The Residence Maldives

The many positive reviews already tell a great story. We stayed here for 2 weeks to celebrate my husband's big birthday, joined by good friends from the UK for part of the stay. It's a much bigger resort than we usually choose..preferring the barefoot authenticity of small islands. That said, this one was fabulous. We loved: Our room 337, a Water villa with pool. The villa was huge and very well appointed. The staff. I had intended to name check several, but don't want to leave anyone out. The Falhumaa staff were exceptional. Going out of their way to ensure we had the best experience. Also Archana who checked us in and helped ensure our friends were given an adjacent villa and that hubby's birthday was a wonderful day of celebration! The food and drinks were superb. So much choice, although I was disappointed not to have evening/ lunchtime buffets occasionally ( due to low occupancy, which I fully appreciate). Sometimes, it's good to pick a few tasty morsels rather than have to face a full menu choice! Our visits to the a la carte restaurants were fantastic and both food and service were top notch. The reef was stunning BUT to get to the drop off from our villa was quite a swim and tough going when swimming against the current. The rewards were worth it. Leopard shark, nurse sharks, lemon shark, eagle rays, the usual fish soup and oh so many turtles! The reef at Dhigurah ( access from the dive jetty) was easier and equally rewarding. The bikes were fun too! The 'could do better' bits... We fed this back at the time of our stay. The first one particularly. The pool at Dhigurah had beautiful cabanas but absolutely no shade over them nor around the pool, no parasols either. The strength of the sun, being almost equatorial makes this completely unacceptable. Indeed we saw many people who had sun burn. Management assured us this would be addressed ..though it wasn't during our 2 week stay The second suggestion, from a safety perspective is to have a general entry/exit ladder on each jetty. Whilst snorkeling, a storm blew in and quickly whipped up the waves - whilst very competent swimmers, getting back to our particular villa in order to exit was very difficult.. it also would mean easier access to the Falhumafushi reef for those not staying in Water Villas All of that said, It's a stunning resort and apart from high winds, our 2 week August break was blessed with 12 days of sunshine. We enjoyed the islands so much that we are returning next year, though this time to Dhigurah.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolute Paradise – The Residence Maldives We arrived late into Malé due to issues with Emirates, but from the moment we landed, The Residence team looked after us superbly. A representative met us straight away, reassured us that everything was taken care of, and even arranged access to the airport lounge while we waited about 8 hours for our connecting flight. We were able to rest comfortably, and the same representative personally walked us to check-in to make sure we got our flight. We arrived at Kooddoo Airport around 1am, where another friendly representative greeted us and escorted us straight to the speedboat. On arrival at the island, we were taken directly to our villa and served a delicious meal — such a thoughtful touch after a long journey. From that moment on, everything was exceptional. The staff, the accommodation, the food, and the island itself were all absolutely incredible. Every detail at The Residence is five-star — from the warm hospitality to the breathtaking surroundings. We’re already planning to return next year, but next time we’ll stay at least 10 days — you need that long just to truly appreciate this slice of paradise! ⸻

Our girls’ trip to The Residence Falhumaafushi was nothing short of perfection. From the stunning scenery and luxurious accommodations to the incredible cuisine and unforgettable excursions, every detail of this resort was flawless. The resort beautifully blends natural beauty with sustainability. We were so impressed by the resort’s commitment to preserving the island’s environment — including the Earth Basket garden, which supplies fresh produce and herbs used in the restaurants. Our overwater villa offered breathtaking views and was thoughtfully designed for both comfort and relaxation. The air-conditioned rooms provided a perfect retreat after spending time in the warm island air. Dining across the property was a feast not just for the palate but for the eyes — every meal came with spectacular ocean views. The spa on Falhumaafushi island was an experience in itself — serene, beautifully designed, and home to one of the best massages I’ve ever had. We even took part in a sunset yoga session, which was pure magic. Getting around the two islands by bicycle was such a thoughtful and fun touch — it made exploring effortless, and though buggies were available, we loved the freedom our bikes offered. We took several excursions, including the desert island trip, a local village visit, a sunset dolphin cruise, and snorkeling — and every single one was amazing. The dolphins were incredibly active, and during snorkeling, we swam alongside sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and countless colorful fish. A special thank you to Shairfan, our guide for the snorkeling, dolphin, and village tours. His knowledge, passion for marine life, and videography skills made our adventures even more memorable. It’s clear he genuinely loves what he does and the ocean he calls home. This trip exceeded every expectation. The Residence Falhumaafushi is a true paradise — tranquil, sustainable, and unforgettable.

Definitely a once in a lifetime must see! We stayed in an over the water villa with access to the ocean. We loved being able to climb out from our deck into the ocean. I enjoyed biking to all our excursions and meals as well as getting picked up by the buggies (golf carts). I highly recommend signing up for the excursions thru the Dive Shop. We especially enjoyed the Sunset Dolphin cruise, Desert Island Adventure, and the Local Island excursion with our Guide, Shaifan. We had a fantastic snorkeling adventure with Shaifan and saw sea turtles, eagle rays and lots of sharks!

Amazing views, large, well appointed rooms. The staff, all of them, are friendly and super helpful. We had a sea villa and it was wonderful to climb down the ladder every morning for a swim, and watch the turtles, sharks, rays and other fish swim past. The food was plentiful and varied. We had a couples massage in the spa and it was good. The pool area has plenty of beds and shade. We went in the rainy season, but it was still 30 degrees and the rains were never longer than an hour. From the UK it was three flights plus a boat, but totally worth the effort.