瓦宾法鲁悦榕庄酒店

The island and the staff were completely delightful. Unfortunately, the dated villas and the truly bizarre dining arrangements make it impossible for us to give a higher rating. We chose this resort as it offered an all-inclusive option. Not because we remotely expected to save money, but it is just a preference on a luxury holiday not to have to think about money whilst away, particularly somewhere like the Maldives where food and drink costs can be somewhat eye-watering. Despite an AI charge of $250 per person per night, we were astounded to find that only one dish from the limited selection in each section, (starters, mains etc.) on the Saffron menu, did not require payment of a supplement. Most supplements were around 50% of the menu price. After the meal, we switched to the bar for a nightcap to find that AI does not include even the cheapest brandy (albeit on the drink menu it is the same price as whiskeys that are included). We then discovered that the bar provides a comprehensive international menu. Great (as the Saffron menu is a bit limited), another dining option. But guess what, it is not part of the AI package. In our room, there is a mini-bar with six different half-bottles (37.5cl) of spirits and two similar sized bottles of wine. However, they are only replaced every five days. So if you like a glass of wine, two of you need to make one half bottle last five days..... It is just shameful meanness and not what one expects from a luxury holiday or brand like Banyan Tree. Zendi, the wonderful food and drink manager, was sympathetic and did help us find ways around the madness. There are only four meat dishes on the Saffron dinner menu, so we were pleased to note the three buffet nights as a choice. A fish night ( no meat), a Maldivian night (Thai Green Chicken curry as the only meat offering) and a Lebanese night. Not exactly variety..The bar menu and quality were pretty good so we spent most nights there, but you don't really want to eat bar food every night just to get some variety. Finally we also have to criticise the villas. They are a dated design with paper thin walls meaning you can hear any noise from neighbours easily. The plunge pool is isolated in a heat trap in the rear. It provides no refreshment at all really as the water is almost the same 37c temperature as the hot tub. Even if it did, you have to go through the villa to get to it. Such a shame and such potential, but whilst we enjoyed the environment and the friendly staff, we do not think it was money well spent.

My stay in Villa 10 was very good. I can't complain anything. Stuff was very friendly and helpful. I try to come again, really worth visiting and seeing Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Aso the food was excellent and a great choice, always fresh. All the best, Bettina Müller

We had an absolutely exceptional stay – this resort is a true gem for anyone seeking luxurious tranquility paired with impeccable service. Just a quick 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé, it offers both convenience and an unforgettable escape and experience of the Maldives. The island itself is beautifully compact, taking around 15 minutes to walk around, yet it feels expansive thanks to its thoughtful design and pristine white-sand beaches. The resort's commitment to sustainability is evident, with impressive beach regeneration techniques and a strong focus on authenticity, local culture (we enjoyed an introduction on our first night with complimentary cocktails and teachings about local practices) and environmentally conscious luxury. The island has two distinct sides: one enjoys a noticeable breeze, particularly welcome during the hotter months, while the other offers calm, protected waters – it’s definitely worth requesting your preferred side ahead of your visit if possible and you have a strong preference. The culinary experience was a highlight. Every meal was excellent, with a special mention to the beachside buffet offered three times a week in the main restaurant. Themed evenings, such as Maldivian night, featured freshly grilled seafood and live cooking stations, creating a vibrant and delicious dining experience. We spent four nights in a beachfront pool villa, which was absolutely perfect – spacious, serene, and just steps from a beautiful stretch of beach (some coral around). The private pool and daybed made it ideal for relaxation. Snorkeling directly from the island was outstanding, far exceeding my expectations for a resort so close to Malé. Access to the on-site marine center and the opportunity to visit the sister property nearby added even more value to our stay. The cocktails were generous and expertly crafted, and the food – truly the best we had throughout our trip. But above all, it was the staff who made the experience truly unforgettable. Warm, genuine, and attentive, they are among the best we’ve encountered anywhere. We wholeheartedly recommend this resort – a perfect balance of barefoot luxury, authenticity, and thoughtful hospitality. We hope to return in the not too distant future! Thank you Angel; Liu, Ahmed and all the team!

We visited Maldives for the first time splitting our trip between Banyan Tree and another 4 star resort. We were very happy with our first resort and worried this one might not live up to expectations...we couldn't be more wrong. From the moment we were picked up and dropped back at the airport we felt like royalty. A wonderful welcome to our stunning villa was the start of a blissful 5 days on Vabbinfaru. We particularly loved our villa (oceanfront number 5). It was beautiful, had everything we needed and was stunningly quiet. We loved the semi outdoor bathroom and back garden pool/jacuzzi but also the spacious and very private front garden leading onto the beach. We had wonderful wildlife, with resident birds and lizards visiting us and we're near to the best opening to the beautiful reef. The barefoot concept was also brilliant, with powder soft sand all round the resort, meticulously maintenanced.I was sad to have to put shoes back on when we left! We really loved the natural beauty of the island and the laid-back atmosphere. The food and drinks were all fabulous. We particularly liked the Maldivian and Seafood buffet nights and the food in the Japanese and Thai restaurants was gorgeous. The staff, as everyone says are outstanding. What wonderful, friendly and helpful people. Every single person. The managers cocktail evening was a great idea and gave us the opportunity to grill the marine team, who were an absolute credit to the resort. We asked so many questions and did the night snorkel, which was amazing. We also helped on a clean the reef trip, which again was brilliant and a great idea to get people on board with the fabulous and important work that they do. We loved the traditional maldivian dance night. That was a lot of fun. Other than that entertainment was very laid back and the resort was quiet by 10.30. That is exactly what we wanted. So peaceful. When I had awful toothache one night the lovely doctor was very helpful in the middle of the night and the team even checked up on me to make sure I was OK. Felt so well looked after. We came to the Maldives for the snorkelling primarily and although our first resort was probably better for this, the reef at Banyan Tree and Ihuru is still spectacular. We saw lots of big (friendly) sharks, turtles and beautiful fish and corals. We absolutely loved watching the sharks around the Japanese restaurant and the sharks and batfish at the end of the pier every night. Stunning. Our only constructive feedback (and this is being very picky) would be there's a lack of snacks (none included in mini bar) and with the heat we didn't want to eat a big meal often in the day. We loved the food and didn't feel that the menus were too restrictive for 5 days however, as others have mentioned there are lots of things not included on the AI so, you may need to factor that into your budget. We absolutely loved our stay here and I was really sad leaving. The villa and the views and the people made this a dream location that we hope to return to one day. Thank you all for your hospitality

We had a wonderful stay at Banyan tree vabbinfaru resort. The staff were incredibly friendly and made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived. The service was excellent throughout my stay attentive, prompt, and always with a smile. I truly appreciated the relaxing atmosphere and would definitely recommend this resort to anyone looking for a peaceful and enjoyable.