I Naladhu Private Island Maldives

By Baraa Alfaouri

• HOTEL REVIEW •

Naladhu Private Island Maldives

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When I hear the phrase “the perfect getaway,” the image that immediately flashes to my mind is one of deep blue oceans, golden sand, and the sound of waves crashing against a shore. I found all this and more at Naladhu Private Island Maldives, located in Veligandu Huraa in the South Male Atoll, where my family and I spent four blissful nights.

Journey Our adventure got off to an upbeat start when we boarded a flight from Dubai to Male International Airport, which took around four hours. When we landed, a team from Naladhu met us with a warm welcome, showing us to the VIP lounge and giving us access to free Wi-Fi as well as a variety of cold beverages and snacks as we waited for our luxurious yacht transfer to the resort.

It was here where our adventure started. The cruise from the airport to Naladhu was close to 30 mins long, and on the day that we arrived, the weather was cloudy and windy. The island was breathtaking as we approached it, and as we got closer we could see the team on the dock waving at us, which was a lovely touch and one of the highlights of the trip. Disembarking the yacht onto the island, we were handed a heavenly tropical drink and treated to a musical drum performance, both of which were delightful surprises.

Accommodation Naladhu Private Island has 20 spacious houses offering stunning views, all with private pools, terraces, and outdoor swings. The houses offer intimacy and privacy, which makes the resort ideal for honeymooners as well as families.

As soon as we arrived, the staff showed us around the resort; we peeked into the gym, restaurant, swimming pool, and spa. Everything was within easy walking distance, and we were able to walk around the whole island in 15 minutes. The smell and sound of the ocean were all around us as we explored the desert island and the vegetation along the beach, watching the colorful birds fly overhead and among the trees. The whole experience exemplifies getting lost in nature.

Following the tour, we were shown to our villa, where we were greeted with complimentary desserts and candy. The space was exquisite, with an oceanfront terrace view and a large private pool that was perfect for our family. We had plenty of room even with a king-sized bed and two spare beds in the accommodation. The property exuded elegance and relaxation, with wonderful embellishments in every nook. Relaxing on the balcony swing while gazing out at the breathtaking ocean views was all I needed to unwind and unplug from any stresses back home.

Activities There are numerous activities suitable for families, groups of friends, and couples on offer, and the resort’s team was able to help us select activities that were a good fit for our family. There were classes in both group and individual yoga and cooking, as well as high-octane power sports such as kayaking, flyboarding, and many more.

We tried lots of different water-based sports, such as jet-skiing, which required a guide to accompany us while we cruised the water for half an hour. Kayaking close to the shore was a blast for the kids. My favorite activity was parasailing because the ocean and island views from that height were magnificent. We even spotted dolphins from above, which was the highlight of our day. The kids wanted to snorkel with turtles, so a member of the Naladhu team took them out and coached them the entire time. Manta Rays were among the many sightings they made while exploring the reef and its abundant marine life.

The kids also absolutely loved the fishing trip, and their excitement while reeling in their very first catch is something we will never forget. The fishing guides had a lot of patience with the kids and showed them several different techniques, which made the whole experience more fun and challenging. We returned with only one fish but many fond memories and smiles all around.

Scuba diving lessons are also available for all levels of divers, from beginners to experts. The resort’s Discover Scuba Diving course covers theory and shallow water instruction, as well as a dive of up to 12 meters around the house reef. Naladhu also offers courses in Advanced, Rescue, or Dive Master certifications, as well as a PADI Certification Level 1 course, which enables you to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters anywhere in the world.

Dining The island has a wide range of cuisines to suit all palates. Our first lunch was at The Living Room, which is Naladhu’s main fine-dining luxury restaurant with a view of the lagoon. The concept is quite unique. The restaurant does not have a menu but instead allows diners to discuss their preferences with a chef and have any meal prepared to their specifications at any time of the day. The chefs were very accommodating, and the food was heavenly.

The remaining restaurants are on Anantara Dhigu Island, which can be reached by boat from Naladhu

in about seven minutes. Moving between the islands is simple and convenient, as a boat is constantly available to transport you all day. Every morning, we made our way to the Fushi Café for breakfast, where they offer a lavish international buffet complete with live cooking stations, freshly baked pastries, and a range of tropical fruits and drinks. The café also serves dinner, with a variety of options available. On another day, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Aqua Italian restaurant, which is located beside the pool. In addition to the refreshing drinks and the spectacular view of the ocean, the children had a great time at the pool, where there were various activities and an ice cream truck to keep them cool during the day.

We opted to have seafood grills for dinner at the Sea.Fire. Salt restaurant. Its natural and rural setting, paired with the fading sunset and ocean scenery, was enchanting.

On our last day, the resort organized a special lunch for us at the island’s Royal Villa, which features a private beach, a large pool, a master bedroom and ensuite on the top level, a double bedroom on the ground floor, and a kitchen. Our dreamy lunch was served in the spacious living room.

Final thoughts This resort’s golden beaches, coconut palms, and deep blue waters made my holiday a dream come true. With Naladhu Private Islands, we experienced “the perfect getaway” and discovered the natural beauty of the Maldives.

• THOUGHTS ON •

Brothers and Sisters

“You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts.” —George R.R. Martin

“Siblings: children of the same parents, each of whom is perfectly normal until they get together.” —Sam Levenson

“I’ve been the oldest child since before you were born.” —E.L. Konigsburg

“A five-year age gap between siblings is like a garden that needs constant attention. Even three months apart allows the weeds to grow up between you.” —Zadie Smith

“I would tell people that I was raised an only child, and so was my brother.” —Homer H. Hickham

“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.” —Amy Li

“Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops.” —Cary Grant

“Comparison is a death knell to sibling harmony.” —Elizabeth Fishel

Cary Grant

“Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply.” —Jane Austen

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” —George Burns “Your parents leave you too soon and your spouse and kids come along late, but your siblings knew you when you were in your most inchoate form.” —Jeffrey Kluger

“The love of a sibling is the most unconditional love of all—a love without demand, without expectations or pretense.” —Anoir Ou-Chad “Half the time when brothers wrestle, it’s just an excuse to hug each other.” —James Patterson

“Your siblings are the only people in the world who know what it’s like to have been brought up the way you were.” —Betsy Z. Cohen

“The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going.” —George Carlin

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” —1 Peter 4:8

SOURCES: A GAME OF THRONES, BY GEORGE R.R. MARTIN; FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, BY E.L. KONIGSBURG; ON BEAUTY, BY ZADIE SMITH; ROCKET BOYS, BY HOMER H. HICKHAM; MANSFIELD PARK, BY JANE AUSTEN.

FINAL THOUGHT

“The real friend is he or she who can share all our sorrow and double our joys.”

—B.C. Forbes

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