Canareef Resort Maldives

Amazing trip! All the staff were exceptional. Being able to snorkel at the beach was a highlight. The dolphin tour and snorkelling tour run by Didi and the team was fantastic. Do yourself a favour and get a massage from the spa team. If you hate paradise and relaxing then this isn't the place for you. Would highly recommend.

We booked this holiday because we wanted two weeks of peace, relaxation and reading in a paradise location. This is what we got. We stayed in a sunset villa which allowed us to step straight onto the beach. We were in villa 136 which we felt was a perfect location in walking distance to the main bar and restaurant. If we wanted to go to the beach bar, it was quick and easy to request a buggy. Our room was lovely- well appointed and air conditioned. There were loads of bikes too and these were free. Transfers worked well and speed boat was quite an experience! Service excellent- attentive and thoughtful. The staff were fantastic. Food was pretty good. Breakfast not a strong point. Thanks to the ladies in the bar and Romesh in the restaurant. They were outstanding. Negative bits: 1) extras- massages, trips etc we’re very expensive. 2) Some parts of the island have been mothballed. Not an issue but not lovely to look at 3) Seems obvious, but Gan is miles away! Didn’t bother us but there are many islands much closer. Would recommend this resort. We had a lovely holiday.

The food is delicious, staff is very friendly and caring. I want to thank the manager of the restaurant, and the whole staff. They had a good pool. The only negative part is that the wait for cars was very long and annoying. Having your own beach is sooo cool, I would like to stay there for the rest of my life :D

A fantastic holiday in the Maldives. A beautiful hotel resort in the middle of a tropical island. The resort has a beautiful pool area connected to the bars that are spread across the island. The people, especially the employees, are super nice, friendly and help wherever they can! They are there immediately and try to fulfill every wish. Absolutely! My special thanks go to Didi, who organized a fantastic private boat trip for us! With dolphins to watch, snorkeling and a picnic in front of a small uninhabited island. Just great. Didi takes care of everything and can organize everything incredibly well. And so it goes that across all areas, the spa is Great, the waiters are incredibly nice, the buggy drivers are always on hand. And the girls at reception also do a fantastic job of solving problems and organizing things. Very lovely girls and incredibly friendly and helpful, my special thanks go to Jasmin for the reception. She did so well and was so sweet. I can only say. A holiday on Canareef is a dream holiday. Anyone who likes peace and quiet, loves the sea and is interested in the marine world is more than right here. The small diving school on the island also does wonderful work - the staff are just great and the diving is an absolute experience. I thank Canareef Resort for this dream. Thanks and I definitely want to come back as soon as I can... Full marks.

After reading some of the reviews, we were a bit worried, but for no reason. We had a wonderful stay and the resort is value for money (about 1800 Euros, Sunrise villa for teo, 9 nights, all inclusive). Villas are lovely, spacious and comfortable (we were upgraded for free to a Sunset villa because the sunrise side was flooded - thank you, we loved going for an afternoon dip in the sea directly from the room!). Staff was amazing, so hospitable and friendly). Special thanks to Mohamed Shiruhaan, our waiter at the restaurant, Mausoom from housekeeping, Dama and Deepthi at Dhoni as well as the amazing staff at the reception who assisted us with the internet for a professional meeting when the wifi was down. Hotel grounds are beautiful and allow one to feel immersed in nature while walking or cycling (free bicycle throughout stay). To move around, one can also call for one of the electric buggies that arrive very quickly (or hail one down from the ones driving up and down). The resort island is narrow, but quite long. It is connected to the local Island via a bridge, you can cycle there with the bike after signing a liability form at reception) if you want a more authentic experience. Food at buffet restaurant: wide choice, also for vegetarians and vegans. Some variety over the week but there's so much to choose from that you don't get bored and are happy to find same dish the day after again (the Indian corner had delicious curries; the soups were yummy). Choice of alcoholic beverages including around 6 cocktails at the three cafe-bars (wine and beer at restaurant). Without all-inclusive plan, eating/drinking are at N. European prices- cocktails around 9, spaghetti and club sandwich 9, mains 25-35 Us dollar at beach bar), closes 18:00). For true Maldevian sea experience: Bar-Kuda at southern end - beautiful colors, corals, fish (the sea in front of Sunset villas and Dhoni bar had a lot of sea weed). Did not like: Pillows too fluffy and soft. At Dhoni: the crab race - animals are not entertainment; DJ music most nights - very loud club music with bad sound when guests were clearly not interested in dancing. Lack of awareness session regarding treatment of corals and lack of intervention when some guests did not respect corals - soon, there will be none left (maybe put cages around them?). Price of diving - initially seems acceptable, but then they charge for each piece of equipment and the boat extra, and if you do two dives in the morning, they charge equipment twice. Wifi was weak or nonexistent some of the days but it seems this was not the hotel's fault.