Canareef Resort Maldives

Positives : Welcome coconut drink on arrival and very quick check in . All staff are positive, smiling and respectful. Special mention to Millie who listened to our holiday hiccups and made holiday experience better. Even decorated our villa with flowers and champagne which was unexpected and wonderful. She didn’t have to do that, thank you Millie. Chef Lucky in Bar-Kuda beach bar cooks some wonderful food, beautifully presented and tasted delicious. Staff behind beach bar Albert and Jessica, thank you for your warm welcome and topping them drinks up . Lifeguard at beach bar always friendly, always smiling. Island is long and very green with different birds, animals and lakes. We found that there’s lots to do here. Tennis, volleyball, water sports, ping pong, billiards, darts, etc. It also has a gym that is well equipped. Spa treatment was good and reasonably priced. You can go to local villages to explore if interested in local culture. We hired taxi/ guide for couple of hours which was enough. It was $20 per hour. Premium villa was spacious, light and in good walking distance to amenities . Jacuzzi was nice and decking at the front of the villa was large with sun beds, table and chairs. Direct access to the beach from villa was perfect. Beach was clean and waters clear. Plenty of fish to see and baby shark often comes to shore to swim around . There’s some broken corals in the water but plenty of new growth. Rocky side of the island produces some wonderful waves for pictures . Beautiful sound to listen to while eating at the restaurant. Beach cocktails party was nice touch. House DJ is very good, producing great mix adding fantastic atmosphere to the evening. Not so positives : Island is on the other side of equator so you will need to take a domestic flight, which fly 3 times a day. Somehow between resort and our tour operator communication got lost and we hadn’t been booked in for 4.30 flight and instead had to wait for 12hrs for next one at 23.20. After an easy direct flight from London it wasn’t great news, which ment a total 48 h in travel . I’m blaming both resort and our tour operator for this miscommunication. There’s 15+ cats and kittens on resort island and the only reason it’s a negative point because they are hungry and have to scavenge for food in rubbish. It’s an island and cats can’t go anywhere, surely it will be enough left overs from buffet to feed them. They are hungry and it’s negligence to leave them to breed between themselves as it will create bigger problem overtime. Canareef is a nature reserve and it’s a shame to see poor animals suffer. Housekeeping is hit and miss. In our case mostly miss . Unfortunately one keeper allocated per villa and we only found out difference when he was on his day off and different boy came to clean . What a disappointment to have a lazy keeper and forever asking him for towels and to change our bedding which in over two weeks was only changed 3 times . Bathroom floor

Stunning beachfront cottages all inclusive which needed to be careful with the mini bar charges ! Isolated resort reached by a 20 minutes speed boat from the Gan island . Once we arrived in Male , we surprised to learnt we had to get a 2 hour flight to Gan.

I had a life changing experience at Canareef Resort where I stayed for a week. The Villa, food, service and diving experience were superb, and my major take away is the Reiki healing I had with Vivek at the spa. I am forever grateful for this energy exchange we experienced and am planning to going back for a healing and learning retreat. If you're a healer and feel called to the Maldives, please go and receive his healing and advice ✨️

This was truly a heavenly, stunning place. Wonderful members of staff that certainly made my stay very enjoyable. Key activities were great for everyone. Lovely food choices daily and the Duoni Bar for the evenings amongst others.