One and Only Reethi Rah, Male

We were there on our honeymoon this Sept (2006), and we had a wonderful wonderful time there. I have been to many different hotels in my life, and I have to say that One and Only is one of the best hotels that I have been to. From the arrival transport to departure, the staff took care of every little detail. I think the most impressive part that One and Only stood out from the rest was the service (not to mention the excellent facility). Both of us felt like we were the King and Queen. I mean it was the most excellent experience. We tried both the Beach Villa (with pool) and Water villa. I liked the Water villa while my wife loved the Beach Villa with pool. Beach Villa was quite nice with plenty of privacy and a nice garden and private beach area. The water villa was good because you get instant access to the most incredible water on earth and with beautiful fish all around you. Did I mention food? Oh, I ate so much! One and Only provides variety of cuisine that really satisfies. Again, we had an excellent experience there. We tried 3 different island, and this was the best. We kept repeating to ourselves, "this is like heaven on earth!"

I have stayed in many high end hotels and this was by far the best. If you are looking for paradise look no further. The staff seems to know what you want before you want it. This place is Amazing!

what an breath-taking experience! I've been to so many places overseas before, but One&Ontly Reethi Rah Resort is the best place ever. They are truly a 5 star resort! don't miss out, you must go and enjoy you'r holiday or honeymoon there!!!!

Without a doubt, one of the best resorts in the Maldives if not the best! Everything is almost perfect here. Best thing is privacy for sure. Small islands may offer privacy but you still miss out some things there such as entertainment and choice of restaurants etc but not in Reethi Rah. Although the landscaping is amazing, a little more vegetation would be nicer as the resort is quite new but am sure it will be much better when we go back next year. I had the best honeymoon ever here. Me and my partner enjoyed it so much that we have already booked it for next year. Try it, you wont get disappointed!

Excellent in location. It is not too far away from the airport. Although the resort's luxury yatch takes you there in about 45-50 minutes, it is a smooth and comfortable ride. Smaller but faster speedboats(which most of the other resorts use like Huvafenfushi) would probably take you there in about 35 minutes time. But hey, it took me 14 hours to get to the Maldives so what does the extra 10 minutes do? BIG the island is but it certainly is spacious and private. So dont get put off by the number of rooms here. 130 Villas is not a lot for an island this size. Islands four to five times smaller than Reethi have 50-60 rooms or even sometimes as much as Reethi. So privacy is guaranteed here which is the best feature about the resort in my mind. After reading Conde' Nast, I have to state that the winner of the ongoing war of the best in Maldives is definitely Reethi Rah if the top two contenders are Reethi Rah and Huvafenfushi. I can say this because I have been to both resorts. Huvafenfushi is a tiny island which is roughly I would say five or six times smaller than Reethi Rah but has almost half the number of rooms Reethi has. It's not a nice feeling to wake up in the morning with your "morning face" and go outside your room to stretch out and enjoy the sunshine when your neighbours can easily see you. This will not happen in Reethi and I can give you 99.99% just like Conde Nast as the distance between rooms are the best I have seen. The buggies in the resort do turn you off sometimes which was the only thing that could possibly bother you but other than that, it's perfect. I have never seen a resort where rooms are construced in such a way as in Reethi either. The length, not the width of the room is actually facing the ocean. So you are able to see the ocean wherever you are in the room which is quite nice. Dining is exquisite, have to give the thumbs up to the resort's fleet of chefs. I hear there are over 50 of them. The Fanditha Restaurant is a must at sunset. Diving is done in style with once again very luxury boats which outshine all others but have to say that due to the location of the resort and the closeness to the capital, tourism and development has taken a toll on the dive spots. But still, it is an enjoyment and still better than most other countries. The attention to detail is excellent, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave this "seven" star resort. No other resort has such an impressive yatch for transfers, no other resort has such a degree of privacy and service in the Maldives. Truly an excellent choice for anyone.

Finally this is one resort which you get what you really paid for. It is expensive but it surely is worth it! True luxury and privacy. No crowded beaches or public areas. Although the island has 130 villas, you can practically be unseen from other guests because of the distance between rooms and its huge size. This is something that I couldn't get from even smaller resorts. From the minute you arrive on a luxury yatch to the island, it is pure heaven. I actually got spoilt with luxury at this island. Definitely going back next year.

I went to Reethi Rah regularly before it was developed and it was truly amazing. I got so mad when I heard that the place was getting developed into a luxury resort. I liked the old fashioned Reethi Rah, it was simply the best. It almost felt like a friendly small village where peace and tranquility truly ruled. I just had to visit the new Reethi Rah after it got developed to see what they had done to the place. I couldn't even recognise it, it definitely is a new place. The last true "Maldivian resort" was gone for good. But the new one was the best luxury resort I have ever been to, surpassed all my expectations. You get spoilt with luxury. If you got the money and want to splash it out on one of the best properties, this could be it. But I won't go back there, simply because I can't afford it and it's not my style... I dont fancy luxury!

I have been to many resorts in the Maldives and One and Only Reethi Rah stands out in many ways. Rather huge in size, this gives something that other resorts can't offer and thats total privacy. You pay for what you get. Some of the smaller islands may be nicer for some but are crowded often. The food is terrific and the service is outstanding. If you want the best in Male' Atoll, this is it. Not Huvafenfushi or Four Seasons or Sonevagili (I have been to all), this is definitely the place for the price you are paying. Only bad experience I had was at Male' excursion. The tour guide in Male' was obviously promoting some shops which he gets commissions from which I have experienced from all resort excursions except from Four Seasons luckily.

This place is one of the most beautiful on earth. Beaches are breathtaking, villas have the ultimate level of privacy and all the luxury you can ask for. Don't forget your snorkel equipment because once you put your head under the water you'd want to stay there forever. About the restaurants, all of them are great and the staff are absolutely friendly and helpful in every moment. Try Fanditha at the sunset... is quite an experience to have dinner at the sand watching the sunset. True magic. If you can afford it, go there, you won't regret.

The place just opened on 1st May and right now there are some quite cheap deals around which you wont get anytime soon. The island is HUGE. If you want a very private luxury holiday without comprimising anything, then this is definitely it. With 130 rooms on a 125 acre island with minimum 60 ft distance in between each room, it certainly gives you privacy unlike most of the other resorts. My only problem was that the island was not green enough yet since it was reclaimed for enlargement. All new trees have been planted and some had died due to lack of rain. But guess it will be very much different next year and cant wait to go back then. Other than that...the place is absolutely fabulous! If you want to spend big bucks on a holiday, dont blow it on some cheap fake resorts like Kurumba Village who charge you crazy prices for shitty service and accommodation on 2 storey buildings. One and Only Reethi Rah is definitely the best out there. Only other places that come close are Sonevafushi and Sonevagilhi only.