This truly is the most wonderful place on earth. Having visited Baros in 1994 I was looking for the relaxed, simple, no news no shoes approach. Whist the majority of other islands have gone 5* plus, Biyadhoo has retained it's simplicity and natural charm. I have now been 3 times in 1 year. The house reef is one of the best in the Maldives and never fails to impress. You could spend your holiday snorkelling around the island and never need to go diving or go to other locations, there is just so much to see.
There is just one restaurant and bar, but the island is so small there is no need for additional facilities.
The facilities are basic, the 3 star is accurate, however the staff are fantastic and the house reef is amazing. I would recommend all inclusive just so you don't strain your brain doing the maths of working out what you've bought - believe me you'll be so relaxed in no time you won't want to be keeping track of a bar bill.
If you are looking for a la carte dining, a plunge pool and wifi - don't bother. But if you want to relax, unwind and enjoy simple pleasures book now.
If you want to get away form the stresses of life this is the place. Leave your worries behind and bring your snorkel.

It's not often that you'll find a hotel as unique as this one that provides very good value for money.

The Biyadhoo Island Resort with it's breath taking views is undoubtedly a beautiful place to stay. Having recently returned from this amazing destination (9th Feb 2012) I felt compelled to write a review.

Booked 7 months ago with a girlfriend, this Island is not just for the romantic couples. We went with no expectations other than the beauty of being on a Moldavian Island, surrounded by clear blue Indian ocean - it will, I promise take your breath away.

On arrival at Male Airport we were fortunate enough to be greeted by our own holiday rep 'Zoe', she looked extremely hot (it was) but she smiled and welcomed us to the Maldives. From the airport Zoe escorted us on the 45 minute speedboat journey to the Biyadhoo Island - and what a way to start your holiday.

On arrival we were welcomed with ice cold lavender scented face cloths to cool us down, followed by a freshly picked coconut milk to quench our thirst. The island is lush with coconut trees.

Check-in was simple, organised by very cheerful English speaking staff - our cases were taken to our room within 10 minutes of arrival and you'll be provided with a complimentary security box located in reception. At this point I would like to mention Afaf (aka Appu) who's reception skills are second to none, he deserves an award for his efficiency, friendliness, patience but most of all his amazing smile.

The Bedroom
This is the only time I will mention that this is a '3' star hotel and as such the rooms are adequate, 'very' basic, outdated with a slightly damp smell to them (nothing that a coat or two of paints and brighter lighting wouldn't rectify) but ..... they're spotlessly clean, have excellent aircon units, a full working fridge (if you're all inclusive the stocked fridge is not part of the package (expensive) so be warned). Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and plenty of storage for your cloths/personal belongings etc. The bathroom is large with shower (no bath) and the hot water a bit hit and miss but serves its purpose. The beds are firm, and sheets are changed every few days - we tended to tip our room boy with a few dollars every 3/4 days (this is not something you need to do, it's entirely up to you). Clean beach towels are provided on a daily basis (dirty towels go in the linen basket outside the room). The hotel offers a very reasonably priced cleaning services which I recommend especially if you're looking to wear the cloths you've worn there back home. You can use an English plug in this country.

The Food
At the restaurant you'll be allocated a table, this is yours for the duration of your stay. You can request a move if your not happy, in addition you'll also retain the same Waiter who'll make sure drinks are available and that your table is cleared promptly. He'll quickly remember how you like to drink tea and coffee and want drinks you generally prefer with your meals, its rather a personal touch and we tipped our Waiter (Faz) who was brilliant throughout the stay. If you're lucky enough to have James as your table Waiter he's highly skilled at origami and puzzle tricks, our table was full of his handmade artwork.

Like the majority of 'all inclusive' hotels, mealtimes can get a little repetitive. It was, but it's freshly prepared, cooked to perfection and always very tasty, the curries are simply the best and the 'devilled fish curry' is to die for. The bonus - if you speak to the Chief he'll prepare (if not to busy) a food to suit your palette - this is a personal touch and I've never been any where that offers one to one treatment like this. Chief really wants you to enjoy his food and experience the tastes and spices of his country so you'll leave his restaurant feeling completely satisfied. There is a wide selection of freshly made deserts, all very good. Breakfast time offers a range of fresh breads and home made rolls (the best I've ever tasted) and pastries, some of which have just come out of the oven, cereals, porridge, eggs cooked to your liking and other hot options to go with it.

Coconut Bar
There are 6 bar staff, all very efficient and like the Waiters they quickly learn what you like to drink. I can highly recommend the cocktails (especially the pina-colarda) , whilst there are many to choose from only a handful are available in the all inclusive option, those that are not incur a fee which you are charged for at the end of your stay (these are not cheap). We tipped the bar staff throughout our stay (little and often) NB: tips for bar staff are split 6 ways (other staff do not have to share).

The Sea and its Reef
Firstly, the sand, it really is like walking on silk which won't burn your feet. The waters so crystal clear you'll see the fish swim right under your nose and all around you. Oh and for those of you who like to snorkel - all I'll say is wow, wow, wow. and wow! For the inexperienced snorkeller have a paid lesson with Samdo, who'll help you learn to breath using the apparatus and this will hopefully give you more confidence to try it on your own. Equipment is free to hire. Carlos is a qualified sailor and he'll take you out on the Catamaran for a not to expensive fee, just tell him where you want to go. Please don't be put off by his sometimes grumpy face he is really very nice, he is also rather fit for his age, just ask him how old he is and I'll bet you'll guess wrong.

The Spa
Is a wonderful treat, you won't be disappointed. I had a body scrub and my friend a massage, neither of us wanted to leave and were very tempted to book again. Prices are similar to the UK (if not a little more expensive, but worth it)

Overall
This is a very relaxed hotel, you really don't need to feel you have to dress and it's one of the things that makes the hotel so unique. It's free and easy, friendly and relaxing, a very calming and different experience from the usual pushing and shoving you sometimes get from the more up market hotels. People tend not to wear shoes (even in the restaurant) for the duration for their stay. Seriously, everywhere you walk (apart from the in doors) is coated in sand and flip-flops is really all you'll need, anything other than this could get ruined.

Finally, I'd like to add a special thanks to our Kuoni rep 'Zoe' who is just amazing, she helped towards making our stay at this Island a perfect one. Earlier I said I wouldn't mention that this was a 3 star hotel, I said this because it does actually offer a 5 star service - this I believe is down to a well managed happy team of staff and a holiday rep whose main aim is to ensure you leave knowing you've had the holiday experience of a lifetime. Zoe, we really did.

We picked this resort as it seemed to offer a combination of good value for money as well as an extremely good house reef for snorkelling-we weren't disappointed!

Initially we stayed in room 4 which was a down stairs room. Not too much beach on this side but it was close to the best part of the reef. The hotel offered a promotion of several nights on a safari boat which we took (visited several different islands and snorkelled on other reefs and sandbanks), so we then came back to room 65 which was on the other side of the island. This had a wider expanse of beach and although it was a better, bigger end room I think I prefered the original room.

Both rooms were clean but basic. Good air conditioning and hot showers. If you want something more sumptious then look elsewhere and pay more.

The restaurant served buffett style food which was very good. Most of the chefs are from Sri Lanka or Bangladesh and know how to cook a good curry. We also had dinner on the beach which was excellent.

The bar area was very low key and the service very good. The staff are very friendly and welcoming.

We stayed all inclusive, which included several excursions. I think it was a good option to have, looking at the cost of drinks ($3 water, $4 beer, $8 cocktails) which can rapidly mount up.

The snorkelling on the housereef was brilliant-every time something different. Apart form numerous multicoloured fish we saw eagle rays, turtles and moray eels.
Anyone interested in diving is going to have an incredible time.

All in all a really great holiday destination.

We are a just married Indian couple - Traveled there in December for 5N/6D for our honeymoon. The island is small but has a great reef and really beautiful beaches - massive amount of undersea creatures can be viewed with even just snorkeling gear. The deal we got from Dial O Flight included travel, full board accommodation and local transport - great deal, though the overnight stay in Colombo airport was a pain. On arrival in Male, we were met by the reps and traveled for ~45 mins in a speed boat to the resort. The first impression was great upon arrival - tender coconuts were ready and waiting for us! The room we had, we had pre-informed them that we were honeymooning, was a lovely big room. It was clean, but ~15 years old - did not matter much. The beaches are great - but even better was the reef. Do go scuba diving - its much much better than anything you will see on TV.

Pros:
Location
The reef The reef The reef The reef
Good beaches

Adequate
Service was fine - but not super-fantastic as some of the reviews suggest. The staff are friendly and helpful - but you would expect that for the money that you pay!

Cons:
Loads of varieties of food - but taste was deficient and usually bland. And hygiene seems a bit suspect in food preparation - I has mild diarrhea on the last night there. Eat only the well-cooked stuff and fruits - avoid salads
They fumigate the ENTIRE island almost every alternate day - between 5.30 and 6 in the evening

Overall: Good value for money resort - strongly recommended if you want to snorkel/scuba-dive