Last Updated on October 5, 2026
Crossroads Maldives Review: Staying at Hard Rock Hotel and SAii Lagoon
The Maldives are becoming an increasingly popular destination for those seeking an idyllic island holiday in the Indian Ocean. I am becoming quite a seasoned Maldives traveller, and I’m fascinated by the diversity of experiences that each island can offer. But Crossroads, whose name is inspired by the Maldives’ history as a meeting point for travellers, traders, and explorers from around the world, takes a different approach to the one-island resort. Spread across three man-made islands, it is designed as an integrated lifestyle destination, created by Singha, the Thai company best known for its beer, with plans for further development.
Crossroads Maldives sits in the turquoise waters of Emboodhoo Lagoon in South Malé Atoll, just a 15-minute speedboat ride from the Maldivian capital, Malé, and Velana International Airport. We stayed at Hard Rock Hotel and Saii Lagoon, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, connected by a stilted bridge and a lively circular marina. The third island SO Maldives (the higher end of the three), is just a five-minute boat ride away.
Arriving at Malé’s airport was seamless: the resort’s representative met us at the gates and whisked us to the port, where our speedboat was waiting, and our luggage was taken care of. The airport service is exceptional, and you start to get a feel for the luxurious Maldivian experience.
We arrived at the pretty 30-berth Marina, flanked by candy-coloured buildings housing a selection of restaurants and boutiques, with an array of glamorous yachts bobbing in the water. The Marina is also open to day-trippers, giving it a lively international feel.
What Crossroads Maldives offers is quite unique. For starters, it’s remarkably quick and easy to get to, with no long transfer after what may already have been a lengthy flight. Plus, you can choose to stay at one resort or split your stay between the two. Whichever you choose, you can enjoy shared leisure and dining facilities, with the two resorts feeling closely connected. Moving between the islands is easy, whether on foot, by bicycle or via buggy.
The islands have created their own version of the Maldivian idyll, with lush tropical greenery, sandy pathways, beautiful beaches and impossibly blue water. On both islands, you can choose between a luxurious beach villa or an overwater villa built out over the lagoon, so the setting is pretty much picture-perfect from the moment you arrive.
The atmosphere is relaxed and very family-friendly, with plenty to keep everyone entertained, but if you fancy something livelier, there’s always the opportunity to party too. One evening at Hard Rock Café, after filling ourselves with their signature burger and chips, we settled in to listen to the live band. Before long, the atmosphere really heated up, with everyone on the dance floor, staff included. It was quite a social affair, and we had the best boogie!
Both resorts have a laid-back beach club, with expansive pools and a bar. The kids’ clubs are spectacular, offering an amazing range of activities and facilities; believe me, your kids can’t possibly get bored.
There’s a miniature train ride, a fascinating Discovery Cultural Centre, craft classes and at Hard Rock they’ve even got a rock school. If only I’d come here when my son was young, he’d have been in his element!
The dive centres run all water sports. There’s plenty to do, with everything from jet skis and wakeboarding to paddleboarding. You can take a PADI course if you’re keen to learn to dive or simply pick up a mask and snorkel and head out to explore the marine life. There’s a good snorkelling spot nearby, although there isn’t a house reef.
For more underwater adventures, you can book a boat trip to nearby reefs. And if snorkelling isn’t your thing, head to the bridge at night; we saw stingrays and lots of baby reef sharks, and with the water so crystal clear, they were incredibly easy to spot.
Between May and October, the southwest monsoon brings swells to the Maldives, making it an ideal time for surfers. Crossroads Maldives is just 20 to 25 minutes by speedboat from some of the Maldives’ best-known reef breaks, including Sultans, Jailbreaks, Honky’s and Chickens.
If you’re into sport and fitness, there’s plenty to keep you busy, from tennis and padel (which is all the rage!) to table tennis, jiu-jitsu and yoga (which is more my sort of thing). There’s also a well-equipped gym if you want a proper workout. And when it’s time to slow down, both resorts have their own spas, with Hard Rock adding its own signature rock n’ roll touch, as you’d expect, alongside a good selection of treatments.
When you arrive at either island, you can download the app for all the information you’ll need, plus updates on events and live music. Plus, you can request room service or order a buggy to take you to your desired destination.
SAii Lagoon
SAii is the more laid-back of the two islands, my favourite, and the one to choose if you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed holiday; it’s also the least expensive of the three islands.
We stayed in a lovely wooden, yellow-and-white overwater villa with a pitched roof and bright, contemporary décor. It was beautifully appointed, with a comfy king-size bed, day bed, TV and a very spacious shower room with everything you needed, including robes and slippers. Fresh bottled water was provided daily, along with a kettle, coffee maker and mini-bar. There was also an iron and ironing board, which I think is an important touch, as my dresses seem to get horribly creased en route!
Out on the deck are sun loungers, a freestanding bathtub for those pinch-me bathing moments, and steps leading directly into the ocean; some villas also have dipping pools.
And the bit I loved most? Waking up to the sound of the sea, drawing the curtains and sitting in bed with a cup of coffee, taking in the view, before heading out for a morning dip.
We spent our days paddleboarding, lazing by the pool and drinking cold beers at the beach club. I also had a blissful massage at the SAii Spa. My feet were washed in orange and coconut water before I drifted off under the expert hands of my masseur, Wati – a very welcome treat after a long night flight.
On our first night, we headed out on a dolphin cruise at sunset. I’ve been on several before, so I know there’s no guarantee you’ll see anything, but that night we were in luck. Pods of friendly dolphins appeared alongside our boat, jumping through the water. Everyone aboard was genuinely excited; it was quite magical.
Hard Rock Hotel
Moving to the Hard Rock Hotel couldn’t have been easier, with a buggy transporting our bags across the bridge to our new villa.
The rock n’ roll theme is evident from the moment you arrive and runs throughout the resort, from wooden guitars hanging in the trees and music legends adorning the walls to the Hard Rock boutique, where you can pick up memorabilia to take home.
The main all-day restaurant, Sessions, sits on the beach, complete with a mini stadium in the sand for nightly live music shows.
We stayed in a Diamond Overwater Villa, reached via a wooden boardwalk. The villas are painted in soft shades of blue to echo the sea, with thatched roofs.
Ours was bright and breezy, with yellow, grey, and white interiors, a funky diamond design on the walls, and soft furnishings. Plenty of rock n’ roll touches added to the vibe, with music at the press of a button, while colourful artwork, tiny guitar motifs on the crisp white pillowcases, and Hard Rock dressing gowns carried the theme through.
Our large bathroom was particularly impressive, with a central double sink, freestanding bath and separate shower. Glass doors opened onto the sundeck, with sun loungers, a dipping pool and steps straight into the sea.
Although you can always order a buggy, we loved getting around by bicycle; they are free to use, and you can pick one up at most points around the island.
Dining at Crossroads Maldives
Food is a big part of the Crossroads Maldives experience, with plenty of choice, from casual beachside restaurants and bars to more sophisticated dining. Each resort has an all-day restaurant: Sessions at Hard Rock and Terra & Mar at SAii Lagoon. During our short stay, we managed to try quite a few, so here are some of my favourites.
We had a great dinner at Miss Olive Oyl, the beachside restaurant at SAii Lagoon, which serves dishes inspired by land and sea alongside Maldivian classics. I had my first taste of tuna steak here, a real Maldivian staple, and it was incredibly fresh and delicious.
Over at Hard Rock, The Elephant and Butterfly sits right on the beach, serving Latin American and Mexican-inspired dishes, while the Hard Rock Café is the place to go for American classics and, of course, a bit of rock’ n’ roll. With regular live music and staff full of charm and character, it was hard not to get caught up in the whole Hard Rock experience.
The Marina is where you’ll find some of the more international choices. We had a great lunch at Kinkao Thai Bistro, where they served excellent authentic Thai food, while Kebab & Kurry serves Indian dishes and Jiao Wu specialises in Cantonese cuisine. Ministry of Crab, the Sri Lankan restaurant created by chef Dharshan Munidasa, is also there, famous for its mud crab flown in from Sri Lanka.
Dharshan has also brought Nihonbashi Blue, his Japanese restaurant, to Crossroads Maldives, while Carne Diem takes a more inventive approach to steak, inspired by Japanese yakitori techniques. If you fancy getting involved yourself, Badhige offers interactive cooking experiences using locally sourced ingredients.
There’s even more choice if you fancy venturing over to SO/ Maldives. Guests staying at SAii Lagoon and Hard Rock can take a complimentary shuttle boat to Hadaba, an oceanfront restaurant serving Levant-inspired food and named Maldives’ Best Hotel Restaurant by the World Culinary Awards in 2025.
And if you’re after something sweet, there’s a gelato bar at the Marina serving freshly made ice creams and milkshakes. Basically, whatever you fancy eating, you’re unlikely to go hungry at Crossroads Maldives.
What I really liked about Crossroads Maldives was the mix of people. Multi-generational families, groups of friends, and couples all happily shared the same little slice of paradise. Unlike some Maldivian islands, which can feel geared towards honeymooners, Crossroads Maldives feels much more inclusive. You can spend your days doing absolutely nothing but swimming, sunbathing and gazing at that impossibly blue Indian Ocean, or fill them with water sports, exploring and plenty of good food. For me, that’s the appeal. You can do as much or as little as you like, and you’re only a 15-minute boat ride from Malé.
CROSSROADS Maldives, Eh’mafushi, South Malé Atoll, Maldives
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
SAii Lagoon Maldives
I travelled to the Maldives from Heathrow Airport Terminal 4, and the journey was effortless thanks to Holiday Extras, with seamless Meet & Greet parking at Heathrow. From arrival to return, the process was smooth and stress-free. Before my flight, I relaxed in Plaza Premium Lounge, a calm and comfortable space with food and drinks on offer—an easy, refined way to start the trip.
Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges, and transfers – and in 2025 its customers saved an average of £200 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance.
Booking airport parking means you can enjoy more holiday with less hassle. Plus with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend you can without charge. Twelve days’ Maple Parking Meet & Greet at Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 is available for £124.99 based on arrival on 03/10/2026.
For more information and to book, HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678.
Access to the Plaza Premium Terminal 4 Departures Lounge is available for £57.00 based on arrival on 03/10/2026.
*All costs supplied are the cheapest available rates for the product specified and therefore availability may be limited at this price. Prices are correct as at 07/09/2026.
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