You’re hovering over the "book" button. It’s the Maldives. You’ve seen the photos of the glowing blue water and the overwater bungalows that look like they cost a kidney. But then you see it: the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. It’s one of the oldest names in the North Malé Atoll. Honestly, that usually makes people nervous. In a country where new, shiny resorts pop up every fifteen minutes, is the "old reliable" choice actually a trap?
It isn't. But you have to know what you're getting into.
The Sheraton isn't trying to be a ultra-minimalist, $5,000-a-night celebrity hideout. It’s a massive, lush, 176-room operation on Furanafushi Island. It’s busy. It’s green. It’s incredibly close to the airport. For some people, that last part is a dealbreaker because they want the "middle of nowhere" vibe. For others, particularly families who just survived an 11-hour flight with a toddler, being on a boat within 20 minutes of landing is a literal godsend.
The Speedboat Reality Check
Most people assume you need a seaplane for the real Maldives experience. They think if they aren’t flying over the atolls, they haven't arrived. Here’s the truth: seaplanes are loud, expensive (easily $400+ per person), and they don't fly at night.
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If your flight lands at Velana International Airport (MLE) after 4:00 PM, and you’re booked at a remote atoll, you’re stuck spending the night in a mediocre hotel in Hulhumalé. At the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, you just walk out of arrivals, hop on a speedboat, and you’re sipping a welcome drink by 5:30 PM.
The proximity to Malé does mean you’ll see the distant skyline of the capital and the occasional cargo ship on the horizon. If you want 360-degree views of nothing but blue, this might bug you. But the trade-off is the convenience. You aren't stranded. If you need a specific medicine or want to see the local culture in the city, it’s a quick hop away.
Rooms: From Garden to Water
They’ve dumped a lot of money into renovations recently. It shows.
The Deluxe Rooms are the entry level. They’re fine, but they feel a bit like a standard high-end hotel room that just happens to be on a tropical island. If you’re doing this, you probably want the overwater experience. The Water Bungalows and Water Villas sit on stilts over the lagoon.
There's a specific nuance here: the "North Side" vs. the "South Side."
The bungalows on one side face the open ocean. You get the sound of the crashing waves. It’s dramatic. The other side faces the calm, turquoise lagoon. If you want that stereotypical "still water" look for your photos, ask for the lagoon side.
The Ocean Pool Villas are a different beast entirely. They’re tucked away on the far end of the island, offering way more privacy than the overwater units where you can sometimes hear your neighbor’s morning coffee conversation. These villas have private plunge pools and a "secret garden" feel. They’re actually better for couples than the overwater bungalows, which sound more romantic on paper but can feel a bit exposed in reality.
The Coral Dilemma and the Shine of Sustainability
Let’s be real. The Maldives is facing an existential crisis with coral bleaching. Many resorts just ignore it. The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa actually has a massive coral regeneration program headed by experts from Reefscapers.
You can actually participate. They call it "Adopt a Coral." You get a frame, you attach coral fragments, and they plant it in the nursery. They send you photo updates every six months so you can see your "babies" grow. It’s not just a gimmick for tourists; it’s a necessary response to the warming oceans that have hit the North Malé Atoll hard over the last decade.
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Snorkeling right off the beach is... okay. It’s not the best house reef in the country. Because the island is large and has undergone significant land reclamation over the years, the immediate shoreline isn't a teeming metropolis of fish. You’ll see plenty of baby blacktip reef sharks (they're harmless and adorable) and the occasional ray, but for the "Finding Nemo" experience, you really need to take the boat excursions to the nearby reefs.
Shine Spa: The Island Within an Island
The spa here is arguably the best part of the resort. Most resort spas are just a building in the middle of the island. The Shine Spa for Sheraton is on its own private island, connected by a long wooden footbridge.
Walking across that bridge instantly lowers your heart rate.
They use a lot of silk-based treatments and local ingredients. Honestly, even if you aren't a "spa person," go there just for the relaxation lounge. It faces the ocean and the breeze is constant. It’s one of the few places on the island where the scale of the resort (which can feel a bit crowded at breakfast) completely disappears.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Food
The biggest complaint about the Maldives is usually the price of food. It's an island. Everything is flown in or shipped from Dubai, Singapore, or Sri Lanka.
The Sheraton has seven restaurants. That’s a lot.
- Sea Salt: This is the "fancy" one. Fresh seafood, toes in the sand, expensive wine. Great for one night.
- Baan Thai: Surprisingly authentic. The chefs are usually Thai, and they don't dumb down the spice levels unless you ask.
- Masala Hut: Solid Indian food.
Here is the pro tip: Go for the Full Board or All-Inclusive package.
If you pay "a la carte" for every meal, you will leave with a bill that looks like a mortgage payment. A burger can easily run you $30 once you add the 10% service charge and the 16% TGST (Tourism Goods and Services Tax). These taxes are mandatory across the Maldives, but they sting less when they're bundled into a pre-paid package.
Also, don't sleep on the breakfast buffet at Feast. It’s huge. It has everything from Maldivian mas huni (tuna, coconut, and chili) to full English breakfasts and dim sum. If you eat a late, heavy breakfast, you can usually skip lunch and just do a light snack by the pool, which saves a ton of money.
The "Family Friendly" Factor
Some Maldivian resorts are "adults only" or at least "adults-preferred." They get grumpy if a kid splashes in the pool.
The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is the opposite. It’s a playground. The Sheraton Sidekick program (their kids' club) is actually staffed by people who seem to like children, which isn't always a guarantee. They do coconut painting, sandcastle competitions, and "mini-chef" classes.
Because the island is large, the kids are mostly concentrated around the main pool and the club. If you’re a couple looking for silence, you can find it by heading to the quiet zones or the spa island. But if you’re a parent, this is one of the few places in the Maldives where you don't feel like you’re "ruining" someone else’s honeymoon just by existing.
Is It Too "Corporate"?
That’s the big question, right? It’s a Sheraton. You know the logo. You’ve seen it in Chicago, London, and Dubai. Does it feel like a cookie-cutter hotel dropped onto a beach?
Sorta. In some ways, it lacks the quirky, "boho-chic" personality of the newer boutique resorts like Soneva or Joali. The service is professional and standardized. You won't find hand-carved driftwood furniture in every corner.
But there is a comfort in that. The AC works perfectly. The beds are the "Sheraton Signature" beds, which are objectively some of the most comfortable hotel beds on the planet. The water pressure in the showers is better than most "eco-resorts" that struggle with plumbing.
It’s a "frictionless" vacation. You aren't "roughing it" in any sense of the word. For people who want the Maldives' beauty without the Maldives' logistical headaches, the corporate backing is actually a feature, not a bug.
The Logic of the North Malé Atoll
While the Noonu or Baa Atolls get all the hype for their UNESCO Biosphere status, the North Malé Atoll (where the Sheraton is located) has some of the best surf breaks in the country.
The resort can arrange "surf transfers" to legendary spots like Sultans, Honky’s, and Jailbreaks. These aren't for beginners—the waves break over sharp coral—but for intermediate to advanced surfers, staying at the Sheraton is one of the easiest ways to access world-class breaks without living on a cramped "surf charter" boat for a week.
Acknowledging the Limitations
I’m not going to tell you it’s perfect.
If you are looking for absolute solitude where you won't see another soul for three days, this isn't it. You will see people. You will hear the distant hum of the airport and the occasional plane taking off.
The island is also quite "manicured." If you prefer a raw, jungle-like environment, the paved paths and neatly trimmed hedges might feel a bit too much like a gated community. It’s "Nature Lite."
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
If you’ve decided the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa fits your vibe, don't just book the first rate you see.
- Check the Marriott Bonvoy App: This is a Marriott property. Often, there are "Member Rates" that are 10-15% cheaper than Expedia or Booking.com. If you have points, this is a great place to burn them, as the "fifth night free" rule on point bookings applies here.
- Request a Room Upgrade via Chat: Once you book, use the app to chat with the property. Ask specifically for a room away from the power plant (which is in the center of the island) to ensure total quiet.
- Pack Reef-Safe Sunscreen: The Maldives has strict environmental laws, but more importantly, the sun at the equator is brutal. Standard sunscreen kills the coral you’re there to see.
- Download the Resort Map Early: Familiarize yourself with where the "quiet" beaches are versus the "activity" beaches. The sunset side of the island (near the Kakuni Hut) is generally better for evening drinks and a more relaxed atmosphere.
- Book Your Dining: Even though there are seven restaurants, the popular ones like Baan Thai fill up fast. Make your dinner reservations the moment you check in.
Staying here is about choosing ease over ego. You’re choosing a guaranteed "good" time over a potentially "spectacular but risky" time elsewhere. For a first-timer to the Maldives or a family looking to minimize stress, it’s a remarkably solid bet.