It’s All Inclusive
Head to head

Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasvsSUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
Five-Star·★ 4.7
SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
Five-Star·★ 4.9

Scores at a Glance

Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasSUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
Overall
8.9
9.0
Beach
8.9
8.7
Food
8.8
8.8
Service
9.0
9.2
Rooms
8.7
8.8
Value
8.8
8.8
Romance
8.7
·
Scores out of 10 · higher is better

Quick Stats

Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasMeasureSUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
8.9Overall Score9.0 (better)
5-starStar Rating5-star
4.7 (1,273)Google Rating4.9 (31,620) (better)
From $217Price / Night (pp)From $120 (better)
NoAdults OnlyNo
ListedKids' ClubListed
Near coastBeachfrontNear coast
Mid-sizeResort SizeMid-size
60 minAirport Transfer9 min (better)

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas

Kids' club & childcare
Kids’ club listed. Confirm supervision and drop-off rules.
Room service
Unverified
Dining reservations
Restaurant reservation rules are unverified; confirm before booking.
Single accommodation capacity
Capacity unverified; confirm the exact category before booking.
See supplier details at Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas

SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort

Kids' club & childcare
Kids’ club listed: 3–12. The official fact sheet lists Kids Planet for ages 3 to 12 and separately lists babysitting as chargeable. Confirm supervision and drop-off rules.
Room service
Costs extra. The current supplier-linked July 2025 fact sheet lists in-room dining as chargeable. Specific direct-booking or Posh benefits may differ; the once-per-stay direct-booking breakfast benefit does not make all room service free.
Dining reservations
Restaurant reservation rules are unverified; confirm before booking. SUN Restaurant: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Nora: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Poseidon: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Manohar: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Mai Thai: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Waterfall Grill: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Basilico: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Côte d’Azur: Named in the July 2025 official sheet. Exact ordinary specialty reservation quotas and premium menu charges remain unverified; no free full-menu entitlement is inferred. Felucca: Explicitly chargeable in the current supplier-linked July 2025 sheet; eligible Posh/direct-booking discounts are separate from free dining. Exact fee unverified. Posh Club Lounge: Posh Club guests only; breakfast/lounge privileges are not universal room benefits. No room category or capacity is changed. SUNRISE Restaurant (main buffet, breakfast/lunch/dinner). Seven a la carte: Manohar (Indian), Mai Thai (Thai), Basilico (Italian), Cote d'Azur (French), Poseidon (Greek), Felucca (seafood), Roots (vegetarian/healthy). 8 bars plus 1 adults-only bar.
Single accommodation capacity
Largest confirmed capacity: 5 people in one accommodation. Family Suite. Adult limit unverified.
See supplier details at SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort

Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas

Highlights

  • 1 pool
  • 3 places to eat
  • Full-service spa
  • Overwater bungalows
  • 60 min from MLE

Why choose it

  • 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.

Keep in mind

  • 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.

SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort

Highlights

  • 7 pools
  • 9 places to eat
  • Full-service spa
  • 9 min from SSH

Why choose it

  • Very strong review volume and service sentiment.
  • Private beach, multiple pools and broad dining.
  • Clear official family programming for ages 3 to 12.

Keep in mind

  • Premium imported liquor is not evidenced as included.
  • Reef entry is not ideal for travelers wanting a gradual sandy shoreline.
  • Watersports and boat activities can add meaningful extra cost.

All Scores

Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasMeasureSUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
(better)8.9Beach8.7
8.8Food8.8
9.0Service9.2 (better)
8.7Rooms8.8 (better)
8.4Pools9.1 (better)
8.8Value8.8
8.3Family8.8 (better)
8.7Romance–
7.9Nightlife–
–Quiet8.4
–Wellness8.3

Of the 9 measures we call, Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas leads on 1 and SUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort leads on 8.

Vibes

Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasMeasureSUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
YesRomance–
YesLively–
–QuietYes

Activities

Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasMeasureSUNRISE Arabian Beach Resort
YesSpaYes
YesWater sportsYes
YesNightlife–
YesKidsYes
Keep exploring

Similar resorts

Not these two?

Run another comparison