Reviews of MOONSHELL RESIDENCE

Good hotel with nice rooftop restaurant Staff is very friendly

My stay at Moonshell has been nothing short of amazing, whether its the food, hospitality, the location or the overall experience. Its a small little hotel nestled on a small island with a population of 500 people perhaps! Waheed is an exceptional host and knows how to give his customers the best experience. He helped us book trasnport, and also went out of the way to book us the return journey to another island. The rooms are clean, impeccable and well maintained. I've had the best food during my stay at Moonshell. Waheed also equipped us with some of the unforgetable experiences like - Turtle snorkling, sand bank visit etc. I would def give his place a 10/ 10 for all the experiences! Thank you Waheed for welcoming us to your home!

There's nothing I didn't like about this place.

(1) The People: Waheed and his staff were all very helpful and accommodating. Waheed also helped arrange the boat transfers to and from Dharavandhoo (the local airport) and even welcomed us there. (2) The Room/Hotel: We stayed in their Twin Bed Room at the start of February 2025 for five days. The room, as well as the entire hotel, was very clean and modern in terms of appliances and furniture. The beds were also very comfy. The rooms come with both A/C and a fan, which can be adjusted to your preferred temperature. The bathroom had a spacious shower. (3) The Beach: Maahlos is a small local island that gives you a unique insight into this side of the Maldives and offers some quiet spaces. It is entirely walkable, and all the local people we met were friendly. The main Bikini Beach is only a 1-2 minute walk from Moonshell Residence, and it has crystal-clear waters with a great reef for snorkeling. (4) The Food: The Moonshell has a great kitchen, serving everything from Asian to European cuisine. It was a pleasure to try all the dishes. Breakfast was included, and we had six options to choose from (Continental, local, porridge, etc.), we personally loved the porridge for breakfast. There is also plenty of fresh seafood available. Even the pizza was delicious! (5) The Tours: You can book several tours with the hotel, from snorkeling to island hopping. We did a snorkeling tour with another couple and Waheed, which was one of the highlights of our trip. Turtles, mantas, small sharks, and a variety of fish can be seen either at the local Maahlos reef or on a tour. Another side note: This is a local island, which means that you are expected to adjust to certain cultural and religious expectations (should be common sense) Ex. Always wearing a min. T-Shirt and Shorts on the island as well as hearing the prayers from the mosque five times a day etc. Waheed will also advise on some of this.

The only two small downsides to the room/hotel were: (1) There was always a bad smell coming from the bathroom drain, which is why we kept all the doors shut at all times. (2) The hotel is a bit poorly soundproofed (which is very common in this region), meaning you can hear other hotel guests quite easily. Both were issues we were able to accommodate, and we did not mind, as all other guests were very respectful!

We've been met warmly and deliciously by host. Bed was comfy, guests kitchen (2nd floor restaurant) is really tasty and waiters are very kind, but food waiting time can be longer that you can expect ~1hr, so it's better to reserve a table and order in advance.

There was dust on furniture. It's better to not forget about the breakfast time, if you come after 10am you'll be left without it. Host promised to show a coral reef, but didn't get time to do this for 5 days of staying, saying "today the current is strong, let's see tomorrow" again and again. Although I swam every day and didn't notice any dangerous like the current. He didn't have to show anything, but no need to encourage and it's better to say everything directly.

10 out of 10 for hospitality from start to finish. Thanks to Waheed! 10 out of 10 for the rooftop restaurant, the quality food and nice staff. 10 out of 10 for the comfortable bed.

Nothing really

Honestly a life changing stay. What we liked: - FOOD: Amazing rooftop restaurant with great prices - we ate so well! And a great choice of breakfasts! - ROOMS: Large rooms with air con and a large comfy bed! Enjoyed just hanging out in the room! - BEACH: Incredible bikini beach with the finest white sand, clear blue water and outstanding coral reefs to snorkel in, nothing like we've ever seen! Free snorkeling equipment as we wanted! We were also provided with free labelled loungers and an umbrella on the beach which was really useful :) - HOSTS: Amazing welcoming hospitality - thank you for your kindness! We would 100% recommend.

We loved it all! Nothing to fault about Moonshell! The only warning would be if you're getting the ferry back to Male - there was only a slight wind and that was enough for the boat journey back to be crazy, so be prepared with sickness pills...

A wonderful holiday in a wonderful place. Maalhos is a very cozy and cute island. Even though it was small, there was always something to do. The island has a kindergarten, school, hospital, mosque, several cafes, grocery stores and a souvenir shop. The locals are very friendly and smiling, it was interesting to observe their way of life. We really enjoyed our holiday at Moonshell Residence, it is a beautiful, modern hotel. Waheed, the owner of the hotel, took care of our transfer from the airport to the hotel. From the airport we were taken by taxi to Male, and then we took a fast boat all the way to Maalhos Island. Waheed greeted us very hospitably, offering us fresh chilled coconuts and cold towels, which was very nice after the journey, and in the meantime our luggage was delivered to our room. About the room itself - we got a room with a balcony. The room was very spacious, had everything you needed, I really liked the comfortable large bed, the bathroom was also large and comfortable. There were also different light sources in the room, which created coziness. The room's air conditioning system is well thought out - there is an air conditioner and a ceiling fan, thanks to which you can cool the room very quickly. In addition, we really liked the cleaning, it was very high quality, after cleaning the room smelled of aromatic oils. On the first day, Waheed gave us a tour of the island and showed us everything. On the second floor of the hotel there is an excellent restaurant “Rooftop by Moonshell“. All the food was very tasty, the restaurant staff were lovely and genuinely hospitable. We always placed incense sticks to repellent mosquitoes near the table. Waheed did a great job planning all the activities for his guests, he also taught my wife how to snorkel and accompanied me while snorkeling. Then we swam to different locations, looked at sharks, turtles and manta rays. We also booked a romantic dinner on the beach, it was magical!

Waheed is the best host, very attentive and caring towards his guests. It’s clear that he truly enjoys his work! When the time for our return home approached, Waheed completely organized our transfer to the airport, on the way back we flew on a domestic flight from a neighboring island, which we reached by fast boat in 15 minutes. The road was comfortable. Our vacation lasted 11 days, we didn’t want to fly away because it was very comfortable, like home. Overall, we really liked everything from the very beginning until the last day, we will definitely return again to Moonshell Residence. I really thank Waheed and all his employees for the quality work, excellent service and attentive attitude towards the guests.

Fabulous hotel, beautiful room, comfy bed , great shower and the location is perfect less than 5 minutes walk to the stunning beach with the reef metres of the beach with loads of fish . I saw dolphins off the beach . Waheed the manager arranged everything inc a snorkelling trip to see turtles. outstanding value highly recommended

everything great

Waheed is the best guest that we could have had. He helped us with the transfer (speed boat) from male to the island and even with a taxi from the hotel to the place where we had the boat. The food is great and cheap with a lot of variety from where you can choose. The cocktails are amazing. The room was very big and he provided a baby cot for our baby too. The bikini beach is big and we had our sunbeds on the beach with towels for the period of our stay. He arranged our wedding ceremony on the beach which was very lovely. The water is very clean and is the best spot for snorkeling with a lot of corals and fishes very close to the land. Locals from the island are very friendly, you have a shop from where you can buy a lot of things(better to pay with local currency).

The island could be better with rubbish but is a public island so he can't do much about it.

Beautiful clean accommodation, excellent food. Waheed and his wife are very nice and helpful.

The room was spacious and very well-equipped. We were guided by our host to all the island's nearby beaches and facilities. The breakfast and the restaurant within the residence was our favorite restaurant on the island. Try the Pan seered reef fish.

Great and welcoming host. Tried to make the stay as pleasant as possible. The location is good. Food is nice. The bed was the best I stayed in in the Maldives. Since the island is so small, everything is basically nearby.

Almost nothing. I just didn’t like the sound of the power plant nearby.

the rooms are ok.

i was unable to do any tour for the frist 5 days, he refused to take me anywhere, while he did know i only come for this, to see the manta and to snorkel. we talked about the tours i want to do in advance trough whats app. then he did not take me, yelled at me, after i asked for it on the 3rd day, i got recorded without my permition, he is punishing animals in a way to small cage, he told others on the island not to take me, he is a rude dude who likes to harass people with stupid discussions and he is bothering you all the time. you can not eat in peace. the whole island is full of trash. the bikini beach reef is dead. i don t know why this place has good reviews. i stay now on an other island here right now in the maledives and everything is fine. they took me to tours, they are nice. but about this place: you can really forget about it. he should tell people BEFORE about the fact that they can not do tours with him, and theat he has no other guest, so you can book an other place. so, ask him in ADVANCE, if he can really do tours with you or not. but i tell you, there are so many nicer islands, do not stay on this one. its just trash.

The property had a nice, modern design. Climatized rooms even for the restaurant on the balcony.

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I had the pleasure of staying at a 5-star hotel that truly deserves my heartfelt praise. My experience began right upon arrival when the hotel staff warmly greeted me and escorted me to the hotel. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to worry about anything or get involved in the process of settling in. The entire transfer process was meticulously handled by the hotel staff. What impressed me the most was the outstanding personalized approach to each guest. The entire holiday program was tailored to my preferences and desires. The hotel staff took into account all of my requests and provided me with the most comfortable accommodations. Furthermore, they offered me the option to individually customize my menu, and the hotel's chefs went above and beyond to cater to my culinary preferences. This hotel offers not just a high-class service and individualized attention but a service that exceeds expectations. The level of personal attention provided by the staff rivals that of top resorts. They genuinely cared about my comfort and satisfaction. I must commend their professionalism and dedication to their work. Overall, my stay at this hotel was an unforgettable experience. I felt like a valued guest, surrounded by care and attention. If you are looking for the perfect place to stay, where you will be treated to top-notch service and individualized attention, this hotel is an excellent choice. I confidently recommend it to anyone who wants to have exceptional experiences and unforgettable memories.

Nothing

The room is spacious, clean, and satisfied all our needs. The food was tasty. The beach is near. The owner is really kind and helpful, he helped us organise the next leg of our trip. He even got his son to meet us in Male and arrange the taxi transfer to our next boat! All in all, I can definitely recommend staying here.

The bed mattress was a bit too soft for my liking.

Fantastic owner Waheed! Service better than in the resort. At the airport in Male they lost one suitcase (with swimming trunks). we reported the loss of luggage (enter the exact e-mail address for contact). We reported this to the owner in the evening. He handled the matter very responsibly. The suitcase was found the next morning. We received her photos to confirm and in the evening (around 7pm) the suitcase was in our room! The owner took care of everything: confirmation, pick-up and fast transport to the island for relatively little money. The restaurant (the best on the island) is located on the roof (1st floor). Very decent prices, eg nasi goreng 60 MVR, tom yum soup 75MVR, pumpkin soup 60MVR. Breakfast RM45. Very tasty meals. Two bottles of water (0.5l) to the room every day. There is a fridge with a mini-bar in the room (cools poorly). Mosquitoes - it is advisable to take repellents with you, although on the island you can buy them in a shop for 45MVR. In the bikini shop by the beach you can also order (we did) Coca Cola Zero! Priced at 17MVR for a 330ml can. Extra water (0.5l) 5MVR. MOST IMPORTANT. Beach: Clean, sunbeds are private for hotel guests included in the price! The owner will come when someone takes your deckchair and asks you to give it back to you! Cool sand and a gentle coral reef with beautiful fish - like in an orientarium. Going turtle diving with the owner is worth it, my wife and I were delighted. Great day. TRANSFER: The owner will take care of everything for you. great service! We flew by plane and came back by speedboat (cheaper). When we got to the next island (Ghouli) he asked via whatsapp if we were okay. I highly recommend! We were really pleased. Więcej o tekście źródłowymWskaż tekst źródłowy, by wyświetlić dodatkowe informacje o tłumaczeniu Prześlij opinię Panele boczne

Mosqitos

Best time of our life!!!!!! Better choice for our holiday is impossible. A real pearl of the Maledives. Being together with the locals is the best way to find out how is the real life on the islands. The owner of the residence his son and all the staff, been worked on it really well to make our time unforgettable. The Rooftop restaurant is located in the residence and that is the best on the island!! The excursions are well planned and reachable with every budget. Fishing with the Boss is one of the greatest experience, he knows the best spots. The fishes we caught was served as dinner at same night. We want to thank you for the joy to the Waheed family!!! Hope to see you again Ferenc Herold

nice well located gh, 3 min walk from bikini beach. propedeutico has Sun bed avaible for guests, gh has its own boat And owner is an experienced fisherman Who can take you every where around the atoll for Fishing! very good food in the and nice atmosfere on their terrace! very pretty island with a nice coral barrier for snorkeling!

Fast WiFi (!). These guys have just around 4 rooms and great internet connection which let me work remotely for entire week without any major issues. Apart from it, the rooftop bar was our place to eat throughout the entire stay, they have a great selection, open & a/c room, all for a very reasonable quite low price. People who work there are awesome and welcoming. The island is quite small with only one beach where you can wear bikini, but it was expected - we liked all too, the nature, a jungle part, the beach, etc. As for the arrival and departure, note they have (cheap) speedboat available only at certain days, so ask in advance. Otherwise you’d fly to the island by a more expensive plane. The room was spacious and standard, all good. Thanks Moonshell! 💙💛

The variety of breakfast food (included in the room rate) is just 2 dishes, we quickly got used to it. Not a big issue but it would be great to have more choice ☺️

First of all we liked the local people in this island. they are very kind, friendly, smiling and hospitable.❤️❤️❤️ About breakfast, we really enjoyed the breakfast and not only. All meals were delicious