Oaga Art Resort

Nick Jonsson

Oaga Art Resort is one of my favourite hidden gems in the Maldives. This was my third stay, and I’m already looking forward to my fourth. The beachfront villas are spacious and modern, just steps from the ocean. The resort feels exclusively intimate—small enough to feel personal, yet with everything you need for a restful and energizing stay. It’s also conveniently close to Malé, making it easy to reach. The food is delicious, with fantastic live cooking stations and plenty of healthy options. I especially appreciated the setup for my Ironman training—sunrise swims, barefoot beach runs, and safe, beautiful snorkeling right off the shore. What makes Oaga truly special is the team. Warm, genuine, and always going the extra mile to make each moment memorable. Thank you again—I’ll be back soon.

Millelou Grace De Guzman

We had the pleasure of staying at Oaga Art Resort Maldives from June 7 to 8, 2025, to celebrate my birthday—and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences we've had! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a warm and cheerful welcome from the friendly staff. What truly stood out was the delightful dance number they performed upon our arrival a beautiful and energetic gesture that instantly set the tone for our stay. The check-in process was smooth and efficient, and we were very grateful for being granted an early check-in, which gave us more time to enjoy the island. A heartfelt thanks to Rifa from the Front Office, who gave us a very informative and well-paced resort tour. He was kind, attentive, and ensured that all our requests were taken care of, making sure our stay remained seamless and enjoyable. The overall concept of the resort is refreshing and unique, blending artistic flair with authentic island charm. The positive energy of the staff and the relaxed island vibe create a very special atmosphere. We were pleased with the variety and quality of the food options, and the cocktails were exceptional—a real highlight of the all-inclusive package. We truly felt that we received great value for our money. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to a few staff members who made a big impact on our stay: - Danushka (Raa Baa), Nelusha (Sobi Bar), and Akmal (Kaa Kada) Thank you for your consistently warm service, always delivered with a genuine smile. You made each meal and drink special, and we appreciated your attention to detail and hospitality. - Asha, our room attendant, kept our villa immaculate throughout our stay and surprised us with a beautiful birthday bed decoration that added such a thoughtful and personal touch to my celebration. - Chef Hannah (Kaa Kada) greeted us each day with kindness and a bright smile. I was especially touched when she personally prepared a plate of sweets for my birthday—a small gesture that meant a lot and made me feel truly valued as a guest. Overall, our experience at Oaga Art Resort was nothing short of wonderful. One night was definitely not enough to fully immerse ourselves in all that the resort has to offer, and we’re already looking forward to our return. Highly recommended for those seeking a vibrant, soulful Maldivian escape filled with warmth, creativity, and heartfelt hospitality.

Dana Malek

Overall, acceptable experience for the price. key aspects fell short, making our stay less enjoyable than expected. The quality and variety of food could definitely be improved. The desserts were consistently underwhelming, lacking both appeal and taste. Ice cream options weren’t inviting, and most drinks were heavily syrup-based. For an all-inclusive resort, it felt odd that fresh juices and bottled water were chargeable, which was inconvenient. Cleanliness & Room Experience: below average. As we were traveling with a baby, cleanliness was a top priority. While the room itself was aesthetically pleasing, it didn’t feel clean. Unfortunately, we had an ongoing issue with ants in the bed, on towels, and in various spots in the room. Despite flagging it, the issue remained unresolved throughout our stay. This was especially concerning as we needed a sanitary space for baby bottles, utensils, and pumps. We were eventually offered a room change, but it came on the evening of our last night—too late to be a practical solution given the logistics of packing and moving with a baby. Definitely unacceptable! Overall: The resort does offer a variety of activities, which is a plus, but the food and drink experience was below average for a 5-star hotel. Having visited the Maldives four times before, we can confidently say that this was not the level of service and experience typically associated with a 5-star resort in the Maldives. While the stay was decent for its price range, there are areas that need improvement for it to match the luxury and service standards expected in the Maldives. Wouldn’t come back unfortunately regardless of the positives.

Raghu Bhambore

A Disappointing Experience in Paradise – Our Honest Maldives Review (Feb 14-17, 2025) The Maldives is often described as paradise, but unfortunately, our much-anticipated family holiday from February 14 to February 17, 2025, was overshadowed by poor service, mismanagement, and repeated disappointments. Arrival Experience & All-Inclusive Benefits – A Disheartening Start After an exhausting journey (5-hour flight, 3-hour airport wait, and a 70-minute boat transfer), we arrived at the resort expecting a warm welcome and a seamless check-in. Instead, we were told to pay for in-room dining, despite booking the "Greatest of All" all-inclusive package. After multiple discussions, a complimentary meal was finally offered—but only after unnecessary frustration. This was not the welcoming experience we had envisioned for the start of our holiday. Dining Service Issues – Constant Struggles Our dining experiences, particularly at Kakada Restaurant, were consistently disappointing. The staff seemed to prioritize some guests over others, leaving us feeling overlooked and unwelcomed. Simple requests for napkins, cutlery, and water had to be made multiple times. Unlike other guests, we were never escorted to a table, and we often had to find our own seating while staff redirected us without proper assistance. Instead of enjoying stress-free family meals, we found ourselves repeatedly dealing with inattentive service. Sunset Cruise – A Moment Ruined One of the key moments we had looked forward to as a family was the sunset cruise—a chance to capture cherished memories against the breathtaking Maldivian backdrop. However, despite being the first to arrive at the pickup point, we were ignored while late-arriving guests were allowed to board first. Shockingly, the boat even left without us, forcing us to escalate the issue. By the time the crew reluctantly returned to pick us up, we were left scrambling for seats, unable to find a good spot to sit or take a perfect family photo with the sunset. A moment that should have been magical turned into an upsetting and embarrassing ordeal in front of other guests. Floating Breakfast – A Premium Experience That Never Happened A floating breakfast was something we had eagerly planned as a special treat for our 8 year young daughter, selecting our menu 10 hours in advance. Yet, when it arrived, it was completely incorrect—only meat dishes, despite our preferences. The portion sizes were shockingly small for a family: just one omelet and two juice bottles for three people. It felt like an unnecessary cost-cutting measure rather than the indulgent experience we had paid for. In the end, we never truly got to enjoy this premium offering, which left us deeply disappointed. Repeated Dining Order Mistakes – Adding to the Frustration The dining issues did not stop at service. Meal orders were frequently incorrect—tuna curry was replaced with chicken curry, a chicken burger was swapped for a beef burger, and overall, the servers appeared confused. At one point, I had to personally walk to the live cooking station to verify my order—something no guest should have to do, especially at a luxury resort. We strongly urge future travelers to take note of the red flags we encountered during our stay. It's important to mention that our booking was made directly with the resort’s reservation team, not through any third-party agency. Despite this, we still faced multiple service failures and mismanagement issues. This raises serious concerns about the resort’s overall service standards.

Nadiia Makovetska

Let me start by saying that I am a demanding traveler, and when I go on vacation, I expect five-star service to meet my expectations. This hotel and its staff delivered 100%. From the very first moment you are greeted on the island, you are wrapped in such care and attention that it feels like visiting your grandmother, who loves you more than anyone else in the world. The food at the restaurant is delicious, everything is fresh, and many dishes are prepared right in front of you. The menu is diverse — even after two weeks, there was always something new to try. The chefs go out of their way to surprise you, and we appreciated it. Every meal was made with care, and the flavors left us delighted. The villas are detached, so you won’t have neighbors sharing a wall with you. This means complete silence and privacy. The villas are cozy and well-thought-out, with every detail adding to your comfort. We especially enjoyed the sound system and soft lighting. In the evenings, it was a pleasure to play our favorite music, adjust the lights to suit the mood, and unwind. The cleaning service is impeccable — the villas are spotless, and everything, from the furniture to the smallest details, looks brand new. Special attention is given to the little things that make your stay even more comfortable. The coffee is, of course, natural, and they bring you enough every day to last a week. On the first day, we mentioned that we drink a lot of water, and every day after that, without any reminders, we had six to eight one-liter bottles of water in our villa. There was always a good supply of tea, though we didn’t use it much. The minibar is stocked with a variety of drinks to suit every taste, and it’s restocked daily. A standout touch was the complimentary Argentine wine provided by the hotel. I don’t drink alcohol at all, but I know enough about it to appreciate that this was an excellent choice. Everything was thought through to the last detail, and I was truly impressed by the level of care. The island is small but incredibly charming. It’s a pleasure to walk around at any time of day or night. In the evening, the soft lighting transforms the paths into something magical — every corner feels like a fairytale. The atmosphere is so relaxing that even after a busy year, you begin to unwind from the very first day. Walking the island at night, you feel a pleasant drowsiness that helps you fully embrace the tranquility of the place. And, of course, the staff deserves special recognition. Ahmed and Dinara took such great care of us that we felt completely at home. They were always there to assist us, and even on rainy days, their warm smiles made up for the lack of sunshine. Any questions or requests were resolved quickly, even if it meant bringing something from Malé. Another advantage of the island is that it’s never crowded. You won’t see large groups of people, and even at the restaurant, guests come at different times, preserving the sense of calm and seclusion. There are so many little details that make this place even cozier. The bathroom features stylish copper faucets — a small but delightful aesthetic touch. The lanterns that mimic real fire add a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the evenings. And let’s not forget the animals on the island: the well-cared-for cats with their little homes, goats, ducks, and rabbits all contribute to the homey, comforting vibe. One more unique feature — there’s no asphalt on the island. Instead, you walk on soft, white, flour-like sand, which keeps you connected to nature. Even after the rain, the staff quickly adds more sand where needed to ensure it’s always soft and pleasant to walk on. Yes, some parts of the island’s coastline are reinforced with stones to protect against erosion from the sea, but you’ll only notice this when you first step off the boat. By the second day, the island’s charm and relaxation will have you forgetting all about it. If you want to truly relax, feel cared for, and enjoy every detail, this hotel is the perfect choice. I’m left with the warmest memories 💛