we were there for 7 days, was day one: 33 people. Most of the time there was around 25. It can take well over 200 guests. So, at this point I just, said, as you were going to upgrade us, why not upgrade us to a Beach Deluxe Villa... Which they did. So, in the end it worked out, but took a few hours to get fixed. Score: 6/10 Beach Villa Deluxe Room: If you can afford it and are travelling with kids, get this room. Separate room for our son to sleep in and they made up a proper bed for him. Backyard had a pool, sunbed and shower. Front yard had
6/17
Response from Property: Dear ScottR548, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback and for choosing to stay with us. We appreciate your kind words about our arrival service, villas, dining experiences, and bars. We’re sorry for the areas where we fell short of your expectations, and we value your insights as they help us improve. Warmest regards, JA Manafaru team
Hassan u
Stayed in Jun 2025
Couple
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jul 4, 2025
Exceptional hotel with top-notch amenities and outstanding service This beautifully designed hotel offers fantastic facilities, and the food was absolutely delicious. The rooms were stunning, and the staff were warm, welcoming, and incredibly accommodating. While I don’t usually use hotel spas, this one was both reasonably priced and enjoyable. A standout feature for us was the opportunity to explore a unique area showcasing traditional Maldivian items—an enriching experience for any visitor. A heartfelt thank you to our "Thakuru" butler, Mohamed, who was always just a call or message away and went above and beyond to assist us. We highly recommend this place and would love to return in the future.
Zhang N
Stayed in May 2025
Family
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jun 23, 2025
These days in JA Manafaru is more than perfect! Good view, good room ,kind staffs,delicious food…..everything! I mean everything is good! Thanks to our friend Aan who gives us soooooo much help! Hope we can meet again soon hhhh !This island is more than perfect!
Quest819552
Stayed in May 2025
Family
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Jun 15, 2025
Second time visit to JA Manafaru and from the moment you step off the seaplane to the sad moment you leave, your every whim is taken care of. Sabaah was our goat and he took such good care of us. From the cinema under the stars (arranged for us as we are titanium members) to the special lobster dinner - he even arranged plaques on the bikes with our names on! All the staff are amazing, never had a bad meal and anything we required the chef took care of - like cooking the beef randang that is no longer on the menu.
6/10
Ahmedx4
Stayed in Apr 2025
Family
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on May 1, 2025
My first time in the maldives and the resort exceeded my expectations. We stayed at the two bedroom over water villa and enjoyed the views and the infinity pool so much. The resort has nice combination of tranquility and activities. Very clean beach and amenities
Oliver1980_GER
Stayed in Mar 2025
Family
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Apr 30, 2025
Our visit to JA Manafaru was the 17th trip to the Maldives and the 14th resort we have visited. The stay was very nice overall and our expactations have definetly been met. JAM is a solid product and offers a good value for money. As travelling with two children aged 8 and 5 we have chosen to stay in a Deluxe Beach Villa. Compared to other resorts with "1 bedroom villas" where the living area must be used as a provisional 2nd bedroom this is very well solved at JAM. The mobile beds set up in the living area are quite comfortable given the fact that they are mobile ones. Definetly more comfortable than in some other resorts with even higher standards. Have slept well there though you should know that there is a sliding door between the bedroom and the living room but below the ceiling there is an open part between these rooms so you are able to hear each other - it didn't bother us too much but I think it might be important for any of you to know. The outdoor area of the villa at the beachside is huge with plenty of seating and even an amazing hammock. Villa recommendations in this category: villa 302 was our favourite if you look for a very private option Generally I must say that the beach was nicer at the side with the entry level villas but in front of #302 the beach was quite nice with soft sand while further up the sand gets much more coarse on the Deluxe Beach Villa site. #303-#307 were equally nice. Higher numbers I would recommend trying to avoid due to the proximity to the jetty.....and in some parts disturbing rocks at the beachside (right in front of the 2 BDR Beach Villa). The nicest / softest seafloor in the water I have found in the area of villas #100-106. Also #107-109 was good. But please keep in mind that the sand is moving seasonally and the situation described may change significantly depending on the time of travelling. My perception refers to mid April. I know from a friend who has been there in September last year that the situation on the Deluxe Beach Villa site was not so nice then as a lot of rocks have been visible on the beachsite in that season...... A big USP for the resort is the food. We have enjoyed any of our evenings - nice Asian Food in the White Orchid - very good. Our favourite restaurant was the Ocean Grill as you dine with your feet in the sand on the beachside which is so nice in the Maldives but unfortunately not offered by all of the resorts..... also the Asian night buffet dinner and the Seafood BBQ buffet dinner have been very nice! Compliments to the chefs. We have met many friendly people working on Manafaru. Our butler Abdho was very kind, attentive and always available. Any of the staff members were kind and tried to create nice moments. A highlight for the kids was when Martina has offered to show them the kitchen. Very nice!! The resort has a kids club where the kids liked to play very much. After one week on JAM, we have moved on to Hideaway Beach Resort which is only 25min away
SoniaW201
Stayed in Feb 2025
Couple
10/10
Outstanding
Posted on Mar 14, 2025
This holiday was a truly 5 star experience. We enjoyed the all inclusive dine around offering and felt that every meal was made all the more special by the first class service, attention to details, kindness and care from the wonderful JA Manafaru staff. All bars and restaurants were absolutely 5 star and we especially enjoyed golden hour drinks at Veli bar and pool drinks in the Andiamo pool area. The Asian street food night was a stand out evening meal as were the Teppanyaki show cooking, White Orchid outdoor deck and Ocean Grill meals. Our Beach Villa more than lived up to expectations and the plunge pool in the peaceful zen garden space at the back of the property was a special treat everyday. Beach and island pathways were superbly maintained by the wonderful staff and it was such a simple pleasure to be able to walk all around the island on the sand barefoot. Excursions we took part in, sunset fishing and the dolphin cruise on the traditional dhoni boat were both very enjoyable and we take back many fond memories of the dolphins swimming alongside us and some successful catches in the fishing (a barracuda and a jackfish I think). Again, the kindness and care of all the staff onboard, especially Kokko, as well as lovely chat with the other guests made these trips all the more fun. Transfers to and from JA Manafaru were long, but as expected, and the seaplane lounge was fair. This holiday was made all the more special for us by the superb attention and care from our beautiful Thakuru Aan who went above and beyond to ensure we were booked in to restaurants and activities and gave us helpful tips and advice throughout our stay and was only ever a WhatsApp message away. At the Veli Bar, Chathura the barman was absolutely marvellous in his service, with humour, kindness and great charm and we look forward to coming back for more of those wonderful sunset drinks again. Thank you Chathura for remembering our tipples and for always having them at the ready! Mauch, Imran, Nizam, Rizam, Mohammed, Rosa and Praveen were all so helpful and caring and there were so many other team members whose names we have not retained but who contributed hugely to a wonderful stay. Overall, we absolutely loved the resort and all the fabulous team members and we have already made contact about a return trip next year. In the meantime, to all the team at JA Manafaru, thank you for such a beautiful and relaxing vacation.
6/13
Response from Property: Dear Tiziana, Thank you so much for your excellent review! We are thrilled to hear that your stay at JA Manafaru was so memorable. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed the Beach Villa, especially the beautiful bathroom area with the pool, gazebo, and the Maldivian outdoor shower – a truly special experience. We’re also overjoyed to hear that your daughter learned to ride a bike during your stay and that Nishan and Tony were able to share that heartwarming moment with you. We strive to create these memories for our guests, and we are so happy it was a meaningful part of your time with us. We take great pride in offering a high level of service, and it’s wonderful to hear that our team's warmth, professionalism, and kindness made your stay even more enjoyable. We’re pleased you enjoyed the delicious meals at our restaurants and found the amenities helpful throughout your visit. Thank you for your thoughtful tips about the snorkelling equipment and travel essentials – we know these will be helpful for future guests. We would love to welcome you and your family back to JA Manafaru for another unforgettable stay shortly. With warmest gratitude, Jason JA Manafaru Team