The opening has been long awaited and now it has finally happened: The popular hotel chain Hilton has now opened its own resort in the Maldives. And the island is a sight to behold! We visited the Hilton Maldives Amingiri shortly after the opening in late summer 2022. In this hotel review, you’ll find my impressions of our stay.

My Review of the Hilton Maldives Amingiri

Location & Transfer

Not far from Velana International Airport in the Maldives, the Hilton Maldives Amingiri is located in North Male Atoll. The boat ride from the airport takes just 20 minutes by speedboat.

This has both advantages and disadvantages: After a long journey to the Maldives, I find it much more comfortable to get into a speedboat and feel the sand under my feet than to wait for a transfer flight. Because of the short distance, we like to put the resorts, which are so close to the airport, at the beginning or end of our Maldives trips. This saves not only long waiting times, but also transfer costs. A journey with the seaplane usually costs more than those with the boat giving the Hilton Maldives Amingiri a big advantage in regards to location compared to many other resorts.

A small disadvantage is that the island Male, where the capital of the Maldives is located, is not very far away and many other resorts are in the immediate vicinity. Thus, the lonely “Robinson Crusoe Feeling” is unfortunately somewhat lost. In other atolls, which are further away from the airport, one feels as a traveler more cut off from the outside world and everyday life.

The Villas & Suites at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri

Modern, spacious, luxurious and cozy. This describes the villas and suite at Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Upon entering our Pool One Bedroom Overwater Suite, my first thought was ‘WOW’ because the design is insane.

Unlike what you would expect, you don’t enter the interior of the suite through the front door, but first enter the private outdoor area. This leads directly to the pool above the lagoon. To the left is a glass sliding door giving entrance to the living room of the suite, followed by the sleeping area and the huge bathroom, with bathtub. All three living areas can be separated from each other by hidden sliding doors to provide privacy. By opening them up you form a spacious single room.

Outside, in addition to the pool, there is an outdoor shower, seating and lounging areas, as well as two sitting nets over the crystal clear water.

All in all, it is a very well designed overwater suite, which for me is one of the most beautiful we have seen in the Maldives.

Other room categories

The Hilton Maldives Amingiri Villas are also very well designed. The only difference in comparison to the suites is that the villas do not have the separate living area.

For all those who prefer to put their feet directly into the sand after getting up, the beach villas are the best choice.

For families or friends traveling together, the Two Bedroom Villas (each available in overwater or beach versions) are best. They have not only a common living room, which is located between the two bedrooms and bathrooms, but also a larger terrace with infinity pool.

Two Bedroom Water Villa

Two Bedroom Beach Villa

The concept of the Hilton Maldives Amingiri

Although the Hilton is located on an artificially created island this fact is hardly noticeable because it is already densely overgrown with greenery and very beautifully laid out. 

The Hilton Maldives Amingiri is a resort for couples and friends as well as families, there is plenty to discover and enjoy:

Pool & Beach

Although all room categories at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri have their own pool, there is a large main pool at the Aura Beach Bar. It is without question worth a visit, as the sunset views are spectacular. The pool, with various levels and sunken bays and seating areas, is also ideal for relaxing during the day.

The essence of the Maldives is blue water, white sandy beaches and palm trees blowing in the wind – and that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Hilton Maldives Aminigiri. We especially liked the lagoon to the left of the main pool, where some of the beach villas are located. However, I personally find that the sand on natural islands is a bit finer and softer than on those that were artificially created. But that is complaining on a very high level! 😉

Watersport & Snorkeling

At the Watersport Center kayaks and stand up paddles are available for free – other tours like jet skis can be booked.

To explore the underwater world, snorkeling equipment can be borrowed with no charge at the Diving Center. In front of the water villas there is a reef where snorkeling is possible. We also decided to book a snorkeling tour at a turtle spot, and were lucky enough to see one of the beautiful animals after just a few minutes. 🙂 Afterwards we stopped at a nearby sandbank for sunbathing or snorkeling. An all around successful tour!

Amingiri Spa & Wellness

The Hilton Amingiri’s spa area is gorgeous and definitely not to be missed during a visit! The spa lobby, as well as all treatment rooms and the relaxation area, are located above the water and are both modern and cozy. Even a traditional Turkish Hammam bath can be found in the spa area.

The overwater bungalows, where the treatments take place, are equipped with a glass floor to observe the underwater life during the massage. The large glass doors can be opened to listen to the sound of the waves.

I found it great that both the massage oil, as well as a tea after the massage, can be chosen – depending on mood and preference. By the way, tea plays a big role in the Hilton Maldives Amingiri: In a separate tea lounge, more than 40 varieties of tea are offered, including great flavors like mint chocolate or white coconut! Just the thing for tea lovers like me!

The spa also includes a fully equipped gym with trainers. It can be used 24 hours a day, free of charge. Additionally yoga classes can be joined or private coach sessions can be booked.

Kids Club

Families will be thrilled with the Kids Club which, according to the staff, is one of the largest in the Maldives. Not only are there numerous activities inside, but there is a gated outdoor water park as well as expeditions around the island for the little ones.

For the “bigger kids,” there’s a lounge for teens at Re:Fuel in which smoothies and snacks are offered on a rooftop terrace.

The Kids Club with water park & the Re:Fuel roof top seen from above.

Breakfast & Restaurants

Habitat

The main restaurant, Habitat, not only serves breakfast buffet-style but is also open for dinner. In the evening, however, to my delight, there is an à la carte menu. Because even though I like the large selection for breakfast, I prefer to order from a menu for dinner. On the menu are various international dishes from Italian to Asian. The quality of the food is very good, but taste-wise I was missing that “certain something”. Overall, however, it is a great restaurant, with beautiful ambiance over the water and live music in the evening.

Beach Shack

The “feet in the sand” restaurant Beach Shack specializes in premium cut meats and other grilled specialties. There are only a handful of tables at the small and cozy beachfront restaurant, which is why reservations are required. The menu choices are rather limited, but sufficient. The restaurant offers steaks, ribs, seafood and co. Here, too, we were very satisfied with the taste, but the “special kick” was missing a little.

However, I was thrilled by the ambience, the outstanding service and the dessert, which was literally on fire!

Aura Pool Bar & Cocktail Lab

Located by the main pool is the awesome and open Aura Bar, which is open all day and therefore super for a light lunch. There is something for everyone on the menu and the food was always very good!

Aura not only brews homemade kombucha tea and creates new drinks, but also hosts cocktail classes!

In the outdoor lounge area, you can relax in one of the relaxing loungers by the pool and watch the sunset! It is one of the most beautiful places at Hilton Maldives Amingiri to end the day.

Other Bars & Restaurants:

• Origin – the premium seafood restaurant over the water with sunset views.
• Eden – Champagne Bar and Gin Lounge, next to Origin
• Sip Tea Lounge – It’s all about tea here! Worldwide teas, matcha, bubble tea, tea cocktails and much more!

Résumé of our stay at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri

The Hilton Maldives Amingiri is a very successful resort, which includes everything you are looking for as a vacationer in the Maldives: Blue waters, great villas and outstanding service. The dining options are also very diverse, so it never gets boring, even if the taste in one or the other corner could be “put on top”.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay very much and I can highly recommend the resort. Whether for couples, families or friends – the Hilton Maldives Amingiri invites you to relax and enjoy the island life to the fullest.

→ Click here to book your stay at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri

We had a sponsored stay at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri which doesn’t influence my opinion and review about the hotel.