The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives

The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a vibrant and unique blend of luxury, relaxation, and social experiences in the Raa Atoll. It's often described as a refreshingly modern take on the traditional Maldivian resort, catering to couples, families, and friends alike.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "paradise on earth" and an "unforgettable stay." It holds an "Exceptional" rating of 9.4 on Hotels.com and a "Wonderful" rating of 9.0 on Booking.com, based on a significant number of reviews. Guests highly rate the location (9.6), cleanliness (9.5), comfort (9.6), and staff (9.5).

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the resort:

• Exceptional Staff and Service: The staff are frequently described as incredibly kind, polite, helpful, attentive, and friendly, often going "above and beyond" to ensure a memorable stay.
• Stunning Marine Life and House Reef: The protected house reef is a major draw, considered one of the best snorkeling destinations in the Maldives. Guests can easily snorkel directly from their villas and observe vibrant coral gardens, tropical fish, turtles, rays, and reef sharks.
• Unique Design and Social Vibe: The resort offers a distinctive blend of laid-back luxury with a vibrant social energy, setting it apart from more traditional honeymoon-focused resorts. It features an overwater, glass-bottomed, adults-only nightclub, Beru Bar, which hosts sunset drumming ceremonies and local DJs.
• Private Villas with Plunge Pools: All 115 spacious beachfront and overwater villas come with private lounge decks and plunge pools, offering privacy and comfort.
• Variety of Amenities and Activities: The resort boasts two outdoor pools (including a children's pool), a full-service spa with a communal hammam and aroma steam room, a 24-hour health club, an outdoor tennis court, free bicycle rentals, and a free children's club. Activities such as kayaking, water skiing, windsurfing, fitness classes, ecotours, and volleyball are also available.

3. Room Quality

The 115 villas, available both overwater and beachfront, are designed for indoor-outdoor living. Each features a private lounge deck with sun loungers and a plunge pool, providing uninterrupted ocean or lagoon views. Inside, rooms include a king bed, a soaking tub and shower with a "disco ball," flat-screen satellite TV, snorkeling gear on an "activity wall," a mini-bar, and an espresso machine. The design is described as contemporary, with some unique touches like neon pink accents. Glass bottles for water are provided instead of plastic, which is a nice touch. Some guests have specifically praised the "magical" experience of rooms over the ocean with direct snorkeling access.

4. Dining Experience

Dining at The Standard Huruvalhi is described as diverse and experience-driven, with a focus on authenticity, simplicity, and quality. There are four onsite restaurants and three bars.

• Kula: The main, all-day dining restaurant offers an international buffet with live cooking stations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring a wide array of high-quality cuisine, from seafood to curries and pasta. The breakfast spread is particularly praised for its variety, including fresh fruits, juices, pastries, and eggs cooked to order.
• Guduguda: This overwater restaurant specializes in authentic Maldivian cuisine, including local seafood.
• BBQ Shak: A relaxed beachfront spot for fresh seafood and meat grilled over charcoal, offering stunning views.
• ONDA / Beru Bar: ONDA offers bold Mediterranean flavors, while Beru Bar is an overwater club with a transparent dance floor, serving cocktails, tropical juices, and izakaya dishes, as well as classic and new-wave sashimi.
• Joos Café: Offers all-day snacks, smoothies, coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and salads.

Some guests on half board plans have noted that it only applies to the buffet restaurant. While food is generally praised as fresh, innovative, and tasty, some guests have mentioned that portions at the Maldivian and Mediterranean restaurants can be small.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is overwhelmingly positive. Staff members are consistently described as friendly, professional, attentive, helpful, and polite. Many reviews highlight specific staff members for their exceptional hospitality and personal touches, making guests feel welcomed and celebrated. The resort is noted for its well-organized operations, including transfers and daily activities.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives is located on Huruvalhi Island in the Raa Atoll, northwest of the Maldives. It is accessible via a breathtaking 40-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport (Malé). Alternatively, guests can take a combined 30-minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo and a 25-minute speedboat ride to the resort. Seaplane transfers are arranged by the hotel, and guests are advised to provide flight details at least 4 days prior to arrival. The resort also offers a private lounge at the airport for guests awaiting their seaplane transfer. The island itself is a private oasis, known for its lush natural vegetation and pristine sandy beaches.

7. Value & Pricing

The Standard Huruvalhi Maldives is considered a luxury resort. While rates can vary, they generally start from around $500 per night and can go up to $1300 depending on the season and room type. The average price per room is approximately $684. Return seaplane transfers from Malé cost USD 495 per adult and USD 297 per child. Despite being a luxury property, some guests consider it offers "incredible value for money" compared to other Maldivian resorts. All-inclusive options are available and include onsite food and beverages, though some restrictions may apply.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Wi-Fi Connectivity: Some guests have reported issues with slow or unreliable Wi-Fi, making it difficult for those who need to work during their holiday.
• Room Design Preferences: A few reviews mention that the room design, particularly in the bathrooms, could be improved. Specific criticisms include mismatched tiles, lack of A/C in bathrooms leading to sweating, constant smells due to poor ventilation, and showers that don't drain properly. Some found the mattresses and pillows uncomfortable.
• Food Portions and Half-Board Restrictions: Some guests found portions at the Maldivian and Mediterranean restaurants to be small. There was also a complaint about half board only applying to the buffet restaurant, which was not clearly communicated.
• Limited Food Options After 10 PM: The kitchen closes after dinner service, meaning there are no food options available after 10 PM.
• Seaplane Transfer Times: While generally well-organized, seaplane transfers are shared services and can sometimes involve stops at other resorts, extending travel time.
• Lack of Seat Cushions: A minor point, but some guests suggested adding seat cushions to chairs for improved comfort.

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