Baros Maldives: An Honest Review of the World’s Most Romantic Resort (Accessible By Speedboat)

An Honest Review of Baros Maldives Luxury Resort

Did you know that Baros Maldives has won the title of World’s Most Romantic Resort for the last 8 years in a row by the prestigious World Travel Awards? It also ranked as the World’s Best Luxury Resort in 2020 by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards. Baros Maldives is genuinely world-class, with service and amenities that are guaranteed to exceed your expectations.

Baros is geared mostly toward couples, which explains its title as the World’s Most Romantic Resort. We wanted to visit Baros for two specific reasons: to cross another country off our list and to stay in an overwater bungalow. We didn’t even realize it held the title of Romance until after we booked the trip. But even though we weren’t going there seeking a particularly romantic getaway, romance is exactly what we got.

Resort Overview: What is Baros Maldives?

Baros Maldives is a luxury resort located on a small island in the Maldives. It’s one of the easiest islands to get to, being just a short 25-minute ride from the main airport in Malé, by speedboat. The resort is known for its picturesque overwater bungalows, pristine beaches, and incredible coral reefs.

Baros has been around since 1973, making it one of the first luxury resorts available in the Maldives. Don’t let its age fool you though. The tenured experience of this resort is apparent from the moment you step off the plane. The service is unmatched, the property is highly maintained, and the villas drip with modern luxuries despite the remote location.

There are 75 villas to choose from, including overwater bungalows, a variety of suites, and even a full residence with a private infinity pool. The lush island is also home to three gourmet-class restaurants, two bars, and a cigar and shisha lounge. You’ll also find a full spa, gym, gift shop, and marine dive center right on the island. Personalized butler service is provided to all guests.

Speedboat Transfer: How To Get To Baros Maldives

Malé International Airport (also known as Velana International Airport) is the main airport in the Maldives and will likely be the airport that you’ll fly into. Once there, you’ll need to take a seaplane or a speed boat to reach your resort. The trip can range from 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the location of your resort.

Baros Maldives is one of the few resorts reachable by speedboat, so if you want to avoid the experience or cost of a seaplane, this is a great island to visit. The boat ride is just 20 – 25 minutes from the Malé airport. It is worth noting that the ride can be a bit rough, so if you’re prone to seasickness, you may be in for a rough start to your trip.

OUR EXPERIENCE — Once we landed in Malé, we exited the plane onto a large staircase leading right to the tarmac. From there we were shuttled to the arrivals section of the airport, where we lined up to go through customs. After customs, we were greeted by a sweet man holding up a Baros sign. He helped us gather our luggage, get through security, and get on the speedboat which took us to the resort.

Accommodations and Bungalows: A Luxurious Dream

Baros offers 75 different villas, each of which comes with a private deck, an in-villa bar, a soaking tub, and an indoor/outdoor rain shower. Many villas also have their own private pools. Each villa is strategically placed or angled for ultimate privacy, so no matter which villa you land in, you’ll feel like you’re in your own little world.

All bookings include breakfast at Lime Restaurant each morning, and some bookings also include dinner each night. All other meals, drinks, and alcohol will be charged to your room and paid for at the end of your stay. There is no all-inclusive alcohol package offered at Baros.

_{💣Antisocial Tourist Tip — There’s a 10% Service Fee and a 16% Guest Fee added to each and every bill. Be sure to account for this extra expense because it adds up quickly!}

OUR EXPERIENCE — Although we were tempted to book an overwater bungalow with an infinity pool, the price difference compared to bungalows without a pool was staggering. As avid snorkelers, we knew we’d be spending most of our time in the ocean, so we opted for the more affordable bungalow and sacrificed the pool. We did end up spending a ton of time in the ocean, so we’re happy with our final choice.

Butler Service: Personalize 24-Hour Service

Each villa at Baros Maldives is assigned a personal butler who can take care of any requests that you have during your stay. The butler will also keep you up to date with the daily activities occurring on the island. They can help you arrange any special experiences, as well.

OUR EXPERIENCE — Our personal butler greeted us with champagne and fruit juice the moment the speedboat docked at the resort. We were given a quick tour of the grounds before being taken to our bungalow, where our luggage was already waiting for us. There we paid our balance and signed the check-in paperwork right with our butler. We also swapped our Whatsapp information with her, which she said was the best way to communicate during our stay.

Activities and Excursions: What is Baros Maldives Known For?

Baros has a small but mighty list of activities and excursions to do, including diving and snorkeling, dolphin cruises and sunset cruises, deep sea fishing, and private sandbank dining.

Diving and Snorkeling

Baros has a reputation for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. The coral gardens found below the surface create a hypnotic world of bright colors, abundant fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks. There are 30 dive sites and an ancient shipwreck all within a few minutes from the island. Guests can snorkel right at the actual property or arrange a deeper dive nearby. They also offer night diving experiences.

The resort’s diving center is actively involved in reef conservation and guests can actually learn all about eco-diving during their stay. The entire resort is actually dedicated to being eco-friendly, which is something to be admired.

_{💣Antisocial Tourist Tip — Don’t forget to bring any diving certifications and medical statements if you plan to dive. If you are not certified, and you do not have a recent medical statement, you can fill out a questionnaire at the dive center to see if you still qualify to dive.}

OUR EXPERIENCE — We didn’t do any diving during our stay at Baros because we aren’t certified and did not qualify after filling out the questionnaire. We did do plenty of snorkeling though, which did not disappoint. We saw reef sharks, sea cucumbers, and plenty of colorful fish.

Boat Excursions and Fishing

Baros offers several different types of boating excursions, including sunset sails, yacht cruises, dolphin cruises, guided snorkeling tours, diving classes and tours, and fishing. There’s no need to sign up for anything in advance since each day on the island brings a new list of available activities. Even during the busier season, you won’t have any trouble booking your desired excursions once you arrive.

You can find the list of daily and next-day activities on a board located at the restaurant area entrance. You’ll also be presented with a brochure of this same information daily at breakfast, as well as through Whatsapp each morning. Each excursion does have a fee that will be added to your final bill (and yes, they will include that dreaded 10% service fee and 16% guest charge).

OUR EXPERIENCE — We signed up for a dolphin cruise during our stay, and we really enjoyed our experience. We were brought out to sea on a small yacht where we were served champagne and canapes. When we arrived at the area where the dolphins congregate, we were rewarded with hundreds of dolphins playing and jumping in the water among the boats.

Watersport Activities

Baros does offer a variety of watersport activities upon request only, so you won’t see these advertised on the daily activity list, but they are available: Clear kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, windsurfing, and catamaran sailing.

Resort Entertainment

Baros also hosts cocktail parties each Monday (the only free drinks you’ll find on the island, so we suggest you be there!) and has live entertainment twice a week at the Sails Bar. The bands that perform at Baros are talented local artists, but they are often known well beyond the Maldives.

OUR EXPERIENCE — We decided to make an appearance at the resort’s complimentary cocktail hour to see what it was all about, and we really enjoyed it. Both alcoholic drinks and mocktails were being handed out in addition to some tasty canapes. Soft music was playing and guests were mingling. We also enjoyed some live music one night by a band called The Kabans.

Destination Dining

Baros also has themed evenings and exclusive destination dining that can be arranged upon request. The resort offers three different options for destination dining, and they’re all remarkable. Each experience includes a prix fixe meal prepared by a private chef and personal butler service from start to finish. You can check out the destination dining menus here.

The first option is sandbank dining, where you’ll enjoy your meal on a small bank of sand surrounded by nothing but turquoise waters. The second choice is to dine on an elegant piano deck placed in the middle of the Indiana Ocean. And the third option is to set sail at sunset aboard Nooma, a traditional type of boat used in the Maldives, to enjoy a private meal on the tasteful boat deck.

Food and Dining: Restaurants, Room Service, and Private Dining

Baros may only have three restaurants to choose from, but the selection of foods offered won’t leave you disappointed. The international menus cover cuisines from all over the globe, so there’s something for every pallet. Guests can choose between The Lime Restaurant, The Lighthouse Restaurant, and The Cayenne Grill.

While Baros isn’t truly all-inclusive, they do offer a Half Board and a Half Board All Around dining package. The Half Board includes both breakfast and dinner at The Lime Restaurant each night of your stay, plus 30% off at the other two island restaurants. The Half Board All Around includes both breakfast and dinner at either The Lime or The Cayenne, plus one meal at The Lighthouse if you’re staying at least four nights.

Lime Restaurant

The Lime Restaurant serves all-day dining at Baros, and it’s also the restaurant where the breakfast buffet is set up each morning. The breakfast buffet alone is impressive, but the international selection for lunch and dinner also deserves some applause. The menu has a huge range of dishes from all over the globe. Every meal we had at Baros, from Wagyu Burgers to Pad Thai to Butter Chicken, was outstanding. Reservations are not needed for Lime.

The Cayenne Grill

The Cayenne Grill offers teppanyaki and fire-grilled food demonstrations in an intimate setting. They also have a traditional dinner menu focused on meat and seafood. The Cayenne Grill is more reminiscent of a steakhouse than The Lime Restaurant. Reservations are encouraged. Reservations for the fire-grilled food demonstration are required (this can be arranged by your butler).

The Lighthouse Restaurant

The Lighthouse Restaurant is a true fine dining experience. This unique restaurant is contemporary and refined, with a menu that offers a fusion of Asian and Mediterranean flavors. The Lighthouse also has an extensive wine cellar housed with carefully selected labels from renowned wine regions around the world. Reservations are required.

Private Dining

In addition to destination dining and restaurant dining, you can also enjoy a private meal anywhere on the island. An intimate table will be set up for you to enjoy a romantic meal at sunset. This table can be set up in one of the private coves along the shore, on one of the many private platforms that extend out over the water, or even on the private deck of your villa.

OUR EXPERIENCE — We enjoyed most of our meals at The Lime Restaurant because we loved the food and it was the most casual option of the three restaurants. We ate at sunset each night and let the romantic atmosphere settle over us. We also enjoyed room service several times. The food at Baros was expensive but absolutely delicious. The Lentil soup was so good we had it daily, and we tried a variety of other dishes like Butter Chicken and Pad Thai.

Spa and Fitness: Spa Treatments and Sunrise Yoga

The spa at Baros is called Serenity and it offers an extensive variety of massages, including Thai, Swedish, Balinese, and even East African Wood Massages. The spa does come with a steep price, but the resort’s holistic approach and tranquil environment are sure to create a magical experience. You can check out the full selection of treatments here.

Sunrise Yoga is also offered each morning right on the beach. Each villa has convenient yoga mats that can be used by guests for this experience. If you’d prefer a private yoga session, your butler can help you arrange that as well.

OUR EXPERIENCE — We didn’t use the spa service during our stay because we were busy snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. We did pass the spa each time we walked between our villa and the restaurants though, and it looked blissful. We also passed another couple heading back from yoga one morning, and they looked happy and relaxed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Baros Maldives Adults Only?

Baros is often advertised as being an adults-only resort, but they do allow children older than 8 to stay at the property. But with the title of World’s Most Romantic Resort, it’s actually quite uncommon to see children there. Most visitors choose Baros for an adult-focused romantic holiday or honeymoon.

How far is Baros Maldives from Malé?

Baros is a short 25-minute speedboat ride from Malé. When you arrive at the Malé airport, someone from Baros will be there to greet you the moment you step off the plane. From there, you’ll be escorted through customs and brought directly to the boat that will take you to the resort.

How Much Does the Speedboat Transfer Cost for Baros Maldives?

Roundtrip speedboat transfer between Malé and the Baros Resort can cost up to $259 USD per person. Sometimes this transportation fee is included in the price of the booking depending on the promotions that are available at that time.

How Much is a Seaplane Transfer in the Maldives?

Roundtrip seaplane transfer between Malé and many of the further island resorts throughout the Maldives can cost between $400 and $900 USD per person. It’s important to remember this additional cost when choosing a Maldives resort to stay at. If you’re prone to seasickness, a seaplane may be a better option than a speedboat.

Is There a Dresscode in the Maldives?

The Maldives is an Islamic nation, and obeying local laws and traditions is mandatory. That said, just about all of the private island resorts are an exception to this strict culture. If you’re spending time in Malé (other than the airport), you should dress modestly. Women are not required to wear a hijab, but shoulders and knees should be covered.

Is Alcohol Legal in the Maldives?

Because the Maldives is an Islamic nation, alcohol is illegal throughout the country. You cannot buy or drink alcohol on any of the local inhabited islands or in the airport. Private island resorts are an exception to this rule though, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding alcoholic drinks during your vacation. You just won’t be able to enter the country with any, even if was purchased during transit from a duty-free shop.

Are There Sandfleas or Mosquitos in the Maldives?

Yes, there are mosquitos and sandfleas throughout the Maldives, but fortunately, most of the private island resorts fumigate regularly using a controlled spray. We didn’t experience a single bite during our stay in the Maldives.

Final Thoughts: Baros Maldives Luxury Resort

The Pros — The Baros Maldives Resort is an excellent option if you’re looking for a romantic atmosphere, if you love snorkeling and diving, or if you want to visit the Maldives without adding the expense of a seaplane.

The Cons — The Baros Maldives Resort is not a good choice if you’re looking for a true all-inclusive resort, if you want a ton of entertainment and nightlife, or if you’re trying to visit the Maldives on a budget.

We decided to visit Baros Maldives because we were already exploring Dubai, and it was just a short 4-hour nonstop flight to the Maldives from there. We had always wanted to visit the Maldives, and it just made sense to take advantage of our close proximity to the area.

So was Baros Maldives worth it to us? Yes, absolutely! We genuinely enjoyed our time there and we would recommend Baros to anyone looking for a romantic escape or a chance to stay in an overwater bungalow. Baros is a 10/10 for both service and accommodation. But beach-wise, we found the water to be just as beautiful as some of our favorite beaches in Aruba. Still a 10/10 for us, but the long journey to the Maldives may not be worth it for those only looking for stunning beaches.

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