HomeIsland staysMalé & HulhumaléUnima Grand
Unima Grand
A four-star city hotel at Roashanee Magu, rated 4.0 out of 5 from 507 reviews, used mainly as a practical base close to Velana International Airport rather than as a resort stay. The main trade-off is convenience against space: guest reviews describe small rooms, and no beach, house reef or pool is on record here.
- City island
- Malé & Hulhumalé
- 4-star
- 4.0 / 5
- Road / ferry
Decide
Who Unima Grand suits
- Stay typeCity island
- AtollMalé & Hulhumalé
- IslandNot named in the record
- Star class4 stars
- Guest score4.0 / 5 (507 reviews)
- TransferRoad or ferry from the airport island
- From Velanaabout 2.2 km
- Live sampleBookable on 5 of 5 sampled stays
- Relative price bandValue
Suits
- Travellers wanting a city-centre base about 2.2 km in a straight line from Velana International Airport
- Guests who value a 24-hour front desk, free Wi-Fi and a listed restaurant with room service
- Divers heading for the Maldive Victory wreck, about 1.3 km away in a straight line
- Visitors who want an ATM, currency exchange and a market on site in a city setting
May not suit
- Guests expecting a beach, lagoon or house reef at the property, none of which is on record
- Families needing listed children's facilities, which the record does not show
- Travellers wanting pool or snorkelling time at the hotel, as neither is listed
- Anyone seeking an adults-only or resort-style stay, as neither is stated
Live availability
Seen bookable on 5 of 5 sampled dates
- Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 30 Nov 2026, 2 nights: returned
- Mon, 28 Dec 2026, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 25 Jan 2027, 1 night: returned
- Mon, 22 Feb 2027, 1 night: returned
Unima Grand came back from the booking search on every one of the 5 sampled stays searched near it, with check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026, 25 January 2027 and 22 February 2027. Against the other stays the sample returned, its lowest rates sit in the value band; the site shows no figures, so the booking page gives the rate for your dates.
In the sweep the search returned this stay 24 times across the searches near it. Rates are not shown on this site; the booking card opens them for your dates.
Getting there
Getting to Unima Grand
- Usual transferRoad or ferry from the airport island
- From Velana airportabout 2.2 km, straight line
- Nearest domestic airportMaamigili, about 109 km
The usual transfer is by road or ferry from the airport island, and the hotel sits about 2.2 km from Velana International Airport in a straight line, which makes it one of the quickest arrivals in the country. Guest reviews mention a complimentary cab service from the airport as a help. A shuttle service is listed among the facilities.
The nearest domestic airport named is Maamigili, 109 km away, which is not relevant to a stay here. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, so any onward seaplane connection must be timed within daylight hours. For most guests the transfer is simply a short road or ferry hop, with no long domestic flight involved.
More on transfers: getting from Velana to your island.
The island
a city island
This is a city hotel rather than an island resort, and the record does not name the island it stands on; the address given is Roashanee Magu, with the airport about 2.2 km away in a straight line. In Malé & Hulhumalé, both are inhabited city islands where alcohol is not sold or served and shoulders and knees are covered in the streets. That shapes a stay here: expect covered, city-appropriate dress rather than resort swimwear, and plan any drinking for a resort visit.
For context on what is nearby, Hulhumalé appears twice in the record, at 4.6 km and 6.2 km in a straight line, with 25 and 7 guesthouses listed respectively, and Himmafushi at 16 km with 22 guesthouses and Huraa at 20 km with 19. Nine resorts lie within 10 km. The hotel lists a bar, so drink service is indicated on site, but the city rules above still govern dress and public behaviour around the streets.
Nearest inhabited islands with guesthouses, measured from coordinates: Hulhumale about 4.6 km (25 guesthouses listed); Hulhumale about 6.2 km (7 guesthouses listed); Himmafushi about 16 km (22 guesthouses listed); Huraa about 20 km (19 guesthouses listed); Gulhi about 21 km (24 guesthouses listed). Resort islands within 10 km: 9.
House rules by island type: alcohol, local-island etiquette, resort or local island.
Beach and lagoon
Beach and lagoon at Unima Grand
- Private beach listedno
- Beachfront listedno
- Beach access listedno
- Water sports listedyes
- Diving listedyes
- Reviews mentioning the beach0
- Reviews mentioning a house reef0
- Reviews mentioning overwater villas0
The record lists no private beach, beachfront or beach access, and no guest review mentions a beach, lagoon, house reef or snorkelling, so nothing about on-site sand or reef can be stated. What is listed is water-based activity beyond the property: diving, fishing, canoeing and surf, with diving capped at 30 metres recreationally. Treat the hotel as a base for those activities rather than a place to swim from.
Atoll levelIn Malé & Hulhumalé, the public beach at Hulhumalé, about 4.7 km away in a straight line and a short taxi ride from the airport, is where local dress norms apply, with regular ferry crossings to Malé. Across the atoll, the well-known dive and surf sites sit within boat reach of the inhabited islands. The atoll-level picture is useful for planning; it does not mean this property has a beach.
Sea and reef
The sea and reef around Unima Grand
- The Maldive Victory wreck · about 1.3 kmA cargo ship that sank near the airport island in 1981; deep and current-prone, for experienced divers.
- Hulhumalé beach and the Malé ferry · about 4.7 kmHulhumalé has a public beach where local dress norms apply, a short taxi ride from the airport, with regular ferry crossings to Malé.
- Banana Reef · about 7.1 kmOne of the best-known dive sites of North Malé Atoll, dived in both monsoons.
- Lankan Manta Point · about 11 kmA manta cleaning station in North Malé Atoll, reached by boat from nearby islands.
- The North Malé reef breaks (Thulusdhoo and Himmafushi) · about 22 kmThe surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August.
The nearest named site is the Maldive Victory wreck, about 1.3 km away in a straight line, a cargo ship that sank near the airport island in 1981, described as deep and current-prone and suited to experienced divers. Banana Reef lies about 7.1 km away, one of North Malé Atoll's best-known dive sites and dived in both monsoons. Diving is capped at 30 metres.
Lankan Manta Point is about 11 km away, a manta cleaning station in North Malé Atoll reached by boat from nearby islands and visited by divers and snorkellers. The North Malé reef breaks around Thulusdhoo and Himmafushi are about 22 km away, and both are inhabited islands with guesthouses. The hotel lists diving, fishing and canoeing, so these are the trips to plan around rather than anything in the water at the door.
Seasons
Seasons in Malé & Hulhumalé
The year turns on two monsoons. The northeast monsoon runs roughly December to April and is the drier, calmer half, while the southwest monsoon runs roughly May to November with more wind, passing showers and choppier crossings. Air and sea stay warm throughout. For divers and snorkellers, calmer seas in the northeast monsoon generally make boat access to sites such as Banana Reef and Lankan Manta Point easier.
Marine life shifts with the seasons: during the northeast monsoon mantas move to cleaning stations, often on western atoll sides, while southwest monsoon plankton and currents can draw larger animals into eastern channels. The surf season runs roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August, which matters for the reef breaks about 22 km away. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, which affects arrival timing.
Month by month: the weather guide and the two monsoons.
Day trips
Day trips and island hopping from here
Island hopping is the obvious use of a stay here. Hulhumalé is about 4.7 km away in a straight line, with regular ferry crossings to Malé, and the public beach there is a short taxi ride from the airport. Himmafushi, 16 km away with 22 guesthouses listed, and Huraa, 20 km away with 19, are the other inhabited islands named in the record and are within reach for a day out.
For water time, the Maldive Victory wreck at about 1.3 km, Banana Reef at about 7.1 km and Lankan Manta Point at about 11 km are the named sites, and the reef breaks near Thulusdhoo and Himmafushi at about 22 km suit the surf season. Nine resorts lie within 10 km, so resort day visits are geographically plausible, though the record does not describe any specific arrangement.
Trips like these on this site: a dolphin cruise at dusk, visiting a local island, kayak and paddleboard a lagoon, sunset handline fishing, learning to freedive.
Guest reviews
What guests say about the sea and beach
getting there
The location is described as very convenient and close to the airport, with the complimentary cab service making the arrival easy.
“This is a very close by place from airport and the complimentary cab service is of great help.”Shradha S.
What guests say about the stay
food
Guests praise the restaurant food, with one describing an excellent chicken curry and a complimentary dosa, while another finds the room-service menu limited and prefers eating in the restaurant.
“I came on a little solo getaway, and starting my day with breakfast at Unima Grand was the perfect choice.”Shaufa W.
“the food menu in room has limited menu but it’s good if you have it in the restaurant.”Shradha S.
staff and service
Reviews consistently describe courteous, helpful staff, singling out a receptionist by name for being polite and welcoming, and noting the airport cab service as a help.
“What made the experience even more special was the warm welcome I received.”Shaufa W.
“The rooms were clean , comfortable and well maintained, special thanks to kanchan at the reception-she was extremely polite, helpful and welcoming.”Sahilyadav Y.
rooms
Rooms are described as clean, comfortable and well maintained, though one guest finds them quite small, which is attributed to the city-centre location.
“The rooms were clean , comfortable and well maintained, special thanks to kanchan at the reception-she was extremely polite, helpful and welcoming.”Sahilyadav Y.
“The rooms are quite small may be due to city centre..”Shradha S.
Practical
Practical island life
Free Wi-Fi is listed, and the property also lists a restaurant, room service, a snack bar or café, a bar and breakfast. An ATM and currency exchange are on site, alongside a market, a business centre, laundry and dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk and 24-hour security. Guest reviews describe the room-service menu as limited but rate the restaurant food better, and note small rooms typical of a city-centre building.
In Malé & Hulhumalé, mobile data is often more reliable than guesthouse Wi-Fi, and prepaid SIM cards are sold at Velana International Airport and in Malé and Hulhumalé; coverage is good on inhabited islands and patchy at sea. Inhabited islands have cafés and shops. No prices or fees are quoted here; the listing is a mid-range city hotel by its four-star rating.
Compare
Against the 3 nearest similar stays
| Stay | Class | Guest score | Transfer | Distance | Live sample | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unima Grand (this stay) | 4-star city island | 4.0 (507 reviews) | Road / ferry, 2.2 km | — | 5/5 | Check dates |
| Samann Grand | 4-star city island | 4.3 (454 reviews) | Road / ferry, 2.2 km | 0.0 km away | 5/5 | Check dates |
| Barcelo Nasandhura Male | 5-star city island | 4.5 (64 reviews) | Road / ferry, 2.2 km | 0.1 km away | 5/5 | Check dates |
| The Grand View | 3-star city island | 4.1 (94 reviews) | Road / ferry, 2.3 km | 0.2 km away | 4/5 | Check dates |
Facilities listed
- 24-hour front desk
- 24-hour security
- ATM
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Balcony
- Banquet
- Snack bar / café
- Barber/Beauty Salon
- Bars
- Bath
- Breakfast
- Business Center
- Canoe
- Coffee
- Concierge
- Cot
- Currency exchange
- Diving
- Dry cleaning service
- Express check in
- First aid
- Fishing
- Free Wi-Fi
- Hairdryer
- Housekeeping
- Internet access
- Iron and board
- Karaoke
- Laundry Service
- Lifts
- Lounge
- Luggage storage
- Lunch
- Market
- Massage
- Minibar
- Non smoking rooms
- Refrigerator
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Safe
- Security Features
- Shuttle service
- Smoke detector
- Smoking area
- Sofa bed
- Spa
- Special diets
- Surf
- TV
- Telephone
- Terrace
- Toiletries
- Wake-up service
- Wheelchair accessible
Questions about Unima Grand
How do guests usually get to the hotel from Velana International Airport?
The usual transfer is by road or ferry from the airport island. The hotel is about 2.2 km from Velana International Airport in a straight line, and guest reviews mention a complimentary cab service. A shuttle service is also listed among the facilities.
What are the rules on alcohol, dress and swimwear here?
This is a city-island setting. In Malé & Hulhumalé, alcohol is not sold or served and shoulders and knees are covered in the streets. The hotel does list a bar, but the city rules on dress and public behaviour still apply, so resort-style swimwear belongs on a resort visit.
Is there a beach or house reef at the hotel?
No beach, beachfront, beach access or house reef appears in the record, and no guest review mentions one, so neither should be expected on site. Diving, fishing and canoeing are listed as activities, and dive sites such as Banana Reef are reached by boat.
What does the listing show about meals at Unima Grand?
The facility list for Unima Grand names a restaurant, a bar, breakfast, room service and special diets. Which meal plans are on sale, from room only to half board where offered, depends on your dates and shows on the booking page.
When is the best season to visit this atoll?
The northeast monsoon, roughly December to April, is the drier, calmer half of the year and generally easier for boat trips and diving. The southwest monsoon, roughly May to November, brings more wind and showers. Surf is best roughly March to October, with the biggest swells around June to August.
Is the hotel better for families or couples?
The record does not state an adults-only policy and lists no specific children's facilities, so neither is confirmed. Reviews come from solo guests and couples, and describe small rooms, a city-centre location and helpful staff. Families should check cot and extra-bed arrangements directly before deciding.
What nearby sea or island experience is within easy reach?
The Maldive Victory wreck is about 1.3 km away in a straight line, a deep, current-prone site for experienced divers. Banana Reef is about 7.1 km away and dived in both monsoons. Himmafushi, about 16 km away with 22 guesthouses listed, is an inhabited island within reach.
Was Unima Grand bookable in the live sample?
Unima Grand came back on 5 of the 5 sampled stays searched near it (check-ins on 30 November 2026, 28 December 2026, 25 January 2027 and 22 February 2027). Rooms were on sale on every sampled date. Your own dates are checked live on the booking page.
How this page was made: bookability comes from a live sweep of the IMPT booking search on 5 sample stays; facilities, photos and reviews from the IMPT hotel database; distances from coordinates; sea, season and island context from this site's own pages. The written sections were drafted by an AI model from this record only and checked against it.
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