OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort

We spent 5 nights in a sunset overwater villa with hot tub. Never did I think a hot tub in the Maldives would be so amazing until now. It was the best thing ever, to watch the sunset from your own private jacuzzi. I would choose a hot tub any day over a pool, if given the chance again! So now to this beautiful resort. Outrigger Maldives would have to be one of our favourite resorts in the Maldives, this being our 3rd trip to this incredible part of the world. We stayed in overwater villas at 3 different resorts this trip, and Outrigger was the best by far. Our villa, all dining experiences, activities and service were beyond measure. The staff went out of their way to ensure our stay was perfect. We were made to feel like we were the most important people on the island. The service was impeccable and always delivered with a smile. Unlike some of the other resorts, where amenities may be wonderful, what separates Outrigger is the staff’s focus on the guest experience. Sure, other resorts may give a reasonable service, however at times they miss the mark or it feels like a performance purely for the review requested on departure. Outrigger was certainly different. They work from a different benchmark. We could tell the service was delivered with genuine intent. Clearly a reflection of good management and the Outrigger staff being treated well. Dining: Food for the soul! Faultless in every way. From buffet breakfast, to the ever changing buffet dinners at Cuisine Gallery, lunches at Edgewater, to all the specialty restaurants- Moodhu Grill, Art-Isan, Koto. All restaurants were all so different and kept us on an exciting gastronomic journey. The settings were also beautiful, especially Moodhu Grill overwater pods - this was an experience we will never forget. Head Chef Chaminda, Chef Chindaka and their team made sure we had the most memorable dining experiences across all restaurants. They made special dishes for us, off menu. All meals were of high quality, excellent presentation and wonderful service. Special mention to Hassan and Sharafz for always looking out for us and serving us with a smile. Pradeep and Aminul at Kofee ‘n Chill were gems. So engaging with the guests not to mention making the best milkshakes ever! Would definitely recommend all inclusive package, which included minibar replenished daily, dining across all restaurants for dinner, breakfast and lunch at Cuisine gallery or Edgewater. Villa: Our hot tub Sunset Villa was perfect for our group of 2 adults and 1 child. The bed was comfortable and the room was maintained well and serviced twice daily. The bathroom was small but sufficient and had convenient direct access to the deck. Swimming off the villa was a treat but ensure life jackets (supplied) are used for people who are not strong swimmers. The sea can get quite rough. Snorkeling gear was included in our package. Activities: This resort is small and private but has so much to offer. There’s a games area with billiards, darts, Mini putt-putt golf, foosball, video games etc. At the cafe, there’s Carrom, and all sorts of puzzles and games at each table to keep guests occupied if they wish. The gym is well equipped and modern with a great view of the ocean. The main pool is off the beach and has a cool vibe, offering a beautiful view at sunset. There’s a DJ that performs in the evenings. We had a sunset cruise in our package which was delightful. Overall: Outrigger Maldives is a resort for couples, honeymooners, families… there’s something for everyone. The staff are first class and the property is 5 star luxurious. We cannot fault Outrigger Maldives. On every level it was perfect. We cannot complete this review without acknowledging the person who made our stay even more memorable. Saja our butler was our dedicated coordinator, working quietly in the background ensuring everything went smoothly and making certain all our requests were met. She had things is place even before we thought of them… always one step ahead. We literally didn’t have to think about a thing. She met us on arrival, communicated with us through watsapp, checked in on us personally at breakfast and bid us farewell. She was so hands on but not intrusive and so professional. Saja and team Outrigger Maldives, thank you for being the most wonderful hosts. We will hold you all close as we reminisce of our stay in your Maldivian Paradise.

Concrete sea walls as breakwaters, many buildings on concrete stilts, and a small harbor with concrete jetties. Circling the island along the beach was not possible, not even close. Admittedly, we may have been somewhat biased, as Kandolhu last year was the complete opposite. The beach villa was very nice. We were lucky with the view—an unobstructed sea view without much concrete (villas 109–113). Unfortunately, not many beach villas have this; some even overlook the “harbor.” The water villas require long walks on hot boardwalks, but that is unfortunately quite common in the Maldives nowadays. Our villa (109) was clean, sufficiently large, and had an enclosed bathroom. I find this much better than outdoor bathrooms, which I find far too hot. There was also an outdoor shower. The pool was relatively large, but of course not really cooling. The real highlights, however, were the service and the food. The service was very good, friendly, and (despite the relatively large island) very personal. A special thank you to Victoria, Joy, Esan, Ahmed, Tyas, Abdullah und Nishant. They were really a highlight in our holidays. Most staff members addressed us by name, which was excellent. We had a personal “butler” who was available at any time via WhatsApp and also (usually) came by several times a day in person, always stopping for a short chat at dinner. The food was excellent. For dinner, there was one main restaurant (buffet) and three specialty restaurants (grill, Asian, fine dining). With the all-inclusive package, everything from the menus was included (with a few very minor exceptions such as whole lobster)—there were virtually no restrictions. Lunch was served at the pool restaurant, offering a standard menu with a very wide selection plus a daily changing menu that only repeated after a week. That was truly excellent and something I had not experienced before in the Maldives. Breakfast offered a huge selection, including fresh egg dishes. The beverage selection was also very good. Apart from champagne and a few premium brands, all spirits were included. There was a different cocktail of the day every day, and they were not the usual standard drinks. So again, excellent. The guests were about 50–60% Asian (mainly Chinese and South Korean). The rest came from Europe (including Russia), North America, and Australia. There were some children, but it was still very quiet. Outside breakfast and lunch, you hardly had the impression that many people were around. The house reef is decent, though of course there are no corals left (or at least no colorful ones). The motorized water sports (jet skis, etc.) were initially a bit concerning, but everything was fine. The island makes an effort to move the noise “outside,” so you hardly notice it on the island itself.

Sea plane transfer takes 3-4 hours be prepared.

My wife and I recently spent 10nts at the Outrigger Maafushivaru and we felt compelled to write a review based on us both agreeing this was the best holiday and resort we have ever been on and to. The service was first class and without exception every member of the Outrigger Team was exceptional, warm and friendly and from the moment we arrived everyone knew our names and used them throughout, which was a lovely personal touch. Stephanie was our concierge and was always on hand via WhatsApp to look after us and also made contact with us several times throughout our stay, ensuring everything was running to plan. The food was exceptional throughout and our favourite restaurants were Art-I-San (best fillet steak I've had anywhere in the world!) and the Cuisine Gallery (main buffet) where the food quality remained high and there was lots of choice for my wife who is a vegetarian. Moodhu Grill and Koto were also lovely; there are no bad choices here, just taste preferences on Maafushivaru! The resort was spotlessly clean everywhere and I would describe the resort as providing "casual luxury" - nothing pretentious and everything you would need, including spectacular views and plenty of excusrion options to keep you busy if that's your thing. Oh and the cocktails were also awesome! The service is the thing that differentiates here and a special mention of thanks to Stephanie, Shamil, Tyas, Joy & Pema (apologies if we have misspelt any names). I always say you get what you pay for, and for us this was money well spent and we have already booked to go back next March!

We are very sad to be leaving paradise today. We have truly enjoyed our time here at Outrigger, and it is honestly one of the best resorts I have ever stayed at. The staff, service, and dining have all been outstanding. We especially loved chatting with the team and getting to know everyone during our stay. Joy was a real standout for us — she was so warm, welcoming, and genuine. In saying that, all of the staff have been incredibly friendly, professional, and lovely to deal with. It is a true credit to your management team. We were also fortunate enough to snorkel straight off the beach and see turtles, manta rays, and reef sharks, which was an absolute highlight for me. We will definitely be back one day soon, and I will be telling everyone just how special Outrigger is. Thank you again for your warm hospitality and for making our stay so memorable.