Hotel Starshell
Rooftop views, a short walk to the beach, and Hulhumalé at your door.
A city stay in Hulhumalé
Hotel Starshell is a 15-room, 4-star hotel in Hulhumalé, connected to Velana International Airport by road via the Sinamalé Bridge — roughly a 10-minute drive. The beach is about a one-minute walk away. The hotel runs two dining spaces: Starshell Cafe on the ground floor, serving local and international halal dishes alongside the daily breakfast, and a Rooftop Grill that opened recently with views across the ocean and city. Rooms are compact, and all four categories include a coffee machine, minibar, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.
Is this stay right for you?
A compact city hotel with on-site dining, quick beach access, and a straightforward airport connection — suited to travellers who want a practical Hulhumalé base rather than a resort experience.
Best for
- Travellers transiting through Velana International Airport
- Couples or solo guests wanting beach access without a resort price
- Guests who value on-site dining with local halal food
- Families looking for a child-friendly breakfast
Less suited to
- Travellers expecting a full resort or spa
- Those wanting alcohol on-site (Hulhumalé is alcohol-free)
- Guests seeking large or villa-style rooms
Rooftop Grill with ocean views
The recently opened Rooftop Grill sits above the city with views over the ocean and Hulhumalé skyline. Sunset is the draw here. The menu uses fresh local ingredients and runs separately from the main cafe downstairs.
Starshell Cafe — ground-floor dining
Starshell Cafe is the hotel's main restaurant, serving local and international halal cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. It runs à la carte as well as the included daily breakfast buffet.
Steps from Hulhumalé beach
The Eastern Beach is about a one-minute walk from the hotel. For a city property in Greater Malé, that is an unusually short distance — no boat or taxi needed to reach the water.
Compact rooms, practical kit
All four room types include a coffee machine, minibar, flat-screen TV, ensuite bathroom, and free Wi-Fi. Views are garden- or city-facing. The largest category, the Superior Deluxe Room, measures 20 m².
Where you'll stay
Standard Double Room
- Garden view
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Deluxe King Room
15 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Garden view
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Deluxe Twin Room
16 m² · sleeps 2 · 2 twin beds
- Garden view
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Superior Deluxe Room
20 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Garden view
- City view
- Air conditioning
- Attached bathroom
- Flat-screen TV
Experiences on & off the island
Inside Hotel Starshell
Amenities at Hotel Starshell
Most popular facilities
- Airport shuttle
- 2 restaurants
- Room service
- Free Wifi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Breakfast
Great for your stay
- 2 restaurants
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- View
- Bath
- Free Wifi
- Flat-screen TV
- Non-smoking rooms
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Towels/Sheets (extra fee)
- Additional toilet
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
View
- City view
- Garden view
- View
Outdoors
- Outdoor furniture
- Terrace
Getting to the hotel
Hotel Starshell is in Hulhumalé, connected to Velana International Airport by the Sinamalé Bridge. The drive takes around 10 minutes by road. An airport shuttle service is available. The hotel also runs a local shuttle and has free on-site parking.
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.
Where you'll be
Where to eat
- Crepe Runner restaurant 0.25 km
- vilu rest cafe 0.3 km
- Dondon Cafe' & Bistro cafe 0.32 km
- frengo cafe 0.33 km
- momo tea cafe 0.34 km
- wilu breeze cafe 0.45 km
Across 249 Google reviews, the hotel holds a 3.9/5 rating. Service is the strongest theme — 55 of 70 mentions were positive. Location scores well too, with 25 of 31 mentions favourable, and guests point to airport access and things to do nearby. Breakfast drew positive comments in 22 of 31 mentions. The property overall is more mixed, with 27 positive out of 52 mentions.
- Things to do4.7
- Restaurants3.3
- Airport access4.8
Share of positive mentions per theme, from Google reviews.
Reviews scoring 9–10: 9 · average 9
They wrote about: location, staff, room
Reviews scoring 7–9: 21 · average 7.6
They wrote about: staff, breakfast, location
No reviews in the selected score range.
Guest reviews summarised from Booking site partners.
Things to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Hotel Starshell from the airport?
The hotel is reached by road via the Sinamalé Bridge — roughly a 10-minute drive from Velana International Airport. An airport shuttle service is available, and free parking is on site.
Is the beach walkable from the hotel?
Yes. The Eastern Beach (Hulhumalé beach) is about a one-minute walk from the hotel. There is no boat transfer required.
What room types does Hotel Starshell have?
There are four room types: Standard Double Room, Deluxe Twin Room (two single beds, 16 m²), Deluxe King Room (15 m²), and Superior Deluxe Room (the largest at 20 m²). All sleep two.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, free breakfast is included. It is served daily at Starshell Cafe and the format is buffet-style. A child-friendly option is also available.
What restaurants are at the hotel?
The hotel runs two dining spaces: Starshell Cafe on the ground floor, serving local, international, and halal cuisine à la carte, and the Rooftop Grill, a newer addition with ocean and city views and a menu of fresh local ingredients.
Is alcohol available at the hotel?
Hulhumalé is an alcohol-free island. No alcohol is served at Hotel Starshell.
Can I arrange water sports or excursions?
Beach and water sports activities can be arranged through the hotel's tour desk and concierge. These are organised with local operators rather than run on-site.
Is the hotel suitable for families?
The hotel has a child-friendly breakfast buffet and a 24-hour front desk. All rooms sleep two, so families with children should check specific requirements at booking.
What is the price range?
Rooms start from around USD 179 per night for the Standard Double Room, up to USD 212 for the Superior Deluxe Room. The property lists a starting rate from USD 132 depending on dates and availability.
Are there cafes and restaurants nearby?
Several cafes and restaurants are within half a kilometre of the hotel, including Crepe Runner (0.25 km), vilu rest (0.3 km), Dondon Cafe & Bistro (0.32 km), and Shell Beans Hulhu'male (0.49 km).
Is Wi-Fi free at the hotel?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and in all rooms.
How do I book Hotel Starshell?
The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and concierge. Bookings can be made through standard online travel platforms or by contacting the hotel directly. The tour desk can also assist with local activity arrangements after check-in.