# Riu Palace Maldivas 2026 — RIU's 5-Star Maldives All-Inclusive > Riu Palace Maldivas review for 2026: 176 suites from $481/night in the Maldives' Dhaalu Atoll, 72 overwater suites, All Inclusive 24 à la carte dining. Source: https://luxatolls.com/resorts/riu-palace-maldivas/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10 · Language: en · Prices in US dollars (USD) unless stated otherwise --- [Resorts](https://luxatolls.com/resorts/)/[Dhaalu](https://luxatolls.com/atolls/dhaalu/)/Riu Palace Maldivas # Riu Palace Maldivas Slip from your suite's private pool into the lagoon breeze, dine Japanese at Yu Hi and fusion at Krystal, then carry a nightcap onto the Paradise bar's deck — room service runs 24 hours. 5-Star Resort Flight + Boat 60 min 72 Overwater Suites Atoll [Dhaalu](https://luxatolls.com/atolls/dhaalu/) Villas 176 Transfer Domestic Flight + Boat Transfer Cost ~$395 pp RT Packages From Request Quote Meal Plans AI Secret Price Secret Price Tailored to your dates New! Quote Yourself Now · Get a Personalised Quote More inclusions than direct Opened 2019 The polished half of RIU's twin pair: 176 suites on Kedhigandu, all 40 sqm or more, 72 over the lagoon and 36 with private pools. All Inclusive 24 is the only board basis, while the kids club and louder animation stay a walkway away on Riu Atoll. Club-class RIU, not boutique luxury. 01 Villas· 02 Dining· 03 Inclusions· 04 Activities· 05 Reef· 06 Transfer· 07 Verdict·08 FAQ Lux Pulse™Updated Nov 01, 2026 · [How we score](https://luxatolls.com/how-we-rate/) Strong & Growing **365 new reviews** in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating **4.4 / 5** from 4,213 total reviews. +15% review volume vs. prior 6 months [How we score](https://luxatolls.com/how-we-rate/) 2 Awards since 2024 Travellers' Choice Award TripAdvisor '25 TUI Top 100 Hotels TUI '24 How It Compares ## Riu Palace vs. Other Resorts Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property. Budget · Ultra-Luxury Riu Atoll Niyama St. Regis Vommuli Riu Palace Lively · Secluded Riu Atoll Baglioni Soneva Fushi Riu Palace Easy Access · Remote Kurumba Niyama Park Hyatt Hadahaa Riu Palace Couples · Family Komandoo Riu Atoll Siyam World Riu Palace Boutique · Large Resort Makunudu (36) Coco Bodu Hithi (100) Riu Atoll (264) Riu Palace (176) Poor Reef · Exceptional Riu Atoll Baglioni Riu Palace Riu Palace Reference resorts Accommodation ## Choose Your Villa All 176 keys are suites of 40 sqm or more, split evenly between the beach and the lagoon. On land, junior suites sit either garden-side or right on the sand; over the water, 36 suites open straight onto the lagoon and another 36 add a private pool on the deck — the category that sells the island. Beach · No pool Beach Junior Suites From $481 40 sqm · 70% smaller than avg Junior Suite Ocean View · 40 sqm · No pool · $481 Junior Suite with Beach Access · 40 sqm · No pool · $5•• Overwater · 1 of 2 Overwater Suites From $6•• 47–60 sqm · 59% smaller than avg Suite - Overwater · 47 sqm · No pool · $6•• Suite with Private Pool - Overwater · 60 sqm · Pool · $9•• Not sure which villa is right? We'll match you based on your group size, budget and priorities. Prices shown are indicative low-season per night. See the season guide in the sidebar for how rates vary by time of year. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates. Every quote from us includes the 10% service charge, 17% GST and the $12 per person per night green tax, so the price we quote is the price you pay. Pricing Get your secret price Secret Price Custom package · Your villa choice · Meal plan · Transfers Sending Quote Request Sent We'll reply within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and exact pricing. Reference Check your inbox for a confirmation. Tailor your trip Send Lux Exclusive Share your dates and preferences — we'll build a bespoke package with villa, meal plan, transfers and exclusive inclusions you won't find elsewhere. More inclusions than booking direct New! Quote Yourself Now · Get a Personalised Quote Quotes handled by [Tym's team](https://luxatolls.com/about/) of Maldives travel professionals. 24-hour response. Deal Alerts Be first to know when **Riu Palace** has a deal — exclusive rates and upgrades, sent only when there's something worth sharing. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Season & Pricing Guide Dec 20 – Jan 10 · Peak · Highest rates Jan 11 – Apr 15 · High · +25–40% Apr 16 – Jul 15 · Shoulder · +10–15% Jul 16 – Dec 19 · Low · Best value Peak season fills 4+ months ahead. Shoulder season offers the best balance of weather, price and availability. Similar Resorts [Hotel Riu Atoll Dhaalu · Sister island From $372 /night](https://luxatolls.com/resorts/riu-atoll/) [Baglioni Resort Maldives Dhaalu · Italian all-inclusive From $1,097 /night](https://luxatolls.com/resorts/baglioni-resort-maldives/) [Niyama Private Islands Dhaalu · Same atoll SPECIAL $3,022 / 3 nights](https://luxatolls.com/resorts/niyama-private-islands/) Share your dates & preferences — we'll build your perfect package. Dining ## 5 Restaurants & 4 Bars RIU counts five restaurants in the Palace's dining line-up: the Palm buffet, fusion Krystal and Japanese Yu Hi here on Kedhigandu, plus Italian Sofia and the Beef Steak House across the walkway on Riu Atoll, alongside four bars crowned by the overwater Paradise. Palm International The Palace's own buffet, a calmer room than its Riu Atoll counterpart, with live cooking stations at every service, a broad breakfast spread and themed evenings through the week. Setting · Main restaurant · All meals Our tip · Themed dinner evenings rotate through the week — ask at check-in AI included Krystal Fusion RIU's white-tablecloth fusion concept — the chain's most refined dining room, plating contemporary European-Asian courses à la carte. Reservation required. Setting · À la carte · Dinner only Our tip · Tables go two days ahead — missed bookings count as used, so cancel early AI included Yu Hi Japanese Japanese à la carte by the beach — sushi, sashimi and hot mains without a yen of supplement. The five-star exclusive: only Palace guests can book it. Setting · Beachside · Dinner only Our tip · Palace-exclusive — Riu Atoll guests can't book it, so tables are easier AI included Sofia Italian RIU's signature Italian, across the walkway on Riu Atoll and part of the Palace's five-restaurant line-up — à la carte mains beside a self-serve antipasti and dessert buffet. Reservation-only. Setting · On Riu Atoll · À la carte · Dinner Our tip · Book the cross-island venues at check-in — missed bookings count as used AI included Beef Steak House Steakhouse The twin islands' grill room, a walkway stroll or buggy hop from the Palace: steaks and sides à la carte at dinner, plus a late continental breakfast for anyone on holiday time. Setting · On Riu Atoll · Grill & late breakfast Our tip · The late breakfast is the lie-in move — a buggy ride from the Palace AI included Paradise Cocktails RIU bills Paradise as its overwater bar: a deck reaching over the lagoon beside the infinity pool at the main complex, pointed straight at the horizon. The natural bookend to a Krystal or Yu Hi dinner. Setting · Poolside · Overwater deck Our tip · The deck over the lagoon edge is the sunset seat — arrive before the light goes AI Drinks Pool Bar Pool Bar Swim-up service on the infinity pool through the day — cocktails, smoothies and snacks without leaving the water. Setting · Poolside · Swim-up Our tip · Order without leaving the infinity pool — service runs through the day AI Drinks Sports Bar Sports Bar Screens, snacks and the late-night pour — the Palace's own corner of the All Inclusive 24 concept, air-conditioned. Setting · Indoor · Late hours Our tip · The late-night snack stop once the restaurants close AI Drinks Lounge Bar Cocktails The indoor evening lounge with table service, softer music and the nightly live act or DJ set — a mellower counterpoint to Riu Atoll's Boduberu. Setting · Lounge · Evenings Our tip · The quiet corner while the nightly live set plays AI Drinks Meal Plans ## Dining Inclusions All Inclusive 24, Palace grade — one plan across both islands. One wristband, no bill. | Plan | Restaurants | Alcohol | Minibar | ~pp/day | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | All Inclusive 24 | All 5 restaurants across both islands · 7 bars | Premium | Daily | Included | All Inclusive 24 · Included All 5 restaurants across both islands · 7 bars Alcohol · Premium · Minibar · Daily Meal plan prices are a guide only — generally an average across the year. Resorts can change them at any time, they often vary by season, and a plan sold in one season may not be offered in another. We'll confirm what's available and the exact price for your dates. Experiences & Activities ## Your Days on the Island The Palace day runs at a gentler rhythm: RiuFit classes and a daytime adults' entertainment programme, free kayaks, SUP boards and snorkel gear from the water-sports centre, Renova Spa treatments in the palm grove, and the full Riu Atoll facility list — gym included — a boardwalk stroll or buggy ride away. Water Sports & Diving Free non-motorised water sports · PADI school · lagoon snorkelling Snorkelling gear · Lagoon zone off the water-sports centre Kayaks, SUP boards & pedaloes · Complimentary Scuba try-out in the pool · One free session per stay Scuba Caribe dive school (PADI) · RIU’s dive partner · courses and guided Dhaalu trips · extra cost Snorkelling from the overwater suites · Rays and reef fish under the jetty at first light Guided snorkelling boat trips · Outer-reef runs bookable at the excursion desk Snorkelling the suite jetty at first light · Rays work the sand flats under the walkways at dawn **The Lagoon Commute.** The 800-metre walkway between the two islands doubles as the best free wildlife platform on the property — juvenile blacktip sharks, rays and shoals of needlefish patrol beneath it at all hours. Excursions & Cruises Sunset cruises · dolphins · Kudahuvadhoo local island Sunset cruise · Spinner dolphins ride the bow through Dhaalu's channels Dolphin watching trips Local island visit · Kudahuvadhoo · 15 min by boat Sandbank photo stops Traditional line fishing · Evening hand-line sessions Boardwalk to Riu Atoll · 800 m over the lagoon · buggy shuttle for the lazy leg back Spa & Wellness Renova Spa & Wellness · yoga sessions · RiuFit Renova Spa & Wellness centre · Massages and beauty treatments · extra cost Yoga sessions · Group classes on the beach deck RiuFit programme · Complimentary daily fitness classes Gym · On the Riu Atoll side · 18+ · free access Steam bath · Included · guests 18+ Sports & Recreation Adults' daytime programme · infinity pool · nightly live music Infinity pool with swim-up bar · Children's pool alongside Daytime entertainment programme for adults · Lower-key than Riu Atoll's — quizzes, aqua fit, mixology Live music or DJ nightly · In the Lounge Bar 24-hour room service · Included — rare at any Maldives price point Beach volleyball on Riu Atoll Boutique & shops Boutique & shops Kids & Family Children welcome · RiuLand kids club across the walkway RiuLand kids club · On Riu Atoll · ages 4–7 and 8–12 · 6 days a week · free Children's pool · Beside the Palace infinity pool Children's playground · On the Riu Atoll side High chairs & cots · On request · no charge Family suites · Junior suites take 2 adults + 2 children Resort Facilities ## What's on the Island Checked against the resort's own information. If something you need isn't listed, ask us before you book. - Dive centre - Spa - Gym - Yoga - Kids club Family & Kids ## Family-Friendly Features Families split the twin islands by mood: mornings at the Palace children's pool or spotting baby sharks from the walkway, afternoons at RiuLand and the playground on Riu Atoll (ages 4–7 and 8–12, free, six days a week), evenings back on the quiet side for an à la carte dinner the kids sleep through. Cots and high chairs cost nothing, and the all-inclusive means ice-cream diplomacy is always affordable. RiuLand (on Riu Atoll) Ages 4-12 · 6 days a week Shallow Lagoon Calm, shallow water safe for young children Highlights for Kids Boardwalk shark-spotting walks · Children's pool · RiuLand across the walkway · Buggy rides between islands Family Villa Options Junior Suite Ocean View (2 adults + 2 children) Snorkeling & Marine Life ## House Reef & Underwater 6.5 Good House Reef Lux Atolls Reef Score · solid for a lagoon island #### Lagoon entry · calm, shallow water · life concentrates under the jetties Rays under the suites at dawn · Juvenile blacktips off the walkway · Glass-clear lagoon Kedhigandu shares Maafushi's geography: a flat island inside a huge, calm lagoon, ringed by sand rather than a snorkel-from-shore coral wall. The compensation is life in the shallows — rays, juvenile blacktip sharks and needlefish work the water beneath the overwater suites and the connecting walkway, and the water clarity across the lagoon is exceptional. For coral density, join the guided boat runs to outer Dhaalu reefs or the PADI school's dhoni trips to Dhaalu's channels and thilas. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports. Regularly spotted here (+6) Stingrays Regulars beneath the overwater suites, especially at first light Reef Sharks Juvenile blacktips patrol the walkway pilings Sea Turtles Occasional in the lagoon; reliable on outer-reef boat trips Tropical Reef Fish Needlefish, parrotfish and fusiliers around the jetty structures Dolphins Spinners on the sunset cruise routes Eagle Rays On Dhaalu channel dives — bookable through the PADI school Not typical at this reef (−2) Manta Rays Occasional in Dhaalu — Baa Atoll is the reliable aggregation Whale Sharks Not common in Dhaalu — South Ari is the reliable spot Getting There ## Transfer from Malé A 45-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport to Kudahuvadhoo Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat to Kedhigandu. Return cost is USD 395 per adult and USD 352 per child (2–11) including both legs and taxes. A seaplane routing is also offered at USD 776 per adult return, and RIU runs seasonal free-domestic-transfer promotions on stays of 4 nights or more. Flight + Boat Standard transfer Velana → Kudahuvadhoo (45 min) + speedboat (15 min) ~$395 pp roundtrip Seaplane Optional upgrade Velana → resort lagoon (60 min) · daylight only ~$776 pp roundtrip Domestic flights operate into the evening, so late arrivals connect the same day. Seasonal promotions often waive the domestic transfer on 4+ night stays. Resort island map — Riu Palace Maldivas Our Take ## Who This Resort is For Reviewed by [Tym Lewtak](https://luxatolls.com/about/), founder of LuxAtolls Updated Nov 01, 2026 Riu Palace Maldivas is the rare Maldives 5-star where the headline price is close to the final bill: à la carte restaurants, an overwater bar, international drinks and even 24-hour room service sit inside All Inclusive 24. The suites are compact by top-tier standards but every one tops 40 sqm, and the private-pool overwater category is genuine luxury at a package price. It trades boutique intimacy for polished, predictable comfort — exactly the deal Palace-brand guests are looking for. #### Ideal for - Couples who want overwater-suite luxury with a fixed bill — a 60 sqm private-pool suite plus à la carte Japanese, fusion dining and 24-hour room service, all inside one all-inclusive price - RIU and Palace-brand loyalists — the formula from Cancún and Cape Verde translated to a genuinely spectacular lagoon, with the brand's best dining line-up - Two-centre families — parents get the calmer island and grown-up dining, kids keep RiuLand and the playground one boardwalk away - Travellers comparing against $1,000+ overwater resorts — Palace undercuts most 5-star overwater stock while bundling what others charge as extras #### Consider elsewhere if - Boutique-luxury purists — 176 suites, buffet mornings and wristbands are still a resort operation, not Soneva-style barefoot romance - House-reef snorkellers — the lagoon is sand-bottomed and serene; coral means a boat trip - Guests who never want to see the livelier twin — the walkway brings Riu Atoll's animation within earshot of the connecting jetty - Adults-only seekers — children are welcome throughout the Palace Why Book Through Lux Atolls ### More Than Just a Booking What you get with us vs. booking direct or through a generic OTA Book with Lux Atolls Best rate guarantee on partner resorts — we match or beat what you find elsewhere Exclusive package inclusions negotiated through our direct resort relationships Transparent pricing — transfers, taxes, and meal plans quoted upfront, no hidden fees Personal trip advisor — villa matching, meal plan guidance, and honest recommendations Maldives-only expertise — we know every reef, transfer route, and seasonal sweet spot Direct resort contact — if something needs fixing, we call the GM, not a call centre No booking fees, no hidden charges — the price we quote is the price you pay Book Through Others Published rack rate — no negotiated extras No package inclusions beyond the standard rate Transfer costs and taxes added at checkout Generic customer support with no local knowledge One-size-fits-all recommendations across dozens of destinations Issues routed through a ticketing system, not a person Hidden fees and service charges added late in the process Frequently Asked Questions ## Riu Palace Maldivas — FAQ **Is Riu Palace Maldivas all-inclusive only?** Yes — every stay runs on All Inclusive 24, across both islands. There is no cheaper board basis to downgrade to. **How do you get to Riu Palace Maldivas?** A 45-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport to Kudahuvadhoo, then a 15-minute speedboat — USD 395 per adult and USD 352 per child (2–11) round trip including taxes. A seaplane option runs USD 776 return, and stays of 4+ nights often qualify for RIU's free-domestic-transfer promotions. Domestic flights run into the evening, so most arrivals connect the same day. **Can Riu Palace guests use Riu Atoll, and vice versa?** Palace guests get the run of both islands — Sofia, the Beef Steak House, bars and facilities on Riu Atoll are all open to them via the 800 m walkway or buggy shuttle. It does not work in reverse: Riu Atoll guests cannot use the Palace's restaurants, bars or pool. That one-way privilege is the main thing the 5-star price buys. **Are children allowed at Riu Palace Maldivas?** Yes — the Palace is family-friendly, with a children's pool beside the infinity pool, cots and high chairs on request, and junior suites sleeping two adults plus two children. The RiuLand kids club (ages 4–7 and 8–12, six days a week) sits across the walkway on Riu Atoll. **Which overwater suite should you book at Riu Palace Maldivas?** The 47 sqm Overwater Suite buys the lagoon-over-the-deck experience; the 60 sqm Overwater Suite with Private Pool adds the plunge pool and the extra living space. The pool category is the island's signature and books out first in the December–April high season. Secret Price tailored to you Quote Yourself · Get Quote Get your secret price Quotes handled by [Tym's team](https://luxatolls.com/about/) of Maldives travel professionals. 24-hour response. Sending Quote Request Sent We'll reply within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and exact pricing for your dates. Reference Check your inbox for a confirmation. Tailor your trip Send