Taj Exotica Resort And Spa

We recently spent 5 nights at Taj Exotica Maldives to celebrate my birthday, and overall, it was a truly memorable experience. The service across the resort was outstanding — warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. The staff made my birthday celebration very thoughtful and personal, which we really appreciated. A special mention to our butler, Nadeem, who ensured everything ran smoothly, and to Naushad at 24 Degrees, whose hospitality and attention made every meal there feel special. On the food front, 24 Degrees was consistently excellent — the variety, freshness, and flavor were spot-on. A must-try dish is the Salt and Pepper Prawns, which isn’t on the menu but can be made on request. We loved it so much it became a staple in our dinners. Breakfast was another highlight — everything was made to order rather than served buffet-style, and every dish was prepared beautifully. On the other hand, Moodhu (the lunch-only beachside venue) was a disappointment. The food quality didn’t quite match up — even something as simple as French fries was unpalatable. We didn’t get to try the third restaurant, but if you’re planning your meals, I’d highly recommend 24 Degrees and suggest skipping Moodhu altogether. A couple of watchouts: the drinking water quality definitely needs attention — it had a strange taste and didn’t feel refreshing. The other issue was aircraft noise. Our villa was directly under the flight path from Malé airport, and the sound of planes frequently disrupted what should have been a peaceful and quiet Maldivian setting. The house reef was decent — not the most vibrant, but it offered enjoyable snorkeling with plenty of fish. One suggestion for the resort would be to have some evening entertainment. I understand this is usually offered during peak season, but the resort was fairly full even now, and having live music or small performances in the evening would really elevate the experience, as there isn’t much to do after dinner. Despite these points, the warmth of the team and the overall experience still made this a five-star stay. Taj Exotica stands out for its exceptional service, hospitality, and genuine effort to make every guest feel cared for — and that’s what truly defines the experience here.