One&Only Reethi Rah

Trip date: December 22-30th, 2024. : Here goes my review: Wow! We were a large and energetic family of 7, including grandparents, parents and teenagers. We loved all the tiny details at the One and Only Reethi Rah, like the surprise nightly gift on our beds, the impeccable staff and service as well as the well planned activities for the holiday week like the family games which my sons want to win next time. They came in third! We loved the almost immediate buggy service and we loved how pristine the sandy roads were for cycling. We all enjoyed the family bikes. Maria deserves a shout out. Maria's Magic Brush (my nickname for her art studio at the Beach Club) was my favorite afternoon post lunch activity followed by the Dolphin Sunset Cruise. The boys loved jet skiing and snorkeling. We had my parents and kids and everyone had a lot to choose from. It was a magical trip, stunning location, beautifully decorated during the Christmas and New Years week (although I am sure its lovely all year) Eugene was assigned to us as our buddy and concierge and showed up at different places at the same time to make sure we were taken care of. Eugene was the embodiment of warmth, attention to detail for all family members, always accessible on WhatsApp, managing activities, pushing for reservations and going the extra mile on everything. The joke in the family was we were convinced Eugene was in three places at the same time. Yet her manner was not imposing or annoying. Due to the festive season, were so many cocktail parties and events aside from a plethora of activities for all ages. Sports of all kinds, board games, a buzzy beach club at lunchtime with Nikki Beach style DJ'ing and more. Aside from missing one precious night due to flight issues we had a pretty perfect vacation (written on the car ride from JFK to home) The weather was incredible (82 for most of the stay) the villas impeccably decorated and luxurious, and we were given fresh fruit, water, notes of chocolates and other treats every day. The breakfast buffet was beyond our expectations and as fussy and 'foodie' New Yorkers, we were truly impressed with the quality of all our meals at the Reethi Rah resort restaurants. Fandita, Earth, Fire and guest 3 Star Michelin Chefs who created special menus using local flavors. The entertainment each night was world class, from live music, deejays, fire-eaters and elegant cocktail parties for the whole family. Management was present but discreet, ensuring guests were taken care of. We all wanted to extend our stay and definitely plan to go back!

By way of reference, my wife and I travel extensively for work and pleasure so our standards are Aman quality high...... First the good The villas are of older classic construction, but meticulously maintained - some of the largest villas on the islands... with a gigantic WOW in terms of space, design, thoughtful touches... all necessary electronics.... these might be our favorite villas of anywhere we have stayed... also located in a manner which provides privacy.... and views of the ocean rather than other villas..... unlike much of the Maldives where the villas are adjacent and screened by walls... The ability to bike around the island was an added plus.. and we had a blast efoiling - the instructors were patient and awesome.... the island roads of sand a romantic wonderland.. The restaurants are of excellent quality food.... the breakfast buffet was top of the line... quality over quantity... yet not wanting for anything... Now the reason for the lack of five stars. 85% of the staff at the resort was perfect - service exactly as you would expect at a five star resort... But 15% of the staff seemed as if they did not want to be there.. were not responsive, and really did a poor job... this was true across the board... so some nights at the restaurants were great... other nights, we felt ignored and as if we were a bother when we asked for anything... this was true in every area... sometimes we would go for breakfast, and housekeeping had not made up the room - other times, they went above and beyond with thoughtful touches [our understanding was that the butler kept forgetting to notify them...so not their fault... Our butler, unfortunately fell into the 15% that did not want to be there.... ... and when this happens, it really takes away from the experience... so when we made special request... it was if we were asking for world... So how do you review, when you want to praise 85%of the staff, yet the ones that dragged the service down, need to step up their game. A big thank you for those amazing staff which were the majority. One other small problem was that when families were seated next to us, the kids cranked up their phones and ipads...and games and ruined the environment for all other tables... when we asked the waiters, they said there was nothing they could do about it... [perhaps it would be good to have family seating times and couples seating times.... or easier yet, just require all devices use earphones... that way the kids can enjoy and the rest of the guest are not affected....] All resorts are struggling with this issue, so this is not just a One and Only issue.

One & Only Reethi Rah is the best resort in the Maldives. It is the perfect choice for us and everyone from the luxurious and perfect beach pool villa for relaxing and enjoying the private time with your loved ones, the amazing and various facilities both ourdoor and indoor, the crystal clear lagoon for soaking and swimming, the sumptuous cuisine - we loved Hoshi (Japanese restaurant), the relaxing spa treatment, to the hospitality from the excellent team here. The excellent team @ One & Only Reethi Rah created our exceptional experiences beyond our wishes. We truly appreciate the genuine smile, sincerity and solicitude from all staff we encountered during our trip. You all are incredible! Special thanks to Khun Yasir for everything and heartfelt wise advice for me, Khun Manal taking care of us throughout our stay, Khun Bee from spa, and our villa attendants. Absolutely, this is the most memorable trip for us... Highly recommend for everyone loving to explode the luxurious life! We will be back again for sure!

Our stay at the One&Only Maldives was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable, and our every need was anticipated. The resort itself is breathtakingly beautiful, and our host Mahish went above and beyond to make our experience truly special. From personalized touches to seamless assistance, everything was flawless. This was an unforgettable escape in paradise, and we can’t wait to return!

Atmosphere:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Service:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ View:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My host is Eugene,very professional and friendly,gave us the best service ever ☺️. Almost all the staff are friendly and polite , we felt like home . My bf and I had a great time on OO island We definitely will come back The buggy leader Fathy is an artist,we always feel warm whenever we meet him. The Arabic restaurant is 10!!! Great chef ‍ So many staffs that i don’t even know their name but they all good. Hope this island can always be the unicorn in Maldives.

If you ever find yourself yearning for a truly indulgent escape, I’d simply say—visit Reethi Rah! Swirls of turquoise blue waters on a stretch of powdery sand, awesome people and great facilities. Its not hard to see why One&Only Reethi Rah is one of the best places to visit in the Maldives! Allow me to express my sincere appreciation for a once in a lifetime stay. A tad bit lengthy because I believe everyone deserves to be acknowledged for their part. Not to be bias but now I can fully grasp why a lot of people keep coming back here. A heartfelt thank you to my island host, Mahish, for being incredibly accommodating to my requests and for his genuine efforts to ensure my comfort and make me feel at home. His approachable manner made the luxury service feel welcoming rather than intimidating. He is truly an invaluable asset to the company. To Alyssa & Aku from Beach Club - for making sure I only get the best seat in the house. To Ariani and Janine at the Spa - for providing me the most indulgent massage experience I can only get to wish for. Obeid in Hoshi- for his remarkable service and great food suggestions. his extensive knowledge on the menu is impressive. If you were to ask me about a dish that I’ll cherish for the rest of my days, it will be the Black Cod in Yuzu. I still have flashbacks of it as of writing. lol please order it!!! and of course to Mr. Mausoom- my courteous and polite Villa Valet for ensuring that I have all the things I need despite the short stay. To Mr. Ibrahim of the In-Villa Dining team, who made sure that I get the same level of dining experience in the comforts of my villa. Thank you is an understatement and if an opportunity to stay here again will come knocking at my door, my bag is ready!! :))