Reethi Faru Resort

This was my first time visiting Reethi Faru Resort, and even though I came for a work trip, I had such a wonderful experience. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home.

A special thank you to Shiva, the IT Manager, for his kindness, professionalism, and exceptional hospitality throughout our stay.

The water villa was absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and the perfect place to relax. The food was delicious, and every part of our stay exceeded my expectations.

Thank you to the amazing team for making my first visit so memorable. I can’t wait to come back!

This is my 2nd trip to Reethi Faru. The first in 2022 was a solo holiday in a water villa in the April time. My experience at Reethi Faru was so professional and consistent that I was confident particularly as a female solo travelling that I felt it was a safe and great location for my children including one who has a medical condition. This trip was with my two teenagers in a deluxe beach villa.

It won’t be my last visit. However I will list some pro’s cons and recommendations for anyone wishing to travel to this resort.

I chose a beach villa on this trip as neither myself or my children are avid snorkelers. The water villa is beautiful, but unless you intend to use and are very confident in the ocean it wasn’t worth the added cost for us.

I booked sea plane transfer through the hotel, which worked out about $500 pp return. A cheaper alternative is to take a domestic flight to a closer location than a speedboat. However, this adds extra journey time and be sure your stomach can manage a speedboat transfer boat for 40mins!

I won’t talk too much about transfers etc as this review is about the resort, but I will add that the transfer process in Male has significantly improved since my last trip and the luxury starts the moment you reach the seaplane departure lounge

We spent just 5 nights at Reethi Faru, it was supposed to be longer, but last min changes due to the issues in the Middle East meant that I had to rebook the entire trip. I recommend you spend at least 7 nights here.

We journeyed at the end of June, which is classed as off season, weather wise, we only experienced rain during one evening/night and drizzle off and on on another day. There was a gentle breeze which was welcome, and we all caught the sun beautifully. The resort was quieter which made it feel more private, however it isn’t a heavily crowded resort in the first place. You won’t have to queue for anything and none of this fighting for sun loungers by the pool nonsense.

Upon arrival at check in, I upgraded us to dine around all inclusive, this cost an additional $50 per person per day it also includes the mini bar which was great when we spent time on our ‘private’ beach. my reasoning for this is because it is what I had last time and it brings an added less consideration with teenagers as we can eat/drink wherever and pretty much what ever we want. However I must say the occasions we ate at the main restaurant, the selection was brilliant. So go with your budget, you won’t be disappointed.

The resort staff were utterly professional, a special shout out to Alam who works at reethi grill, he was there at my last visit and honestly made my day when he said he recognised me from my last visit. Another special shout out to the gentleman who ran the bar at the pool, I am so sorry to forget his name, he has a young baby daughter. He was so friendly and his cocktail making was brilliant. I hope I will get to see him again on my return. Staff there remembered our drink orders, so friendly and just really a relaxed vibe.

We had a dolphin cruise, and sadly didn’t see any dolphins. However (this was unexpected as we wasn’t properly aware) the boat guides took us to what can only be described as sandbank and asked us to jump out with a life jacket on and swim to the shore. I politely declined but my two children did. They were told not to kick too low as there is coral, but unfortunately my eldest got a cut to her foot from the coral. So anyone who goes on this cruise, pack your swim stuff and make sure you have swim shoes as coral cuts are deep and hard to clean. We also went on a sunset cruise, but this is where the weather turned and couldn't see the sunset and it was a bumpy ride back in the rain. My daughter really wanted to try parasailing but we were informed the boat has been broken for a while.

The fruit bats are glorious and active during the day, the birds are wonderful and you will see multiple fish and sharks. We saw a fair share of jelly fish on the first day, but didn’t see any more again.

WiFi is brilliant around the island, my teenagers were very happy.

My only grumble with the resort, in comparison from my last trip. I was able on my last trip to be entirely barefoot. This time however, I had to wear my clunky crocs around the island as the ground by the beach villas towards the main area is very sharp and hard. Little to no sand and definitely uncomfortable to walk on barefoot. (There also is an unusual smell when you are walking behind the staff area from beach villas towards the main dining area, like they are mulching food waste?)

Advice I will give people who wish to visit:

-Spend min 7 nights -bring swim shoes to protect your feet from coral -all skin types, pack decent sunscreen -insect repellent is a must, the mosquitos are thirsty -bring plasters, including waterproof ones and antiseptic lotion for any accidents. -upgrade to dine all around if you can -bring medication for travellers stomach -there is no pressure to tip, I didn’t bring any cash and I regret this and wish I actually tipped the staff who made our holiday amazing. -bring flip flops you can wear on hard ground -Try the spa (I did on my first trip and it was so relaxing)

I best start saving and working towards Reethi Faru part 3

We had a Deluxe Beach Villa on the sunrise side of the island

First time to RF, we opted for the dine-around . We really enjoyed the choice of dishes; our favourite was Dhiyavaru restaurant. We ate there for breakfast and lunch. The only negative thing I'd say is they could do with separate menu at lunch time. Evening meals were either Dhiyavaru or Reethi Grill. Staff and head chefs in both restaurants were great, adapting meals and removing ingredients so I could have the meal from the menu I have intolerance to a few things; nothing was too much trouble for them.

Rooms are set back from the beach. You have your own private area with loungers and a parasol. You also have loungers on the decking. Another reason for choosing RF is I like my own little bit of paradise with sunbeds and parasol.

Mini bar is well stocked with soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits, restocked daily with unlimited restocks.Tea and coffee along with a jar of cookies in the rooms

Rooms - lots of hanging space and drawers. Bathroom the normal, outside shower, also over the bath shower. the bathroom has a large ceiling fan.

I found the snorkelling really good with easy access to the reef. There are lots of baby sharks just off the especially around the Dhiyavaru restaurant.

Staff are loving so friendly and helpful from the gardeners to management

Lovely island with great staff 👍 would definitely recommend & return.