Embudu Village

Fabio Magrin

Rating: ★★★★☆ Embudu Village is a very charming and authentic Maldivian resort. The facilities are dated and would benefit from some renovation, but everything is well maintained and very clean. Service is punctual and friendly. The island is small and never feels crowded – during our stay there were very few guests, which made the atmosphere peaceful and relaxing. The sea is crystal clear, and the house reef is just a short swim from the beach, with plenty of tropical fish to see. A perfect choice if you’re looking for tranquility, snorkeling and a genuine Maldivian feel rather than modern luxury.

Emma

We returned from a 2 week stay at embudu village last week. The transfer from Male airport by boat was about 15min, the transfer time by boat could vary depending on how choppy the sea was. We were in room 28, the immediate view was bushes and to the right towards the sea was taped off, there wasn't any sand remaining just sand bags. We had to walk a couple of minutes along to get to the beach. There are many sun loungers and they are everywhere not just on beach. We never had an issue getting beds. The rooms were large with storage, mini fridge(ours was old), dressing side table. There was a small kettle with coffee sachets , teabags and coffee mate creamer powder. There is no form of fresh milk in rooms if you have it in your tea/coffee. I asked at reception, I was told they would bring some to the room but when the man arrived he brought more coffee mate. From our first breakfast I would get a glass of milk and take it back to our room. You received 2 bottles of water daily which were put in room when cleaned. Our cleaner did a fantastic job everyday we were there, was always polite and happy so thank you again. Unfortunately the bed was horrendous, the matteress was extremely firm and the frame was very noisy, the slightest movement made the bed creek loudly. It definitely needs replacing. There isn't a tv in the rooms which we didnt mind, wi fi was also free throughout the island but could be a bit patchy and unreliable some days. Our room is in need of a bit of TLC, there was quite a few details that need attention, such as toilet roll holder needs tightening, window latches loose, curtain rail wobbly to name a few. Another thing about the rooms that cant be dismissed is the lack of privacy. In those rooms you can hear everything your neighbours are doing EVERYTHING, conversations, if they are in shower, making a cuppa etc , there is absolutely no sound proofing. I found it difficult for this reason to fully relax in the room, we were fortunate that both our neighbours stayed for the majority of our stay and were considerate with noise, last few days new people not so much. Food for us personally was OK, it wasn't anything amazing, they had themed nights every night but honestly most of the time you wouldn't of been able to guess what the theme was. There's a section which always had more authentic cuisine, could have quite the spice kick, but I do encourage you to try as there was some very tasty dishes and im not a spice fan. Lunch times were very much a waste, there was never really anything enticing. Breakfast was nice, there was a nice selection of bread, pastries and hot food. I would of liked more of a fruit selection at breakfast but there was plenty of other items. We cant mention meal times without mentioning Raju, what a lovely young man. He was always so happy to see you, would gladly have a chat take time to get to know you have a laugh and genuinely looked happy in his job. I hope he gets the appreciation he deserves, he is an absolute credit to this hotel and if chooses could go far in hospitality, so Raju thank you again. We would go to the bar on an evening. Again the staff were all lovely, if on all-inclusive the drinks menu was quite small. The snorkeling was amazing and a real highlight of the stay, unfortunately a lot of those staying didnt really seem to respect what was there and there is quite a lot of damage to the coral however that doesnt diminish the wonderful variety of marine life in the waters around Embudu. You have to ensure you snorkel on all sides of the island dont stay on the same side there's so much to see. Overall we had a nice stay at embudu. If you enjoy sun, sea and nature , at a rough around the edges hotel then this is ideal. (Full review on trip advisor)

Brett Parfitt

Currently staying on Embudu Resort. I have read the reviews and most are very positive. I have read some that are rather negative. This is a moderately priced resort. The location is outstanding. About a 15 minute boat ride from the airport. The resort itself is really nice. Beautifully maintained, lots of trees makes for a very tropical feel. The beaches are super clean, white sand and turquoise water. The room are great. Most with water views, big and well appointed. The open dining area is next level. Dedicated tables and endless food. I read a couple of negative comments about the food. I have no idea why except some people just love to complain. Food has been outstanding. So much to choose from. You would never get bored with the food. Fresh and very tasty. 5 stars. The bar area is lovely and the drinks very reasonably priced. I was pleasantly surprised. The staff are so nice. So friendly and really appear to love being here. The smiles are genuine. There is no pool but there is a huge ocean. There is limited activities but why did you come here?? The snorkelling and diving is awesome. Straight off the shore. Coral and fish aplenty. The resort does run well priced excursions if you wish. Will did a half day tour of Male which was great. This place is flash. Sure not the flashiest but also not expensive. Value for money is excellent. As hard as I try I can’t find any negatives. Ideal family destination as well. Just remember this is not a pompous 6 star sterile resort. This is a beautiful well appointed and maintained affordable island resort. We highly recommend.

Tanja Viraj

Embudu island is amazing. Beautiful nature, so many different animals and just big enough that it is super quiet and not crowded. Rooms are clean and nice. Food is out of this world and people working there are so nice and polite. I want to visit this beautiful place again. It is 10/10 for me.

Vladimir Hristov

The Perfect Tropical Paradise – Atmosphere Over Luxury, Unbeatable House Reef! ​Embudu is a beautiful tropical paradise, but don't expect the sterile luxury of some other Maldivian islands. This resort offers a simple, relaxed atmosphere, ideal for families and anyone seeking peace and tranquility. ​1. Atmosphere and Style (The Defining Factor) ​Embudu is ideal for those who value the natural experience and serenity more than modern luxury. ​Authenticity: The atmosphere is absolutely relaxing and chilled. The best proof of this is that we were barefoot the entire time—shoes were completely unnecessary. ​Accommodation: The bungalows are simple but functional and perfectly suited to the island's style. They are nestled directly under the palm trees, just a few steps from the beautiful beaches. ​Hygiene: Everything was very clean. ​2. Nature and Reef (The Biggest Value) ​The island offers authentic nature and is incredibly accessible, just 15 minutes from the airport. ​House Reef: The house reef is only a few meters from the beach with an incredible marine world. There is an abundance of tropical fish, as well as sea turtles and sharks (Blacktip Reef Sharks). It is perfect for snorkeling! ​Scenery: Beautiful scenery everywhere. You can walk around the entire island in about 20 minutes, which is ideal for an early morning walk and watching the sunrise or sunset. ​3. Service and Gastronomy ​Staff: The staff are wonderful and extremely helpful. ​Food: They have fantastic, diverse international cuisine with a special accent on Indian cuisine. The food is absolutely delicious. ​Bar: The bar is great, with affordable prices and wonderful cocktails. ​4. Final Recommendation ​Embudu Village is a wonderful place if you are a nature lover and are looking for the Maldives with an excellent living reef and top-notch service, at a fair price. It is an authentic tropical paradise. We are already making plans for next year!