Review: Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa invited Milesopedia to stay at the property. No remuneration was received for the production of this report: the opinions remain mine and have not been influenced in any way.

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is a wonderful and very well run resort in the Maldives. It’s strongly aimed towards families.

The staff was brilliant and our stay was a memorable one.

The lowest cash rate I’ve seen for the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa was starting at $250 US and the points cost for a night begins around 42,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

As you can notice here, a 5 nights’ stay when utilizing Marriott Bonvoy points totals 172,000 points $+ 82 taxes ($60 US) while the cash rate for the same room is $2577 ($1887 US) when using the exchange rate at the time of writing this review.

That translates to a valuation of 1.45 ¢ which is above Milesopedia’s estimation.

($2577—$82) ÷ 172,000 points x 100 = 1.45 ¢

Remember that when you apply points to book your stay, you receive the 5th night free which means you earn a 20% discount when employing them.

Furthermore, you can also exploit your annual free night’s award and top it up to stay at this hotel. You will get amazing value since those certificates are given to Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card and Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card holders as you renew your cards.

Respectively, the annual fees cost $120 and $150; so as for a family or for a couple, each adult could sign up for both cards and you’d rack up four annual free night’s awards you can use at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. If you do the math, a 4 nights’ stay would come to $570 with a handful of points. This hotel is definitely a sweet spot for a free night’s awards.

Speaking from experience where we visited the Maldives in the ”local way”, you will most probably find much more value here than in Malé or Hulhumale.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at more than 7,000 hotels around the world is with the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card).

In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations. And each year, you’ll earn a certificate for one free hotel stay (35,000 point value) and 15 Elite nights toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

Also, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points with any cards from the American Express Membership Rewards Program including the American Express Cobalt Card.

The American Express Cobalt Card allows you to collect 5 Membership Rewards per dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants; this incorporates everything sold at supermarkets including a handful of other gift cards.

Therefore, you can easily get enough points to cover a stay at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, especially if you combine it with the use of annual free night’s awards.

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is found on Furanafushi Island (which is about 800 metres long and 400 metres wide) and has a beautiful lagoon with a white sandy beach and simmering turquoise water.

As soon as we arrived at Velana International Airport, we were met by a Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa representative; you can also find them at counter #28. He took care of handling our luggage and quickly directed us to the pier where a speedboat was waiting for us.

The boat was air-conditioned inside which was very pleasant with the Maldives tropical weather. We were given water and were quickly on our way.

The complementary ride was only 15 minutes long and we were at the resort within half an hour of making contact with the agent.

Upon arrival at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, the staff offered us a refreshing tray of three homemade ice teas and a cold towel while they collected passport information. When everything was set, a buggy took us to our room.

This is also where they brief you about meal plans and activities (more on that later). In the case of a very early arrival, your room might not be ready and you’ll be direct to the Relax Lounge where you can wait.

This is where you would go to sign up for a meal plan (or upgrade yours), should you decide to partake in one.

Should you need anything, there is always someone manning the desk. Otherwise, you will probably only pass through the lobby when checking out and to settle your hotel bill.

Nearby, you can find the Photography Studio, the gift shop and a jewelry boutique. The gift shop is massive and has a wide selection of souvenirs. It’s also quite handy in case you run out of sunscreen or other basic necessities.

Upon check-in at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, we were offered a complimentary photo session and a free print (additional fees for more prints, digital files, etc.). Bookings are mandatory for the photoshoot so you should get to it as soon as you arrive at the hotel.

There are a total of 176 rooms at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and I was given the opportunity to take a closer look at all of them during my stay:

• Deluxe Guest Room Beach view
• Deluxe Guest Room Island view
• Cottage, Island view
• Cottage, Beach view
• Cottage, Island view, Plunge pool
• Ocean Villa, Ocean view, private pool
• Overwater Bungalow, Ocean view
• Overwater Bungalow, Ocean view, Plunge pool
• Water Villa, Ocean view, Plunge pool
• Two Bedroom Water Suites, Ocean view, Private Outdoor Pool

There are 4 units of Deluxe Guest Room in the same building and they’re the most convenient for families with connecting rooms available. On each level, you can find a room with a king-size bed adjacent to one with two doubles. Also, there is direct beach access for pretty much all of these units.

As for overwater villas, the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has two types. First, the Overwater Bungalows and the Water Villas are all located on the same side of the island so you get a similar view.

There’s a rock barrier making the water calmer as they all have sea access to swim out to the coral frame for snorkelling. The rooms are very spacious and decorated in a rustic style. During my time in these rooms, I felt pretty secluded while looking at the sea; for many, this is the emotion we seek when coming to the Maldives.

The overwater villas are a super popular option at this hotel and they are often fully booked.

The 2 Bedroom Water Suite is huge with a very large pool. You can even stargaze or sleep outside as there’s a bed on the deck! The staff mentioned it was a very popular choice for bigger families or groups.

Then, on the east side of the island, you can find the Ocean Villas. They don’t have sea access since you’re facing the ocean instead of the lagoon but you will have your own pool. Theses villas are gated and offer complete privacy. Splashing waves can be bothersome if you’re sensitive to noise.

Finally, you have the Cottages, with and without pools. This is what we opted for. Why would we choose to remain on land when we could have stayed over water? As we already had the overwater experience in the Maldives, we wanted to try something different and we loved it. Indeed, we enjoyed the fact that the beach and lagoon were only a minute’s walk from our back door.

The private pool was also amazing; a true swim out experience.

The room we chose at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa was a cottage about a minute away from the beach and lagoon. We thoroughly enjoyed the location of our cottage on the island.

Upon entrance, you’re immediately struck by a charming rustic feel. The hotel also gave us a nice welcome gift and provided us with a crib.

Each room has a mini-bar that is refilled daily as well as a coffee machine. There is an additional charge for the snacks and drinks.

In the two large closets, you can find slippers, bathrobes, slippers, a safe, an ironing board and a large beach bag to carry our towels and snorkelling equipment during our outings.

Life jackets are also available in the nightstand for those who wish to swim with extra security.

The bathroom and shower are actually a beautiful outdoor garden ensuite. I definitely like the design and decor. It’s really bright and small lights are planted in the garden so you don’t need to face a harsh light when going to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

The highlight of the room was the terrasse and our pool. So much privacy! It was great to be able to spend the day at the beach, walk back home through our backyard, dip in and get ready for dinner. The location of the cottage was perfect with a toddler and we loved the quietness we had.

There are 7 very different restaurants at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa so it’s perfect for a long stay. They’re all located in the vicinity of each other close to the reception and hotel pool with the exception of Kakuni Hut.

While advanced reservations are required for two of the site’s restaurants (Sea Salt and Baan Thai), you can just have a wander in what I call the Sheraton Maldives’s downtown and chose the one where you want to eat.

There’s sometime a live band playing at Feast during dinnertime; the lovely music and ambiance echoed across the area.

This is the main restaurant at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and the only place where breakfast is served—buffet style.

The selection of items was very large and there was enough variety to satisfy all tastes. The live-cooking stations were especially delicious.

The made-to-order crepe corner was very decadent and my son was thrilled with all the different filling flavours although I’m not sure it was real maple syrup.

In the evening, dinner is also in the form of a buffet which is very convenient for families who prefer to get food at their own pace.

I also noticed the table service was impeccable as plates were quickly disposed of and drinks were refilled without us asking for it.

This restaurant bar has outdoors seating so you can enjoy the spectacular Maldivian sunset with a drink or simply for a casual hangout throughout the day.

There is a pool table and a babyfoot to keep you entertained.

We had a light lunch at Anchorage on arrival day and the food was delicious. The only thing that I didn’t like about this restaurant is that you could see a glimpse of the buildings in Hulhumale from here; so we felt a connection to the outside world unlike all the other areas of the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa where it was more secluded.

Kakuni Hut is the only restaurant not in the “main town” of the island and it offers a different dining experience. They’re on the lagoon beach so the vibe is very distinct.

It was very nice to be able to alternate between eating and swimming; that is pretty much the essence of resort life.

The food available here is inspired by Mexican and Caribbean cuisine along with many colourful cocktails.

There are also activities organized for children beside the Kakuni Hut.

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa’s signature restaurant specializes in Italian and seafood dishes. It’s only open for dinner and has an ideal setting for a romantic night out. Service was also very quick which was perfect when you dine with a toddler!

I still remember the taste of the perfectly seasoned wagyu steak I had. The butter-poached lobster, scallops ceviche and tiramisu were also among the best I’ve had.

Sea Salt is definitely one to try at this hotel; it’s one of the highlights of our stay at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. While talking to the staff, I was told there were many talented chefs working on the island and it showed.

There is also a private romantic booth where they serve a fine dining tasting menu.

This Thai restaurant was also a huge hit for us because of the amazing cooking and strong flavours; I was able to taste pretty everything mentioned in the dish’s description. As a foodie, Baan Thai greatly surprised me.

We were also impressed that a high chair was always placed and ready at our table every time we made a reservation at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. As for walk-in dining, it was brought out swiftly.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try out ChopstiX (Asian cuisine) and Masala Hut (Indian cuisine) during our stay at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa offers a few meal plans of great value. To take advantage of them, you need to sign up for them either on your arrival or at reception.

Meals plans are priced by the night stay and they can’t be downgraded or cancelled but you can upgrade; the Half Board includes dinner and breakfast on the next day while the Full Board starts at lunch. So for a 5 nights/6 days stay, you’d pay 5X the rate per person.

Water, juices and soft drinks served during meals are part of the plans.

A $45 US supplement is applied when eating at Sea Salt or Baan Thai and select items will have a surcharge even on a meal plan.

Children under the age of 12 eat for free from the kid’s menu when accompanying their parents at each venue.

If you hold a Platinum Elite Status or above with Marriott Bonvoy, breakfast is complimentary and you will receive a credit for it when taking meal plans. Also, all of these charges will earn you at least 5 Marriott Bonvoy points when paying with a  Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card or a Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card  and even more depending on your status.

After looking at the À la carte options and comparing costs, the meal plans are really worth it if you’re eating more than one course. The buffet dinner at Feast alone is priced at $90 US.

While there are a few beach options on the island, our favourite was at the lagoon where the water was mesmerizing and calm. It was also very shallow and we saw a number of fish; our son and kids were quite happy to play and snorkel here. There are barriers placed around the lagoon to shield us from the nearby urban life.

As for grown-ups, there are a lot of lounge chairs to sunbathe or rest as well as a floating net and hammocks.

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa also has two snorkelling areas with coral frames where wildlife is plentiful. In fact, while dining at Sea Salt, our waiter pointed out a black tip shark was always in the vicinity of the restaurant and we spotted it wandering around during our evening.

The main and kids’ pool is located in the middle of the “downtown” area, surrounded by the restaurants.

The staff was always placing fresh towels on lounge chairs and keeping an eye on people who left to change them.

We didn’t swim here because we had a private pool at our cottage and we spent a lot of time at the beach soaking the sun.

A gym is available on the site and you can access it with your room card. When I went, there was no staff.

Alternatively, there is also outdoor training equipment.

The resort’s Shine Spa is actually on its own separate island where you can find a wide array of treatments from massages to aesthetic packages.

Bookings are required and it was pretty full when we stayed at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Some activities such as kayaking and SUP are free (30 minutes per day, per room)

As for activities, a few tours are offered such as a Capital City Tour, Big Game Fishing or snorkelling and sand banks day trips.

As the Maldives is famous for its seabed, it’s only fitting that they offer scuba diving lessons for beginners who would like to be initiated to this wonderful activity.

More advanced PADI courses are also available.

As for the cost of a dive, it starts at $50 US for a lagoon dive while a boat trip averages around $100 US per tank.

As the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is a family hotel, there is a complementary childcare service for kids between the age of 4 to 12. For babies and toddlers, a nanny is available with a fee.

There are plenty of planned activities to keep the little ones busy and a huge outdoor playground where children of all age are welcomed. I was also told they have a PlayStation Room but it was currently closed for renovations.

The first image that came to mind when exploring the island is that the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is a jungle because it’s filled with gardens and trees. While looking at the overwater bungalows, the view was pretty stellar.

There is also a honeymoon yard where newlyweds are invited for drinks.

The welcome we had at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa was a very warm one from all of the staff. Everyone was always smiling and they sincerely looked like that appreciated working there.

While people think about the Maldives as an expensive experience, the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is actually a perfect solution to be able to enjoy paradise without going broke. As there isn’t overwater villas everywhere in the world, this site makes it reachable for all especially families.

After spending two weeks in the Maldives, we had high expectations but they did not fail to deliver. From the charming little rustic beach cottage we had to the stellar food we ate, there’s not much room to complain.

Wandering around on the island was also quite peaceful and we came back home super relaxed. We both said we’d like to return to this property when we’ll visit the Maldives again; there were so many islands to explore and we barely scratched the surface during our time in this amazing country.

Yes, you’re able to see glimps of Hulhumale and Malé from the resort, but it was mostly from the Anchorage restaurant; the view from the overwater bungalow is beautiful and we felt quite isolated on the island.

Furthermore, you will notice airplanes and seaplanes flying; its proximity to the airport is an advantage but also an inconvenient. However, we found that our Maldivian experience at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa was not hindered at all by it. Quickly, it became background noise and we were plane watching while laying down in the lagoon as we are AvGeeks. If that is something that would bother you, the cost for a quieter sky is a seaplane to another more isolated resort.

If you’re looking for that Maldivian overwater feeling, you should definitely consider the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. The fact that you’re saving approximately $500 US per person for the seaplane transfert, means that you can put that money elsewhere … like on the spectacular Sea Salt and Baan Thai restaurants.

Being able to use Marriott Bonvoy points to book overwater villas is huge as they can easily be accumulated in Canada (as compared to other hotel programs). In addition, its proximity to Velana International Airport is great as you can soak in the crystal-clear water within half an hour of making contact with the representative at the airport. That is a precious thing after flying halfway across the world!