The Maldives
Fantasy Islands Your guide to the finest resorts, from private hideaways to family favourites
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The Fir s t Premiu m All-Inc lusive Resor t in The Maldiv es!
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Welcome to Paradise... ...it’s closer than you think. In fact, the proximity of the Maldives to the GCC it can be reached in as short a time as four hours depending on where in the GCC you live - makes it a viable option for a weekend escape. Not that you’ll want to leave after just a few days in this most breathtakingly beautiful of countries, especially if you stay at one of the twenty superb resorts we’ve brought together in this guide. And if you fear you’ll be bored or grow claustrophobic the longer you spend on a desert island, think again. These resorts offer myriad on and off-shore activities and experiences to suit all tastes and desires, so all you need do is choose the resort for you...
the 30 second history class Though it’s not officially recorded when the Maldives was
language called Dhivehi, which is unique to the Maldives
first settled, it’s widely accepted to have been inhabited
and the only official language spoken, although you’ll find
for at least 2,500 years, with the first people arriving from
that the local staff at your resort are also nearly always
eastern Africa, Arabia and the Indian subcontinent. In
fluent in English. If you want to try out a bit of Dhivehi
fact, Arabia’s own Ibn Battuta’s arrival to these turquoise
during your stay, here’s a few key phrases to use...
shores is marked on the country’s official emblem, where
Hello
Assalaamu Alaikum
This is the name Battuta gave to the islands. But for a very
Yes
Aan
brief period of Portuguese occupation, the Maldives has
No
Noon
been at peace throughout its existence and this is imbued
What is your name?
Kon nameh kiyanee?
in the spirit of its warm, friendly people. They speak a
How are you?
Kihineh?
Good
Rangalhu
Thank you
Shukuriyaa
the words Ad-Dawlat Al-Mahaldheebiyya are inscribed.
IT’S A FACT… that the aquamarine halo around each island is this colour because it’s such shallow water. Around each island is a fringing reef, which protects the island from rough seas and creates a calm lagoon at its centre. The aquamarine is the water within this reef.
Maldives Must-Dos Wherever you choose to stay in the Maldives, there are certain things you simply have to experience…
Number crunching Enjoy a romantic dinner
Take a sunset cruise
Swim with the fishes
Nowhere else in
The vast majority of
So crystal clear is the
the world lays on
resorts will offer you
water in the Maldives
opportunities for
the chance to hop
and so teeming with
romantic dinners quite
aboard a twilight cruise
fish are its reefs, that
like the Maldives.
and you’d be wise to
even by snorkeling
Here you can dine on a
take them up on it.
on the surface you’ll
deserted island, adrift
You’ll drink in the most
see the most amazing
on the ocean aboard a
incredible sunsets
sights. You’ll be
luxury yacht and even
while dolphins leap at
particularly enamoured
beneath the sea.
your side.
by the turtles.
It’s a fact…that within 10 years the Maldives hopes to have achieved its aim of being the world’s first carbon neutral country. It will do so by using only renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, as it looks to lead from the front in the fight against climate change.
All aboard The Maldives is famous for its wonderful waters and magnificent dive spots abound. To explore them, you can holiday aboard one of various vessels that sail around the Maldives on a daily basis, stopping off at reefs and virgin islands along the way so you can dive, fish or simply soak up the sun from the deck. The vessels range from the most glamorous of supersized yachts to the more traditional fishing boats, so there’s one to suit every budget with the standard of accommodation varying accordingly. Our advice? Splash out for a stay aboard a yacht and experience the Maldives in the most uniquely brilliant of ways. Visit www.visitmaldives.com for more information.
1
The maximum number of resorts per single island, meaning that wherever you stay you’ll have the run of a private slice of paradise.
7.5
The number of feet above sea level of the natural ground level of the Maldives, which officially makes it the lowest country in the world.
25
The number of protected reefs in the Maldives, which makes for superb diving. A fact that led to the country achieving a world record for the number of simultaneous scuba dives.
30
The Celsius average year-round temperature in the Maldives. It never drops below 23C.
1192
The number of coral islands that make up the Maldives, 200 of which are inhabited by its population of three hundred thousand people.
Diva Maldives
Diva Maldives A splendid resort – among the biggest in the country – that’s surrounded by a beautiful fish-filled lagoon and blessed with some suitably fine restaurants. If you want the resort’s best room… you could splash out on a Presidential Water Villa, but the far-from-simple Water Villa is no less beautiful. We’re particularly fond of the so-called picture windows in the bedroom and bathroom, which light up the fish-filled lagoon below. If you have kids in tow… then they can spend their days in the kids’ club and enjoy a huge range of activities. There’s also a club dedicated to teens that’s chockfull of games consoles. If you’re looking for a little romance… head to a water spa villa for a couple’s treatment. The floor’s fashioned from glass so you can watch the fish float by while you relax.
rience The Rania Expe
The spa’s floor is fashioned from glass so you can watch the fish float by
How’s this for a great escape? Your own private island, which comes with an outsized yacht for you to use at your leisure The Rania Experience
Kandooma
This is a private island in every sense, which you can rent in its entirety for an utterly unique and reassuringly expensive experience. If you want the resort’s best room… you’ve got it. The island has one exceptional dwelling, the Rania Suite. Although if you fancy a change of scenery you could always move between the three Beach Villas on the east wing of the island. If you have kids in tow… they’ll have the run of their own desert island. How many brownie points will that get you? If you’re looking for a little romance… take out the island’s
Kandooma
86ft yacht for a cruise. It’s yours with a full crew for three hours of
A large, modern-style resort – think white-
every day of your stay. We advise
washed timber – that offers much in the
setting off just before sunrise
way of activities and amusements for all the
with a breakfast hamper created
family. Just don’t forget to visit the rather
by your team of personal chefs.
excellent spa. If you want the resort’s best room… stay in a Water Villa where at high tide you can
The Rania Experience
kick back in a hammock that’s partially submerged in the azure waters. If you have kids in tow… they’ll be far from bored thanks to a kids’ club which lays on activities like cooking, role play and marine biology lessons. If you’re looking for a little romance… head to the rooftop terrace after dark for a drink beneath the stars before heading to the beach to curl up in front of a black and white movie classic - these are screened nightly.
Angsana Velavaru The first resort anywhere in the world to offer
one of the two-storey premier InOcean villas.
accommodation completely detached from land –
They’re utterly stunning.
villas stand in the ocean, a 1km boat ride from the
If you have kids in tow… then regardless of whether
island – Angsana Velavaru is a stunningly attractive
you’re staying on the island or in the ocean, your
resort surrounded by superb dive spots.
children can access a kids’ club where they can enjoy
If you want the resort’s best room…you’ll have to
marine-themed educational activities and myriad
decide whether you prefer powder-soft sand or
other entertainments.
warm waters beneath your feet. On the island
If you’re looking for a little romance… then it has to
you’ll have a choice of five villa types, while
be the couple’s treatment offered at the spa, simply
unconnected and literally atop the sea you’ll find the
because you can have it al fresco and close enough to
strikingly unique InOcean villas. We suggest
the sea to hear the waves lapping at the shore as you
you plump for the latter and hole yourself up in
drift off to sleep. Marvellous.
The first resort anywhere in the world to offer accommodation
completely detached from land
Four Seasons Maldives At Kuda Huraa
Constance Halaveli
Reef Club Restaurant
Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa
Constance Halaveli
A fantastic, family-friendly resort that’s also hot for
One of the Maldives’ newest resorts is also one of
honeymooners. Its terrific spa is housed on its own island.
its most attractive, with lush greenery as much of a
If you want the resort’s best room… we suggest you
feature as sparkling waters.
ignore the pull of the on-stilt villas and opt instead for one
If you want the resort’s best room… go for the
of the wonderful Sunset Beach Bungalows with a pool.
double-storey villa, which is large enough to house
You still have direct access to the sea via your own stretch
an entire family and decked out from top to bottom
of white sand, but you also get the added bonus of an
in the finest furnishings. It also boasts a plunge pool
infinity plunge pool and a shaded garden area to relax in.
housed in a beautiful garden.
If you have kids in tow… then you needn’t worry about
If you have kids in tow… you can send them to the
them being bored. There’s a great kids’ club and a centre
kids’ club, which runs until 10pm and entertains
for teens, while you’ll even find child-sized bathrobes and
children with activities galore from as young as four
kids’ only toiletries in your room.
years of age.
If you’re looking for a little romance… then spend the last
If you’re looking for a little romance… kick off your
three nights of your trip aboard the luxury Four Seasons
sandals and dine beneath a blanket of stars at the
Explorer, so you can island hop, explore stunning reefs
resort’s fantastic beach restaurant. Go for the grilled
and drink in the most magical sunsets.
lobster plucked fresh form the sea.
The Maldives is famed for its over-water rooms and the superb Constance Halaveli has some of the country’s finest
Soneva Gili The Maldives’ first all on-stilt accommodation resort remains one of its finest. It’s small, intimate and operates a ‘no shoes’ policy to aid that desert island vibe. If you want the resort’s best room… we suggest you opt for one of seven Crusoe Residences, which feature a marvellous floating sundeck so can you can dangle your feet in the ocean while working on your tan. You’ll reach it via your own rowboat. If you have kids in tow… you’ll soon discover that this is a resort aimed at those in search of peace, quiet and privacy. As such, there are no child-focused amenities to speak of. Though for older kids the list of on-and-off site sports is impressive. If you’re looking for a little romance… then you’re in the right resort. We recommend you take a gourmet hamper – made up by a team of super chefs – over to a secluded island for an intimate, ocean-side picnic.
Soneva Gili
One&Only Reethi Rah A magnet for the rich and famous when it first opened in 2005, the resort remains the destination of choice for the style set. If you want the resort’s best room…you’ll be booking into a Grand Villa with pool, which means that not only is the ocean at your doorstep but an exceptional infinity pool, too. If you have kids in tow…then whatever their age they’ll find plenty to occupy their time. The kids’ club runs from 9am-9pm, takes children from upwards of four years of age and offers fun, educational activities like cooking and dancing. But there’s also a club for teenagers which lays on a plethora of activities, including off-island excursions. If you’re looking for a little romance… then you don’t even have to leave your villa. Just have your butler draw you a rose-petal strewn bath while your private chef rustles up a candlelit, ocean-side dinner for two.
Kanuhura An absolute paradise for kids and grown ups alike thanks in part to a profusion of leisure activities, this is the archetypical desert island topped off with five star finery. If you want the resort’s best room…then book a Grand Water Villa. Set on stilts, it stands in a fish-filled lagoon and has a fantastic deck where you can shower al-fresco or simply step down into the turquoise water. Magnificent. If you have kids in tow…then there’s a club where they’ll be entertained from as early as 9am and until as late as 10pm. Here they’ll enjoy organised games and exploration of the island’s natural charms. What’s more, you’ll find that to a man the staff at Kanuhura are outstanding with children. If you’re looking for a little romance…skip dinner at the main restaurants in favour of the most romantic
The Kids’ Club
of meals on the resort’s adjacent private island, Jehunuhura, which can be booked for just the two of you. Bliss.
An absolute paradise for kids and grown ups alike... this is the archetypical desert island...
A luxury hideaway.
w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s . c o m
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Lily Beach Resort & Spa It’s all about affordable luxury at five-star Lily Beach with guests paying a flat fee for an all-inclusive platinum package, which not only covers all meals and drinks but excursions and sunset fishing to boot. If you want the resort’s best room…you’ll book a Sunset Water Suite, where you’ll enjoy uncompromising views of the ocean, a magnificent Jacuzzi pool and the round-the-clock services of a butler. If you have kids in tow…they can spend fun-filled days in the kids’ club, where they can play, paint, draw, watch cartoons and take part in organised activities like treasure hunts. If you’re looking for a little romance…book a treatment for two at sunset in the marvellous over-water spa, before taking a moonlit stroll back to your villa.
Tamara Spa
Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi, Maldives Spa Resort & Marina
W Retreat & Spa
Home to the Maldives’ first ever marina, this resort’s luxurious lodgings take up only five per cent of this gorgeous island, leaving you to roam amid untouched natural beauty. If you want the resort’s best room…then you’re spoilt for choice with six types of super-stylish villas. But if you twisted our arm we’d suggest you opt for one of only two Hideaway Water Suites. They stand atop stilts in a crystalclear lagoon and boast their own ocean-view treatment room, steam room, sauna and, best of all, an al-fresco bathtub so you can enjoy a soak beneath the stars. If you have kids in tow…they’ll be delighted
W Retreat & Spa Maldives
if they’re of an age to enjoy the on-land (tennis, football, volleyball) or water-based
A strikingly elegant, ultra-glam resort
(wakeboarding, windsurfing, canoeing) activities
that employs a whatever/whenever policy,
but if they’re not there’s also a kids’ club, where
granting its guests impeccable levels of
there are numerous daily activities offered, a
service and just the right amount of the
playground and bicycles to ride.
attention to boot.
If you’re looking for a little romance...charter
If you want the resort’s best room… book
the resort’s aircraft for a private flight over the
an Ocean Haven Suite and soak up the
atolls that make up the Maldives: truly one of
incredible style. We’re talking a two-
the most magical sights on earth.
bedroom, thatched-roofed, over-water suite that has glass flooring so you can see the marine life swim by beneath your feet, and
Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi
a wraparound terrace with steps that lead directly into the water. And did we mention the Jacuzzi seats in the private infinity pool? If you have kids in tow… they can indulge in all manner of watersports if old enough to do so, but this is a resort for grown-ups only. As such, it does not accept children under the age of thirteen. If you’re looking for a little romance… take to the water in a transparent kayak and share in the stunning sights afforded by a similarly transparent ocean.
Book a table at the resort’s underwater restaurant. It’s a world first and the views are incredible Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Spanning two islands and boasting two spas and seven top-notch restaurants, this is a multi-award winning resort that caters for all tastes and ages. If you want the resort’s best room… you’ll need to book a thatched-roof water villa. You’ll love its glass floor which shows off the strikingly-coloured
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
marine life below. If you have kids in tow… they’re in for a fun-filled time at the brilliant kids’ club. On top of offering a whole host of activities, the club also features a bizarrely brilliant ice cream-themed spa for 4-12 year olds. If you’re looking for a little romance… simply book a table at the resort’s underwater restaurant, Ithaa. It’s a world first and the views are just incredible.
Huavfen Fushi A super-chic romantic hideaway characterised by the world’s first underwater spa, which brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘sleep with the fishes’. If you want the resort’s best room… check on the availability of CUBE, a two-floor entirely private residence that stands in a secluded oceanfront garden. Here you’ll find outdoor spa beds, a yoga pavilion and a daybed-lined pool. The master bedroom also connects to a fully-equipped gym. If you have kids in tow… you may have to put up with prolonged cries of boredom, for this resort is more a honeymooners’ paradise than a children’s playground. Though there’s the usual endless list of watersports for teenagers to enjoy. If you’re looking for a little romance… then it’s all about choosing your dinner table. Do you fancy the privacy of a candle-strewn cellar, or the space of a rock island complete with a private table for two?
Huavfen Fushi
Kurumba Maldives
You’ll find that the Taj Exotica offers some incredible settings for a romantic meal
This is the Maldives’ original island resort. It opened in 1972 and was rebuilt to a fantastic standard in 2004, fusing modern splendour with traditional Maldivian architecture. If you want the resort’s best room… and a butler on hand to service your every whim, go for a sumptuous Presidential Suite. It spans two floors, has a marvellous flower-filled courtyard and an outsized private pool. If you have kids in tow… there’s a designated children’s play area, junior-sized snorkel equipment and kids’ menus in each of the resort’s seven restaurants. If you’re looking for a little romance… take a boat to the resort’s deserted island where your candlelit dinner for two will be accompanied by the sound of a band playing just for you.
Kurumba Maldives
Huavfen Fushi
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives It’s all about winding down at this romantic hideaway, where the magnificent, spacious spa is among the country’s finest. If you want the resort’s best room…then you had better hope the magnificent Presidential Suite isn’t already in use. It’s built over water, has two bedrooms, a balcony that looks out across an endless ocean – not to mention a glassed bathroom that does Taj Eotica Resort & Spa
the same – and a suspended deck providing a private stretch of sand. If you have kids in tow…then providing they’re old enough they can enjoy a wealth of water-based activities, including banana boating, as well as football, volleyball and snooker. If you’re looking for a little romance…take a private cruise just before sundown and have your driver kill the engine so you can watch the sun slip into the ocean in absolute silence.
Coco Beach Bodu Hithi Resort
Coco Beach Bodu Hithi Resort One for the honeymooners, this. An intimate little hideaway defined by its great-sized villas. If you want the resort’s best room… you’ll be after an Escape Water Residence. You’ll find them housed on their own island a short distance from the main resort, offering total privacy and abundant luxury. If you have kids in tow… then aside from swimming there’s little in the way of entertainment for tiny tots, but older kids can enjoy indoor and outdoor sports. If you’re looking for a little romance… you’ll be surrounded by perhaps the best beaches in the Maldives. Perfect for a saunter beneath the stars.
Anantara Dhigu
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru This petite eco-resort – just 48 villas in all – is the epitome of barefoot luxury. And it’s perfect for those seeking peace and quiet amid quite stunning surroundings. If you want the resort’s best room… check yourself into a Deluxe Beachfront Villa. Its huge glass doors open onto blindingly-white sand which lies mere feet from a beautiful lagoon. If you have kids in tow… you’ll find that this is a resort squarely aimed at adults. As such, it offers nothing in the way of child-related services. If you’re looking for a little romance… take a speedboat out to a small sandbank that’s slap bang in the ocean. Here, staff will lay on a private gourmet treat for two once the sky above has filled with stars.
If you’re looking for a resort where the list of activities reads as long as your arm, this is it
Anantara Dhigu Two islands make up this resort, one dotted with beautiful villas and the other offering activities galore. There’s even a cooking school where you can sharpen your culinary skills by whipping up a Maldivian feast. If you want the resort’s best room… you’ll be wanting the keys to an over-water Pool Suite. Not only is the pool infinity-edged but the bathtub is, too. If you have kids in tow… then a team of staff will happily entertain them in the kids’ club – they lay on a glut of great activities – while you enjoy the resort’s other recreational offerings. We recommend the super-fun underwater rocket, which propels you dolphin-like through the water. If you’re looking for a little romance… take a sunset cruise for two aboard the traditional Maldivian sailing vessel, the dhoni. It’s guaranteed to tug the heartstrings.
Velassaru A small but immaculately formed resort geared towards honeymooners. It lies a hair-sweeping speedboat ride from Male. If you want the resort’s best room… opt for a super chic, teak-floored water bungalow, which stands with the ocean just a single step below and offers panoramic vistas to boot. If you have kids in tow… you’ll have your hands full trying to keep them amused. This idyllic retreat is where couples come to get away from it all. If you’re looking for a little romance… there’s a full programme of quixotic experiences guaranteed to melt your heart. This includes an evening which begins with a bonfire-side dinner on the beach and ends with a moonlit cruise. A Water Bungalow
The Spa of course is fabulous but sometimes nothing beats retail therapy Live the moment.
One&Only Reethi Rah is part of a portfolio of distinctive and memorable resorts in The Bahamas, Cape Town, Dubai, Maldives, Mauritius and Mexico. Call +960 664 8800, email Info@oneandonlyresorts.com.mv or visit oneandonlyresorts.com.