The island is beatiful and the resort is pretty much everything you should want. Rooms were spacious, and well equipped. The service and the staff is very good and friendly too. The only thing maybe worth mentioning is that there only one restaurant where you can eat when you do all inclusive/full board (Sea Breeze) which can get quite hot as it’s not a closed area, meaning no aircon. The remaining 3 restaurants are not included and are charged separately.
#### 🌍 **Excellent Location**
- **Direct Access to Maafushi's Best Beach**: The hotel faces the island's only 'Bikini Beach.' You can walk out of your room in your swimsuit and be in the clear water in 30 seconds. The sand is fine and white, and the water is as clear as glass, allowing you to see schools of fish directly while snorkeling.
- **Convenient Transportation**: A 30-minute speedboat ride takes you directly to Velana International Airport (approximately 14 km). Pier transfers are smoothly coordinated.
- **Central Hub for Activities**: Within a 2-minute walk, you'll find several popular tour agencies (Maldives Fellas, Travelscape), making it easy to book island excursions.
#### 🍽️ **Dining Exceeded Expectations**
- **”Richest Breakfast on the Island”**: The buffet offers a diverse selection, including Western and Asian flavors, as well as fruits. The menu is even adjusted according to guests' nationalities (e.g., ********* mushroom chicken soup).
- **Trendy Beach Dinner**: Tripadvisor's #1 ranked beach buffet! Seafood BBQ and traditional Maldivian dishes paired with ocean views and sunset. It's incredibly good value for money, attracting even non-guests.
- **Rooftop Ocean-View Restaurant**: Coco Grill restaurant offers international cuisine. Breakfast by the pool receives consistent praise.
#### 🛏️ **Diverse Room Types, Decent Facilities with Minor Flaws**
- **Ocean View Room Recommended**: The Deluxe Ocean View Double Room (with balcony) offers expansive views (18㎡). The Premium room type even comes with one large and one small bed, suitable for families.
The room was incredibly spacious. Bikini Beach is literally right outside the door. We booked a triple room, and everything from the bed to the toilet and shower area was generously sized. Having stayed at three different hotels on Fushi Island, I can confidently say this is the best option. I'll definitely be staying here again on my next visit.
The room size was acceptable, and the hotel service was standard. However, the hotel pool was tiny, and the waves on the beach right outside were quite strong. There was also a lively evening party at the hotel, which made it a bit noisy. Overall, the hotel's price was high, and the value for money was just okay. Breakfast was mediocre with not much to choose from. There's no Chinese-speaking staff, so if you're not fluent in English, you might want to reconsider.
I didn't take any photos of the room interior, but it's pretty much the same as the hotel's promotional photos. Everyone knows about inhabited islands. If you're visiting Maafushi, you should book the icom hotel.
My main complaint is about Ctrip's service quality. Other websites, like Agoda and Book, are much cheaper, but Ctrip not only exploits the Chinese but also doesn't do anything about it. First, the hotel's contact. I contacted Ctrip customer service on the evening of October 2nd about check-in time, speedboat transfers, and whether a deposit was required. Ctrip customer service didn't get back to me until October 5th. By then, my housekeeper at the resort island (Treasure Island) had to make two calls to the hotel. They're charging such a high service fee, but I don't know where the service is.
Second, the speedboat transfer fee and time. I went to Male Airport and contacted the icom hotel staff directly. It cost $15 per person. You can check the price given by customer service. Secondly, the speedboat schedules were completely unreliable. Imagine if I'd booked through Ctrip for $20 per person, only to pay a high price abroad and get a wrong time!
Finally, I sincerely advise against booking hotels abroad through platforms like Ctrip. Compare prices elsewhere (I booked a transit hotel in Male on October 3rd through Agoda, communicating via email myself. It went very smoothly, and the service there was excellent. It was hundreds cheaper than Ctrip). I simply can't use Ctrip again. The service was completely lackluster, and the staff were completely awful. It was truly rubbish!
A simple and inexpensive hotel on the island is suitable for those who plan to spend all their days on snorkeling tours and resorts 🌴
Very hospitable and helpful owner, sometimes even too friendly and intrusive, can make a video call at 1 am or persistently knock on the door of your room late at night 🫠
The rooms have everything you need for a comfortable stay: shampoo, body lotion and shower gel, kettle and hair dryer, linen and towels are clean and fresh, I recommend for a budget overnight stay
This was amazing place, even despite coming in October during rainy season. Service was exceptional from the begging- person awaiting us on the airport, speed boat transfer late evening, with nice welcome and service (water/towels/wifi)
We arrived late evening, so dinner packages were ready in the room. All Incl package was nice however we missed some food in between breakf-lunch and dinner. Issue is wifi which was not working properly/everywhere. Normally i think its ok as we do not need internet on such vacations, but as we needed to work one day it was hard.
Again anyways. Great service. Hospitality of staff in restaurant and bar too. Also reception who gave us a chance of later checkout. It was very convenient as we travelled with 2yrs old toddler. Room was spacious, kept clean every day properly + water bottles delivered daily. Good snorkling trips for free provided daily.
The hotel is located close to the airport, 10 minutes by boat, the megalopolis of Male is visible, so I felt like I was on an island in Abu Dhabu. Villas overlook another island and the ocean. The rooms in the building are tired - 3 stars. The shampoo and gel in the room were of low quality and differed from the assortment of the villa. When you fly with hand luggage, it is important to have high-quality cosmetics in the hotel. Is it really necessary to save on this? The air conditioner in the room did not turn off at all and was noisy, so I slept in earplugs. The weather was rainy and stormy, so all the minuses of the hotel crawled out. Firstly, the restaurant, bar and lobby are not cozy, without much design. Secondly, there was INSTANT coffee for breakfast. Espresso or cappuccino for breakfast were only for an additional fee. Thirdly, the full board food was not at all pleasing. Every day there was the same dry fish. Seafood - frozen and tasteless. Meat and chicken are ok. All fruits and vegetables are unripe, tasteless and of low quality. Sometimes there were dishes with tasty sauce. Fourthly, the reefs in the ocean are nothing special, there is no variety of fish. On the plus side - it is ok to go in and swim in the ocean, the hotel is quiet.
Our stay at this hotel was marred by a series of unfortunate experiences, starting from the moment we arrived. We were wrongly informed at check-in that our room had not been paid for, despite having completed full payment in advance. Rather than verifying the system, the staff member sat by as I anxiously searched my phone for proof. Ultimately, I had to show my credit card statement — something I consider private — just to resolve the matter. Her attitude was unwelcoming, which is especially disappointing in a hospitality setting. After discovering the payment had indeed been made, she gave only a brief and indifferent apology. Following this, my husband contacted the Manager, who offered a complimentary buffet dinner for two as an apology. While we appreciated the gesture, it was overshadowed by another issue: we later received a letter requesting us to check out by 7 a.m. the next day, even though our original arrangement was for a noon departure. After another call to the Manager, he once again apologised and offered a spa session for one person. Though his crisis management was swift, these issues should not have occurred — especially given the premium price we paid for our stay.
That said, there were redeeming aspects. The view from our room was absolutely breathtaking. The room opened directly onto the beach — it felt as though we had arrived at the sea the moment we opened our door. The room was also clean and well-maintained and we appreciated the convenience of having a coffee machine available.
In summary, while the scenery and room amenities were wonderful, the service and communication left much to be desired. We hope the management addresses these shortcomings so that future guests can enjoy a truly seamless stay.
The hotel for price quality ratio was good. Had a slight problem with the air conditioner but they resolved it/replaced it. Breakfast was pretty good but some of the food was too spicy for the customers at the hotel. Drinks for also expensive and I was just on half board so I didn't have any. The staff goes out of their way to be helpful and I had a pleasurable experience. Be warned this hotel has a very dead reef. You can see fish but no reef. One side of the island is not swimmable. I paid $123 for a ocean view room with half board. Drinking water is free and plentiful. Make sure you get half bored because the buffet dinner is 60 US dollars.
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9.3/10
Great
GGuest UserThis was my first time in the Maldives, and I chose this resort. Surprisingly, it had been raining heavily for several days before we arrived, but the weather turned exceptionally nice right when we got there—sunny every day. The staff at the hotel were extremely friendly; they would always stop to greet us whenever we passed by. The young hostess (likely the restaurant manager) and some servers in the dining room remembered our room number. The shuttle cart staff (not sure if his name was Jasper), Raj from housekeeping (who’s from Nepal), and our host Mariyam were all wonderful—they kept asking if there was anything they could do to help. The Filipino staff member who performed the fire show, as well as the teams at the sports center and water activities, were also incredibly kind and professional.
Meals were included in the package, while water sports required extra payment. The spa was excellent: two Indonesian ladies gave my husband and me massages, and the ambiance and service were very comfortable.
Overall, it was a highly satisfying experience, with the exception of one significant issue on our departure day. During the final breakfast, the fish curry served was noticeably off—it had a strong, unpleasant odor. Unfortunately, after taking just one bite, it led to severe food poisoning. I became violently ill on the flight, vomiting repeatedly, and the sickness persisted hourly even after landing. This incident greatly marred the end of our otherwise wonderful stay. I sincerely hope you can address and improve your food safety and hygiene standards to prevent other guests from having a similar experience.
EEgor KorolOur two-week vacation at Arrival Beach and Spa on Gulhi Island was the perfect trip for us. If you're looking not just for a beach holiday but also for a chance to experience authentic Maldivian life, this is an excellent choice.
Overall Impression:
We spent 14 days at the hotel and were truly sad to leave. It was our first such long vacation abroad, and it was simply wonderful.
About Gulhi Island:
This island is a great example of a ”local” Maldivian island. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay: a designated bikini beach, its own house reef for snorkeling, several shops, cafes, and restaurants. For entertainment, there are football fields, water sports, and various excursions. In the evenings, stingrays and nurse sharks swim up to the pier – a very unusual sight!
Island Pros:
- A small but very interesting island – if you stroll around leisurely, you can discover something new every day.
- The local residents are very friendly and speak decent English.
- The island is easy to get to – just a 30-minute speedboat ride from Male.
- No mosquitoes – a big plus for evening walks.
- You can observe fruit bats.
Island Cons:
- Sometimes you can smell paint from the repair shipyard.
- There are flies.
- Not very much vegetation.
- Occasionally you see some trash.
About Arrival Beach and Spa Hotel:
The hotel left us with the most pleasant impressions. The staff is very responsive and the location is convenient.
What We Liked:
- Attention to detail: daily cleaning, towel changes, complimentary water in the room.
- The rooms are clean and fresh, with good soundproofing and a wonderful view.
- Amenities: beach towels and snorkeling sets are provided, universal power outlets.
- Free sun loungers and umbrellas provided by the hotel on the beach.
- Varied dining – buffet or a la carte menu.
- Musicians perform on weekends – creating a pleasant atmosphere.
What Could Be Improved:
- The pool seemed rather cold.
- The gym is very small.
- During heavy rains, we noticed minor leaks.
- The menu became a bit repetitive in the second week.
About the Hotel Team:
We would like to give special thanks to the staff who made our stay special:
- Arif Sha - a great guy who knows a lot about sports and the hotel.
- Ripha - the best expert on the Maldives and marine life.
- Dilshani - a charming girl, pleasant to chat with on any topic.
- Revil - the sweetest girl, her smile charged us with positivity for the whole day.
- And of course, a huge thanks to the cleaning staff for their daily and important work.
Verdict:
We definitely recommend both Gulhi Island and Arrival Beach and Spa. This place is for those who value not only comfort but also genuine human connection. We left feeling like we had been visiting good friends.
AAnnalisaKFrom start to finish our experience at the Oblu Sangeli was incredible. It was our first time visiting the Maldives and it was everything we could have wished for and more. We stayed in the water villa and it did not disappoint. The room was beautiful and the access to the lagoon was amazing. It was great for snorkelling and had plenty of corals where we saw baby sharks, manta rays and lots of colourful fish! We embarked on the turtle snorkelling trip and saw many turtles which was wonderful!
The buffet was great and we appreciated that they changed the dishes every day so you had a variety to choose from. A huge thanks to Chef Rahul who not only made excellent Indian food for us, but also became a good friend and was always so kind to us. Another big thanks to the waiter, Yathrib, who was so friendly and attentive to us and gave excellent service. This really made our experience even better. We also really enjoyed the fine dining experiences included in the Serenity plan. Both restaurants (just grill & just wok) served delicious food and a nice view of the sunset. A highlight for us was the pool as it was right next to the ocean and the view was incredible. We loved the slide leading into the ocean, that was a vey unique touch for the hotel and lots of fun at the pool party too and recommend you throw a pool party a couple times a week as it was great!
We really enjoyed the live entertainment in the evenings and especially loved listening to Dee & Jay singing so beautifully!
A highlight for us was definitely the excellent service from the staff. From the first day we could see that they were genuinely nice people and took pride in their job. A special shout out to the Sangs bar staff who were always kind and friendly to us. They made our experience better by just being genuinely nice people and their service was excellent! A big thanks to Pradeep and Lahiru who lead the team and always greeted us with a smile and made us feel at home. A huge thanks to Ibrahim and Madheeh who made us laugh everyday and gave brilliant service. You made our experience even better by just meeting you all. We will definitely return to the hotel in the future as it was the best holiday we've ever had! The Maldives is really paradise on earth! Don't think twice about booking to stay at this hotel because it's perfect!
GGuest UserThe room was incredibly spacious. Bikini Beach is literally right outside the door. We booked a triple room, and everything from the bed to the toilet and shower area was generously sized. Having stayed at three different hotels on Fushi Island, I can confidently say this is the best option. I'll definitely be staying here again on my next visit.
NNurnazidaOur stay at this hotel was marred by a series of unfortunate experiences, starting from the moment we arrived. We were wrongly informed at check-in that our room had not been paid for, despite having completed full payment in advance. Rather than verifying the system, the staff member sat by as I anxiously searched my phone for proof. Ultimately, I had to show my credit card statement — something I consider private — just to resolve the matter. Her attitude was unwelcoming, which is especially disappointing in a hospitality setting. After discovering the payment had indeed been made, she gave only a brief and indifferent apology. Following this, my husband contacted the Manager, who offered a complimentary buffet dinner for two as an apology. While we appreciated the gesture, it was overshadowed by another issue: we later received a letter requesting us to check out by 7 a.m. the next day, even though our original arrangement was for a noon departure. After another call to the Manager, he once again apologised and offered a spa session for one person. Though his crisis management was swift, these issues should not have occurred — especially given the premium price we paid for our stay.
That said, there were redeeming aspects. The view from our room was absolutely breathtaking. The room opened directly onto the beach — it felt as though we had arrived at the sea the moment we opened our door. The room was also clean and well-maintained and we appreciated the convenience of having a coffee machine available.
In summary, while the scenery and room amenities were wonderful, the service and communication left much to be desired. We hope the management addresses these shortcomings so that future guests can enjoy a truly seamless stay.
GGuest UserThe water house we stayed in had a swimming pool. The room was big and there was a beautiful sea view on the balcony. From the moment we left the airport, the guy who picked us up, the guy on the speedboat, and the guy who sent us off really provided excellent service. When we arrived at the hotel pier, the management staff led the service staff to warmly welcome us on the island. When we left, they waved goodbye at the pier until they disappeared into the vast ocean... My English is not good, but I met Bonan, a girl from Baoji, China, on the island. She enthusiastically and proactively provided us with high-quality service, introduced us to information about the island, took our orders, booked boats, and delivered things to our room over and over again on hot days. When the room cleaner didn't clean for us, change towels, take out the trash, or deliver mineral water, she personally went to the room to serve us... I don't know why the room cleaner didn't serve us. I turned over the sign for room cleaning twice, but found it was turned back when I returned to the room. The room was still not cleaned. I don't know if I didn't tip the night I came. I didn't have change that day, so I went to the front desk to change change after dinner. However, there was no room service from the second to the third night. It was not until I told Bonan that the bathroom trash can was full and the mineral water was finished that Bonan came to the bathroom to watch over it, and then they started cleaning. I chose this hotel because they have a high score of 4.9. To be honest, all the services and details of the hotel are very good, but the behavior of the room boy really makes me feel that he is holding the hotel back and letting the chain down. I hope the hotel will strengthen its management so that all tourists who come to the beautiful Baros Island can return happily...
RRockywangziHonestly, the service was truly terrible. The only silver lining was the beautiful natural environment of the Maldives itself. But that's no reason to praise this hotel.
A word of advice: never use the Chinese butler service. It's a classic case of 'compatriots stabbing each other in the back!'
One of the restaurants on their island was absolutely awful. All the steaks and lamb chops were inedible, tough as leather. We couldn't even chew them. And that was the most expensive meal, costing us RMB 2000.
Also, definitely avoid their island photography service. It's incredibly bad. The photos are very mediocre, but they charge exorbitant prices. The final product they give you is also very poor, and they refuse to make any edits.
JJonathan JJ#### 🌍 **Excellent Location**
- **Direct Access to Maafushi's Best Beach**: The hotel faces the island's only 'Bikini Beach.' You can walk out of your room in your swimsuit and be in the clear water in 30 seconds. The sand is fine and white, and the water is as clear as glass, allowing you to see schools of fish directly while snorkeling.
- **Convenient Transportation**: A 30-minute speedboat ride takes you directly to Velana International Airport (approximately 14 km). Pier transfers are smoothly coordinated.
- **Central Hub for Activities**: Within a 2-minute walk, you'll find several popular tour agencies (Maldives Fellas, Travelscape), making it easy to book island excursions.
#### 🍽️ **Dining Exceeded Expectations**
- **”Richest Breakfast on the Island”**: The buffet offers a diverse selection, including Western and Asian flavors, as well as fruits. The menu is even adjusted according to guests' nationalities (e.g., ********* mushroom chicken soup).
- **Trendy Beach Dinner**: Tripadvisor's #1 ranked beach buffet! Seafood BBQ and traditional Maldivian dishes paired with ocean views and sunset. It's incredibly good value for money, attracting even non-guests.
- **Rooftop Ocean-View Restaurant**: Coco Grill restaurant offers international cuisine. Breakfast by the pool receives consistent praise.
#### 🛏️ **Diverse Room Types, Decent Facilities with Minor Flaws**
- **Ocean View Room Recommended**: The Deluxe Ocean View Double Room (with balcony) offers expansive views (18㎡). The Premium room type even comes with one large and one small bed, suitable for families.
MMustikaLiving up to its excellent rating.
Half way to your staying period, they give you questionaire. I wrote about no slipper in the room, within hours they sent them to my room, impresive.
Security is tight, but they respect your privacy and make you feel safer. Rooms are clean and modern, amenities are complete including bubble bath when your room have open air bath tub
ZZuijindefengjing1210The room size was acceptable, and the hotel service was standard. However, the hotel pool was tiny, and the waves on the beach right outside were quite strong. There was also a lively evening party at the hotel, which made it a bit noisy. Overall, the hotel's price was high, and the value for money was just okay. Breakfast was mediocre with not much to choose from. There's no Chinese-speaking staff, so if you're not fluent in English, you might want to reconsider.
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