櫻桃與魚 Maldives 萬豪度假村 MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA

Located super close to Malé Airport with a complimentary speedboat transfer, the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is one of the more accessibly priced options in the Maldives. It’s an excellent choice for a short, relaxing stay if you're arriving late, leaving early, or just need a quick transit stop between international flights! Because the resort has been around for a while, the island's natural ecosystem is incredibly rich and vibrant. The resort's beach features a small inner bay where the water is perfectly calm, making it ideal for toddlers to splash around. Plus, since they have a dedicated kids' club, it's a fantastic option for family trips! We stayed here for just one quick night in August on our very first day arriving in the Maldives, and in this post, we're excited to share our experience!

🌴 Table of Contents

  • [Transport & Location](#🌴 Transport & Location)
  • [Lobby](#🌴 Lobby)
  • [Overwater Bungalow Room Tour](#🌴 Overwater Bungalow Room Tour)
  • [Feast — Buffet Breakfast](#🌴 Feast — Buffet Breakfast)
  • [Resort Dining](#🌴 Resort Dining)
  • [Resort Facilities](#🌴 Resort Facilities)

🌴 Transport & Location

Sheraton Maldives Map

The Sheraton Full Moon Resort is located in the North Malé Atoll, just 7 kilometers from Velana International Airport (MLE). It’s only a quick 10-minute speedboat ride away, and the absolute best part? The resort offers free transfers! In the Maldives, where resort transfers can easily cost hundreds of dollars per person, this is incredibly generous! So, even if you’re just stopping by for a brief transit stay, you won't be burdened by hefty transportation fees.

If you're looking for other highly-rated resorts close to Malé airport, here are a few great options (Google ratings as of Feb 2023):

We actually stayed at the Hilton Amingiri Resort during our trip as well. If you're interested, check out our review here 👉🏻 Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa Overwater Suite Review

Simply let the resort know your flight arrival time beforehand, and a representative will be holding a sign to welcome you right at the arrivals hall. Once you walk into the main airport area, you’ll see a massive lineup of resort booths! The Sheraton Full Moon Resort booth is No. 28.

From there, the airport representative escorted us directly to the marina. The boat pictured above is the Sheraton's transfer vessel!

Inside, there are comfortable sofa seats, though you can definitely tell the boat has seen a few years of service.

They offer bottled water on board, but if the weather isn't great, we strongly suggest skipping the drinks! Not only is it a very quick ride, but the boat can get really bumpy, and you'll definitely want both hands free to hold on tight. Please be careful!

Unfortunately, we didn't get blue skies and white clouds when we arrived 😭. It would be stunning on a clear day!

Once we pulled up to the resort, we realized you can clearly see Malé right from the pier. It really is that close!

This is the Welcome Pavilion where you disembark and handle check-in — it's separate from the main lobby.

They served us a tasting flight of three different welcome drinks, and they even thoughtfully prepared a special kid-friendly version for our son who couldn't have the regular ones!

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🌴 Lobby

The main lobby of the Sheraton Full Moon Resort isn't far from the Welcome Pavilion at all. We actually ended up doing our check-out here later.

The lobby features that classic, timeless resort design — beautiful natural wood paired with high pitched roofs. While it definitely feels a bit older, it retains a lot of quality and character, creating a wonderfully relaxing holiday vibe as soon as you step inside.

🌴 Overwater Bungalow Room Tour

After checking in, we made our way to our room. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to an Overwater Bungalow this time!

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We stayed in the standard Overwater Bungalow without a private pool.

The bungalow interior boasts high vaulted ceilings and features a classic, rustic resort style.

The wood tones used throughout the room are on the darker side.

The bed was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers for our arrival.

There’s a cozy sofa seating area right next to the bed.

Right in front of the bed are full floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an uninterrupted view of the ocean.

Since we only stayed for one night, we unfortunately hit a patch of bad weather 😅.

To the right of the entrance, you'll find the closet and luggage storage area.

The closet is well-equipped with an iron, ironing board, safe, indoor slippers, and bath towels.

There is also a small desk that doubles as a vanity.

On the opposite side is the Mini Bar, complete with an electric kettle, a coffee machine, complimentary Sheraton drinking water, as well as some chargeable snacks and alcoholic beverages.

The fridge is packed with assorted drinks, and the drawers hold everything you need for a hot beverage, including tea bags, coffee capsules, and sugar.

You can see the ocean straight from the bathroom—an absolute must for any island getaway!

It features a single vanity sink.

The ocean view really adds a lot of points! Even though the hardware and fixtures are a bit dated, the natural light and the scenery are fantastic, making the whole bathroom space feel very comfortable.

The glass enclosures on the left and right separate the toilet and shower areas, while the wooden door on the right leads directly out to the balcony.

The toiletries provided by the resort are from Glam O'essence London.

There’s a neat little shelf next to the bathtub holding some extra bath amenities.

Out on the deck, you have the standard overwater bungalow setup: a patio table with chairs and a pair of sun loungers.

The ocean view is sweeping and vast. Since we only stayed one night, we missed capturing it in good weather—so you might need to use a little imagination to picture how gorgeous it looks under blue skies! Overall, the Overwater Bungalow at the Sheraton Full Moon Resort is pretty standard. The interior space isn't massive, nor does it have an ultra-modern "wow" factor in its design, but it still delivers a thoroughly relaxing and cozy experience.

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🌴 Feast — Buffet Breakfast

Breakfast is served at the "Feast" restaurant, running from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM every day.

Stepping into Feast, you're immediately drawn to the stunning blue teardrop chandeliers. The dining area is wonderfully spacious and inviting!

The breakfast buffet features a wide variety of international cuisines, including hot Chinese dishes like shrimp dumplings, mixed stir-fried vegetables, and fried noodles.

Indian cuisine has its own dedicated station.

The Western section offers some more unique cold cut platters as well.

Of course, there’s an abundant selection of juices, yogurts, pastries, cakes, breads, and fresh fruits.

And naturally, they have the quintessential made-to-order egg station that you expect at any good hotel breakfast!

The omelet at the Sheraton Full Moon Resort is probably the best omelet Cherry has ever had, bar none! Cherry usually refuses to eat omelets, but out of sheer curiosity about what a "Maldivian-style" omelet would taste like, she took a bite—and quietly devoured the entire thing! Packed with rich fillings inside perfectly soft and fluffy eggs, the standout feature was the spicy kick. The heat hits your palate just right, making you want bite after bite! We later stayed at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa and the Reethi Faru Resort, and maybe we were just spoiled by this one, but their omelets just couldn't measure up to the Sheraton's. If you love spicy food, you absolutely cannot miss this!

Another thing worth mentioning is Mas huni, a classic Maldivian breakfast dish. It's made by finely chopping and mixing together tuna, onions, grated coconut, and chili. Literally every resort we stayed at served Mas huni (which proves just how iconic it is!). If you travel to the Maldives, you definitely need to give it a try!

Between the bright and airy dining hall, the incredibly diverse global cuisines, that unforgettable Maldivian omelet, and the remarkably friendly staff, our entire breakfast experience was fantastic. Honestly, the breakfast added major points to our stay at the Sheraton! As a side note, because our stay was so brief, we didn't get to try Feast's buffet dinner. However, we later bumped into another couple from Taiwan at the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa who had also stayed at the Sheraton, and they told us the dinner buffet was absolutely delicious. So, consider it highly recommended!

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🌴 Resort Dining

For a resort of its size, the Sheraton Full Moon actually has a great variety of dining options, offering a total of seven restaurants and bars for guests:

  • Feast (International): Daily Breakfast 7:00 AM - 10:30 AM; Daily Dinner 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Sea Salt (Seafood): Closed Fridays, Dinner on other days 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
  • Masala Hut (Indian): Daily Lunch 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM; Daily Dinner 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
  • Baan Thai (Thai): Closed Fridays, Dinner on other days 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
  • ChopstiX (Chinese): Daily Lunch 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Kakuni Hut (Mexican Beach Bar): Daily 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Anchorage Bar (Mediterranean Bar): Daily 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Since we were only there for one night, we chose an ocean-facing seat at the Anchorage Bar for dinner. Despite the dreary weather, we were incredibly lucky to catch a glimpse of the colorful sunset glowing through the clouds.

Framed by the soft white sand and crystal-clear water, it felt so beautiful to us—especially after being battered by dark clouds and wind all day!

But what made us happiest was discovering that the bar food was actually phenomenal! It wasn't just a place surviving on "good vibes and views." We ordered the Basil Calamari pictured above, and it was so incredibly delicious—one of the best calamari dishes Cherry has ever eaten! (Is that an exaggeration? Maybe, but it was that good 😅).

The other dishes we ordered were also quite tasty, even if they didn't quite reach the dizzying heights of the calamari. We highly recommend eating here! Based on our experiences staying at other Sheraton properties, including the Sheraton Grand Taipei and the Sheraton Taoyuan Hotel, our general impression is that while their facilities lean towards a more classic, older style, their food is consistently outstanding!

🌴 Resort Facilities

Overall, the facilities at the Sheraton Full Moon have that quintessential, old-school resort charm. While some amenities show their age, the island is lush with dense trees. Swings hanging from massive branches over the fine white sands are incredibly romantic. The verdant greenery and thriving local wildlife offer a natural richness that many brand-new resorts simply can't replicate!

Palm trees, beach swings, powdery sand, and that sparkling blue sea—it's basically a masterclass in the perfect Instagram backdrop 🤣.

One of the main reasons we think the Sheraton Full Moon is fantastic for families is this specific beach. The weather on our arrival day was awful with strong winds and rough waves, yet the water in this little cove remained completely still and tranquil. It is quite literally the perfect, safe splashing zone for young kids!

A giant, photogenic chess set seems to be a mandatory fixture for any classic resort! We've seen exactly the same setup at The Westin Tashee Resort and the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay 🤣.

Swimming Pools

Surrounded by shaded cabanas, the main pool at the Sheraton Full Moon is exactly what you picture when you think of a tropical resort pool.

There's a much shallower kids' pool featuring fun water spouts on the sides—an absolute paradise for little ones to splash around and go crazy!

Right next to the pool, there's a lovely waterfall feature that gives off a peaceful, babbling brook vibe.

Adventure Club (Kids' Club)

For families traveling with little ones, finding a resort with a kids' club should be at the very top of your checklist. Having an active kids' club is the truest marker of a family-friendly property. You can certainly stay at places without one, but you'll generally find the crowd at those resorts leans heavily toward honeymooners and couples.

The Adventure Club features an outdoor playground exclusively for children.

We have to admit, the indoor toys and facilities at the Adventure Club are quite basic and show heavy signs of love and use. It simply can't compare to the modern kids' clubs at newer resorts.

That said, you can tell the staff puts a lot of genuine heart into organizing the daily activities.

We joined the daily fish-feeding activity and saw tons of colorful tropical fish, and we even spotted some tiny crabs hiding under the bridge!

Shine Spa

Photo from the official website

What's an island resort without a luxury spa? From our experience, the spa is often one of the most breathtakingly beautiful spots in any resort. Sadly, our stay was too short to book a treatment this time, but if you have the chance, it’s definitely worth checking out!

Orchid Garden / Honeymoon Garden

Tucked away inside the resort is a dedicated garden overflowing with orchids. It’s a wonderful spot for a quiet stroll and some beautiful photos!

To sum up our thoughts on the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort: you can definitely feel its age, and the rooms won't quite match the sheer gloss of newer properties. However, it absolutely hits the mark when it comes to delivering that essential, relaxing holiday comfort. Because the island has been developing for decades, the foliage is wonderfully thick, and the local ecosystem is thriving—it's a joy to be surprised by little animals popping out of the greenery!

What left the deepest impression on us, though, was the food—it was genuinely spectacular! Considering the famously high prices at Maldivian resorts, the Sheraton is relatively affordable, making the dining value here exceptionally high! Cherry wouldn't necessarily recommend spending your entire Maldives vacation at this single property. But if you're looking for an ultra-convenient resort to bookend your trip—either right after arriving in Malé or right before flying out—we highly, highly recommend the Sheraton Full Moon Resort, especially with that unbeatable free speedboat transfer!

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If brand-new, modern facilities are a top priority for you, we suggest looking into the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, which just opened in July 2022. We’ve stayed in both their Overwater Suite and Beach Villa, and both were absolutely incredible!

Other Travel Guides

★ Middle East: Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Doha

★ Europe: Finland | UK

★ USA: Las Vegas | San Francisco

★ Southeast Asia: Bali | Phu Quoc | Koh Samui

★ Islands: Tahiti | Maldives | Fiji

Hilton Hotel Experiences

Maldives · Hilton Amingiri Resort & Spa

Tahiti · Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Fiji · DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Fiji - Sonaisali Island

Finland · Hilton Helsinki Airport

UK · Hilton London Bankside

Marriott International Resort Experiences

Dubai · Renaissance Downtown Hotel

Bali · Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa

Vietnam Phu Quoc · JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa

Fiji · Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay

Taiwan Hotel Experiences

Taipei · W Taipei

Taipei · Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel

Taipei · Aloft Taipei Beitou

Taipei · Courtyard Taipei

Taoyuan · Sheraton Taoyuan Hotel

Taoyuan · The Westin Tashee Resort

Taipei · Humble House Taipei

Taichung · Fairfield by Marriott Taichung

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