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.

We had an absolutely magical experience. Everyone is so friendly. The food was delicious. Such amazing underwater experiences. The lagoon is so well cared for by everyone including the people who work in the marine lab, who work so hard to keep everything healthy. We especially loved Fatima’s welcoming service. She made this experience more magical and relaxing. The cooks including Rajesh were so nice and made delicious food that we really enjoyed every night. The marine lab team were very friendly and taught us many secrets about the underwater life. There was also a very talented drummer who made beautiful natural flower necklaces. An unforgettable experience I will always keep in my heart. |Camille

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.

Absolutely wonderful hosts and hostesses. Liu was the most patient and accommodating hostess. All the staff, from restaurant to spa were so indulgent. ||My favourite part was the lagoon floating experience. A must do for anyone visiting the the hotel. ||I’ve been to Banyan Tree Bangkok and Koh Samui and Maldives lived up to my expectations. ||Banyan Tree Morocco I will see you next

A truly wonderful experience. From the outset of the way we were brought to the resort, to the wonderful welcome from Guest relations manager Fatima who made us feel as if we were being welcomed home, to the tranquility of the resort and overall quality of the operations! A really beautiful and well-run property that puts its guest first, and where you can truly tell that the employees are happy (which in turn translates into top service for the guests!).||Looking forward to our next trip in 2026 which we have already booked!

Small and charming island, 25 min boat ride from Male. The staff are very polite and the resort host, Fatima, was especially helpful and professional. Villas need renovation. The Japanese restaurant is excellent but the main restaurant Saffron is quite mediocre and well bellow what you would expect from a 5 star resort. We were on a full board meal plan, yet there is significant surcharge for HB/FB guests on around 60-70% of the menu items (essentially everything except chicken and veggie meals) which was disappointing and not clearly justified. This significantely reduces the value of the mealplan and feels misleading.

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 🫶

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!