Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

This hotel is truly special thanks to its unique barefoot island concept, which creates a deep sense of freedom.I would like to especially highlight a few team members who made our stay truly memorable.Gulzar was always in touch and helped us with all questions quickly and clearly. Her responsiveness and professionalism made everything smooth and easy.Dr. Sharma had a truly profound impact on my well-being. I had been experiencing sleep issues, and thanks to him I started breathing deeply again, fully and freely — something I hadn’t felt in a long time. He combines acupuncture, sound healing, yoga, meditation, and point massage, and is a true professional who deeply understands what he does.Prosanta always prepared wonderful breakfasts. His Eggs Benedict and omelets were especially delicious and made every morning a pleasure. He is also a very kind and attentive person.Fipit made delicious coffee for me every morning. She is very attentive, caring, and a true professional who clearly loves her work.Muthu, the bartender, is extremely friendly and always brings positive energy. He is great at lifting the mood and is always ready to help with any questions or requests.Thank you for such a warm, caring, and memorable experience.

The staff were amazing especially Fatima and Shuja they were trying to assist us and make the stay memorable. Food was good different cosine for dinner every night. Island is a bit small but so calm and good place for relaxation

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The resort has a great house reef (thanks to not having built over-water villas on it) where, just snorkeling, we saw a turtle, an eagle ray, a sting ray, and multiple reef sharks.

Everything, the villa, staff, food all amazing

The island is very peaceful and not overcrowded at all. I highly recommend Marine Lab and Henry's exceptional presentation about marine life and conservation. There are lots of opportunities for snorkelling, diving and other water sports. The staff were super kind and helpful.We would like to make a special thank you for the staff to make our holiday perfect, especially, Okta, Henry, Hassan etc.

I have to say, our holiday was perfect, but if I have to say one comment, it would be the food selection.On the island, there are two restaurants, a Japanese and a Thai and a buffet bar 3 times a week. The buffet dinners were excellent, huge selection and very delicious.The only downside is the selection of the food, regardless if you are on half board/full board or all-inclusive, you have to pay the extra fee after certain meals, not all foods are included, and for that reason, the selection of the food was very limited.

This was our 5th stay at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and it was nothing short of exceptional. Everything was flawless and the improvements made over the past three months are clearly evident — from the elevated quality of the food to the seamless operation of the new dining venues, every detail has been thoughtfully refined. Kudos to David and his team!What truly sets this island apart, beyond its barefoot luxury and authentic Maldivian atmosphere, is its people. The team embodies a rare combination of warmth, professionalism and genuine joy in what they do. Their positive attitude is infectious, and it’s a joy to witness such a motivated group working together like a clockwork.A heartfelt thank you goes to Lynn, Fipit, Sejal, Nafiz, Ayman, Nazeer and Zihan from Saffron, as well as Roy and Alisa from Madi Hiyaa — and of course, all the lovely ladies from the Spa, who made every moment feel like pure indulgence.Furthermore, Liu deserves a special mention as well as she made us feel welcomed and cared for from the very first moment we stepped onto the island.Management should be incredibly proud to lead such a capable and devoted team — their passion and commitment are the essence of what makes this island so special.In summary: we can’t wait to return!

20 min boat ride to absolute authentic Maldivian & Thai bliss.Small enough to feel like your own private island . Immense attention to detail with no request to big.

Nothing not to like . Beautiful beach , clean sea & soft sand .

This island is pure magic—white sand, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation, all complemented by the perfect blend of comfort and natural beauty.Our room was not only spacious and comfortable but also integrated into the island’s charm, with an open-air bathroom and an outdoor shower.The location is ideal, especially for those with early flights, as it’s conveniently close to Malé. You can make the most of your stay right up until the last moment.A standout feature is the new bar—an incredible spot to unwind with a drink while watching breathtaking sunsets.The marine lab is another highlight, offering engaging activities like reef cleaning, which gives guests a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges facing the Maldives and a chance to contribute.For snorkeling, the reef at the sister island, Ihuru, is spectacular. We encountered sharks, rays, turtles, and a dazzling variety of colorful fish—a truly unforgettable experience.Lastly, a special mention to Rajesh at the barbecue—his kindness and exceptional cooking skills added an extra touch of hospitality that made our trip even more memorable.

As returning guests, we felt that the attention to detail had slipped compared to our previous visits. For instance, the turndown service was inconsistent, and we had to request more tea for our room after running out, which we hadn’t experienced before.We also preferred the previous dining experience, where the menu changed daily, offering more variety. The current setup includes numerous supplements, which can make the options feel somewhat limited unless you’re willing to pay extra on top of what’s already included.

Lovely resort, our second stay and we will be back. Beautiful sea, snorkelling and grounds, lovely staff and quiet ambiance.Fabulous new outdoor buffet setting a couple of nights a week.

New restaurant arrangement. One Japanese and one Thai. No other option unless you speak directly with the (very helpful) super talented, head chef. Very restrictive menus plus added supplements on most options. The supplements were probably the most unexpected and left a bad feeling. Understand this is being reviewed.

very eco friendly atmosphere with excellent team ready to make the stay unforgettable

they were not fair enough to allow the off season promotion offer to us citing reasons that we booked the stay few days before they announced the promotional offers.

loved the evening cocktails in the Japanese restaurant - fantastic sunset view. Japanese restaurant amazing dinner.

snorkelling on reef wasn't't as good as the resorts

softest sand

The Half/Full Board Menu (without any additional payment was limited to 30 percent of the menu. We had to pay added price for the bigger 70 percent selection.

The Staff, water, location and the service were amazing

I liked everything but the dessert were not matching my taste

This was our second visit to this island. We loved the new Japanese restaurant, and the island has lots of very soft sand. The house reef is also good.

The rooms could need an update now. They're starting to feel a bit old. There's really no great space to put suitcases in the room for instance.

The staff were very attentive and friendlyThe villa was beautiful as you could walk straight outside onto the beach into the ocean It felt like paradisePrivate pool and jacuzzi was amazing Food was good Snorkelling

I thought the price charged for the Christmas Eve Gala dinner was excessive, and this was compulsory.

Ничего

from the very first day of my arrival they fooled me and tried to cheat me out of money, they said for new percentages. The choice of food is terribly small, they charge extra for everything, it's just awful

This was our 4th stay at Vabbinfaru, and it truly feels like our home away from home. The recent updates to the villas are moderate but noticeable, maintaining their charm while adding improvements. The new restaurants are fantastic—Saffron provides exceptionally good Thai food, and Sangu Garden blends naturally with the environment, offering a lovely alternative dining experience.What keeps bringing us back is the warm and super-friendly staff, the unique Robinson Crusoe feeling with sand everywhere (and no water villas!), the delicious food, the great house reef, and the private, quiet atmosphere.There were a couple of minor, temporary glitches related to the introduction of the new restaurants. Nevertheless, our concerns were handled swiftly and professionally, ensuring our stay remained memorable. We love this island so much that we’ve already booked our next visit in March!Highly recommended for those seeking a serene and authentic Maldivian escape.

Nothing!

Location good and clean with twice house keeping service to keep it clean smiling staff 2 resturants with good place for picturesAnd availability of ware sports

Overall beitiful i liked it and will come back again

Very pleasant staff , quiet and clean accommodation with breathtaking views.

Felt it was a bit overpriced for Spa treatments and water activities

Banyan Tree Resort became a true oasis of peace and comfort for us during our vacation. It was an amazing experience! The first thing that stands out is the incredible friendliness and sincerity of the staff. It felt like we were visiting old friends.Everything at the resort is organized to perfection: from impeccable service to cozy villas surrounded by natural beauty. This Hotel definitely deserves 5 stars! I tried the massage and spa treatments and was absolutely delighted—every detail was handled with care and attention. I also recommend the yoga classes and meditation sessions held daily—it’s a real treat for the soul.The room was cleaned twice a day, and I am especially grateful to Najaah for her attentiveness and tact—everything was spotless and neatly arranged.We also tried diving for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by the instructor’s approach. He carefully explained everything, was very attentive, and supported us throughout, showing us the most breathtaking underwater spots. It was an amazing experience that is absolutely worth trying in the Maldives!Banyan Tree Resort is the perfect place to disconnect from the daily hustle, recharge, and find inner harmony. Thank you to the entire team for an unforgettable stay, you are truly the best!