OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi

We had really high hopes for our stay at OBLU Xperience Ailafushi, particularly as this was the final stop of our honeymoon. There are definitely some wonderful things about the resort: the island itself is absolutely beautiful, our water villa was fantastic, we saw an amazing amount of marine life around the island. The food at the buffet was mostly good with lots of choice. The staff are mostly friendly and helpful. However, unfortunately, there are several things that have made the experience feel much less relaxing and luxurious than we expected from a Maldives all-inclusive resort. The biggest issue for us has been how much of the experience feels geared towards additional spending. On the all-inclusive package, the buffet is the only included dining option. The two table-service restaurants come at a very significant additional cost, with the underwater restaurant costing around $300 for two people at a minimum. There is no room service, so the buffet is the only option for all-inclusive guests. As a result, dining there is very busy and hectic, which isn’t the relaxed dining experience we had imagined for our honeymoon. There is also only one bar, which can become very busy, and a number of drinks aren’t included in the all-inclusive package. Excursions and activities are also quite expensive. One particular experience really summed this up for us. We wanted to look at the underwater restaurant before deciding whether to spend around $300+ on dinner there. I explained to the staff member that I can be claustrophobic and therefore wanted to see the restaurant first before committing to the experience. We were told bluntly that we couldn’t go down to look without a reservation. We weren’t asking to use the facilities, take pictures or loiter - simply to see the restaurant for no longer than 30 seconds before deciding whether to spend a significant amount of money. When I raised this with reception they did then offer to show us around, however by that point we’d decided not to book as the initial lack of flexibility had really put us off. So, bear this in mind if booking this based off of the pictures of the underwater restaurant - you’ll need to factor in a minimum of $300 extra per couple to even look at it. We also asked whether anything could be done to acknowledge our honeymoon in the room - even something as simple as towel art. We were told that this was possible, but that prices started at $45. This isn’t about the amount of money itself; it’s the cumulative feeling that almost every additional touch or experience comes at an extra cost. Having just come from different hotels, where every place we stayed in made lovely honeymoon gestures for us without charge, the contrast was particularly noticeable. So, again, just bear in mind that if you’re celebrating a special occasion and want it to be acknowledged, this will come at an additional cost. (It also appears from recent reviews that some people do get decorations placed in their room for free whilst others, like us, don’t. This doesn’t feel particularly fair). An additional note, there is construction work going on around some of the water villas at the minute, meaning there are barriers around parts and often drilling/noise. We weren’t made aware of this before we arrived, and felt this could have been communicated by the hotel to manage expectations. I want to stress that we don’t necessarily think this is a bad resort. The setting is gorgeous, the wildlife is incredible and our villa was excellent. The staff members are mostly great. But for us, the overall experience hasn’t matched what we expected from an all-inclusive Maldives honeymoon. We expected to have paid for our stay and then be able to relax without constantly feeling that we were being encouraged to spend more. Perhaps this resort is better suited to travellers who are happy to pay for additional dining, drinks and activities, but we’d recommend being aware of this before booking if you’re expecting a more traditional, fully inclusive luxury experience. Read less

​We have had the absolute best stay here from 7th September 2026. From the moment we arrived, the entire team made our trip so special, but a few key people truly went above and beyond to make our experience magical. ​A huge, heartfelt thank you to Viru, who is such a bright, bubbly, lively, and lovely hostess! Her warmth, attention to detail, and first-class hospitality made every single day extra bright. She genuinely looked after and cared for throughout our stay. ​Special mention also goes to Chef Asela, who went out of his way, in every way, to cater so wonderfully to my gluten-free dietary needs with complete care and safety. Also, thank you to Hanhisini for lovely hosting. To Eka at the spa for absolute relaxation. The dive center team made our snorkeling and turtle excursion unforgettable! ​Every detail—from the stunning surroundings to the exceptional service—made this trip perfection. We are leaving with the happiest memories and simply cannot recommend this incredible resort enough! Read less

From the moment we arrived the resort is absolute paradise. The staff are so friendly, kind and polite and can’t do enough for you. Very well spoken English. We stayed in a beach villa and it has stunning views. Easy access to the beach which was beautiful, peaceful and not overcrowded. Rooms cleaned daily with fresh trowels everyday. The restaurant was clean & tidy at all times and the food was lovely with a wide variety of choices daily every mealtime. Plenty of water sports to keep you occupied. Can highly recommend the Nurse Shark snorkelling experience. We dined out one evening at the Only blu underwater restaurant which was lovely, well worth a visit. Also the bar staff are friendly and the entertainment at night is good. Our cleaner Adhuham for our stay was great. He went above and beyond and especially on our last night. Decorated our bed with a flower & towel display as it was our honeymoon. Would highly recommend and we will definitely be back Read less