Our stay at One&Only Reethi Rah started with a few disappointments, but ultimately ended in absolute delight thanks to the exceptional level of management. Initially, considering the very substantial budget, we received something quite different from what we expected.The first day frankly did not go well. At the airport, we were met not by the luxury signature yacht, but by a very ordinary speedboat, where the only welcome amenity on board was a bottle of water. Upon arriving at the villa, another unpleasant surprise awaited us—the outdoor terrace shower. The hose there turned out to be only 100–120 cm long. To simply rinse off after the ocean, an adult had to literally crouch down. We were deeply upset and felt that our vacation was ruined.However, the way the hotel management handled our complaint completely turned the situation around and proved the resort's true premium status.Their reaction was lightning-fast. As compensation, we were immediately offered a two-bedroom beach luxury suite. We declined, because our water villa was spectacular. This was the first time we experienced an architectural layout where a villa has absolutely nothing to its right, left, or front—just the open, endless ocean. Unlike other hotels where privacy is created by solid side walls blocking the view, the villas here are brilliantly angled. This feeling of absolute freedom is worth every penny.Ultimately, all our issues were resolved right on the spot. The maintenance crew promptly replaced the terrace shower hose with a perfectly adequate, long one.Following that conversation, a flawless vacation began, and we truly understood the meaning of ultra-luxury. It manifests in the details. For instance, it was our first time seeing five people diving simultaneously near the beach, manually collecting rocks from the seabed just to make the ocean entry perfect for the guests. For women, the room features a proper vanity table equipped with Dyson hairdryer, completely eliminating the need to pack your own from home.A standout aesthetic and culinary highlight was the flagship Japanese restaurant, Tapasake, which rightfully ranks among the top 10 best restaurants in the Maldives [Tapasake Restaurant One&Only Reethi Rah]. In the photos, you can see the stunning champagne flutes they use—they are a true work of art. Speaking of standards, guests are welcomed in the villa with a bottle of premium Louis Roederer champagne, rather than some cheap prosecco or basic sparkling wine. It is precisely these details that signify true luxury and the highest status of a resort.To be fair, not all of the hotel's restaurants are as flawless as Tapasake. There were dishes in other venues that did not quite suit our taste. However, the management demonstrated incredible flexibility: any disputed items were quickly removed from the bill, alternatives were offered, and we always reached a mutual consensus effortlessly.Another great feature of the hotel is the sauna area in the spa complex, which is completely free for guests. You can sense a deeply professional approach there: it features two cabins with completely different temperatures, and most importantly, a cold plunge pool at around 12°C alongside an extreme cold barrel at 6–7°C. Such a serious, therapeutic approach to thermal therapy is a rare find even in dedicated wellness hotels.Tremendous attention is paid to children here, and not just at the kids' club. At the Beach Club, an excellent animator is constantly working, taking the children for activities (playing tennis or pool with them) while the parents relax. Right in the ocean, there is also a great inflatable water slide that the kids absolutely love.Among the temporary downsides, it is worth noting that two-thirds of the island is currently closed for a massive renovation that will last until the end of 2026. Because of this, unfortunately, it is impossible to see and walk around all the beaches and lagoons the hotel is famous for. However, the scale of the property is so immense that even the remaining accessible part was more than enough for a completely private and relaxing holiday.The conclusion : every hotel makes mistakes
, but the way One&Only values its guests and solves any issue puts this resort head and shoulders above many others. We were absolutely delighted with our stay and will definitely return once the island is fully renovated.
P.S . My advice-put more traffic signs for those who use bicycles themselves.
