Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

I had a really good stay at Banyan Tree Maldives. I stayed in a beachfront villa and absolutely loved it — the view was beautiful and I had direct access to the beach, so I could swim and snorkel anytime I wanted. The location is also super convenient, only about 25 minutes by boat from the airport. The service was excellent, especially from Fatima. She helped us during check-in, throughout the stay, and during check-out. She gave us all the information we needed, welcomed us with a drink voucher, arranged a late checkout until 4:30 PM, and even organised free snorkelling with the marine lab team on our last day. Her warmth and hospitality really made our stay special — now whenever I go to a hotel or resort, I feel like I will miss having someone like Fatima around. The diving team was also very kind — I forgot the name, but thank you for the discount and the free hot chocolate after the dive! Food was good, though there’s still room for improvement. Amenities can also be slightly improved, but overall still a wonderful stay. Overall, Banyan Tree Maldives gave me a relaxing and memorable experience. Would definitely come back again.

I first came here over 20 years ago, and after several visits since, I still think about the unforgettable moments I had at this resort. Very few places leave that kind of imprint. The staff have always been exceptional — genuinely warm, attentive, and deeply respectful. What stands out most is how seriously Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru treats its environment. You don’t just hear about sustainability; you feel it in everything they do. Hand-feeding the rays, watching sharks gather at night by the jetty, sundown sailing, and snorkeling directly on the house reef are experiences I still remember vividly decades later. There is a quiet magic to this place that comes from real care for the ocean and the island. I also once had a small medical emergency, which was handled swiftly and professionally with support from nearby Baros — another moment that reinforced how well-run and reassuring this resort is. Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru isn’t just a luxury resort. It’s a place with soul, history, and integrity. I cannot wait to return.

Gorgeous small natural island with a lovely house reef. Service is delightful and a true 10/10. Rooms are a little dated, but well-maintained. Shoutout to Fipit (from Bali) who was the best server we encountered during our stay!

A week in paradise. All words and pictures are not enough to describe this place. Natural island without villas on the water, special appreciation for this. I made my PADI certificate there and I want to thank Sharath, my instructor, for making my diving experience so great. Very determined to update my PADI with him next tjme. Also, special thanks to Rajesh for his culinary tips! Well, just paradise with kind and welcoming people 🫶

Super pleasant stay at the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. I am actually pleasantly surprised when the previous hotel and this property linked up together to make sure that my transfer is as seamless as possible. This resort is located roughly 20KM away from Malé, therefore it is way more quieter and peaceful compared to properties that are way closer to Malé itself. Upon arrival, I did not expect my villa to be ready since I have arrived early in the morning, but I was able to check in instantly to my villa, and I was given an upgrade to the sunset villa with great access to the beach and a front row view of the sunset! The experience agent was very detailed in her explanation of the features of the resort and villa, which makes it easy for me to navigate my way to the different activities across the resort. She also proactively helped me with my belongings when she saw that my hands were full. I have my dinner at Saffron, and the green curry chicken is done fantastically, the taste is exactly the same as what I will have in Thailand itself~ The stir fried beef was delicious too, albeit on a slightly saltier note. The team at the restaurant is super observant too, making rounds to ensure my needs is met. One of the waitresses there spotted me sweating profusely and without saying anything, she sprung into action and brought me cold towel and tissue to cool myself down. The beach is really well-maintained and the sand is really pristine, I have not spotted any rubbish floating around the water. Reefs on both the Banyan Tree and the sister property is thriving, marine life can be found in abundance, such as sharks and turtle. I have went on a scuba diving excursion with the marine centre on the property, the dive instructor is professional, with detailed briefing on the entry and exit of the dive, and what I could probably expect underwater. The dive itself is amazing, we dived off the waters of the sister property, to explore the Rannamaari Wreck and the coral garden. Along the way, we spotted a nurse shark just chilling inside the cove and the coral reef is thriving! The experience was marred when I have to ask for replacement of the regulator sets 3 different times before getting 1 set that is in perfect condition, without the hissing sound. The equipment definitely requires better up-keeping as my life depends on that very same equipment underwater. On the day of departure, the manager kindly offered me a late check out at 5PM which I deeply appreciate as it gives me more time to relax in the villa. If I have the chance to come back to Maldives again, I will definitely have a stay at this property again! (P.S: There’s shuttle service to the sister’s property, Dhawa Ihuru, you can take a short 5 min boat ride to explore that resort and also have a great time snorkeling there too!)

Our stay was wonderful from start to finish. The resort’s commitment to sustainability impressed us. It is thoughtfully embedded everywhere, from design to daily practices. Waking up to stunning ocean views each morning set the tone perfectly.Though my mother couldn’t join sports or snorkeling, she never felt bored. The spa was deeply relaxing, and the Marine Lab lecture felt both educational and special.What truly stood out was the staff’s kindness: Sama, Ranjit, Aiman, Lynn, Fatima, Jin. Every interaction made the trip truly special for us.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is one of the best Resort and Island in Maldives within 25mins boat ride from Male airport. Our group of 35paxs had a wonderful time. Food was good and service was Banyan Tree brand. One of the few island with a big beach. The Dolphin cruise was amazing as well.

We returned to Maldives after COVID and we chose Banyan Tree again due to the last pleasant experience. And this time we brought our kid and parents with us and they too had a fantastic time. Needless to mention about the reefs near the hotel which was breathtaking and even our young kid got to enjoy the snorkeling to the fullest checking out sharks and all different colorful fish. Our stay at this Maldives resort was again remarkable, thanks to the extraordinary care and attention from the staff, they went the extra mile to make sure things are well taken care of. Special thanks to Waheed, the hotel manager, whose warm leadership ensured every detail was perfect, and Zendie, the restaurant manager, who made every dining experience delightful and personalized, this definitely helped compensate the quality of the food in the hotel that needs certain improvements. Chef Ann was wonderful and her Thai dishes are one of the best to try on the Island. We were especially touched by Okta, who went above and beyond to assist us even during her off-duty hours, showing genuine kindness and dedication. The presence of a clinic on the island also added peace of mind, reflecting the resort’s commitment to guest well-being. My family got an emergency after diving and good to have the help of the in-house doctor to care for him during our stay. This team’s unmatched hospitality made our trip unforgettable. We can’t wait to return!