Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas - All inclusive

Really enjoying this place. The palace is a cut above Riu Atol and the other Dominican Republic type all inclusive’s. Rui atol is a nice location but makes you feel like it’s a ‘normal’ tropical all inclusive. If you book the palace, you get to visit both islands. Most of the activities, diving, water sports, big parties are all on the Atol, the palace is calm, chilled and great for couples. The differences are slight, i see some people say on here, there is no difference and if you just want to drink beer by the pool, then yes, Rui atol will sort. But the Palace is a little better, food is quite similar at both places, but the little extras are nice. The fact is smaller makes it more exclusive. The walk way to the beach apartments winds with over hanging palm trees (the Atol does not look so well kept). While we were here, occupancy hit 97%, but i couldn’t tell, (except for the staff who had to work all 7 days to keep up). Staff, i saw many reviews saying the staff are good, well they are, Edi, chef at the palm buffet, Sanju at the bar, Faiz in the restaurant and Mata, our block cleaner is truly wonderful. There are so many great staff, i could write for ages. Rui Palace is not a £10k per week ultra exclusive Maldivian get away, but it is a fabulous, relaxed all inclusive with great sea and sand, wonderful staff and makes you want to chill and rest all day. I would rather come here twice than pay for the ultra exclusive places. Ok,, tips, the west coast, sunset apartments (even numbers) have sun most of the day and great views, but the water is too shallow to do anything except snorkel and wade. The east coast is more shaded, less wind than the west side but has water you can swim in. (A bit deeper)The fact that they are only 40m apart means you can walk to the other side in 20-30 seconds. Water shoes, yes you will need them if you want to walk in the water, at least for the first few days until you feet get harder, the sand is lovely but there are broken shells and old coral that can be sharp to a softy foot. Thermal cup - if you like cold drinks and dont want to drink a glass per min, they are good, the drinks are in glass (expect in the pool) and the 30 degrees warms the the drinks fast. Towel clips,- it can be windy, so if you want to keep your towel on the sunbed…….. The two restaurants on the palace side are book by the app, the two on the Atol side are not bookable and you get a wifi waiting disc, The restaurants are air conditioned and have a better house wine (red or white rioja) than the buffet restaurant. Normal points - suntan cream, sun hats, lots of swim wear and cover ups for the restaurants. Small beach bag, snorkel kit if you have it (you can get some here, but your own may be better as you have to go to the atol side). Staff take $,£ and € plus local currency. We came by normal plane, not the Sea plane, times of flights are similar, you save about 1 hour arriving and 2 hours going back on the sea plane. You can wait a little for your room as check in is not guaranteed until 3pm if you arrived to Male for 9am the sea place arrives about 12:30 and the normal place plus boat trip gets here 13:20 ish Wifi is good and ok most time for streaming. You can pay more for better wines, a good white is $46 and the lovely taittinger champagne is $90, (moet $120). But we are here for the sea, sun, sand and fab staff, the premium wines can wait for home Wednesday is white night party on the Atol side, most people do dress up in while.