Royal Island Resort & Spa
A full island in Horubadhoo, with a house reef at the door.
An island resort on Horubadhoo
Royal Island Resort & Spa occupies its own island in Horubadhoo Atoll, about 120 km from Malé and reached by domestic flight followed by a speedboat. The resort runs two restaurants, a spa, a fitness centre, and a kids' club, with water sport facilities directly on site. Room rates start at USD 302 per night for a Beach Villa. Guests who stay seven or more nights qualify for 50% off domestic transfer costs, which is worth factoring in at this distance from the capital.
The honest verdict
A full-service island resort with a house reef, pool villa options, and structured activity programmes, but all dining is on-island with no option to eat elsewhere.
Best for
- Snorkellers and divers wanting a house reef
- Families needing a kids' club and multi-bedroom villas
- Couples in beach pool villas
- Stays of 7+ nights to offset transfer costs
Maybe not ideal for
- Travellers wanting off-resort dining variety
- Short stays where transfer costs are hard to justify
- Budget-conscious travellers
House reef snorkelling and diving
The reef runs directly off the beach, so there is no boat required for a basic snorkel. Water sport facilities are on site for guests who want to go further, and the reef is the most consistent draw for repeat visitors to this property.
Two restaurants on the island
The resort runs two restaurants. Dining options include continental, American, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free menus, as well as buffet service. There is also a bar, a coffee house, and a snack bar for lighter meals between sittings.
Spa and fitness facilities
The spa and wellness centre is the main land-based draw for non-divers. A separate fitness centre is also available. The resort runs evening entertainment, live music, themed dinner nights, and happy hour events through its activity staff.
Kids' club for families
A dedicated kids' club runs on site. Family-specific room types include the Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa and the Family Suite with Pool, giving parents a layout that does not require children to share the same sleeping space as adults.
Transfer deal for longer stays
The resort is 120 km from Malé, so the domestic flight plus speedboat transfer is a real cost. Guests who book from 18 March and stay at least seven nights before 30 September 2026 receive 50% off those domestic transfer fees.
Rooms & suites
Beach Villa
sleeps 3 · 1 single bed / 1 extra-large double bed / )
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Beach Pool Villa
sleeps 3 · 1 single bed / 1 extra-large double bed
- Private pool
- Sea view
- Pool view
- Pool with a view
- Air conditioning
Sunset Beach Villa
sleeps 3 · 1 single bed / 1 extra-large double bed
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa
sleeps 3 · 1 single bed / 1 double bed
- Entire apartment
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
Family Suite with Pool
sleeps 8 · 1 single bed AND 1 large double bed / 1 single bed AND 2 double beds
- Private suite
- Private pool
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Pool view
Inside Royal Island Resort & Spa
Amenities at Royal Island Resort & Spa
Great for your stay
- 2 restaurants
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Spa and wellness centre
- Bath
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- Fitness centre
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Bidet
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Bathrobe
View
- Sea view
Outdoors
- Outdoor furniture
- BBQ facilities
- Terrace
- Garden
Activities
- Bicycle rental
- Live music/performance
- Happy hour
- Themed dinner nights
- Badminton equipment
- Tennis equipment
- Evening entertainment
- Water sport facilities on site
Living Area
- Desk
Getting there
Royal Island is 120 km from Malé and requires a domestic flight followed by a speedboat transfer. It is one of the more remote resorts in the Maldives in practical travel terms. Guests staying seven or more nights can claim 50% off domestic transfer costs under the current booking promotion, which runs on stays until 30 September 2026.
Seaplane transfers typically run $250–600 per person round trip, booked through the property. A few islands in this band are also served by a domestic flight to a nearby regional airport plus a short boat — ask the property which routing is faster for your dates.
On the map
Where to eat
- Maakana restaurant 0.09 km
- Raabondhi restaurant 0.12 km
Royal Island holds a 4.7 Google rating across 1,523 reviews. Recent guests rated the location 9.4. Bed comfort is a consistently high-rated theme. The house reef and beachfront position are frequently cited positives. No specific review-theme counts are available beyond those figures.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Royal Island Resort & Spa from Malé?
The transfer involves a domestic flight followed by a speedboat. The resort is approximately 120 km from Malé. Total travel time will depend on flight schedules and connection timing at the domestic terminal.
Is there a transfer discount available?
Yes. Guests who book from 18 March 2025 and stay seven or more nights before 30 September 2026 receive 50% off domestic transfer costs. This applies to all room types currently listed on the property.
What room types are available?
The resort has five room categories: Beach Villa, Beach Pool Villa, Sunset Beach Villa, Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa, and Family Suite with Pool. Prices start at USD 302 per night and go up to USD 1,218 per night.
Which rooms have a private pool?
The Beach Pool Villa and the Family Suite with Pool both include a private pool. The Beach Pool Villa starts at USD 306 per night; the Family Suite with Pool starts at USD 1,218 per night.
Is the resort suitable for families with children?
Yes. There is a dedicated kids' club on site. The Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa and the Family Suite with Pool are both designed for families needing separate sleeping areas, and the resort has family rooms as a listed facility.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling?
Yes. The house reef is accessible directly from the beach without a boat transfer. Water sport facilities are also available on site for guests who want guided diving or other water-based activities.
How many restaurants are at the resort?
There are two restaurants on the island. The resort also has a bar, a coffee house, and a snack bar. Dining options include continental, American, vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free menus, plus buffet service.
Can guests eat anywhere other than the resort?
There are two nearby restaurants within 0.12 km — Maakana at 0.09 km and Raabondhi at 0.12 km. However, as the resort is on its own island, access to these would depend on available boat transport.
Is WiFi available at the resort?
Free WiFi is included in the Beach Villa, Sunset Beach Villa, and Two Bedroom Family Beach Villa. The Beach Pool Villa and Family Suite with Pool listings do not specify free WiFi as a listed facility.
What activities are available beyond snorkelling?
On-site activities include water sports, tennis, badminton, and bicycle rental. The activity staff run evening entertainment, live music, themed dinner nights, and happy hour events. A fitness centre and spa are also on site.
What is the Google rating for Royal Island Resort & Spa?
The property holds a 4.7 out of 5 on Google, based on 1,523 reviews. Recent guests also rated the location at 9.4, and bed comfort is a consistently positive theme in guest feedback.
What is the price range for rooms at Royal Island?
Rates start at USD 302 per night for a Beach Villa and reach USD 1,218 per night for the Family Suite with Pool. The mid-range Beach Pool Villa and Sunset Beach Villa sit between USD 306 and USD 331 per night.