Rihiveli Beach Resort

Rihiveli Beach Resort is the personal creation of a Frenchman who lived here for 20 years. While he has now moved on, his legacy remains, and this almost exclusively French and Swiss resort retains its ecofriendly, laid-back credentials. Indeed, this was the resort that coined the phrase ‘no news, no shoes’ – now used across the country – and you’ll get funny looks if your shoes remain on for long after arrival. Accommodation consists of just 48 sea-facing bungalows, all built in a rustic style from now-illegal coral stone and with traditional thatched roofs. They have all the basics for comfort such as hot water but nothing considered superfluous, such as air-con, fridges, phones or a TV. This is the secret of its success and as such Rihiveli (Silver Sand) will never be overrun with your run-of-the-mill package group. The open-air bar has a sand floor and shady trees overhead, while the restaurant is built over the lagoon and has a lovely view as well as excellent food. A conch shell is blown to call guests to meals, and everyone is invited to take tea with the staff daily at 5.30pm: yes, this is not your typical Maldivian resort! The usual water sports and tennis are all included in the room price, as is a daily excursion, so there’s no chance of boredom here. You can wade across the lagoon to two uninhabited islands where the resort organises regular barbecue lunches. Frequent boat trips to other reefs make up for the lack of snorkelling sites next to the resort. The main diving destinations are around nearby Hathikolhu Kandu, and there’s a small wreck to explore. Wi-fi is available at the lobby for free, but elsewhere it’s just you and nature, so there’s no need to take your iPhone to the beach. With its relaxed ambience, French style and natural appeal, Rihiveli is a unique and special resort for those who appreciate the simple things and want a totally laid-back and unfussy beach and activities holiday. Our independent authors have visited Rihiveli Beach Resort and selected this as one of our recommended accommodation in South Malé Use online reservation below to get the best rate of this resorts!