Baros Maldives 

I do not, as a general practice, bother to take the time to write reviews when the time could be better spent in ways which I deem to be more productive. Yet, once in a while, a deviation from my general practice is called for. We first identified and made a reservation with Baros, out of the numerous resort islands, for its house reef, suitability for snorkelling beginners and that only children of a certain age are allowed at the resort. We only had online reviews to go with, having not been to the Maldives. Pictures found online and reality are not necessarily congruent; as a general rule of thumb, tempering of expectations is a necessary exercise during travels to avoid disappointment. However, the scenery and house reef of Baros did not disappoint. The picturesque images of turquoise waters and reef found online were borne out in reality. We booked a water villa for the entire stay and managed to spot, on a number of occasions, fishes, the occasional black-tipped sharks and other marine life solely from our deck/watervilla. The house reef at Baros alone, which is home to many corals and marine life, provided us with numerous opportunities for snorkelling beginners - such as ourselves - to readily snorkel at our own leisure/pace. The resort also offers other activities (private or group), at a price, to travel a short distance away from the resort by speedboat in search of other marine animals. We did engage in a number of private sessions, which were well-managed by the guides, and had a lot of fun during these additional snorkelling trips even though we were beginners and not particularly strong swimmers. Over the course of our snorkelling trips (both within the house reef and away from the resort), we managed to encounter 3 hawksbill turtles, black-tipped sharks over 4 or 5 occasions, numerous different types of fishes and corals. The watervilla that we stayed in was well-managed, spacious and clean, with room-cleaning services scheduled twice daily. Our package included, amongst others, half-board (breakfast and dinner) and the food served was varied enough, adequate and good. We were impressed by the great service, which began right from our arrival at the airport (where the staff picks you up for the speedboat transfer). The resort was also generous enough to allow us a late check-out timing to accommodate our red-eye flight back to Singapore. Most of all, we were impressed by the consistent impeccable service rendered by our assigned butler, Mr Saeed, who was readily contactable throughout the stay, managed the booking of all our activities and took the effort to arrange for ancillary trips not in the schedule to allow us to make the best of our trip to Maldives. The prices commanded by the resort is arguably on the higher-end, but was definitely commensurate to the value that they offered, particularly for a honeymoon. I would definitely recommend others to give serious consideration to this resort if they are planning a honeymoon. For the avoidance of doubt - and as a professional habit - I should add that we wrote this review out of our own volition. No special discount or benefit (or at least none that I am aware of at the material time of this post) is offered for my post. Cheers

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Baros is one of the best experiences I’ve had with a resort all over the world. The property was well thought out, and all services available were carefully curated for a delightful experience. The breakfast and meals were excellent, the property was quite private and peaceful, rooms were clean and everywhere you went it felt like a tropical paradise. Definitely resorts within the same or even higher price range may not be able to offer the same level of services. We also had a personalized butler who took care of all of our needs 24/7 - special shout out to Saeed for being so helpful. :)

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Baros has truly become our home away from home. We’re currently enjoying our sixth stay—our third this winter—and each visit only deepens our connection to this remarkable island. This 17-night trip still feels too short, a testament to the timeless allure of Baros. Arrival & Departure: The Baros experience begins the moment you land in Malé. Being met by Anees or Rafaal at the airport feels like reconnecting with old friends—warm, familiar, and seamless. Upon arrival at the island, the welcome at the jetty is heartfelt and genuine, with the team greeting you by name and Dayu offering a glass of champagne or fresh juice as a welcome drink. It’s a quiet, unspoken reassurance that you’re back where you belong. And when it’s time to leave, the farewell is just as heartfelt, with staff waving you off and a team member accompanying you through check-in and immigration. That level of care stays with you long after you’ve gone. Accommodation: Over the years, we’ve stayed in a Baros Suite, a Baros Villa, and currently, a Baros Pool Villa. Each has been beautifully designed and immaculately maintained. The Baros Pool Villa, in particular, strikes the perfect balance of outdoor living and privacy, with lush surroundings and peaceful space to unwind. Special thanks to Munavvar, Badhur and Ali, who’ve looked after our villa on different visits—they maintain an incredibly high standard, always quietly efficient and thoughtful. Service: The people at Baros are what truly set it apart. Saeed, our villa host for the last three stays, has been consistently outstanding—warm, attentive, and reliable. He even gifted us a painting he had done himself, a gesture we’ll always treasure. On earlier visits, Siman was equally excellent—one of us had got sunburnt arms and needed a long-sleeved rash vest for snorkelling, and Siman got one from Malé for us the next day. That kind of personal thoughtfulness sums up what makes Baros feel so special. In the restaurants, Hardy and Keeth keep everything running beautifully behind the scenes, while the restaurant team—Abdulla, Ali, Alson, Amed, Cooty, Chandana, Evgenia, Irfan, Kayla, Maria, Massey, Meisi, Naahil, Naseem, Prajakta, Rifuath, Salini, Subarna, Totto and others—make every meal feel both elegant and relaxed. The restaurant staff also consistently remember the little things—your preferred table, how you take your coffee, even what you might like before you ask. It’s this kind of attentiveness that makes every meal feel relaxed and familiar. On our last trip, Kayla surprised us with some beautifully wrapped handmade chocolates to take home, which were absolutely delicious—another small but meaningful gesture that speaks volumes. On our very first visit, we were gifted a beautiful Baros book by Domi, the Guest Experience Manager—a simple but thoughtful gesture that set the tone for all that followed. John Comber, the resort manager, is frequently visible and approachable and always happy to chat. His calm, hands-on leadership sets the tone for the entire team, and it’s reflected in the seamless, thoughtful service that defines Baros. While we’ve mentioned those we’ve interacted with directly, we’re always aware that so much of what makes Baros exceptional happens behind the scenes—gardeners, chefs, engineers, spa therapists, pool cleaners, boat crew, laundry, and maintenance staff. Your work may not always be visible, but its impact is felt in every flawless detail. A huge thank you to you all. We’ve named many of the wonderful people who’ve looked after us over the years, but if we’ve unintentionally missed anyone we regularly interact with, we truly apologise. Every visit is made special by the entire Baros team, and we’re deeply grateful for everything you do. Dining: Dining is consistently excellent. Lime offers fresh, generous breakfasts, lunches and dinners with a perfect sea view. The Lighthouse remains one of the finest dining experiences in the Maldives—refined, and impeccably executed right at the water’s edge. A standout moment is the Piano Deck breakfast—a private table set out on a deck above the lagoon, completely surrounded by water and silence. It’s not just breakfast—it’s an unforgettable, peaceful moment that stays with you long after the plates are cleared. Experiences: We snorkel regularly and always find something new to marvel at on the house reef, which must be the best in the Maldives—easy to access and rich with marine life. On a previous visit, we did the sunset dolphin cruise, and it was magical: calm seas, golden skies, and dolphins swimming alongside the boat. It’s the kind of experience that leaves you speechless. The garden tour led by Shuga was fascinating. Learning about the island’s native plants, herbs, and sustainable practices gave us a whole new appreciation for the environment Baros has so carefully nurtured. We also visited the Serenity Spa during this stay, and it was a wonderfully peaceful experience. Din gave my wife a fantastic deep tissue massage. She is truly an expert at releasing tension in the muscles and is strong enough for very firm pressure but also very gentle if you want light pressure, adapting perfectly to what you want for a relaxing massage. The setting is tranquil and beautifully designed, tucked into the greenery, and the treatments are every bit as refined as the rest of the Baros experience. Final Thoughts: Baros isn’t just a resort—it’s a feeling. A place where the luxury is subtle, the service is seamless, and the sense of belonging is real. After six visits, it still manages to exceed expectations. And as always, we will leave already thinking about our return.

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