One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives — in-depth review

Location and transfer

Reethi Rah sits in North Malé Atoll. The resort markets the boat transfer at around 45 minutes from Malé; independent reviews have clocked it closer to an hour in practice, so it's worth building in a buffer rather than planning a tight connection. Transfers run by private speedboat or yacht, with reviewers noting a butler-style service on board — snacks, drinks and a host — rather than a bare-bones boat ride. That puts it in a similar transfer bracket to several premium seaplane resorts, even though it's a boat journey.

The island itself

At roughly 6 kilometres in circumference, Reethi Rah is one of the larger resort islands in the Maldives, and this is the detail that shapes the whole stay more than anything else. The resort runs a buggy and butler-request system to get guests around (typically via a WhatsApp-style call-out), but unless you're in one of the top-tier villas with a dedicated buggy, expect to wait for transport or walk further than at a smaller, more compact resort. Some guests cycle instead. The island is marketed as having 12 beaches, though reviews suggest a more realistic number with genuinely calm, swimmable conditions is closer to two.

Rooms and villas

Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy — the same architect behind Cheval Blanc Randheli and Amanyara — the property has a recognisable design language: high ceilings, open-plan layouts and sliding doors opening straight onto a private beach or pool. The trade-off reviewers point to most consistently is that standard one-bedroom villas don't have a separate living area, a feature that's become close to standard at newer Maldives resorts in this price bracket, and that pool access is an upgrade rather than included as standard. Bathrooms are spacious, with double vanities and a large bathtub. Some practical quirks come up repeatedly in reviews: aggressive air conditioning, dated light switch layouts, and auto-locking doors that mean a forgotten keycard is a genuine inconvenience given how far reception can be.

Dining

Reethi Rah runs six restaurants, more than many Maldives resorts of a similar size. Children up to age 3 eat free across all restaurants, with a consistent kids' menu available everywhere on the island — useful for families who don't want to negotiate different menus at every venue.

• Reethi Restaurant — the main all-day venue, with separate "healthy," Asian-style and grill menu tracks
• The Rah Bar — poolside snacks by day, cocktail bar by evening
• Hoshi — a modern take on Japanese cuisine, reviewed as a noticeable step up from typical resort Japanese, at a correspondingly premium price
• Botanica — organic, garden-grown produce and local seafood in an outdoor setting
• The Beach Club — salads, seafood and grilled dishes near the main beach
• Fanditha — Arabian cuisine in a beachside setting on the opposite side of the island

Facilities, spa and gym

The spa is consistently the most praised part of the property in independent reviews, with 12 treatment rooms, a vitality pool, sauna, steam room and a watsu pool. The gym is TechnoGym-equipped with separate cardio and strength zones, plus space for Pilates and spin classes. Beach Club facilities include pool tables, table tennis, tennis and volleyball courts, and a climbing wall — useful if you want options beyond the beach and pool.

Family-friendliness

This is a resort built around families as much as couples, which cuts both ways. The kids' club includes a pirate ship structure, a pool slide, a creche room for younger children and a separate teen club, and reviews describe staff as genuinely good with children rather than just tolerant of them. If you're specifically after a quiet, adults-focused honeymoon, that same family-friendly atmosphere is worth weighing against the resort's other strengths — Reethi Rah is not pitched as an adults-only escape.

Who this resort suits

• Families wanting strong kids' facilities alongside a genuine spa and gym for the adults
• Travellers who prioritise variety in dining over an ultra-intimate, single-restaurant resort
• Guests comfortable with an older, larger resort that's been updated in parts rather than entirely rebuilt

Who may prefer somewhere else

• Honeymooners wanting a small, quiet, couples-only island
• Travellers who dislike relying on buggies or waiting for transport to get around
• Anyone wanting the very latest room design rather than a 2006-built villa with newer finishes layered on