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Not wishing to rest on the laurels of our existing achievements, Bandos Maldives had in the past year undertaken a major refurbishment project with the intention of transforming ourselves into a hotel that is truly reflective of the times. Careful consideration, however, was given at all times to ensure that the old-world refinement for which the island has a reputation remained uncompromised. Under the project, major facelifts have been given to the front desk, lobby areas, shops, restaurants, and bars and have furthermore commissioned a new swimming pool and additional accommodation facilities all of which perfectly blend with the island's tropical splendor and give visitors a taste of the Maldivian aesthetic.
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Bandos Maldives earns high marks for its well-maintained beaches and variety of activities, with many guests commending the friendly staff. While the cleanliness of the hotel generally receives praise, some travelers have pointed out areas that could be better. Opinions on value vary, with the proximity to Male being a plus, but some guests feel the costs are high considering the all-inclusive package limitations.
The lively atmosphere, complete with live music and entertainment, is often highlighted, though room quality seems to be hit or miss. Service is lauded for staff friendliness and professionalism, but there have been occasional inconsistencies noted at the bars. The hotel's location is frequently praised for its convenience, particularly for families and those seeking quick airport transfers.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-maintained
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A great 12 night stay on this friendly island. The beach villas with their outdoor bathrooms are well thought out with good lighting, aircon and UK power sockets, usb charging points and mirrors in the right places. The snorkelling off the beach near Huvan sunset bar was some of the best we’ve experienced in the Maldives over our 24 years of coming to the islands. There’s a deep channel to the right of the Huvan over-water deck, this takes you directly to the reef edge and from here you can turn right and follow the line of buoys until you see the rope that will guide you back in to the beach. Lots of reef sharks and diverse tropical fish - heaven. Safe and easy when the sea is calm. We loved watching the sunset at Huvan - the staff are excellent - particularly KanChan who works so hard and is efficient and thoughtful and quite a remarkable young lady for 18 who has left her home country of Nepal to take up a job she clearly loves. Special thanks also to Shavaan, a native Maldivian, who also looked after us very well and was always happy to answer our questions and give us a fascinating insight into Maldivian life. Both speak excellent English. We wish them both well in their careers. Although we chose all inclusive, we would perhaps consider bed and breakfast next time and did in fact eat at the (not included) specialty and a la carte restaurants for a change of scenery. The buffet restaurant is under renovation and the temporary dining facilities can become very crowded, noisy and hot. However the food quality and the restaurant staff are very good. The guys who clear and set tables and serve drinks work incredibly hard, always with a smile and kindness. The spa was lovely - a tranquil and relaxing environment set around a beautiful pool. Treatment rooms are cool and luxe with opulent en-suite bathrooms. I had a blissful 1 hour facial. The boat transfer to and from the airport makes for a thrilling experience and is quick and efficient. The buggy service is prompt and friendly and reception staff are helpful. We would definitely return to this island. Thanks everyone for a wonderful holiday!
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Date of stay: March 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Bring own snorkelling equipment. UK compatible power sockets.
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We stayed in Bandos from Oct, 3 till October, 15 and would like to thank all the crew for the wonderful stay. It is especially vivid now after 1 month delay before I write this review.
We were 3 – two adults and a 6 year old boy. Therefore, I may eagerly advise Bandos Maldives (please mind, exactly Bandos Maldives, not a nearby Malahini Kuda Bandos) due to the following reasons which are connected to staying with children:
- proximity to the airport: 15 mins by the speedboat and you are there - wonderful Koko club, where you may leave your kid with lovely Philippine ladies - excellent variety of food, not spicy at all, edible for all ages - the hotel provided a baby bed for the kid, although my tour agent said that they have no option out there.
All in all, I do suggest Bandos Maldives for your first Maldives experience with a kid. However please mind that this is one of the oldest hotels in Maldives (although it has been renovated several times), and it’s our second trip to Maldives with my wife. The first time we were at the very remote atoll (+ 50 mins by domestic airline) and at a very new and top-notch hotel which was much more new and decorated. Therefore we didn’t get this taste of luxury at Bandos HOWEVER THIS IS NOT A DISADVANTAGE. It’s not better not worse, just different. Bandos has its own spice, which is hard to explain but most likely is connected with wonderful crew people over there and beautiful snorkeling places. A small hint from me: go between villas 191 and 192, there you will see a small lane to the ocean, follow the rope and you will see a passage to the open sea, it is free of corals and debris. At the border between the lagoon and deep water you can snorkel and see adult blacktip sharks. Such a thrilling experience! Also the best snorkeling in the lagoon is right-hand location from the Huvan restaurant.
Other tips: 1) take all-inclusive option otherwise the cost of drinks will destroy you; 2) standard rooms and double beachfront rooms are not so new unlike the rest of the options, but still ok, we stayed in double beachfront room (281); 3) bring your snorkeling masks with you, you will save money; 4) it depends on the year, but our beginning of October weather was disappointing – 6 out of 12 days were rainy and cloudy, but I repeat, we were quite unlucky, not the fault of the hotel of course :) ; 5) don’t be greedy and tip to all the good people out there, you don’t even have to have cash, you may add the tip to the bill at every meal, even if it comes as zero if you are all-inclusive; 6) the hotel is very international: about 40% English and German, 30% Asian (China, Korea), 20% Russian speaking; 7) this is my personal disaster, but another advice is to swim with water earplugs, I did so much snorkeling that caught external otitis. However, thank God there was a wonderful clinic with German Dr. Alexander out there who prescribed me correct eardrops and I was brand new after 3 days; 8) sunscreen everywhere!!! You get burned in no time. Me and my kid got sun burned after one day without sun screen at a full cloudy day.
Also I want to dispel some of the myths which arise out of 1* reviews at tripadvisor and which almost made me change my mind and not visit Bandos (thank goodness I didn’t believe them): 1) "construction noise" – although they are currently rebuilding the main restaurant there is no noise at all around the island; 2) the planes do not disturb you at all, a true overreaction; 3) “a waste incinerator plant nearby working every day, smell of burn” – wrong. Only once during 12 nights we saw it, but it was very very far away and of course no smell; 4) no rudeness at all, very friendly crew.
So overall I really recommend Bandos for its nature, wonderful attention of the crew and a lovely get away especially with children.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bandos Maldives, Other at Bandos Maldives
Responded Nov 14, 2024
Dear A2417NN_, Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review! We are so happy to hear that you and your family had such a memorable stay at Bandos Maldives and that it was a great experience for your first Maldives holiday with your child. We appreciate the time you took to share so many helpful tips and insights, not only for future guests but also for dispelling some of the myths you came across. It’s wonderful to know that your little one enjoyed the Kokko Club, and that the proximity to the airport, variety of food, and family-friendly atmosphere made your stay even more special. We’re also thrilled to hear that you had an exciting snorkeling experience with the blacktip sharks! Our beautiful reefs and underwater world are definitely one of Bandos’ unique charms. Thank you for your tips on the all-inclusive option, the snorkeling, and the importance of sunscreen! And we’re glad to hear Dr. Alexander helped you recover quickly from your ear infection. Nothing makes us happier than to know our guests will be returning. On behalf of my entire team, it was a pleasure having you with us and we look forward to welcoming you back for another wonderful stay at Bandos Maldives very soon! Best regards, Ismail Rasheed, General Manager
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Fabulous experience in Bandos, here are some of the best things. We stayed in a standard room and requested one in a quiet area. There was a wonderful sea view from our room (near the north of the island). The room was very spacious, the bathroom decor is slightly dated as the pictures show but it didn't spoil our holiday one bit, everything worked perfectly including the aircon. The bed is very comfortable and super-king size. Service is great, rooms are made up in the morning with a turn-down service in the evening.
The single most wonderful thing is the snorkelling - we felt like we were swimming in a shoal at times, there were so many beautiful coloured fish and many dozens of types. The snorkelling is very accessible, the best area is the beach close to the Huvan restaurant and you can be standing in water knee deep and watch bright fish swim around you. There is no need to be a great swimmer to enjoy the snorkelling as it is available right from the beach!
In terms of food, we chose B&B because I am not a great lover of spicy food and many of the buffet options are spicy. That said there would always have been something for me to eat, just the options might have been limited. If you are considering this resort, you may have looked at the restaurants. The Galleria is the usual buffet restaurant but is currently closed for renovations. The buffet is served in the Sea Breeze which is very good and where we had breakfast. The food is wonderful with many kinds of hot and cold breakfast available. You can sit with a sea view and there really is a lovely sea breeze.
The slightly bad news is that the closure of the Galleria means that there is one less choice if you are on B&B as the Sea Breeze is used for buffet (e.g. full, half-board and all-inclusive). The original Sea Breeze menu is still available in the Grill Restaurant (lovely experience). We weren't told this when we arrived however which is a bit poor. The Huvan Restaurant is on a wooden pier. You can enjoy your meal watching fish swimming about and have a cocktail watching the sun go down. Not too bad! All the food we had was very good.
We had two minor issues but bear in mind we thought the holiday was brilliant and will return! 1. They organised a Valentines dinner at the Huvan Restaurant so the normal menu was unavailable. As it was Friday, the Grill restaurant was closed so the only choices we had was the Japanese restaurant which we didn't want, or to order in our room. 2. When we arrived about 12.45 after a long flight, we were given two very small glasses of juice and water and a very welcome cold towel. We were told that our room would only be available at 2pm which is normal check-in time which we totally understood. However, until you have your room allocated, you cannot spend anything (it is all charged to your room). So we sat in the very warm reception area for over an hour but it would just have been nice to have access to more refreshments.
All the staff at Bandos were wonderful, very helpful, accommodating and friendly.
We chose Virgin Holidays as our tour operator and, as usual, they were excellent.
Thank you Bandos for a fabulous holiday, we will see you again soon.
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, Owner at Bandos Maldives
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear that you had a fabulous experience at Bandos Maldives. It’s great to know that you enjoyed the stunning sea views from your room, the spaciousness, and the comfortable bed. We’re also happy to hear that the bathroom décor, though a bit dated, didn’t impact your overall experience. We are thrilled that you had such an exceptional time with the snorkeling! Our house reef is indeed a gem, and it’s fantastic to know that you had the opportunity to experience the vibrant marine life right from the beach. We pride ourselves on offering accessible and beautiful snorkeling spots, and we’re glad you took full advantage of that. We also appreciate your feedback on the dining experience. We’re sorry for the confusion regarding the closure of the Galleria and the limited choices on B&B due to that. We understand how important meal options are, and we’ll make sure that clearer information is provided to future guests. We’re glad you still enjoyed your meals at Sea Breeze and Huvan Restaurant, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to the staff. Your minor concerns are duly noted. We will review the communication regarding meal options during special events like the Valentine's dinner and ensure that more refreshments are available in the reception area while guests wait for room check-ins. Your comfort is a priority, and we’ll work on improving these aspects. Thank you again for choosing Bandos Maldives, and for your kind words about our amazing team. We are thrilled to hear that you will return, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another exceptional stay! Warm regards, Ismail Rasheed General Manager
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We stayed at bandos for 7 nights in a superior beach villa. It was fantastic very modern and clean with an outdoor private bathroom. The villas comfortably sleep 4, the main bedroom up stairs was large with a balcony and separate toilet. Beautiful views over beach, the snorkeling was amazing with turtles and sharks and more tropical fish than I’ve ever seen anywhere else ! The sea breeze restaurant was very good with a decent choice of food with a different range of meat or fish each night, breakfast was lovely. We stayed half board so water, tea and coffee was available drinks with juice ect at a charge. The huvan bar is the place to go for sunset drinks at happy hour 1730-1830 at 20% off, snacks and drinks were expensive. We asked if our daughter could join us in our villa for 2 nights and thank you to Neevu from reservations you absolutely made our holiday by allowing our eldest daughter to join us I really appreciated you helping us. Sonny cleaned our room everyday and was so helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Marvel on reception desk thank you for helping us with sorting our extra family member joining us you were lovely. The island was pure paradise and staff were excellent we would definitely return.
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Date of stay: February 2025
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Definitely bring snorkel equipment
Half board is fab however drinks and snacks are pricey during...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, Owner at Bandos Maldives
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic stay with us at Bandos Maldives. It’s great to know that you enjoyed your Superior Beach Villa, the amazing snorkeling experiences with turtles, sharks, and tropical fish, and the beautiful views over the beach. We are also glad to hear that you appreciated the diverse food options at Sea Breeze Restaurant, as well as your sunset drinks at Huvan Bar. We truly appreciate your kind words about Neevu, Sonny, and Marvel. They all work incredibly hard to ensure that every guest has a memorable experience, and I’m so happy to hear that they helped make your stay even more special. Thank you for choosing Bandos for your holiday, and we would be delighted to welcome you back in the future for another paradise experience. Warm regards, Ismail Rasheed General Manager.
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This was our 4th trip to Bandos and each time we love it. The island is beautifully landscaped with the gardeners ensuring colour and scenic spots. The house reef still supports colourful coral, numerous varieties of fish with vibrant colours, harmless black tip reef sharks, sea turtles and rays. The staff continue to be so friendly and helpful; each and everyone making every effort to ensure we feel welcome and well looked after. The island is spotlessly clean and though we visited in high season this year, and it was fully booked, the place is quiet, restful and one doesn't feel part of a crowd except perhaps at the buffet breakfast, but even then there is ample seating and fresh food. The main dining hall is currently being renovated but when complete will offer more space and a lovely setting. We chose to eat mainly at the Grill Bar which offered both the Sea Breeze and Grill Bar a la carte menus. The staff there were super attentive and took the time to explain some of their local dishes as well as work around my husband's lactose intolerance. One waiter soon learnt where we preferred to sit and ensured our table was always available. A lovely Nepalese waitress speaking perfect english was very personable and helpful too. We chose a standard bungalow at the top end of the island and it had all we could possibly need and offered an idyllic view out over the turquoise sea from our little terrace. It was close enough to get to Huvan easily for sunset cocktails and to the well equipped gym or sheltered pool. We used both channels near Huvan to access the reef for snorkelling and the sea seemed slightly calmer there than on the other side. We enjoyed a massage one afternoon in the serene spa setting and both Balinese ladies, Kadak and Sara, really did an excellent job. It's a shame there were no special offers on lesser priced spa options to introduce more clients to this gem or enable us to try an additional treat (the prices are quite high once the taxes are added on top). We think Bandos is absolutely the best for us as it is only a short boat ride from the airport, has the most stunning natural beauty, offers accommodation and meal options for various budgets and is staffed by exceptional people who made our holidays over the last 20 years truly memorable. Thank you! We hope to be back!
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, Owner at Bandos Maldives
Responded Feb 14, 2025
Dear Tilly, Thank you for your continued loyalty and for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review of your fourth visit to Bandos Maldives. We are delighted to hear that your experiences with us remain memorable. We are thrilled that you enjoyed the beautiful landscaping, vibrant house reef, and the diverse marine life during your snorkeling excursions. It’s wonderful to know that the friendly and attentive service from our team, including assistance with your husband’s dietary needs, made a positive impact. We take great pride in providing a welcoming environment for all of our guests. We are pleased that you found your bungalow comfortable and well-equipped, with stunning views of the turquoise sea, and that you appreciated the peaceful ambiance of the island, even during the high season. Your feedback regarding the ongoing renovations to the main dining hall is greatly appreciated, and we are excited for the improvements to be completed. We are glad to hear that your spa experience was relaxing and rejuvenating, and we appreciate your suggestions regarding special offers, which we will certainly consider to enhance future guest experiences. Our associates always ensure to deliver exemplary hospitality to all our guests throughout their stay. We will pass on your sincere gratitude to the mentioned associates for their excellent services. Thank you once again for your kind words and for choosing Bandos as your preferred destination over the past 20 years. We are honored to be part of your cherished memories and look forward to welcoming you back for many more unforgettable stays. Warm regards, Ismail Rasheed General Manager.
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We spent our honeymoon here, we can only recommend the Bandos 👍 Food is varied and delicious and the Maldivian culture is taken into account - there is no pork for example. Housekeeping is top, the beach is very quiet at the individual Premium Beach Villas. There is a small pool which is quite sufficient, however, as there are not many rooms on the island. The service is very accommodating, the waiter GURU took good care of us at the sandbar&pool bar.
Only "shortcoming" for honeymooners - it's a family hotel with children - you have to like. 😉
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our stay at Bandos was second to none and my partner and I had the best holiday here.
Our rooms were lovely and clean, We were pleasantly surprised with the additional 'clean up' service provided in the evening, which was very much needed as the sand got everywhere.
Tohah in the main restaurant was excellent and made our holiday even more exceptional with his level of hospitality, he was always smiling and delighted to see us when we arrived. The other waiters in the restaurant were equally as good and friendly, however, Tohah always went the extra mile for us.
Likewise, in the Huvan bar, two gentlemen were really friendly and always provided a good service and always helped when we needed it. We didn't catch their names unfortunately however one was an older gentleman and the other was younger and from the Philippines.
As we booked an all inclusive package we were able to enjoy the non-motorised water sports as this was included for 2 hours per day. The temperature was extremely hot so unfortunately we were unable to enjoy this as much as we had wanted too as we got too hot taking part in these activities, but it was nice to know it was there and we tried paddle boarding for the first time.
The excursions were easy to book and had it's own designated location to book as well as having a noticeboard outside the main restaurant to inform us of what was going on. We booked onto the sunset dolphin cruise and turtle snorkelling which were led by Hassan and his team. We have come away with some incredible memories from these excursions.
We did however experience a small issue with the drainage in our bathroom, the team were very quick to rectify and it was sorted within the hour of phoning reception.
I cannot recommend this resort enough, we are so glad we came here!
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Date of stay: April 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Bandos Maldives, Other at Bandos Maldives
Responded Apr 28, 2024
Dear BethanyG, Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you and your partner had such a fantastic holiday at Bandos Maldives. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed your lovely and clean rooms, as well as the additional evening clean-up service. We're glad that our staff, particularly Thoha in the main restaurant and the lovely associates at Huvan, contributed to making your stay exceptional. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to them. We're delighted that you were able to take advantage of the all-inclusive package and enjoy the non-motorized water sports, even if the heat made it a bit challenging. It's great to hear that you had fun trying paddle boarding for the first time! We're thrilled that you had a memorable experience on the sunset dolphin cruise and turtle snorkeling excursions led by Hassan. Creating unforgettable memories for our guests is what we strive for, and we're delighted that you came away with some incredible experiences. We apologize for the small issue with the drainage in your bathroom, but we're glad that our team was quick to rectify it. Thank you once again for your glowing recommendation of Bandos Maldives! We're so glad you chose to stay with us, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another amazing holiday in the future. Best regards, Ismail Rasheed, General Manager
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This year, 2024, was a truly magical year and a year for the several dreams to come true. After almost 16 years, my brother and I visited Maldives again! This time we brought our mom with us too! We went to the Bandos resort and we had a fabulous time! It was even more than expected. We stayed at the resort for the full two weeks, from the 18th of April till the 2nd of Mai 2024 (rooms 206 and 207). We cannot even describe with words how amazing we felt when we were there. The sand under our feet and the ocean were like a healing therapy. It was hot and sunny most of the time, awesome weather, breeze in our hair. It was raining for three days but still we didn't miss going to the ocean during the rain. What an extraordinary experience, we loved it so much! The rooms in which we stayed were almost near the ocean and we loved it, they were always clean. We loved the minibar too, moreover, every day the fresh water was provided in bottles, minimum four of it. If you like it cold, just put it in the minibar and its awesome. The food was excellent, a great variety of dishes which we enjoyed very very much. The beach is not crowded because the island is big. We also went to Kuda Bandos as guests to experience the beach there, to try the restaurants and also to take photos of all the beautiful scenery. The Bandos resort has many nice offers such as excursions, sport activities, dining, spa, etc. We went to see dolphins which was an experience to remember for a lifetime and to repeat it again, absolutely breathtaking. We went to Malé to see the city and some traditions, to buy some souvenirs, to visit the local fish bazar. We visited the local island Huraa where you can see the real local life and people, and of course we had a tour through the Bandos resort where you can see a lot of interesting things. Every evening there were some events happening on the island such as the Ekathi boduberu group (a traditional Maldivian dance; please keep them performing forever, they were brilliant), also the Rishvan and Jessy duo (Jessy was really rocking that guitar). We bought a lot of souvenirs in the souvenir shop at Bandos, falling in love with them every single time when we entered the shop. All the staff was brilliant, very kind and friendly, and their service was wonderful. In conclusion we love the Bandos resort because it reminds us on the old Giraavaru island that doesn’t exist anymore, but my brother and I were there in 2008. Bandos is very similar, like a little jungle, has lots of vegetation, it is round, and everything is close, but the island itself is bigger than Giraavaru. It’s our second home, so hold on your trousers, we will be back again for sure! 😃🥰 We love Maldives and we love Bandos!❤️❤️❤️
To all the Bandos team, thank you for everything and for the great hospitality and experience, and see you very soon!😊❤️
P.S. Endless summer nights as Richard Marx would say❤️
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Date of stay: April 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, Owner at Bandos Maldives
Responded Jan 1, 2025
Dear Zdravkak, Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt and detailed review of your stay at Bandos Maldives. We are delighted to hear that your visit was a dream fulfilled and a truly magical experience for your family. We are happy to hear that you loved our beach and thank you for the compliment regarding the cleanliness of the room. Maintaining cleanliness all around the island is very important to us. The cultural experiences, such as the Ekathi boduberu group and the musical duo Rishvan and Jessy, are truly special to us, and we are grateful for your appreciation of their performances. We will surely pass on your complimentary words to the performers. We are also glad to hear that the souvenir shop became one of your favorite places to visit! It is wonderful to hear that our souvenir shop became a favorite spot during your stay. Moments like these make us proud to be part of your cherished memories. Thank you for your kind words about our team. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated and friendly staff, and we will make sure to pass on your compliments to them We are honored that Bandos Maldives has become your second home and are eagerly looking forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable experiences and endless summer nights. Until we meet again, we extend our warmest regards and best wishes. Thank you once again for your thoughtful review and for choosing Bandos Maldives for your stay. Best Regards, Ismail Rasheed General Manager
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The speedboat transfer was a quick 10 mins. Friendly reception staff with welcoming drink and formalities completed quickly. A meeting with head chef to discuss our dietary needs was arranged quickly before we headed to our room Deluxe Beachfront Room which was comfortable and clean and daily housekeeping. All staff at resort are so helpful and friendly and they say hello, morning, afternoon and acknowledge you. The restaurant staff displayed an exemplary level of service and meeting our needs (Shiv chef, Tanuj, Abu, Fizo, Shiuna and the rest). The chefs looked after our dietary needs and that made a huge difference in our comfort of staying here for a week. It's a nice quiet place, excellent and well priced tours and spa. We enjoyed the fish feeding where you can see the manta and baby sharks. Sunbeds are in abundance and lots of trees provided good shade on beach if you prefer. They provide very large brollys enough to fit 2 people in rooms and at restaurants if its raining so you can use them. We'll definitely consider going there in future.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Response from General Manager, Owner at Bandos Maldives
Responded Jan 27, 2025
Dear Govvek, Thank you for taking the time to share your beautiful experience at Bandos Maldives. We are glad to know that we managed to meet your expectations on your holiday with us. We're especially happy to hear that our chefs and restaurant staff, including Shiv, Tanuj, Abu, Fizo, Shiuna, and the rest of the team, were able to accommodate your dietary needs and make you feel comfortable throughout your stay. Your kind words truly mean a lot to us! It’s also great to know you enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, fish feeding, and the abundance of sunbeds and shaded areas on the beach. We want every guest to feel relaxed and well taken care of, and we're so glad that you experienced just that. We’d love to welcome you back in the future for another memorable stay! Thank you again for choosing Bandos, and we hope to see you again soon! Best regards, Ismail Rasheed, General Manager
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This is our fifth visit to Maldives, first to Bandos. After a long haul flight, I must admit that it was wonderful to be in our resort within an hour or so after landing!
I was a bit worried about being too close to Male and unfortunately the first Premium Beach Villa we were assigned to not only had views of tall ugly Male buildings but also were blocked by water villas! Not the best start. Thankfully - the hotel was able to move us the following day to another villa a bit further down - Room 148 was lovely! Uninterrupted views of the sea, close to the dive centre, not too far from the main area but not too close either!
Bandos is a very small island. So don’t expect long stretches of beach. Whatever is there, is lovely though.
We were on full board - where you can dine at the buffet at Sand Bar. Food was of a decent standard - meats sometimes a bit chewy, food a bit repetitive but that is often the case in a buffet.
Few things that have stood out for us in these last 9 days - 1) The New Year’s Eve gala - pricey yes, no drinks included - yes, but overall, absolutely fab! Buffet was an incredible spread with sushi, sashimi, oysters, lobster, steak and many more! The live band and DJ after midnight was wonderful and most entertaining, the fireworks at midnight absolutely lovely! All in all, we had a great night! 2) Loved our premium beach villa - spacious and new! 3) Staff - all very friendly and polite, especially Guru at the pool and Sand Bar - who makes great cocktails, and Jaanu at the Sand Bar - always ready with a welcome smile! High standard of housekeeping including an evening turndown service. 4) It was my husband’s bday whilst we were there - the hotel decorated our room, dinner table and made a special cake for him. Lovely touch. 5) Diving - great dive centre and house reef. The shark dives were a highlight!
Few small tweaks would elevate this place to a 5* review - like slippers and better quality toiletries in the villas, more flexibility with dining. But otherwise a great stay! Thank you!
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from General Manager, Owner at Bandos Maldives
Responded Jan 11, 2025
Dear PriBa8, Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful review of your recent stay at Bandos Maldives. We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed many aspects of your visit and that you had a memorable experience. It’s wonderful to hear that you had such a great time at the New Year’s Eve gala! We’re glad you enjoyed the impressive buffet, entertainment, and fireworks – it’s always a highlight for our guests. We also appreciate your kind words about our team, especially Guru and Jaanu, who go out of their way to make guests feel at home. We’ll be sure to pass on your compliments to them and the rest of the team. We’re also thrilled that your husband’s birthday celebration was special and memorable, and we are happy that we could add a personal touch with the decorations and cake. Your comments about the diving experience and house reef are greatly appreciated, and we’re delighted that the shark dives were a highlight for you. We always aim to provide a fantastic experience for our diving guests. We have also taken note of your suggestions regarding the slippers and toiletries, as well as the flexibility with dining. Thank you once again for your wonderful review. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit and hope to provide an even better experience. Best regards, Ismail Rasheed, General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Staffordshire, United Kingdom23 contributions3 helpful votes
We flew virgin and had 3x 21-25kg bags for us plus our baby, plus hand luggage and pram. Was no issue. The boats are big and we were the only people on it.
There are more places to choose from in the Bandos area.
PRICE RANGE
C$337 - C$834 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
bandos island hotel bandos, bandos maldives, bandos island resort maldives, bandos island maldives
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Bandos Island Resort & Spa
LOCATION
MaldivesKaafu AtollNorth Male AtollBandos
NUMBER OF ROOMS
220
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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