Terms and Conditions

These Terms apply to all bookings and stays at Belena Maldives, however they are made, including through our website, by email, by telephone or messaging, through a travel agent, or through an online travel platform. Where you book through a third party, that platform’s own terms may also apply to the booking process, while these Terms continue to govern your stay at the property.

If you are booking for other people, you are responsible for making sure that every member of your party is aware of these Terms and accepts them, and you remain responsible for the booking, including all payments due.

If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not make a booking or use our services.

Belena Maldives is an island guesthouse on Thoddoo, an inhabited local island in Alif Alif Atoll. We offer comfortable rooms and suites, a swimming pool, complimentary bicycles, an on-site restaurant known as Black Seed, and a range of island experiences arranged with trusted local partners. As a property on a local island, we operate within the laws, customs, and regulations of the Maldives, which guests are kindly asked to respect throughout their stay.

We make every effort to keep the descriptions, images, and information on our website accurate and current. Small differences may occur over time, and facilities or services may occasionally change or be unavailable due to maintenance, safety, or reasons beyond our control.

A booking is confirmed only once you have received a written booking confirmation from us or from our booking system. Please check your confirmation carefully and tell us straight away if any detail is incorrect.

You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking. When booking, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and current information, including the full names of all guests, arrival and departure dates, and any special requests.

We reserve the right to decline or cancel a booking in certain cases. These include an obvious pricing or system error, required information that has not been provided, payment that cannot be taken, or a reasonable suspicion of fraud or a breach of these Terms. If we cancel for an obvious error before your stay, we will offer you the choice to rebook at the correct price or to receive a full refund of any amount paid.

Special requests, such as a particular room location, a bedding arrangement, or an early arrival, are noted on your booking and we will do our best to meet them. They cannot be guaranteed unless we have confirmed them to you in writing.

All prices are quoted in United States Dollars ($). Unless your confirmation states otherwise, quoted rates include applicable taxes at the time of booking.

Stays in the Maldives are subject to government taxes and fees, which may include the Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) and the Green Tax charged per guest per night. These rates are set by the Government of the Maldives and may change. Where any tax or fee is introduced or changed by the authorities, it will be applied to your stay as required by law.

The price confirmed at the time of booking applies to your stay. Published rates for future bookings are subject to change without notice. Optional extras, additional services, and on-property purchases are charged separately and are payable before departure.

Where breakfast or any other inclusion is stated in your room rate, it is provided for the registered guests on the booking, for the nights booked.

Full payment is required at the time of check-in unless otherwise stated in your booking confirmation. We accept major credit cards, bank transfers, and cash payments.

We kindly accept only clean, new US dollar notes (2009 series or newer), as older or damaged bills are not accepted locally. All outstanding balances must be settled at check-out.

International credit or debit card payments are subject to a 5% processing fee, which is added to the total booking amount at the time of payment. This fee is applied by Belena Maldives and is non-refundable. For example, if your total booking price is $1,000, the 5% processing fee would be $50, making the final amount $1,050.

We may request a valid payment card or a refundable deposit at check-in to cover incidental charges, such as restaurant bills, excursions, or any damage. Any unused deposit is returned at check-out. Where a booking requires a deposit or advance payment, the terms of that payment are set out in your confirmation.

Check-in is from 1:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM. At check-in, guests are required to present a valid passport or government-issued photo identification, which we must record for guest registration.

Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and may incur an additional charge. Late check-out is charged at $10 per hour. If you would like either, please request it in advance and we will confirm what is possible.

If you expect to arrive late in the evening or outside normal hours, please let us know so that we can arrange your welcome. If you need to store luggage before check-in or after check-out, we are happy to help where space allows.

Check-in

from 1:00 PM

Check-out

by 11:00 AM

Late check-out

$10 per hour

Cancellations made 14 days or more before your arrival date are free of charge. Cancellations made within 14 days of arrival are charged at 100% of the total booking amount.

If you do not arrive and have not told us in advance (a no-show), the booking is charged at 100% of the total amount.

To cancel or change a booking, please contact us in writing using the details at the end of these Terms, and quote your booking reference. Changes to dates, room type, or guest numbers are treated as a new request and are subject to availability and any difference in rate.

Some promotional or non-refundable rates carry different conditions. Where this is the case, the specific conditions are shown at the time of booking and in your confirmation, and they take precedence over the standard policy above.

Where a refund is due, it is made only by international bank transfer. The international transfer incurs a fee of 5% of the refundable amount, which is deducted before the balance is sent to you, so the amount you receive back will be less than the amount you paid. The 5% card processing fee charged at the time of payment is non-refundable, and other bank charges and transaction costs are also non-refundable. We will confirm any refund to you by email once it has been issued, and your bank may take additional time to credit the amount to your account.

For example, a booking of $1,000 paid by international card costs $1,050, including the $50 card processing fee. If a refund of the booking becomes due, the $50 card processing fee is not returned, and a further 5% international transfer fee of $50 is deducted from the $1,000 booking value, so $950 is returned to you.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellation and travel disruption, as a suitable policy can protect you against costs that are not refundable under these Terms.

Children are welcome at Belena Maldives. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for their safety, behavior, and supervision at all times, including at the pool, on the beach, during activities, and in shared areas.

Proof of age and identification may be required at check-in. Child rates, where offered, are shown at the time of booking. Some excursions and activities carry minimum-age or supervision requirements set by the operator.

Each room and suite has a maximum occupancy, which is shown at the time of booking and must not be exceeded. Only guests named on the booking and registered at check-in may stay overnight at the property.

If you would like to receive a visitor during the day, please speak with us first. For the comfort and security of all guests, we may decline access to, or ask to leave, any person who is not a registered guest.

Belena Maldives is on an inhabited local island in the Maldives, an Islamic country with its own laws and customs. We ask all guests to behave respectfully toward our team, other guests, island residents, and the local culture.

Please dress modestly in the village and public areas of the island. Swimwear, including bikinis, may be worn at the designated bikini beach and at the pool. Under Maldivian law, the import, sale, and consumption of alcohol and pork is restricted on local islands, and the possession or use of illegal drugs is a serious criminal offense. Please respect these laws during your stay.

We operate as a non-smoking property indoors. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas. Please observe quiet hours so that all guests can rest.

We may refuse service to, or require the departure of, any guest whose behavior is unlawful, unsafe, abusive, or seriously disruptive, or who damages property or disregards these Terms. In such cases no refund is due, and you remain responsible for any related costs.

Our pool, bicycles, common areas, games, and any equipment we provide are offered for your enjoyment and are used at your own risk. There is no lifeguard on duty at the pool or on the beach, and children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

Bicycles are provided complimentary for guests. Please ride safely, follow island pathways and local rules, and return bicycles and any borrowed equipment in good condition. You are responsible for items issued to you during your stay, as set out in the section on damage and replacement charges below.

Snorkeling and activity equipment is available from us for use during your stay and is covered by the same replacement charges if it is lost or damaged. If you prefer to use your own equipment, you do so at your own risk, and any loss of or damage to your own equipment remains your responsibility.

Yoga, snorkeling, swimming, and other wellness or water activities involve physical exertion and natural risk. Please take part only if you are fit and able to do so, and follow any guidance given by our team.

We are glad to help arrange experiences such as snorkeling trips, sandbank and turtle excursions, sunset and dolphin cruises, fishing, diving, and guided walks through the village and watermelon farms. Many of these are operated by independent local partners.

When we arrange an activity provided by a third party, we do so as a facilitator. The activity is subject to that operator’s own terms, schedules, and safety rules, and the operator is responsible for the service it provides. We are not liable for the acts, omissions, or any loss or injury arising from services provided by third parties, although we will always try to help if something goes wrong.

Excursions depend on weather, sea conditions, minimum numbers, and operator availability, and may be rescheduled or canceled for safety. Payment, cancellation, and refund terms for activities are confirmed at the time the activity is booked.

Thoddoo sits in Alif Alif Atoll, around a 1 hour and 20 minute speedboat journey from Velana International Airport in Malé. A public ferry also operates on selected days. We are happy to arrange your transfer so that you are met on arrival, and transfer costs and times are confirmed when booked.

Transfer schedules depend on weather, sea conditions, and operator timetables, and are outside our control. Please share your flight details with us in advance and allow sufficient connection time. We are not responsible for missed transfers or additional costs caused by flight delays, early departures, or changes to public transport, although we will do our best to assist with alternatives.

The meals included in your stay depend on the meal plan you choose at the time of booking. Where your booking includes breakfast, a fresh island breakfast is served each morning for the registered guests. Our on-site restaurant, Black Seed, offers further dining throughout the day.

Please tell us about any allergies, intolerances, or dietary requirements before or on arrival so that our kitchen can advise on what it can safely prepare. Our kitchen uses shared preparation areas and equipment, and although we take great care to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee a fully allergen-free environment. Guests with serious allergies should take suitable precautions, and we are not liable for an allergic reaction except where it is caused by our failure to follow a dietary restriction that you have clearly told us about.

Outside food and drink may be restricted. Private dining and special meal arrangements can be requested in advance and are subject to availability and additional charges.

Guests with accessibility or mobility needs are encouraged to tell us at the time of booking so that we can explain what is possible and help you choose a suitable room. As a guesthouse within a natural island setting, some areas and pathways may have steps, sand, or uneven surfaces, and certain facilities may have limitations.

There is no hospital on the property. Thoddoo has a local health center for minor needs, and more advanced care is available in Malé, which may require transfer by sea or air. In an emergency, please alert our team immediately and we will help you seek assistance.

You are responsible for ensuring that you and your party are fit to travel and to take part in any chosen activity. Please take sensible precautions in the sun and sea, stay hydrated, and follow all safety guidance.

We strongly recommend that every guest holds comprehensive travel insurance valid for the Maldives. Your policy should cover trip cancellation and curtailment, medical treatment and emergency evacuation, personal belongings, and travel disruption. Belena Maldives does not provide insurance and is not responsible for losses that would normally be covered by an adequate travel policy.

Items left behind are held for a reasonable period after departure. If you realize you have left something, please contact us as soon as possible. We are happy to arrange a return where practical, with shipping and handling at your cost. Unclaimed items may be donated or disposed of responsibly after a reasonable time.

Belena Maldives is not liable for personal injury, illness, theft, or loss of or damage to guests’ belongings, except where this is caused by our proven negligence or by a failure for which we are responsible under applicable law. Guests are encouraged to use the safe provided and to keep valuables secure.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability in connection with your booking and stay is limited to the total amount paid by you for that booking. Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes any liability that cannot be limited or excluded under the law of the Maldives.

We are not liable for any failure or delay in providing our services, or for any change to or cancellation of your stay, caused by events beyond our reasonable control. These include, for example, severe weather, natural events, fire or flood, epidemic or pandemic, government action or restrictions, strikes, utility or technical failures, and disruption to transport. Where such an event affects your stay, we will work with you in good faith on the available options.

Belena Maldives reserves the right to host private or public events on the property from time to time. Where an event may noticeably affect your stay, we will aim to let you know in advance. Reasonable noise limits apply during quiet hours.

We may photograph or film the property and its facilities for our own records and for promotion. We will not use a recognizable image of you for marketing without your consent. We also ask guests to be considerate when taking photographs or videos that include other guests, island residents, or our team, and to obtain their agreement first.

The content of our website, including text, images, logos, and design, belongs to Belena Maldives or our licensors and is protected by law. You may view it for the purpose of making a booking, but you may not copy, reproduce, or use it for other purposes without our permission. While we work to keep the website accurate, it is provided on an as-is basis, and we do not warrant that it is free of errors or always available.

If you create a guest account, use our guest portal, or join our loyalty program, you are responsible for keeping your login details secure and for activity that takes place under your account. Please tell us promptly of any unauthorized use.

We handle your personal information in line with our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms. By making a booking, you consent to the collection and use of your information for reservation, communication, and service-related purposes, as described in our Privacy Policy.

Your comfort matters to us. If anything is not right during your stay, please tell our team straight away so that we have the opportunity to put it right while you are still with us. Most concerns can be resolved quickly in person.

If a matter remains unresolved, please write to us using the details below and we will respond as soon as we can. Any dispute that cannot be settled amicably is governed by the laws of the Maldives and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Maldivian courts.

We may update these Terms from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking applies to that booking. The latest version is always available on this page, with the date it was last updated shown above.

If any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full effect. If we do not enforce a right under these Terms on any occasion, that is not a waiver of our right to do so later.

These Terms are between you and Belena Maldives, and no other person has any right to enforce them. You may not transfer your booking to another person without our written agreement. These Terms, together with your booking confirmation and our Privacy Policy, make up the entire agreement between you and us regarding your stay.