Scores at a Glance
Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness ResortHotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Overall
9.0
8.9
Beach
9.5
8.9
Food
8.6
8.8
Service
9.2
9.0
Rooms
8.8
8.7
Value
8.8
8.8
Romance
8.8
8.7
Scores out of 10 · higher is better
Quick Stats
9.0
Overall Score
8.9
5-star
Star Rating
5-star
4.6 (2,057)
Google Rating
4.7 (1,167)
From $120
Price / Night (pp)
From $272
No
Adults Only
No
–
Kids' Club
Yes
Near coast
Beachfront
Near coast
Mid-size
Resort Size
Mid-size
–
Airport Transfer
60 min
All Scores
9.5
Beach
8.9
8.6
Food
8.8
9.2
Service
9.0
8.8
Rooms
8.7
7.8
Pools
8.4
8.8
Value
8.8
8.0
Family
8.3
8.8
Romance
8.7
–
Nightlife
7.9
8.4
Quiet
–
8.4
Wellness
–
Vibes
Yes
Romance
Yes
Yes
Quiet
–
–
Lively
Yes
Activities
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Water sports
Yes
Yes
Kids
Yes
–
Nightlife
Yes
Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness Resort
- 5 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- 1 pools
- 3 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Overwater bungalows
- 60 min from MLE
Pros · Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness Resort
- Exceptional beach and shore snorkeling.
- All rooms are positioned close to the ocean.
- Strong service and cleanliness sentiment.
- 24-hour complimentary room service.
Pros · Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- Strong guest ratings across TripAdvisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Booking.com.
- 24-hour all-inclusive model is straightforward and value-oriented for the Maldives.
- Modern rooms, including overwater suite categories.
- Guests repeatedly praise food, cleanliness, and friendly staff.
- Access to neighboring RIU Atoll adds activity and dining flexibility.
Cons · Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness Resort
- Seasonal sargassum can be significant.
- Pool experience is not the main draw.
- No verified kids club.
- Coordinates need exact main-entrance verification.
Cons · Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- The modern built environment may feel less natural or boutique than older-style Maldives islands.
- Transfer logistics and inclusions need careful verification.
- Some activities are located on or shared with the RIU Atoll side.
- Not ideal for travelers seeking an ultra-secluded, high-design luxury resort.