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Club Hotel DolphinvsHotel Riu Palace Maldivas

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Club Hotel Dolphin
Club Hotel Dolphin
Five-Star·4.7
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Five-Star·4.7

Scores at a Glance

Club Hotel DolphinHotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Overall
8.1
8.9
Beach
7.4
8.9
Food
8.0
8.8
Service
8.6
9.0
Rooms
7.6
8.7
Value
7.9
8.8
Romance
7.6
8.7
Scores out of 10 — higher is better

Quick Stats

8.1
Overall Score
8.9
5-star
Star Rating
5-star
4.7 (8,925)
Google Rating
4.7 (1,161)
Rates TBD
Price / Night (pp)
From $272
No
Adults Only
No
Yes
Kids' Club
Yes
Near coast
Beachfront
Near coast
Mid-size
Resort Size
Mid-size
35 min
Airport Transfer
60 min

All Scores

7.4
Beach
8.9
8.0
Food
8.8
8.6
Service
9.0
7.6
Rooms
8.7
8.7
Pools
8.4
7.9
Value
8.8
8.2
Family
8.3
7.6
Romance
8.7
7.8
Nightlife
7.9
6.4
Quiet
7.8
Adventure
7.6
Wellness
7.5
Remote work

Vibes

Yes
Romance
Yes
Yes
Lively
Yes
Yes
Adventure

Activities

Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Water sports
Yes
Yes
Nightlife
Yes
Yes
Kids
Yes

Club Hotel Dolphin

  • 3 pools
  • 2 restaurants & bars
  • Full-service spa
  • 35 min from CMB

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas

  • 1 pools
  • 3 restaurants & bars
  • Full-service spa
  • Overwater bungalows
  • 60 min from MLE

Pros — Club Hotel Dolphin

  • Verified all-inclusive availability
  • Large pool setup with children's pool
  • Strong family-friendly amenities
  • Friendly staff feedback is recurring
  • Convenient for Bandaranaike International Airport

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 — Club Hotel Dolphin

  • All-inclusive is rate-plan dependent
  • A la carte dining may cost extra
  • Some room refurbishment and air-conditioning complaints
  • Large active-resort feel can be noisy
  • Sri Lanka is outside the current country vocabulary

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.
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