Lily Beach Resort and Spa
A private island in South Ari Atoll, built around coral reefs and good food.
An island resort on Huvahendhoo Island
Lily Beach Resort and Spa occupies all of Huvahendhoo Island in the South Ari Atoll, roughly 87 km from Malé and 25 minutes by seaplane. The island has coral reefs directly around it — practical for snorkelling and diving without a long boat ride. The resort's Platinum Plan all-inclusive covers gourmet dining across four restaurants, unlimited premium drinks and champagne, sports and leisure activities, three excursions per person per stay, and weekly entertainment. It is designed to remove the guesswork from budgeting. Rated 4.8/5 across 1,139 Google reviews.
Who this stay suits
A fully self-contained private island with serious dining, on-site diving, and an all-inclusive plan that covers far more than most.
Best for
- Couples wanting overwater or beachfront private-pool villas
- Families with children — the Turtle Kids' Club runs a full programme
- Divers and snorkellers — coral reefs surround the island
- Food-focused travellers — four distinct restaurant concepts on site
Less suited to
- Travellers on a tight budget — entry price starts above $790 per night
- Those who prefer exploring local islands independently
- Anyone who dislikes seaplane travel to reach their accommodation
Four restaurants, distinct concepts
Lily Maa runs daily world-cuisine buffets with a live lobster tank. Tamarind covers Thai-Indian and Asian fusion à la carte. Teppanyaki does Japanese tableside cooking. Les Turquoise d'Aqua is the fine-dining room — it holds a Wine Spectator 2024 Award of Excellence and carries 80-plus wines. The property's own Vibes Bar, AQVA Bar and The Spirit Bar are on site.
Beachfront and overwater villas
The island has 46 beach villas, six beach suites with private pools, 36 deluxe water villas, and four sunset water suites at 182 m². Every category has a sea view. The Beach Residence with Pool is a single 225 m² villa with a large private pool — the largest unit on the island.
Coral reefs around the island
South Ari Atoll is well-regarded for its coral coverage. The Prodivers dive centre handles guided dives and courses. Snorkelling on the surrounding reefs is included in the Platinum Plan, and excursions — dolphin watching, sandbank visits, island tours — are also covered, three per person per stay.
Tamara Spa and wellness
The five-star Tamara Spa runs Ayurveda treatments alongside the 'Wellness by Tamara' programme, which includes yoga and sound healing sessions. It is a full-service facility, not a small treatment room attached to the gym.
Kids' club and family setup
The Turtle Kids' Club runs hermit crab races, crafts, watersports, and treasure hunts. The Beach Family Villa at 136 m² sleeps four with two single beds and one large double — a practical layout for families rather than a converted adult room.
Bars, tennis, and evening entertainment
Three bars — Vibes Bar, AQVA Bar, and The Spirit Bar — cover different moods on the island. RTC tennis coaching runs with resident coaches. Weekly entertainment and a professional photo studio round out the on-island programme.
Rooms & rates
Lagoon Villa
90 m² · 1 full bed
- Entire villa
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Beach Suite
76 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Entire studio
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Beach Suite With Jacuzzi
76 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Entire chalet
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Private bathroom
Beach Residence
225 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Entire villa
- Private pool
- Sea view
- Pool with a view
- Air conditioning
Inside Lily Beach Resort and Spa
Amenities at Lily Beach Resort and Spa
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Airport shuttle
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 4 restaurants
- Room service
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
Great for your stay
- 4 restaurants
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Spa and wellness center
- View
- Bath
- Terrace
- Free Wifi
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Bathrobe
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
- Extra long beds (> 80 inches)
View
- Sea view
- View
Outdoors
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Sun deck
- Private beach area
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Patio
- Terrace
How to get there
Lily Beach is on Huvahendhoo Island in the South Ari Atoll, 87 km from Malé. The transfer is by seaplane, taking around 25 minutes from Velana International Airport. The resort arranges the airport shuttle connection. Seaplane schedules are typically daylight-only, so late-arriving flights may require an overnight in Malé before transfer.
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.
Across 1,139 Google reviews, Lily Beach holds a 4.8/5 rating. The highlights listed by the property align with what guests single out: bed comfort, the sea views, and the overall location on a private island. The all-inclusive Platinum Plan is frequently referenced as a reason guests feel the value holds up at this price point.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 29 · average 9.8
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, room
Reviews scoring 7–9: 1 · average 8
They wrote about: location, staff, room
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Good to know
Before you arrive
- Check-in
From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in.
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
- Check-out
From 6:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
- Pets
Pets are not allowed.
- Cards accepted at this property
Cash is not accepted
As published by the booking provider · always reconfirm with the property
Questions & answers
How do I get to Lily Beach from Malé airport?
The transfer is by seaplane from Malé, taking approximately 25 minutes. The resort is 87 km from Malé on Huvahendhoo Island in the South Ari Atoll. An airport shuttle is included in the resort's arrangements.
What is the Platinum Plan all-inclusive?
The Platinum Plan covers gourmet dining across the resort's restaurants, unlimited premium drinks and champagne, sports and leisure activities, three excursions per person per stay, and weekly entertainment. It is designed so guests face no surprise charges.
How many restaurants are there, and what do they serve?
There are four restaurants. Lily Maa is the main buffet with a live lobster tank. Tamarind does Thai-Indian and Asian fusion à la carte. Teppanyaki covers Japanese tableside cooking. Les Turquoise d'Aqua is the fine-dining venue, holding a Wine Spectator 2024 Award of Excellence with 80-plus wines on the list.
Is there a dive centre on the island?
Yes. Prodivers operates from the resort, running guided dives and courses on the coral reefs surrounding Huvahendhoo. South Ari Atoll is a well-regarded dive area, and snorkelling on the reefs is also available.
What room types are available, and what is the price range?
Room categories range from the 90 m² Lagoon Villa (from $797/night) to the 225 m² Beach Residence with Pool (from $1,622/night). Overwater options include the 182 m² Sunset Water Suite with Private Pool, sleeping up to four, from $1,514/night.
Is Lily Beach suitable for families with children?
The resort has a dedicated Turtle Kids' Club running hermit crab races, crafts, treasure hunts, and watersports. The Beach Family Villa at 136 m² sleeps four with a separate sleeping arrangement for children. Family rooms are listed among the resort's facilities.
What spa treatments are available?
The Tamara Spa is a five-star facility offering Ayurveda treatments alongside a 'Wellness by Tamara' programme that includes yoga and sound healing. It operates as a full-service spa, not a limited treatment menu.
What excursions are on offer?
Arranged excursions include dolphin watching, sandbank visits, and island tours. Under the Platinum Plan, three excursions per person per stay are included. The watersports centre also runs various on-water activities from the island.
Is there tennis at the resort?
Yes. The resort has a tennis court with RTC resident coaches available for coaching sessions. Tennis equipment is included in the facilities, and the activity is covered under the Platinum Plan's sports and leisure component.
What is the Google rating for Lily Beach?
Lily Beach Resort and Spa holds a 4.8/5 Google rating based on 1,139 reviews. Bed comfort and the sea-view setting are among the aspects frequently cited.
Are there bars on the island?
Three bars operate on the island: Vibes Bar, AQVA Bar, and The Spirit Bar. Premium drinks and champagne at all bars are included under the Platinum Plan.
Is there a special culinary event coming up?
AQVA Bar and Restaurant will host a culinary residency by chef Gregoire Berger in August 2026. Details beyond the residency timing are not yet confirmed, but it is worth noting when planning travel around that period.