We had stayed at Bandos Maldives before, so coming back felt a little like returning to a familiar place. Overall, we had another very enjoyable stay and would happily recommend the resort.
One of the biggest advantages of Bandos is its location. It takes only about 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport, which is incredibly convenient, especially after a long flight. The downside is that you do sacrifice some of the feeling of isolation. Malé is clearly visible from the island and has grown considerably since our last visit, and you can also see other islands around Bandos. So if you are looking for the feeling of being completely alone in the middle of the ocean, this may not be the best choice.
For us, however, the All Inclusive package made the whole stay exactly the kind of holiday we needed. We genuinely didn’t have to think about anything. We didn’t have to plan activities, worry about where to eat or constantly think about what to do next. It was a real mental reset — slow, peaceful and completely relaxing. The package also included a good selection of activities and drinks at the bar.
The food was definitely one of the highlights. The restaurant has changed since our previous visit, and we were very impressed with the quality and variety of the food. Everything was fresh, well prepared and genuinely delicious.
The house reef is another great advantage of Bandos. There is plenty to see, including colourful fish, turtles and sharks. However, the best snorkeling is concentrated on one side of the island. Other areas have more damaged coral, and some parts are quite shallow, so swimming is not always possible. During our stay in June, the wind was also very strong, creating large waves around the breakwaters, which made snorkeling difficult even for a confident swimmer.
We stayed in a Garden Villa. Everything was clean and housekeeping was good, but the villa, especially the bathroom, is starting to feel a little tired and could definitely benefit from renovation.
The staff were friendly, attentive and always willing to help. Overall, Bandos remains a lovely island with great food, a beautiful reef and a relaxed atmosphere. We were happy to return, and for anyone looking for an easy, comfortable and genuinely relaxing Maldivian getaway, especially with All Inclusive, Bandos is a great option.
