Jen Maldives Male by Shangri-La
A city hotel in Malé that actually earns its four stars.
Rates from our booking partners
We may earn a commission from bookings made through this site, at no extra cost to you. We are not the property and bookings are completed on the partner's site.
A city stay in Malé
JEN Maldives Malé by Shangri-La sits 2 km from Velana International Airport, reached by speedboat. It is a four-star city hotel rather than a resort island, which means guests are in the capital — walkable to local streets, shops, and the harbour — rather than on a private atoll. The hotel runs three restaurants, a spa, a pool, a fitness centre, and a kids' club. Free breakfast is included in most rates. With 1,306 Google reviews averaging 4.4, it is one of the better-reviewed city stays in Malé.
The honest verdict
A well-run city hotel with strong food and service, suited to Malé stopovers or travellers who want urban access rather than a remote island resort.
Best for
- Stopover stays before or after a resort trip
- Families wanting a kids' club in the capital
- Travellers who prefer city dining and local streets
- Business travellers needing a central Malé base
Maybe not ideal for
- Guests expecting a private beach or house reef
- Those seeking an all-inclusive island resort experience
- Travellers wanting seclusion
What a stay costs
Indicative room-only estimate from the lowest nightly rate — excludes airport transfers, taxes and seasonal price changes. Many Maldives properties also require a minimum stay. Check live rates for your dates.
Three restaurants, one address
The hotel runs three restaurants covering continental, halal, Asian, American, and buffet formats. Dining scores 127 positive mentions out of 143 in guest reviews. A free breakfast buffet is included in most room rates, and breakfast in the room is available.
Service that stands out
Service is the top-reviewed subject across all feedback: 370 out of 407 mentions were positive. That is a notably high ratio for a city hotel with a broad mix of guests, from families to transit passengers.
Spa and fitness on-site
The spa and wellness centre runs full-service treatments. The fitness centre draws its own consistent praise — 70 positive out of 82 fitness-related mentions. Both are on-property, so no transfers required.
Two-minute speedboat from the airport
The hotel is 2 km from Velana International Airport. A speedboat transfer is included in the room rate for return journeys. That makes early check-ins and late-night arrivals practical without a long ground transfer.
Families have a dedicated space
A kids' club runs on-site. Family rooms are available. The hotel also provides kids' meals and special diet menus on request, which reduces the guesswork of eating in an unfamiliar city with children.
Location rated near-perfect
The area score for restaurants nearby is 4.9 out of 5, and things to do scores 4.8. Airport access scores 4.6. Location earns 77 positive mentions out of 87 in guest reviews, suggesting the Malé setting works well in practice.
Rooms & suites
Deluxe Twin Room
24 m² · sleeps 3 · 3 twin beds
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
Deluxe Double Room
28 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 twin bed and 1 full bed
- City view
- Bath
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Deluxe Queen Room
24 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 queen bed
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
Deluxe Queen Room with Ocean View
28 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 twin bed and 1 full bed
- Sea view
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Executive Double Room
32 m² · sleeps 3 · 1 twin bed and 1 queen bed
- Balcony
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Standout features
Inside Jen Maldives Male by Shangri-La
Amenities at Jen Maldives Male by Shangri-La
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Airport shuttle (free)
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 3 restaurants
- Room service
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Bathrobe
- Hairdryer
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
- Alarm clock
View
- City view
Kitchen
- Dryer
Living Area
- Desk
Getting there
Jen Maldives Male by Shangri-La is on Malé in Kaafu Atoll, about 2 km from Velana International Airport (MLE) on Hulhulé — a short taxi over the Sinamalé Bridge, no boat needed. Airport shuttle buses run the route around the clock too.
An airport taxi is inexpensive — typically MVR 60–100 (about $4–8) on the fixed fares, taking 10–20 minutes; the public airport shuttle bus costs even less. No ferry or speedboat is needed — the islands are connected to the airport by road.
On the map
The island of Malé is part of Kaafu Atoll. Kaafu (North & South Malé Atoll) is the most accessible region, a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport.
Maldives tours & activities
Excursions you can book for a Maldives stay — manta & whale-shark snorkelling, sandbank picnics, diving and sunset cruises. Availability varies by island; filter by your dates and location on GetYourGuide.
Service draws the most feedback by a wide margin — 370 positive out of 407 mentions. Dining and breakfast both score well (127/143 and 85/114 respectively). Cleanliness is positive in 81 of 105 mentions. Location is rated well at 77 out of 87. Transit — covering transfers and logistics — is the weakest area at 42 positive out of 63 mentions.
- Things to do4.8
- Restaurants4.9
- Airport access4.6
Share of positive mentions per theme, from Google reviews.
Good to know
Frequently asked
Where is Jen Maldives Malé by Shangri-La?
The hotel is 2 km from Velana International Airport and provides a speedboat transfer. A return airport transfer is included in the room rate for most bookings, so you do not pay separately for arrival and departure.
Is this a beach resort or a city hotel?
It is a city hotel in the capital, Malé. There is no private beach or house reef. Guests who want a resort island experience will need to book onward travel from Malé to a separate resort property.
How many rooms are in Shangri-La, Maldives?
Five room types are listed: Deluxe Double, Deluxe Twin, Deluxe Queen, Deluxe Queen with Ocean View, and Executive Double. Sizes run from 24 m² to 32 m². The Executive Double is the only category with a private balcony and coffee machine.
Does the hotel include breakfast?
Free breakfast is included in the listed rates. The hotel runs a breakfast buffet and also offers breakfast in the room. Continental, halal, Asian, American, and buffet formats are available across the three restaurants.
Are there dining options for special diets?
Special diet menus are available on request. The hotel's three restaurants cover continental, halal, Asian, and American food. Kids' meals are also on the menu, which is useful for families travelling with young children.
Is there a pool on-site?
Yes, the hotel has a pool. There is also a fitness centre and a spa with full wellness services — all on-property.
Is JEN Malé suitable for families?
The hotel has a dedicated kids' club and family rooms. Kids' meals are available. The free return airport transfer simplifies arrival with children, and the on-site pool and spa mean there is enough to do without leaving the property.
What is the starting price per night?
Rates start from $231.77 per night for Deluxe Double, Twin, and Queen rooms. The Deluxe Queen with Ocean View starts at $260.15, and the Executive Double starts at $288.53. All include a return airport speedboat transfer.
How has the hotel been reviewed by guests?
JEN Malé has 1,306 Google reviews with an average rating of 4.4. Service is the most-praised subject, with 370 positive mentions out of 407. Dining and location are also consistently well-rated across guest feedback.
Is Wi-Fi free at the hotel?
Free WiFi is included in all rooms as part of the listed rates. The hotel-wide connection is included, and the room rates are specifically labelled to confirm complimentary WiFi for each category.
Is the hotel accessible for guests with disabilities?
The hotel lists facilities for disabled guests among its amenities. A 24-hour front desk is staffed around the clock. Guests with specific accessibility requirements should confirm details directly with the hotel before booking.
What is there to do in the area around the hotel?
The area scores 4.9 out of 5 for nearby restaurants and 4.8 for things to do — both reflect Malé's dense city centre. Local markets, the harbour, and the capital's main streets are accessible from the hotel on foot or via the local shuttle.