Hotel Joy Island – Maldives

Last stay: Juli 2024

The Hotel

This was my second visit to the Maldives, a destination I love due to my passion for snorkeling. When selecting a hotel, location is always my top priority. I chose Joy Island for this trip as it had just opened last year with a five-star rating, and I was eager to see what it had to offer. Situated in North Malé Atoll, Joy Island boasts 151 villas, both beachfront and overwater, and is conveniently located just a 40-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.

The Location

North Malé Atoll, also known as northern Kaafu, is the primary atoll in the Maldives and the birthplace of the country’s tourism industry. It is home to the capital, Malé City, as well as Velana International Airport (MLE). The atoll boasts a diverse range of accommodations, from luxury 5-star resorts to more budget-friendly guest houses.

Nestled in this stunning region is Joy Island, an island of happiness offering a wide array of activities and services for a fun-filled holiday. Located just 40 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Joy Island is surrounded by pristine white beaches, crystal-clear lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs, all set against breathtaking scenery.

Style & Character

The island is man-made and still quite young, which is evident in the relatively small palm trees and greenery that are still maturing. As a result, the island doesn’t yet feel entirely natural—it’s as though the island’s character is still developing.

The rooms were clean and pleasant, but compared to other 5-star hotels I’ve stayed at, such as those from Waldorf or Jumeirah, they didn’t quite measure up. However, given the nightly rate, the value for money is excellent, offering a good balance between cost and quality.

The rooms 

During my stay, I had the chance to experience three different room types on the island. First, I stayed in the Lagoon Villa, which is directly on the beach with a small private garden. This was my favorite, offering the perfect blend of privacy and proximity to the water. Next, I tried the Beach Villa with a private pool, where I enjoyed a luxurious floating breakfast. The interior of these villas was a bit more refined than the Lagoon Villas, but they were set further back from the water. Finally, I spent one night in the Water Villa, just for the experience. While it was incredible to be perched above the ocean, with stunning views of the clear water, the Water Villas are quite far from key amenities like the breakfast area and main restaurants. It was a lovely experience, but not ideal for an entire stay. Overall, all the rooms were clean and comfortable—not overly luxurious, but a solid balance of quality and value for money.

Dining & Drink Venues

Joy Island, like many resorts in the Maldives, operates on an all-inclusive basis. I highly recommend choosing an all-inclusive option when staying in the Maldives, as you’re essentially isolated on the island and fully dependent on the hotel for food and drinks, which can become very expensive if paid for separately.

The food and drink quality at Joy Island exceeded my expectations for an all-inclusive resort (and I’m not typically a fan of them). The cocktails were freshly made, and there were live cooking stations offering a variety of dishes. Overall, the quality was above average.

One tip: skip the extra expense of the lobster evening on the beach—it’s overpriced, and the quality doesn’t justify the cost.

Service & Facilities

The island had a large staff presence, and I have to say they all did their best to ensure guests were happy and comfortable. At no point did I feel dissatisfied with the service. This level of care extended to everything from room cleaning to the attentive service at the bars, restaurants, and watersports facilities.

Conclusion

Overall, my stay at Joy Island was very pleasant. However, I gave it a 7/10 because it doesn’t yet compare to luxury brands like Waldorf or One&Only. My review reflects my personal preferences, as I tend to favor fine dining and more upscale room interiors. That said, in terms of price-to-quality ratio, Joy Island is absolutely worth visiting and will not disappoint.

One piece of feedback I shared with management was regarding the USD 200 charge for the somewhat uncomfortable speedboat transfer from Male to the island. It would be much better if this cost were included in the daily rate, offering a complimentary guest pickup service instead.