The Barefoot Eco Hotel
A GSTC-certified beach hotel on a real Maldivian island
A place to stay on Hanimaadhoo
The Barefoot Eco Hotel sits on Hanimaadhoo, a local inhabited island in the northern Maldives with its own domestic airport — no seaplane required. It was the first four-star hotel to open on a local island in the country, and it holds GSTC certification for sustainable operations. The property runs 64 rooms across several room types, including Heritage Villas built in traditional Maldivian coral and wood. A restaurant, snack bar, juice bar, spa, and a marine biologist on staff set it apart from a standard beach stay.
Who this stay suits
A genuinely eco-committed beach hotel with structured marine and cultural programmes, good food, and comfortable rooms — not a manicured resort island.
Best for
- Divers and snorkellers wanting guided reef access
- Travellers interested in local island life and culture
- Families needing connecting rooms for up to six
- Sustainable travel seekers with GSTC certification
Less suited to
- Those wanting an uninhabited private-island atmosphere
- Guests looking for an alcohol-free environment — the Boat Bar serves cocktails and beer
Beachfront setting on Hanimaadhoo
The hotel sits directly on the beach of a local island with its own domestic airport, about 290 km from Malé. Rooms face the Indian Ocean at ground level or from upper-floor terraces, and the beach is used for private dinners and barbecues on request.
Heritage Villas in coral and wood
The Heritage Villas are built using traditional Maldivian construction methods — coral stone and timber. They are one of the more distinctive accommodation options on the property, referencing the archipelago's pre-concrete building tradition.
Marine biology programme on site
A resident marine biologist runs guided reef snorkelling, manta ray and dolphin excursions, and beach cleanups. There is also a paid add-on, 'Diving Deeper with Marine Biologist', from USD 25, which goes beyond a standard dive briefing.
Dining across four venues
The Barefoot Restaurant handles buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Mediterranean-inspired cooking and fresh seafood. Raani Snack Bar covers lighter Maldivian fare on the beachfront. A Juice Bar and the Boat Bar — a bar on a boat with sunset views — round out the options.
Spa, yoga, and a 24-hour gym
The spa runs signature massages, deep-tissue work, body scrubs, and reflexology. Yoga classes cover all levels, including pranayama, candle meditation, and Yoga Nidra. There is an annual yoga retreat and a gym open around the clock.
Local island culture immersion
Bicycle tours, cooking classes using farm-to-table produce, and visits to local mosques and palaces are available. These are organised through the hotel and give access to the inhabited island beyond the property's beach.
Where you'll stay
Double Room with Side Sea View
44 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 queen bed
- Sea view
- Garden view
- Inner courtyard view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
Double Room with Patio
44 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 queen bed
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Attached bathroom
- Soundproofing
Superior Double Room with Sea View
50 m² · sleeps 4 · Select your bed (if available) 1 twin bed and 1 queen bed 1 sofa bed and 1 queen bed
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Patio
- Attached bathroom
- Soundproofing
Double Room with Ocean View
50 m² · sleeps 4 · Select your bed (if available) 1 twin bed and 1 queen bed 1 sofa bed and 1 queen bed
- Balcony
- Sea view
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Soundproofing
Inside The Barefoot Eco Hotel
Amenities at The Barefoot Eco Hotel
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Airport shuttle
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
Great for your stay
- Restaurant
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Spa and wellness center
- View
- Terrace
- Free Wifi
- BBQ facilities
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bath or shower
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
View
- Sea view
- View
Outdoors
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Sun deck
- Private beach area
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Terrace
- Garden
How to get there
Hanimaadhoo has its own domestic airport. The standard transfer from Malé is a domestic flight of approximately 40 minutes, followed by a short speedboat or road transfer to the hotel. Speedboat transfers from Malé are also available. The property is approximately 290 km from the capital.
Expect roughly $150–400 per person round trip for the domestic flight + speedboat, arranged by the property. Confirm the fare when booking.
Across 411 Google reviews, the hotel holds a 4.6/5 rating. Guests single out the location and food quality, with the bed comfort also drawing repeated positive mentions. The top-rated highlights from recent stays are the location, meals, and the sea views available from the property.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 17 · average 9.5
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, room
Reviews scoring 7–9: 5 · average 7.6
They wrote about: staff, location, room
Reviews scoring 5–7: 3 · average 5.3
They wrote about: location, facilities, breakfast
Reviews scoring Under 5: 1 · average 1
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, bathroom
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Worth knowing
Policies & house rules
- Check-in
From 2:00 PM
- Check-out
From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
- Pets
Pets are not allowed.
- Accepted payment methods
Cash
As published by the booking provider · always reconfirm with the property
Questions & answers
How do I get to The Barefoot Eco Hotel from Malé?
The standard route is a domestic flight from Malé to Hanimaadhoo, taking approximately 40 minutes. Speedboat transfers are also available. Hanimaadhoo has its own domestic airport, so no seaplane is needed — the hotel is about 290 km from Malé.
What room types are available?
The property has ten room categories: Seaside Room, Beachside Room, Beach Front, Ocean View, Heritage Villas, Double Room with Side Sea View, Double Room with Patio, Superior Double Room with Sea View, Double Room with Ocean View, and a 100 m² Family Room sleeping up to six.
What are the dining options?
The Barefoot Restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner with fresh seafood. Raani Snack Bar is a beachfront option for lighter Maldivian fare. A Juice Bar operates near the pool area, and the Boat Bar serves cocktails, beers, wines, and snacks on the water at sunset.
Can I do a private beach dinner?
Yes. Private beach dinners and barbecues are available on request through The Barefoot Restaurant.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling and diving?
Yes. The hotel runs guided house-reef snorkelling and an in-house dive programme. A resident marine biologist leads reef excursions, and there is a paid 'Diving Deeper with Marine Biologist' add-on from USD 25.
Is freediving instruction available?
Yes. The hotel has SSI-certified freediving instruction and runs freediving retreat packages. This is separate from the standard scuba diving programme.
Is the hotel suitable for families?
The Family Room connects rooms to give 100 m² total and accommodates up to six guests. The hotel also lists family rooms as a general facility, and activities such as beach volleyball, snorkelling, and bicycle tours suit mixed-age groups.
What spa and wellness facilities are there?
The spa offers a signature 60-minute massage, deep-tissue massage, body scrub, and reflexology. Yoga classes run at all levels, including Yoga Nidra and candle meditation. There is also a 24-hour gym and an annual yoga retreat.
Is the hotel eco-certified?
Yes. The Barefoot Eco Hotel holds GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification. It was also the first four-star hotel to open on an inhabited local island in the Maldives.
What cultural activities can I join?
The hotel arranges bicycle tours of Hanimaadhoo, farm-to-table cooking classes, and visits to local mosques and palaces. These are organised through the property and take guests into the life of the local island.
What water sports are on offer?
Water sport facilities on site include snorkelling, scuba diving, canoeing, windsurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Recreational fishing — trolling, casting, jigging, and spinning — is also available. Bicycle rental is offered for land-based exploration.
What is the price range and how do I book?
Rooms start from USD 465 per night for the Double Room with Side Sea View. Rates vary by room type and season. Booking is available through the hotel directly or via major travel platforms.