I had the pleasure of staying at the Hotel By the Shade, actually more than that - I lived there for a few weeks and I can only say positive things. The location is just perfect: quiet and central, just a short walk from the beach. Here you can enjoy the picturesque surroundings and village life to the fullest. The cleanliness of the hotel is outstanding. Daily cleaning ensures that everything is always fresh and inviting. I would particularly like to highlight the first-class service provided by the entire team - thanks to Islam, Kasun, Ali, Inaaz, Mohamed and of course Ibrahim. Chef Kasun conjures up excellent dishes that are not only delicious, but are also prepared according to the…
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By The Shade
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About this stay
By The Shade is a 3-star guesthouse on a local island in South Ari Atoll, Maldives. Its listing includes a restaurant. Guests rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 38 reviews.
The feed lists 14 facilities for By The Shade. For food and drink it names cafe and restaurant. On the water side the list includes fishing.
In the rooms the listing mentions free wi-fi, safe and terrace. Services include 24-hour front desk, laundry service and luggage storage.
Facilities
- 24-hour front desk
- Bicycle hire
- Cafe
- Fishing
- Free Wi-Fi
- Garden
- Laundry Service
- Luggage storage
- Picnic area
- Restaurant
- Safe
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wheelchair accessible
Photos
The gallery holds 50 photos from the property's own listing, captioned with views such as beach, room, bathroom and pool. Open it from the mosaic above to see every image at full width.
Getting there
By The Shade lies about 74 km in a straight line from Velana International Airport, the country's main gateway near Malé. The nearest domestic airport is Maamigili, roughly 44 km away, which matters if your transfer combines a domestic flight with a boat ride.
Local islands this far from Malé are usually reached by a domestic flight and a speedboat, or by a scheduled ferry or shared speedboat from Malé; the guesthouse can confirm current options and timings.
The nearest other stays in this guide are Local Island Inn (on the same island), Local Travel Beach (on the same island) and Island Pavilion (on the same island). On a local island or in the city, stays this close share the same streets, beaches and ferry stops, which makes them easy to compare.
Open the location in Google Maps ↗Guest reviews
By The Shade averages 4.8 out of 5 across 38 reviews. A selection, quoted as written:
We had a wonderful time in by the shade guest house in Hangnaameedhoo. We highly recommend the guest house experience in order to really live Maldives as a Maldivian would do :) We ate good and typical food, we listened to their prayers and we lived in their own little and cute village. Moreover, the team was great: thanks to Inas, Islam and the chef for making us living one of the best experiences of our life! Last but not least: Inas organized for us some amazing trips and experiences (sunset fishing, pic nic island, sand bank visit) that we will never forget. Definitely recommended!
A very nice and cozy hotel. The owner is helpful and friendly, always ready to assist with anything and share stories about life on the island. Breakfasts are delicious and filling—we opted for the Maldivian style, which we really enjoyed. Rooms are clean, well-equipped, and tidied daily. The owner is also happy to help arrange excursions—we chose the evening fishing trip, and it was an unforgettable experience. You can also order other meals; we had the grilled fish a few times, and it was excellent. I highly recommend this hotel.
Good to know
Families: no family-specific facilities are listed; ask the property about cots and connecting rooms.
Accessibility: the property is listed as wheelchair accessible; confirm the specific rooms and boat transfer.
Connectivity: wi-fi or internet access appears in the facility list.
Arrival: no transfer service is listed, so arrange the boat or flight leg in advance.
Local islands: guesthouses sit on inhabited islands where local laws apply, including dress codes away from designated bikini beaches and no alcohol.
Before you book By The Shade, check what the rate includes: Maldives rates can be quoted with or without the green tax, service charge, meals and the transfer from Malé, and transfers are often priced per person. The booking page shows the inclusions for your exact dates and party.
About South Ari Atoll
South Ari Atoll has 167 stays in this guide: 20 resorts and 147 local-island guesthouses. By guest score weighted for review volume, By The Shade ranks 40 of the 70 rated stays here. The average guest score across the atoll's rated stays is 4.6 out of 5.
South Ari Atoll, known administratively as Alif Dhaal, lies about 96 km in a straight line from Velana International Airport. The atoll offers 172 places to stay, split between 21 resorts on their own islands and 151 guesthouses on inhabited local islands. There are no city hotels. Of the 70 rated stays, the average guest score is 4.6 out of 5. 59 stays list a private beach and 101 list diving, reflecting the atoll's appeal for both beach and underwater interests. Accommodation ranges from resort islands to guesthouse-based stays, giving travellers a choice between fully self-contained resorts and local island settings.
Read the South Ari Atoll guide for reefs, transfers and what to do, or browse all 167 stays in South Ari.
Questions about By The Shade
Where is By The Shade?
By The Shade is in South Ari Atoll, Maldives, about 74 km in a straight line from Velana International Airport. The nearest other stay in this guide is Local Island Inn (on the same island).
Is By The Shade a resort or a guesthouse?
By The Shade is a guesthouse-style stay on an inhabited local island, rated 3 stars in the supplier feed.
What do guests say about By The Shade?
Guests rate By The Shade 4.8 out of 5 across 38 reviews.
What facilities does By The Shade have?
The feed lists 14 facilities, including a restaurant.
How do you get to By The Shade from the airport?
By The Shade is about 74 km in a straight line from Velana International Airport, so the transfer is usually by a domestic flight and a speedboat, or a scheduled ferry or shared speedboat. The nearest domestic airport is Maamigili, about 44 km away. The property confirms the exact transfer and timing.
Is By The Shade suitable for families with children?
The feed lists no family-specific facilities for By The Shade, such as family rooms, a kids' pool or babysitting. Ask the property about children's ages, cots and connecting rooms before booking.
What other stays are near By The Shade?
The nearest other stays in this guide are Local Island Inn (on the same island), Local Travel Beach (on the same island) and Island Pavilion (on the same island).
How do I check availability at By The Shade?
Choose dates and guests in the booking box on this page. It opens the live availability and rate for By The Shade on app.impt.io in a new tab.
More stays in South Ari
167 stays in South Ari Atoll.
