Paradise Island Resort & Spa

Guests are greeted at the airport by a representative of the resort and then directed to the speedboat for transfer to the hotel -- they most likely will be joined by fellow travelers from the same flight. Upon arrival to the island, someone with a clipboard will lead newcomers down the long jetty towards the reception area where they will be told to sit and wait. A welcome iced tea and cold towel will come around, and then another staff member will come around with paperwork, a map, and check-in information. Guests will have an opportunity to amend their reservation at this time; some may choose to upgrade a more contemporary Water Villa (worth the splurge). Once check-in is complete, guests will be asked to pay for their boat transportation then and there, rather than having the fee added to the bill to pay at the end of the stay. These are the types of service missteps that make this hotel fall short of many guests' expectations.

A porter will transport guests and their luggage to the rooms via golf cart. In the center of the island there are some shops, tennis courts, and a badminton and basketball area. On the far end of the island is another long jetty leading to the Water Villas, and situated on either side are long stretches of beach bungalows accessed by garden pathways behind them. Most of the guests in these lower category rooms will be on the full-board package with all three meals taking place in the main buffet near the reception area -- a good walk away -- with assigned tables for each meal and unimpressive service. 

After dinner, the bar stays open and entertainment -- which may include shows, bands, or karaoke -- takes place between 9 and 10 p.m. every night. Though some groups might use the 24-hour bar well into the night, the resort (like the rest of the Maldives) stays pretty tame and most accommodations are out of earshot from late-night partying, if there is any. 

On the day before departure, guests receive a note in their rooms to let them know which boat they will be taking. Settling the bill might take time, as guests will be asked what they had from the minibar and then told to sit down and wait while someone goes to their room to confirm. This process feels cheap and can put a damper on the mood. In addition, there's not much of a goodbye ceremony here, unlike at many competing resorts; the porter who helped deliver the luggage to the boat might be the only person waving to guests as they pull away from the dock. Guests may leave feeling like they had no interaction or special kinship with this resort whatsoever.

Paradise Island Resort is located on a large private island in North Malé Atoll, part of the Kaafu Atoll, next to Gili Lankanfushi (which is visible from the resort). After passing through customs at Malé International Airport, guests are met by a representative (usually a numbered kiosk) where they will be led, luggage on a cart, to a speedboat towards the property. Depending on the wind and weather, this ride can be choppy. The journey takes under a half hour.

The Maldives is a distinct nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of 26 Atolls and over 1190 islands. Each resort (there are over 100 of them) is situated on an individual private island and most guests come to enjoy the incredible marine life in the form of snorkeling and scuba diving. One of the best surf breaks in the islands is nearby. White-sand beaches encircle the entire island for those who just want to relax. 

Though the state religion of the Maldives is Sunni Islam, private islands like these are allowed to serve alcohol.

There are 282 rooms on the island and this is one of the biggest resorts in the Maldives. Room types include Superior Beach Bungalows, Water Villas, Haven Villas, Haven Suites, and Ocean Suites. The majority of rooms are of the lowest category -- Superior Beach Bungalows -- that surround the shore of the island. These are better for those who want direct beach access; some face sunrise while others face sunset. The bungalows are more outdated with older decor and furnishings, but new white duvets help keep things bright and clean. They come with flat-screen TVs, work desks, minibars (which include mini bottles of wine, liquor and Red Bull, soda, water and some snacks). Bathrooms are spacious but older in design. There are outdoor showers, but the touch of greenery in these areas looks unkept. In front of the units facing the sand are small patios, each with two lounge chairs and a table, and there are two lounge chairs assigned to each unit on the beach. There may be a construction happening on the beach; during our stay, there were bulldozers and trucks driving back and forth starting early in the morning, but no warning or apology from the staff.  

Water Villas are the suites located on the east part of the island on both sides of a long jetty. These units are newer than the bungalows, with contemporary wood furnishings and bright red accents. Private patios have jetted outdoor tubs, and bathrooms have double vanity sinks and walk-in showers. Water Villas also have easier access to the two restaurants on this side of the water, including a nicer buffet and the Chinese restaurant. Haven Villas, and the Suites (also overwater units) come with a private check-in area and additional amenities (some have private plunge pools). 

This private island is bigger than many islands in the vicinity, which means there is more space for guests to spread out and relax. Beautiful white-sand beaches are devoid of crowds and there are plenty of opportunities for swimming in the calm water for all ages. This natural setting is the highlight of the resort. Snorkeling is a popular activity and there is a large lagoon with access to the house reef. Gear will incur a per person charge (it may be worth bringing your own). There are a number of excursions available for kids and adults, such as a Glass Boat Tour and Dolphin Sunset Cruise, with per person fees. These may be cancelled at the last minute if there are poor attendance numbers. A full-service scuba dive center and water sports center with activities such as parasailing are located next to the spa. Other activities include tennis, a playground area, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and a fitness center. 

A newer but small outdoor pool is situated by the main entrance and buffet, and offers some lounge chairs and umbrellas overlooking the beach. Beach chairs tend to get snagged early here. There are a few gift shops for souvenirs, snacks and essentials, but expect prices to be high here. Many guests try to bring their own drinking water because of this!

There is often just one boat departing the resort to the airport each morning, so even guests with afternoon flights may have to take a 10 a.m. boat. The actual check-out process in itself takes almost 30 minutes. It might be worth the time to take care of the bill the night before. 

Wi-Fi is for a fee and guests can choose between six data packages. 

Guests who are on a full-board package will only have access to the main buffet with assigned tables. Service here, like the food, can be rather disappointing, but weekly specials such as Maldivian Night and Beach BBQ help stave off boredom (otherwise expect similar buffet spreads daily). The main reception area also offers a coffee shop and 24-hour main bar (adjacent to the beach bar) for drink service. Nightly entertainment takes place in the main bar but this tends to shut down pretty early. Each a la carte restaurant also has a bar for a range of drinks. 

For those not opting for the all-inclusive package or willing to spend extra on better food, the a la carte restaurants are worth checking out. The Italian Ristorante Al Tramonto has pretty views, especially at sunset. The Chinese Faramuthi Restaurant, on the other end of the resort, enjoys an adult setting with refreshing breezes from the surf break beyond. Another buffet restaurant -- much nicer than the main buffet in terms of crowds and atmosphere -- is in the Water Villa area.