Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Returned here after 25 years. The place has changed. Mostly for the good. PROS: * Easy to get to from Male * House reef is easy to swim out to. The addition of complementary boat trips to Dhawa Ihuru is a bonus as the snorkelling off the beach there is easier for weak swimmers and the range of marine life just as good. * Staff are amazing and deliver 5 star service. Special mention to Fipat, Liu and Waheed who made our stay enjoyable and went the extra mile. The manager's mid stay survey is a great tool and the fast and considered response shows this is taken seriously and not just a tick the box exercise for someone's KPI. CONS: *The marketing pictures of the villas give the illusion of seclusion and privacy. The reality is that some of the beachfront sunset view pool villas are not that secluded or private. I upgraded our stay on that basis. You do get a nice pavillion to yourself to watch the sunset - but in reality many of the sunset villas on the side we were on, when in the pavillion, you are in full view of your neighbours and the guests at the Japanese restaurant. Would have been a better option to stay on the other side and watch the sunset from the restaurant which we did anyway. We had to change villas mid stay as there were a group of 6 boys in the villas either side who continually walked across the front of our villa in plain view of us, talked loudly and tried to use our pavillion as their villas were not beachfront. I would hate to stay here if capacity was at 100%. The villa we ended up in was in the general area where we stayed on our honeymoon so it worked out well - it was more secluded but not as close to the water. There is no comparison re: privacy and the sense of seclusion we got from the sunset overwater bungalows we stayed in at the Pullman in July. You stare straight out to the sunset with no neighbours in your peripheral vision. Vabbinfaru is too small to be all things to all people so you can't expect that sort of seclusion I guess unless it's in the confines of your villa. * Upgrading from b&b to half/full board. As with most Maldives resorts F&B is expensive due to logistics. We upgraded from b&b to half board in the belief it would offer better value. Upon arriving and seeing a surcharge for half board/full board guests on many restaurant items it is clear that this is not the best value option. I don't think the food was that exceptional to be able to charge the prices they do on some of those items. But you do expect to pay premium prices in the Maldives and you don't go to the Maldives for the F&B. Waheed took on board our concerns and feedback so it was not an issue for us. I always say the true test of a 5 star resort is managing expectations and addressing guest concerns. Fipat, Liu and Waheed exceeded our expectations and ensured that despite some issues we had a great stay and hope to return.

Wonderful stay and wonderful experience for desconecting and rest. Gazul was always kid and helpful and the rest of the team was nice and helpful. Highly recommended. Hoping to come back!

The island environment is beautiful, and every service staff gives people a warm feeling. I saw the most beautiful coral and fish, and I felt the most beautiful sea, all of it. ··· In particular, my housekeeper Fatima provided me with meticulous care and service, which made my stay on the island a memorable one.

We had a very lovely stay. Everything was perfect. All the employees are very very nice and they all made our stay very pleasant. Special thanks to Gulzar and David!

We had the most wonderful time at The Banyan tree. The people, the white sand, the food....everything was just perfect. Fatima especially, looked after us so well, she was amazing! Our villa was beautiful and opened up onto the beach. I would highly recommend the catamaran boat trip, swimming with sharks and stiff rays, and the the jet ski. We loved it that much that we are returning in March 🏝