Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Trendy
Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Airport transportation
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Room features
Air conditioning
Room service
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Location
Miskiy Magu Road, 08090
Liyela Retreat Maldives
64 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We were picked up from the port with a small electric car. The reception was warm and welcoming. The room was spotless and spacious. Very minimal decor. The bed was comfortable. The room was cleaned everyday with fresh towels, water bottles etc. The room had also a balcony where one could put swimsuits etc. to dry. The restaurant is on the top floor of the building, great view on the island. The food is amazing!!! The only negative thing was the slow service at the restaurant. Some days it took up to one hour to get what you ordered.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I went to the Maldives to visit my partner, who lives in Male. I have been there before but never in Maafushi nor in a guest house I stayed at different resorts, however, this was my favourite stay so far. I work in the hospitality industry and I must stay that I was blown away in every aspect of my stay in this hotel. I am not used to writing reviews so I will go straight to the point:
The Room I was enchanted by the interior decors and the ocean view, our room was in the third floor. It was spacious, clean and the white and wood dominant decors match beautifully. The toilet is big with a good-sized walk-in shower. The room is always kept clean with fresh linen and towels.
The Restaurant This is situated at the 4th floor and it has an additional small floor where the whole Maafushi island is visible. We had breakfast the first day we stayed, and I fell in love with the Maldivian breakfast. I had Maldivian food previously and worldwide cuisine in the Maldives that I did not particularly enjoy, but the Lyela Retreat kitchen proved me wrong that morning. We then decided to try different restaurants around which were good. However, the second day we decided to have dinner at Lyela and I must say the chef deserves a Michelin Star. Ever since that dinner we had all our meals there.
The Service Absolutely spotless, if you are looking for a place to feel spoilt and very well looked after Lyela is the best one! I would like to truly thank Lola, Shaffa and the two waiters at the restaurant.
Had I known better I would have never fallen for the resorts trap and if you are considering this Hotel, it is your absolute best shot! 35 minutes from the airport and not too far from other islands around nor the activities taking place in the island. It was difficult leaving and going back to London but I must say that I am already planning another stay at Leyla Retreat and truly look forward to it.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â The third floor and the Ocean View
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I went to the Maldives with my friends. It was my first time visiting the Maldives and I am so glad my first experience was here at Liyela Retreat in Maafushi!
From the moment we got off the boat we were warmly welcomed and taken to Liyela. Shaffa was so polite and got us checked in straight away.
The room was comforting with a minimalism concept, spacious as always kept clean. However the ocean view was the winning factor and we spent most of the time watching the view on the balcony.
The restaurant where we had breakfast every morning was on the 4th floor and again had the most amazing view. The food was delicious and fresh and we ate there most nights as well.
As someone who works in hospitality I really appreciate the effort the entire team made to ensure their guests were looked after and satisfied - nothing was too much for them.
I would recommend this guest house to anyone (it is suitable for all types of trips) and can promise you will not regret staying here. The guest house is perfect, as is the island... I am just waiting to return!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 2 weeks at the Liyela Retreat, and we are already missing it! The place itself is really nice, I wouldn't even call it a "hotel" as it is so cozy and well decorated with a mixed mediterranean style that it feels like you are in your own holiday home. Our room was very spacious, super clean, with an amazing sea view facing the sunset side, one could not ask for more. The food is by far the best you can find in the island, we enjoyed trying almost everything on the menu and even if lunch and dinner were not included in our deal we ended up eating there almost every time. Best for last: the staff at Liyela is just amazing, they were spoiling us for the whole stay! They are very professional, always trying to make things easy for us in any way, but also so warm and friendly that we felt part of the family and are already looking forward to come back!!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â Rooms with sea view on the west side are the best (sunset!)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Overall stay was just fabulous. Lola has been doing amazingly well with her team Safa, Alam, The Chef with regards to them for such lovely and fine cuisine. The taste was awesome for each dishes that we had during stay. The rooftop restaurant has stunning view during whole day, from breakfast till the evening with gentle breeze. They can arrange the excursion during your stay and all the information are shared upon arrival. The island itself is beautiful. With due respect to local culture and community, there is Bikini Beaches for foreigners which is nice to them for sun bathing and exploring the beaches. Can’t wait to see you again SOON. :)
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Liyela for 3 nights and were treated like family. Shaffa at the reception was so kind and organized everything for us. If you re looking for the best place to stay in Maafushi, Liyela is the place to check in! Their restaurant Raha is yummy and they have the best rooftop in Maafushi for the sunset. A big thanks to Lola for everything she’s done to make our stay as comfortable as possible
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were taken care very well from the start we arrived. We had the first floor, corner room, it was super clean. I was appalled when I saw the claw bath tub! The bathroom is massive, which suit our family.
We love the in house coffee! You should try the coffee during breakfast. All the food was delicious. I love the facade of the place, the decor has a Maldives painting all over the floors. It's cosy and welcoming.
Thanks for the owner and staff.
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Date of stay: September 2019
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â corner room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I spent 5 days at Liyela Retreat and highly recommend it to everyone. No matter if you travel alone or with your family/friends, you will feel like at (tropical) home. The staff is incredibly friendly and funny and they give you also this big family feeling. The view is also one of the best on Maafushi and the food the best on the island (I‘m not exaggerating).
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In the first conversation I had with Lola and Sharoo (the main hosts of Liyela Retreat), I was already overwelhemd by their hospitality. The hotel itself is really nice and everything is really clean and neat, the rooftop gives a beautiful view at Maafushi beach and the sunset, the food is also one to rember. But the thing that really did it for me was the hospitality at Liyela Retreat, I've been in a lot of hotels and resorts. But I have yet to encounter one that equals/tops Liyela Retreat in their sincere and genuine hospitality, I really felt at home here. That's why Liyela Retreat has become a place to come home to for me. Heads off to Lola, Sharoo and all the coworkers for doing such an amazing job. Untill next time guys!
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Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in this hotel for 3 nights and it was really amazing. Lola, Ranak and Sharis are very kind, friendly and helpfull. You are treated like you are staying in a 5 star resort but with the price of a normal hotel. The interior of the hotel is also incredible, with an amazing roofterrace with seaview.
The food was even more amazing, the breakfast which was included was even more than we could have wished for and all so fresh and homemade. Also if you are not staying in the hotel, you should definitely come here to have some lunch or dinner. (Try the tuna steak, best coffee of the island or the oreo shake!!)
Many thanks for our beautiful stay, people of Liyela retreat!
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Date of stay: October 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Maafushi Island area.
LOCATION
MaldivesKaafu AtollSouth Male AtollMaafushi Island
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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